fandomhigh | US Government (Friday, February 17, 4th period)

Josh looked up from his copy of the Washington Post. "Today we learn about the presidential power of appointment." He pointed to the board where he had scrawled Cabinet-level, judicial types, diplomatic in fairly illegible handwriting.

"All of these appointments are with the advice and consent of the Senate as laid out in the Constitution, blah, blah, blah," Josh began. "There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of these things--someone has to be the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, for instance, or a federal judge in Montana--but the ones that really make the news are Cabinet-level appointments and judges, especially ones heading for the Supreme Court."

He raised an eyebrow. "There have been two Supreme Court justices, including a Chief Justice, recently appointed and run through the Senate gauntlet. The White House usually vets the living crap out of these people, hoping to discover anything that might make them unqualified before sending them up to the Senate." He snickered. "This particular White House, well, slightly less so."

He sat down at his desk and kicked his feet up. "So let's pretend you're qualified in some way to be a Cabinet secretary, a judge or an ambassador to some country--which one do you pick and why?" He smiled. "It's Friday. I don't want to break your brains too much before the weekend."

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Marty pays attention to the lecture somewhat and takes decent notes, though he's more interested in class ending and sneaking looks at Angela.

"I'd want to be a judge. It's a position that doesn't end with the next administration. It's also a position where you can actually make a difference. I mean seriously, does being the ambassador to Tahiti actually serve any purpose? Other then to reward some rich campaign contributer that is."

Re: Discussion question

professor-lyman.livejournal.com - 2006-02-17 21:26 (UTC) - Expand

"Ambassador. Get to travel to (hopefully) nice places and deal with other cultures and countries on a regular basis."

professor-lyman.livejournal.com - 2006-02-17 21:28 (UTC) - Expand

"Judge. Because you're appointed for life, can affect a wide range of issues, and you don't have to be as diplomatic as you would if you were an ambassador or cabinet member, either before or after your appointment."

professor-lyman.livejournal.com - 2006-02-17 21:29 (UTC) - Expand

"I'd go with ambassador," Angela said. "I like the idea of travel, and all of that, and I'm not sure I would want the responsibility of -- you know. Judging."

professor-lyman.livejournal.com - 2006-02-17 21:47 (UTC) - Expand

chasingangela - 2006-02-17 21:50 (UTC) - Expand

professor-lyman.livejournal.com - 2006-02-17 21:53 (UTC) - Expand

"I'd have to go with ambassador as well. The travel is a good part of it; but even if you're appointed to a lesser-known country, at least they have some sort of representation, right?"

professor-lyman.livejournal.com - 2006-02-17 21:49 (UTC) - Expand

"I'd have to go with being a judge. I have a habit of trying to take on as much responsibility as I possibly can, so it's a natural progression for me."

professor-lyman.livejournal.com - 2006-02-17 21:50 (UTC) - Expand

Elizabeth tapped her pen on the table, thinking. She didn't even need to pretend that she was qualified for two of those jobs.

"Can't I take an ambassadorial position, before becoming a Cabinet secretary - preferably the Secretary of State?" Elizabeth asked.