Supreme Court in Action: First amendment

The Supreme Court often hears cases that illicit strong opinions on each side. Often times, the court is asked to hear cases that are ruled on by one of the federal Appellate Courts. The most recent case that has stirred controversy is the case involving members of the Westboro Baptist Church protesting at fallen soldiers funerals. Please read the following article on the extent of first amendment rights and answer the following question. Should Americans freedom of speech and expression extend to protesting at soldiers' funerals? Is this going to far or do these extremists have the right to say what they choose at these service funerals?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/us/09scotus.html?scp=1&sq=westboro%20baptist%20church&st=cse

Health Care Debate

The debate about health care reform has created a political divide between Democrats and republicans that we haven't seen in years. The central argument for Democrats is that there is never a good time to reform health care and that despite our struggling economy we need to act fast. Republicans then counter by saying that more government involvement in health care and private enterprise is not only unnecessary but hurtful to our economy. Please read the New York Times article (attached link below) and respond to the following question. Should the Obama Administration and Democrats continue to push forward with Health Care reform? Does this economy allow for proper and lasting reform? Does health care even need reforming in the first place?


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/health/policy/09health.html?scp=2&sq=health%20care%20bill&st=cse

There has been much debate about the substance of the Pledge of Alliegiance. The phrase "under God" has been challenged at the state and federal levels due to its religious connotations and possible violation of the separation of church and state. Do you think that our pledge violates the Constitutions' First Amendment that states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.."?
Moreover, do you think that students in public schools should be required to hear the pledge if it violates their beliefs? Should the pledge be changed or should it stay as it is?
"But even in times of peace, Americans have grown accustomed to invoking God?s name in everything from the motto on their currency ("In God we trust") to the saying at the start of every Supreme Court session ("God save the United States and this honorable Court"). Yet while the word God has become omnipresent in the nation?s ceremonial language, it should be noted that when the Founding Fathers were crafting the Constitution, the blueprint for a bold new nation, they left it out. " Nadya Labi

State of Nature: Haiti

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the UN estimates the death toll above 200,000. Unfortunately, the situation has degraded to the point where, in some cases, there is an absence of government and police enforcement. The media has depicted incidents of violence, looting, and crime that have arisen in the aftermath of this devastation. However, there are also stories of heroism and bravery from average people trying to help out their friends and fellow citizens.

After our discussion of human nature and the Locke v Hobbes debate, we are now seeing a situation in which there is an absence of government in Haiti. The question now remains: In the absence of government, is human nature naturally selfish, greedy, and corrupt ?(Hobbesian View) Or is human nature naturally innocent or benevolent? (Locke) From reading the article below and what you have seen in the aftermath of the Haiti Earthquake please support Locke or Hobbes' view of human nature.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100119/OPINION01/1190308/1038/OPINION01

Proposition 8: Constitutional or Not?

One of the most carefully monitored federal trials is beginning this week in California. The issue before the court is one that promises to bring out strong opinions on both sides. The court will be deciding whether California's ban on gay marriage is constitutional or not. Proposition 8 narrowly passed a state-wide referendum last year and now has been challenged by gay marriage advocates as discriminatory and ignoring the "equal protection" clause of the 14th Amendment.

Please read the New York Times article (attached below) and respond to the following question: Do you agree or disagree with Plaintiffs argument that California's ban on gay marriage (Prop 8) was based upon "legally irrelevant religious or moral beliefs" ? Also, the defense will be arguing that, "governments historically have sanctioned traditional marriage as a way to promote responsible child-rearing and that this remains a valid justification for limiting marriage to a man and a woman."

Which of these two points of view do you agree with most and why?

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/07/us/AP-US-Gay-Marriage-Trial.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=propostion%208&st=cse

Right to Privacy v National Security

In class, we have discussed domestic spying and other controversies surrounding the 4th Amendment and the war on terror. As Americans we are in the unique position of having to weigh our "reasonable expectation of privacy" with the governments responsibility to protect it's citizens.

With that being said, do you think that the federal government should be able to listen to US citizens' phone conversations without a warrant in an attempt to prevent another 9/11 attack? Read the following article and respond to this important and difficult question.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1155835,00.html

Cruel and Unusual?

After reading the TIME Magazine article "Death Penalty Walking", Do you agree that the citizens of the U.S. are starting to oppose the use of the death penalty? Moreover, do you feel that the use of lethal injection violates citizens' 8th Amendment? Please post your response here.

"Our death penalty's continued existence, countering the trend of the rest of the developed world, expresses our revulsion to violent crime and our belief in personal accountability. The endless and expensive appeals reflect our scrupulous belief in consistency and individual justice." Davide Von Drehle, Time Magazine. Jan 3rd 2008.