Welcome to South Plains College
Joseph Engle, Instructor
Government Department

This web site is designed to help you find class information, download 
class materials, and check important class and college dates.

General Information

Government 2301 Information
and Resources

Government 2302 Information
and Resources

South Plains College Website

Email the Instructor

This is NOT the correct website for
Internet  government.  Click here to
go to my I-Net website.

The links below are designed to help you find government-related news, information, and commentary.  The links are in no way comprehensive, ideologically balanced, or representative of the college or my own personal views.  If you don't like the links, my comments on each, or think I left an important link out, too bad, get over it; After you get over it, email me the link you think I missed and tell me why you think it is important.  Maybe I'll include it at some point.

The gray cells are 24 hour news outlets; the blue cells are online editions of newspapers; the yellow cells are Texas-related political sites; pink (or whatever color this is...) cells are policy development and analysis sites; the green are miscellaneous sites.

CNN

Used to be very balanced, but has become noticeably more liberal in the last ten or so years. CNN is known for its global news gathering capability.

Fox News

Unabashedly conservative, so much so that it has become the target of the liberal media.  The Fox website now gets more daily hits than CNN, a fact they don't let you forget.

MSNBC

A joint venture of, you guessed it, Microsoft and NBC.  Uses a lot of material from Newsweek; rather bland reporting, and not as comprehensive as CNN or Fox News.

BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)

World renowned for its global perspective and in-depth reporting; often has a different view than American news outlets; they don't like George W Bush, conservatives, or Americans very much.

Reuter's Top News Stories

Another British company, Reuter's developed the first global telegraph news company in 1851.  One of the most respected names in news.  Used by many radio and newspapers in the United States for international news.

The Economist

The very best in international news; scrupulously balanced, fair, and easy to read.  It is considered one of the most influential news outlets in the world.  In depth news and analysis.  The website has both free and subscription-only articles.  

New York Times

One of the most influential newspapers in the world.  Quite liberal.  Has had some problems with ethical issues lately; made-up stories, accusations of bias in reporting, etc.  Still, a good resource.  Signup required, but free.

The Washington Post

Another influential newspaper.  Not quite as liberal as the Times, but close.  Having numerous sources in the federal government,  the Post is considered one of the best sources of national and foreign news.

The Washington Times

A conservative paper, with one-tenth the readership of the Post, but frequently scoops both the Post and Times.  Well regarded by many of the power elite in Washington.  Especially good editorials and commentary.

USAToday

Bills itself as the "nation's newspaper."  Has good national coverage, and a good editorial page, with "Our View" and "Opposing View" sections which makes for good reading.

Pravda

The major newspaper in Russia.  Although it is no longer the mouthpiece for the Communist Party, it still is an influence in Russian politics.  The best English-language window on Russia.

Asahi Shimbun

The major newspaper in Japan; one of the foremost authorities on Pacific Rim politics, it usually has a different view on international affairs and developments.  Good editorials.

Arabic News

A compilation of news and political stories from throughout the Middle East.  If you want a completely different view on the West in general and US in particular, peruse some of the stories found here.

The Lubbock Avalanche Journal

OK, what can we say?

Texas Political News

A good source of the events, people, and actions in Texas politics.  This is a compilation from many sources of news stories dealing with Texas politics.  Good coverage and well-balanced information.

Texas Cable News; Politics

Combines the news gathering resources of several major Texas TV stations and newspapers and condenses this into a frequently updated website.  Good statewide coverage for all things Texas.

Haven Works/Texas

Basically a page full of Texas related links.  The right side of the page has dozens of TV and newspaper links that cover the entire state.  There are also a number of political, economic, and social links on the page.

Texas Online

This is "one stop shopping" for Texas government information.  As the Internet entry portal, this site has links to everything and anything in Texas state government.  Interesting just to poke through and see what's there. 

The Heritage Foundation

A conservative organization, the Heritage Foundation is one three main "think tanks" that develop, analyze, and support political and economic issues and policies.  They have become a major influence in recent years.

The Cato Institute

A libertarian organization, the Cato Institute advocates the development of free-market policies and programs and stands for increased property rights and liberty; basically, they want less taxation and greater personal freedom

The Brookings Institution

A liberal-leaning organization, the Brookings Institute is one of the most influential organizations in the United States.  Many governmental policies concerning issues like welfare, trade, and economics started here.

The Freedom Forum

An excellent source for information relating to the First Amendment.  Not as ideological as the ACLU, The Freedom Forum offers analysis on a wide variety of political topics; good source for school and college related issues.

The National Review Online

The online companion to the magazine, the National Review is one of the most influential conservative media outlets in the country.  Comprehensive conservative review and analysis of most political and economic issues.

The ACLU

Founded to advocate for First Amendment liberties, the ACLU is widely perceived as one of the most liberal organizations in the United States.  When they do support conservative groups they tend to lose members in droves.

Political Parties

This is a list of US political parties, complete with a brief description of what they stand for and the policies they support.  Lots of links.  For a comprehensive list of international political parties by country, click here.

Google

One of the very best Internet search engines.

 

 

Yahoo

Another good Internet search engine, just as good as Google.