Lawyering Up, Week 4: Wed, Period 2 (1/30)

[1petrelli1.livejournal.com]

Another class, another set of packets.

"Today we'll be discussing Environmental Law," Nathan said. "We like having clean air to breathe, water to drink, and food that won't kill us. Environmental law is how we make that happen.

"Environmental law has a wide scope," Nathan continued. "It could involve trying to create a law to protect a rare species, it could involve trying to bring a civil lawsuit against a company that poisoned your water supply. There is even environmental racism. That's when the 'not in my backyard' syndrome meets 'money talks.' Which means the environmentally harmful actions happen in places where those who live there don't have a political voice due to their social status and/or skin color.

"We can probably all agree that we want our environment to be safe to interact with," Nathan said. "But can we do that and not hurt our economy? Or without creating laws that are too broad in scope? Some wonder if we're allowed to argue it at all.

"Which brings us to today's exercise." Nathan indicated the last part of the handouts. "Environmental law and the Constitution. Does the Constitution as it stands now give us the strength to pass laws with the goal of protecting the environment? Or do we need to come up with new ways, such as an amendment that specifies a clean environment as being a fundamental right?

"Pair up," Nathan said. "One of you take a position that says the Constitution is fine, the other takes the position that it needs changing. Argue your case. See if you can change your partner's mind. I'll be here if there's any questions."

[ooc: OCD is up! Have at it!]

Comments

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Heavy on the meat," Dean said promptly. "Can never have too much meat."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

There was a dirty comment in there that Sam could make, but he decided not to in the end. "All right, you carnivore. I'll make sure there's plenty of meat."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"We can do it tonight," Dean said, then paused and added awkwardly, "If you're not doing anything else..."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"I'm not," Sam said quickly. "I mean, not specifically. But I was thinking about spending tonight with Dawn. Things have been...awkward, to say the least, and I'm trying to fix that. What about lunch tomorrow?"

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean smushed down the surge of disappointment at that because, wow, spending time with Dawn instead of him was not something he should be annoyed at Sammy for doing.

Pathetic, dude, he thought at himself. Really pathetic.

"Yeah sure," he said aloud, trying for the same tone he had been using, but knowing he was falling short. "Whenever you've got time."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"I have all day tomorrow," Sam said, trying to get Dean back to cheerful. "No classes or anything. I'm all yours."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"You don't have to," Dean said, even though yeah having Sammy around was what he wanted. But not if it was just out of pity or duty. The last thing he wanted was for his brother to start resenting him.

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"Yes, I do," Sam said, trying to tease. "No one else will eat my cooking but you."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"You're not really that bad," Dean said, reviving a little. "Besides I'm sure Dawn would eat it. Even if she then wanted to put peanut butter on everything or something."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"She might eat the burned stew, if I put like, peppers in it or something," Sam said, laughing. "I need someone who eats normal food."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean cocked his head to the side. "I'm not sure -- is that a compliment?"

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"Yes. You eat more normally than Dawn. And considering how you eat..."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Okay, now that's an insult. I can tell."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"It's more of a suggestion that chewing your food before swallowing helps."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Just because I'm an efficient eater..."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"You don't even get to taste your food! You just inhale it!"

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"I taste it," Dean protested. "It tastes damn good usually. Especially if I'm cooking."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"Is that why you eat what I make so quickly?" Sam asked, unable to resist giving Dean the puppy eyes again.

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Hey, I keep telling you, you're not that bad," Dean said.

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"I haven't made you sick yet," Sam agreed.

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Or made me think I lived in a musical, so points for that."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

"I promise, I won't put anything musical into the stew."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Good because the last thing I need right now is to be hit in the head with a frying pan."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[likethegun]

Sam laughed. "I won't let Dawn hit you. At least, not too hard."

Re: Talk to the TA (1/30/08)

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"I think technically if she's hitting anyone now, it's you," Dean pointed out.