Supreme court

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

The video highlights that the Supreme Court is a powerful institution that relies on the public's faith in its independence and impartiality. It also highlights the Court's role in interpreting the Constitution, safeguarding liberty, preserving the union, and upholding the rule of law. Additionally, it mentions that the Court's composition can change significantly with each new justice, which can influence its decisions.

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

The most critical takeaway is that the Supreme Court plays a key role in American democracy. It interprets the Constitution, safeguards individual liberties, and ensures the rule of law. The Court's decisions have far-reaching consequences for the nation, and its independence from political pressures is vital for its effectiveness.

What was the most surprising thing you learned?

The most surprising aspect could be the detailed insight into how the Court operates, from the nomination and confirmation of justices to the inner workings of decision-making. It might be surprising to some that justices spend a significant amount of time discussing and debating cases and that writing opinions can take a considerable amount of time, often with multiple opinions if there are differing viewpoints.

How did the video change the way you think about the Supreme Court?

The video likely supported the idea that the Supreme Court is essential to American democracy. It highlights the importance of trust and public faith in the Court's decisions. Additionally, it might have provided a deeper understanding of the Court's complex decision-making process and the challenges justices face when grappling with important legal issues.

The video offers valuable insights into the U.S. Supreme Court, its significance, and its operations. It underscores the importance of the Court's independence, the weight of its decisions, and its role in maintaining the rule of law and protecting individual rights in the United States.

Town Hall

    Hello, my name is John C. Breckinridge. I was born in Lexington, Kentucky. I attended Transylvania University and the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). I entered politics and became a Kentucky State House of Representatives member when I was 19 in the 1840s.

    In 1856, When I was 36, I was selected
as the vice-presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, running alongside presidential candidate James Buchanan. We won the election. I campaigned on a pro-slavery platform, advocating for the rights of slaveholders and the expansion of slavery into the western territories. As the Vice President of the United States under President James Buchanan from 1857 to 1861, I was in a position of power and influence.

    I supported the administration's stance on preserving the Union by avoiding actions on the issue of slavery. This approach favored slave owners who sought to protect and expand their rights to own and use enslaved people. After Lincoln's election, several Southern states Left the Union.

    At the time, I was a U.S. Senator from Kentucky, supported the Confederate cause, and was expelled from the Senate in December 1860. In the presidential election of 1860, the Democratic Party was deeply divided over the issue of slavery. I was nominated as the candidate of the Southern faction of the party, while Stephen A. Douglas represented the Northern faction. During the Civil War, I served in the Confederate military and held various roles, including Secretary of War for the Confederate States and later as a Confederate general. 

    I served in that capacity until the war ended in April. After fleeing the country for fear of being imprisoned for treason, I returned to the United States in 1869 after being granted a pardon by President Andrew Johnson. I returned to Lexington, Kentucky, in 1869, where I resumed practicing law.  

Sources:

1. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "John C. Breckinridge". Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Sep. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-C-Breckinridge. Accessed 5 October 2023.

2. https://www.nps.gov/mono/learn/historyculture/general-breckinridge.htm

Bible Challenge Post: Worked With Lindsay Paris

 According to the Bible, slavery can be seen as good and bad. Looking over the details of the Bible will prove these ideas from passages. It can be said that slavery went with seeing slavery as being a good thing in many ways. Christians would waive the Bible over their slave's head to show that slavery was justified by the Bible. The Bible mentions how doing so would be a welcomed thing and not something that is wrong. Another thing according to the Bible that showed slavery as good is in Exodus 21:26. This passage outlines the regulation for allowing people to become a slave to pay off debts but also stipulates that the person should be released after six years of service with the debts forgiven, but even though it says that he/she should be released after six years that wasn't always the case. One last thing to mention is In Timothy 6:1-2 the passage encourages slaves to honor their masters and serve them especially if their masters are Christian believers. This shows how the Bible wants slaves to cooperate with their fellow Master’s beliefs. While this is all true the Bible also says slavery is bad within the world. The Bible contains the Golden Rule which is found in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31 it emphasizes Treating others like you would want to be treated. In this matter, it shows how the Bible would be against slavery. If you are going to treat others the way you want to be treated then you are not going to treat them as lee of you in Luke 6:31 this can be seen. Another thing the Bible states is Exodus 21:26 and 27 where this part of the Bible provides guidelines for the treatment of surface enslaves to the point that if a master hurts a slave the slave must be set free for compensation for the injury. If there were ever any harsh treatment, then there would not be acceptance. Overall, the Bible makes points for both sides and it is important to note while people might not agree with it there is something to learn from it.