Blog Post 2

About the history and workings of the U.S. Supreme Court

What did you learn about the Supreme Court that you didn't already know?

The Supreme Court is the highest in the United States and has authority over all other courts in the country. Before the video, I knew that the highest rulings rest with the Supreme Court and since the Supreme Court is the ultimate judge of the law, it serves as both an enforcer and an interpreter of the Constitution.  It is crucial to make sure that every branch of government understands the boundaries of its power. This video showed me how much power the Supreme Court truly has, and that they have power over the states, congress, and even the president of the United States. The Supreme Court makes it their priority to uphold an over 200-year-old constitution.

What is the most important takeaway point about the Supreme Court?

I think the most important takeaway from this video about the Supreme Court is that they are the highest power.  The Supreme Court plays such a huge role in our country, and how it runs.  Without the Supreme Court, there would be chaos in the United States and many unresolved issues.  Additionally, they are there to make sure everything is fair which I feel is extremely important.  They are an unbiased group of 9 elected officials, who serve as judges, and all work together to make sure that things are running smoothly and fairly.  That is why the Supreme Court is so important because they run on majority votes so there can be no biased opinions in their overall decisions of a case. The rulings of the Supreme Court may have far-reaching effects: The Court's rulings have the potential to significantly affect American culture and society. Another key takeaway I want to look at is the famous ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), for instance, which paved the door for the Civil Rights Movement.

What was the most surprising thing you learned?

The thing I found most surprising about the video is how much work goes into a case even after the trial is over.  After a case is closed then the judge has to do an opinion writing which can take up to 4 weeks to complete a draft.  Oddly enough the video spoke about how the aftermath of a case is the most time-consuming part of their job.  After a draft is written it gets reviewed and revised and then can take many months to close a case. The most surprising finding I discovered is that, since the Supreme Court's founding in 1789, not much has changed. Although rules and regulations have been overthrown, the system stays the same, unbeatable, and has perfectly served America in my opinion. Additionally, I was unaware that George Washington established the six justices of the Supreme Court. 

How did the video change the way you thought of the Supreme Court?

The video brings out some aspects of the Supreme Court that might change or deepen perspectives on its role in government. Justice Breyer emphasized the Court's thoughtful and transparent processes, which support the notion that justices are dedicated to a thorough, morally sound decision-making process that respects public confidence. Overall, this film highlights the Court's long-term outlook and its duty to protect justice and rights while keeping them apart from political whims. It acts as a reminder of how crucial the Court's independence is and how far justices will go to make sure their decisions uphold the principles of the Constitution.