US Government (Wednesday, March 29, 4th period)

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh looked up from his crossword puzzle when the government class began walking in.

"Today we talk about the judicial branch," he said. "Specifically, the Supreme Court: the people who will decide if the bills you are writing--and they're due on Friday, in case you've forgotten--are Constitutional." He grinned. "So, other than wear cool robes, what do they do?"

Josh, still not trusting the chalkboard to not write insults, lectured from his notes.

"All right," he said. "We know that the only way to get rid of a member of the Supreme Court is either through retirement or the icy hand of death. Why do you think the Founders decided that was important for the federal judiciary? Do you think they would've reconsidered given that we live much longer now?"

Comments

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Class discussion

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

So. Supreme Court. Any suggestions to make it better?

Re: Class discussion

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"Founders probably set up the judicial branch that way so that they would be not forced to hold sway to political or public opinion during election years. Their sole job was to interpret the law and the constitution."

Re: Class discussion

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I have to agree with Marty. If there was a definitive end to a justice's term, it would have the potential to have too much of an impact on the election process. It's already bad enough the way people eye the justices' health and try to figure when someone is going to step down or retire."

Re: Class discussion

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh nodded. "Good answers. Both of you."

Re: Class discussion

[wannabelawyer.livejournal.com]

"It might have something to do with having continuity and stability for the court. If judges stay on the bench for indefinite periods of time, the court's going to be stable and won't be overturning previous decisions every 5 minutes or whatever, because the people who made the decisions will still be there. Not that that's necessarily always a good thing."

Re: Class discussion

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Very good answer," Josh said. "The Supreme Court, well, in this version of the world anyway, was incredibly stable, verging on stagnant until the last few months." He pressed his lips together. "We'll have to see how this change will affect Consitutional interpretation."

Re: Class discussion

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Also, because the Justices are no longer accountable to anyone, since impeachment of a Supreme Court Justice is almost unheard of, it's possible that we'll see some interesting law coming out of the Court now." She made a face, but spoke animatedly, "After all, Earl Warren, one of the most liberal Chief Justices in the history of, well, ever, was appointed by Eisenhower for his fine work in creating and implementing the Japanese internment camps during World War II. He's one of the men who gave us the Miranda rights."

Re: Class discussion

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"While I think longevity for judges is absolutely a good thing, I might, perhaps, set a term limit," John says. "Not a short one, of course, but, to prevent an unexpected empty seat due to the illness or death of a senior court member, imposing a term limit would give the President the time and warning to pick a suitable replacement."

Re: Class discussion

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Term limits would also protect the seat should a judge, say suffer from senility or another disease which affects their judgement and their decisions," Elizabeth agreed.

After class

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

He's got office hours anyway. He's happy to talk.

OOC

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

So you know I've finished with the OCD...