RESEARCH LINKS
Issue 1: Border Wall
On 06-19-1019 construction crews continue work on the replacement border wall on the boundary between the United States and Mexico near the Calexico Port of Entry.
Photo by Mani Albrecht
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Office of Public Affairs
Visual Communications Division
Congress.gov: H.R.5810 “To Authorize Transfer of Materials for Border Wall”
Dallas Morning News OpEd: “The Border Wall—A Barricade or a Safeguard?”
ThoughtCo.com: “Weighing the Pros and Cons of U.S.-Mexico Border Barrier”
Fox News: “Governor Abbott Announces Details on Texas Border Wall”
govtrackinsider.com: “Bill would give states materials to resume border wall”
ProCon.org: “Should the U.S. Build a Wall along the U.S./Mexico Border?”
Issue 2: Daylight Saving Time
Congress.gov: S.623 “Sunshine Protection Act of 2021”
National Conference of State Legislatures: “DST State Legislation”
Politico: “Here Comes the Sun: Senate Agrees on Permanent Daylight Saving”
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine: “American Academy of Sleep Medicine”
Smithsonian: “What Happened the Last Time U.S. Made DST Permanent?”
BuzzFeedNews: “Everyone Was Surprised by Senate Passing Permanent DST”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Issue 1: Border Wall
- Do you think the current approach to U.S. border security is effective? What ideas do you have to make it more effective?
- Do you think all, some or no national borders around the world should have walls or fences separating countries? Why?
- What differences do you discern between the two border crossings with Mexico and Canada?
- Do you think that the border wall has become a political symbol for its supporters and opponents? Why or why not?
- What might a wall represent psychologically? For instance, might it symbolize safety or preserve a way of life?
Issue 2: Daylight Saving Time
- Should the United States make Daylight Saving Time permanent year round? Why or why not?
- Do you feel the effects of springing forward and/or falling back? What are the effects and how do they impact your day?
- Now that you’ve read the arguments for permanent Daylight Saving Time, visit https://savestandardtime.com/ and read the arguments for permanent Standard Time. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each proposal? Which time system do you think is best for the U.S. and why?
- Why do you think some places like Hawaii and most of Arizona opt out of Daylight Saving Time?
- Compare and contrast the economic benefits and disadvantages of Daylight Saving Time. Is DST good or bad for the economy overall? Explain your answer.