Judicial Activism v. Judicial Restraint

The Senate Judiciary Committe vote on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's to the Supreme Court is scheduled for Tuesday 7/20 (this may change). One of the links belowhas audio highlights from the confirmation hearings ... or you can find your favorite site - YouTube has a good collection of highlights.

What is judicial activism versus judicial restraint? For those of you who have tuned in to the hearings ... did the nomination hearings give any indication of whether Judge Sotomayor will exhibit judicial activism or restraint in her rulings from the bench? Do you have specific examples?


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106695138

http://www.npr.org/blogs/politicaljunkie/2009/07/sotomayor_cmte_vote_scheduled.html

Lincoln's Team of Rivals

President Obama once said that he would attempt to set up his Administration similar to Abraham Lincoln's who infamously and SUCCESSFULLY included his rivals in his Cabinet. I just started a book "A Team of Rivals" by Doris Goodwin which speaks to the political genious of Lincoln.

I loved the NPR story below regarding Lincoln's retreat at Soldiers Home (when we get to Nationals in D.C. :-) I will see if we can venture there!) - Our country could use his wisdom and humility ... any thoughts on Lincoln, Obama or your favorite Presidents?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106304009

"...one small step for man ..."

Today is the 40th anniversary of the moon landing! I am married to a rocket scientist/ physicist who has trained astronauts and has worked on multiple shuttle missions - so this is a major holiday in in our home! One of the many reasons I love NPR is the breadth of topics covered. Below are a few of the many links out there regarding the moon landing.

Some argue that after the moon landing, NASA has lost its sense of purpose. Are there any scientists/ engineers/ future astronauts/ or big thinking academics out there who have an opinion on what NASA's mission should be?


http://wechoosethemoon.org/


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106304009
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106742521

Justice Sotomayor???

Tomorrow the Senate Judiciary Committe will commence confirmation hearings for Judge Sonia Sotomayor... tune in! The link below will bring you to a New York Times (a GREAT source!!!) article where seven legal experts pose questions they would like the nominee to answer. Read through them ... any thoughts?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/opinion/13sotomayor.html?_r=1

Its All Politics

I would like you to listen to NPR "Its All Politics" (link below) and comment on one of the following topics:
1: What is the "myth of the 60 vote majority"?
2. Senator Leahy has set Sotomayor's confirmation hearings for July 13; why; why are the Republicans unhappy?
3. If neither of these topics entice you; post a link and question for the class related to "We the People."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88409322

6/22/2009: Originalism and Is the 1965 Voting Rights Act still needed?

6/22/2009

Please respond to one or both of the link(s) below:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105748678
Court Sidesteps Major Ruling Over Civil Rights Act - What are your thoughts on the Supreme Court's action?


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105439966
Originalism! - What are your thoughts regarding Justice Scalia's 2008 comment:

"If you somehow adopt a philosophy that the Constitution itself is not static, but rather it morphs from age to age to say whatever it ought to say — which is probably whatever the people would want it to say — you eliminate the whole purpose of a Constitution. And that is essentially what the so-called living Constitution leaves you with."

Welcome!

Welcome We the People to Beyond 116! As you know, a critical part of this class is current events, listening to NPR (94.9, 88.9) and other content based news sources. Through this blog I will provide links which I would like you to follow, we will discuss significant articles and events, and you will have the opportunity to share substantive pieces which you have found. In addition, I invite you to share items of interest as you find them. Pay particular attention to current events connected to the Supreme Court, Congress, executive powers, and court cases.

Blogging is a new adventure for me so I invite you to be patient and flexible! Starting July 6, I will submit a new post to our blog on Mondays. During weeks when I expect to be out of town, I may post the blog early. In order for you to receive full credit, I expect you to post at least one substantive response to my post every two weeks (four over the summer) and provide a link to a relevant and substantive article from a credible new sources such as NPR, New York Times, etc. ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS.

I look forward to the adventure ahead! Did I already say LISTEN TO NPR??!!!