George W. Bush
Taliban
Conservative Islamic group that took control of Afghanistan after the Soviet Union withdrew it troops; driven from power by U.S. forces in December, 2001, because of its harboring of suspected terrorists.
No child left behind
Education reform passed in 2002 that employs high standards and measurable goals as a method of improving American education.
Patriot Act
This contraversial 2001 law allows anti-terrorism authorities to monitor e-mail and Internet traffic in order to prevent terrorist attacks. The government argues that cyberspace is public domain and that no warrants should be needed to access information.
Department of Homeland Security
US federal agency created in 2002 to coordinate national efforts against terrorism
Afghanistan
a mountainous landlocked country in central Asia, was an Islamic oligarchy, but had its first democratic elections in 2004, after the defeat of the Taliban
Weapons of mass destruction
chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons that can kill large numbers of people
George W. Bush
republican, neo-conservative, foreign policy dominated by war on terror, No child left behind, tax cuts, high deficits, major economic problems, proposed privatizing social security, opposed stem cell research/pro-life/carbon reductions/ international law, but wanted more domestic drilling to alleviate oil dependence, major contributions to HIV/AIDs
Bush v. Gore
this case ruled in favor of Bush by saying that recounting the votes in certain counties of Florida was unconstitutional because of equal protection of the law; Gore's wish to make the process as simple and painless as possible backfired
