Monday, October 4, 2010
Supreme Court Offers Hot Issues and Future Hints
A look at some of the hot-button issues the Supreme Court will be facing in the upcoming year.
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News and commentary about American politics from the students in Govt 116 at Hamilton College.
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In The New York Times article, “Supreme Court Term Offers Hot Issues and Future Hints”, the author discusses cases in the upcoming term that have the power to significantly shape policy in the U.S. I found the case Snyder v. Phelps to be particularly intriguing, because it presents a legitimate reason to carefully consider the First Amendment’s freedom of speech clause. The case suggests that perhaps there is a proper and respectful time to limit citizen’s freedom of speech. It is hateful, disrespectful, and unnecessary to protest at the site of a funeral, politics aside. The protesting in this case was blatantly prejudicial and harmful, and robbed the fallen soldier’s family of a peaceful and conciliatory burial process. The family members will forever have the hatred of the Kansas church group embedded in their memories when they recall their son’s burial ceremony. Although I deeply value the tenets of the First Amendment and realize that it distinguishes the U.S. as a democracy, the events described in this case are quite unsettling. It will be fascinating to see how the Supreme Court rules on this “hot button” issue.
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