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US Government [Friday, February 2, 1st period]

"As promised, today we have our first test of the semester," Josh said, then took huge gulps from his mug of coffee. "I'm sure you're all thrilled. If you're not, well, fake it."

He stood up from his desk and handed the test papers to ~~Donna~~ Pam to pass out.

1. The word "democracy" comes from two Greek words. What are they and what do they mean?
2. What year was the Magna Carta signed? Why is it important in terms of the American government?
3. What three things did John Locke believe we have a right to? Which one did Jefferson change?
4. If you had been King George, how would you have reacted to reading the Declaration of Independence?
5. How does the Declaration of Independence begin (initial phrase only: Jefferson loved the compound sentence)?

"Question or concerns that aren't 'what's the answer to number 4?' Ask away."

[OOC: Answer the questions IC or handwave what your grade would've been]

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He's a nice guy.

Irulan approached Josh after the class, taking off her ~~best hat~~ headdress so as not to intimidate him. "Professor, may I speak with you?"

"Of course," Josh said. "What can I help you with?"

"It is no secret that we have differing views in government," Irulan began, trying not to show how nervous she was, "But I think you have mentioned you worked for you government, a very high position one at that and you do very well at your job." She paused. "I come to you now for advice, as future ruler of an empire, what activities do you suggest I join to help me train as a monarch?"

Josh, to his credit, took the question seriously. "You'll have people who will teach you protocol and all of the pointless trappings of power. To be an effective leader, you need to understand how things work. All things. Understand agriculture, and trade negotiations, and how countries--or planets, I suppose in your case--interact. Learn how to think critically, so that advisors can't pull a fast one on you. Understand laws, and how the military thinks." He ran a hand through his hair. "For activities, I steered towards student government and the newspaper. Understanding how power is wielded on smaller levels leads to being effective at it on the grander scale."

Irulan nodded, taking careful note of everything he said but repeated what he said that struck her the most. "I should understand how the smaller levels wield their power, this would help?" She paused and looked around, trying to make sure no one would hear. Paranoia for sure, since anyone who would care to listen was in a universe far, far away. "But what if I consider changing a policy that's been implemented for thousands of years -- such as my people's policy's on machines? Did your people find it hard to change a set of rules that's been established by your founding fathers?"

"We'll talk about amendments soon," Josh said, leaning in and lowering his voice, "but generally speaking, it's very difficult to amend the Constitution. That's not to say it hasn't been done. We've amended the document in a way that we believe to be the spirit of the original. The Founders two hundred years ago had no idea what we would be facing today, so they left us a way to change things."

She wished she had the same leeway, her ancestors were pretty clear on their policy against thinking machines. Still... there must be *some* loop holes.

"I'll look forward to that class, you have given me a lot to think about, Professor. Thank you."

"Any time," Josh said with a small smile.

Jim raised his hand. "What's the answer to number three?"

Josh threw a wadded up piece of paper at Jim's head.

Jim picked up the paper and checked if the answer to number three was on it. Nope. Not number four either.

He'd just have to do the work on his own.

Dawn was about half-solid, but she was there, in class, in about half of Sam's wardrobe. Still tired and shivering and weak, but there. She did have a problem, however.

She raised her hand and tried to ignore that she could see through it. "Professor Lyman? Um...I can't hold a pen."

Josh glanced up, then stared.

"Holy crap."

He took another gulp from his coffee. Nope, she was still...kind of see-through.

"Don't worry about the test," he said promptly. "We can schedule a make-up when you're not all..." his hand flailed uselessly. "It's not permanent, right?"

"I hope not?" Dawn frowned, trying not to think about the alternative. "And, um, okay."

"Want some coffee?" Josh asked. "You look kind of cold."

"Thanks, but I can't hold the mug," she said ruefully, having already tried that this morning.

"Would you like a cup of coffee that's warm and sits on your desk, then?" Josh asked.

She shook her head, wincing as it made her neck ache. "No, thank you."

Josh made a face. "Let me know if you need anything. Trip to the clinic, maybe?"

That made her smile. "As in, 'Hi, I forgot to get my anti-invisibility booster'?"

"Around here, they might have one," Josh said, grinning back.

"Which makes it something it would have been good to know about before yesterday," Dawn decided.

"I see a strongly worded letter to the editor in your future," Josh said, nodding.

Dawn grinned. She really liked Professor Lyman. Kinda like Xander if he'd decided to become a lawyer and work for the government. "Just as soon as I can find someone to take dictation."

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US Government [Friday, February 2, 1st period]

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