Blog Post #2 History and Workings of the Supreme Court

 History and Workings of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is highest court in the United States; constantly analyzing and interpreting history into the modern era of America. Consequently, making history with every question and decision they make based off of one document-

The Constitution. 

When reflecting part 1 and part 2 of the videos, I had a full circle moment. For context, I watched these exact videos in my Government class 4 years ago to the day. The Liana going into senior year of high school would say  I learned what certiorari means which is "to be informed". 

But, what I did not know is how to be informed?  I learned in order to be granted certiorari  four of the nine justices must vote yes. Also known as "The Rule of Four". But, in terms of the death penalty five of the nine justices have to vote yes in order to grant stay. 

This video allowed me to see the justices from a different point of view and am able to empathize understand their calling on a deeper level. Think about when re-reading or re-watching something you pick up on a detail you may have never noticed before which is exactly what the people of The United States do and pose upon the justices to evaluate on a daily basis.

They construct a theory based on the interpretation of The Constitution. Justices are constantly testing through discussion the theory based on an argument of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. Overtime, a perspective or parts of an argument may change over time perhaps even in sixty minutes. 

The most important takeaway of the video is The Supreme Court essentially being the modern day hybridization The Symposium and The Agora. The courtroom floor is taken by the  modern philosophers through the form of a discussion that is available for the public to witness and call attention to but, is guided by appeal and the opening argument of a lawyer. 

These philosophers are there to improve the theories of the constitution by disputing or adding an argument through a discussion posed through questions in order to provide clarity to the laws put forth amongst the American people.

Following the discussion, the court makes their decision. One of the justices has to write a holistic explanation as to the outcome.The most surprising aspect I learned about is the amount of writing entailed specifically in opinion writing. 

Depending on the case some justices might be writing two documents at one time such as the opinion of the court which requires collaboration with the other justices in the majority and the dissent and their own opinion piece (if they so choose) separate from the opinion of the court. 

Which begs the question of how do justices determine who is writing the opinion of the court? 

Blog Post #1 Top 5 Sources of News and Information

 Top 5 Sources

 We live an era where knowledge is constantly at our fingertips. Our brains are overloaded with a plethora of information on a daily basis.

                                     

  The average human being makes an average of 35,000 decisions each day and of those 35,000 decisions 5 of my decisions are based upon what media I decide to absorb each day. 

 #1.  Google                         

 Google is the source I use the most due to its accessibility. As someone who asks a multitude  of rapid fire questions at one time being able to quickly pull out an electronic device on a moments notice and retrieve information quickly is highly convenient in a society constantly pressed for time. Google offers a streamlined method of gathering a wide range of information such as news and research through Google Scholar. The ultimate drawing factor to Google is not merely the ability to retain information but, the capabilities to create through tools such as Docs, Drive, Slides, Sites, and even Gemini. 

#2.   Conversations 

                  

 Conversing with others is another way I retrieve news. While a variety of topics can come up in  day to day conversations, I can learn about a different perspective of a current event or even something new about someones life.  Conversations not only help build lasting connections but also help with ones mental health. 

        #3. Text/Email

                                    

                                 

    

 Text/ Email is the third source I receive news. Text messages are often a way of sending and receive urgent news in an informal context such as updating a friend that you may be running late to dinner. On the contrary perhaps you are meeting with a client and do not have their phone number then I might let them know via email I may be running late. Additionally, many media and news outlets utilize email to update their subscribers in order to inform them of any recent updates. Therefore, it depends on who the sender is and the urgency of the news being delivered which determines wether text or email is the best outlet to communicate. 

            #4 The Daily Herald 

            

                    The Daily Herald is a newspaper. The Daily Herald is a local newspaper delivering news in the Chicago Suburbs. They primarily focus on local stories and events going on outside of the 'windy city'. Reading they physical version of the Daily Herald allows me to have a break from technology. I also seek the benefits of being able to focus better, increase my attention span, and improve comprehension. Reading a physical newspaper offers the benefits of making physical notes in the side margins which improves retention of the content. 

           #5 Euro News

                                        

 Euro news is a European televised news outlet. I often find myself gravitating to this particular news    outlet due to the polarization of American media and they come in with a different perspective that most American media outlets fail to take into account.  Euro news discusses the perspectives of different influential nations from across the world.

 They pose hot topic questions and discuss both sides of possible solutions such as discussing what laws (if any) should be put into place regarding Artificial Intelligence. However, because euro news is not streamed on national television in the United States I have to watch the news on my phone at bizarre hours of the day due to the time difference or read the hi lights on my phone.