Blog Post #2: Supreme Court Reflection

 

Before watching this video, I knew the Supreme Court was the highest court in the United States, but I did not realize how many cases it receives each year. One of the most interesting things I learned is that thousands of petitions arrive annually, yet only about 100 cases are granted full review. That fact alone changed my understanding of how selective the Court really is.

I was also surprised to learn about the certiorari process, which is how cases are chosen for review. The cases come from many different types of legal disputes, ranging from criminal convictions to questions about presidential power. I had never thought much about the process behind deciding which cases the Court will hear.

Another important takeaway is that the Supreme Court's role is to resolve questions involving legal interpretation and constitutionality. A denied petition does not create any legal precedent, which was something I did not know before. The Court's decisions, however, can have a lasting impact on the country.

The video also highlighted several important moments in Supreme Court history. I learned that Chief Justice John Marshall established the power of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison, a decision that helped define the Court's authority. I also learned that the Marshall Court played a major role in making the Constitution an effective instrument for nation-building.

One point that stood out to me was how the meaning of the Constitution continues to be debated. Modern justices disagree about whether the Constitution should be interpreted according to its original meaning or whether it evolves over time. The idea that the phrase "We the People" has expanded to include groups who were originally excluded was especially thought-provoking.

I was also interested in learning about the day-to-day work of the justices. Each justice has a small staff of law clerks and secretaries, but they still maintain personal responsibility for deciding cases. It can take years for a new justice to feel comfortable in the role, which is described as both humbling and daunting.

Perhaps the most memorable detail was that justices shake hands before every conference and follow a system that allows everyone to speak once before anyone speaks twice. After watching the video, I now see the Supreme Court not only as a powerful institution but also as a place built on tradition, careful deliberation, and individual responsibility.

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AI DISCLOSURE: This post was a collaboration using Microsoft Copilot. I took detailed notes while watching a 20-minute video about the Supreme Court. In addition to what I learned, I emphasized my own reactions and opinions while watching. I then asked Copilot to help me improve the text by correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation. I then asked Copilot to help me shape the text into a blog post format. After reviewing the text, I added links to related resources as well as appropriate images and captions. 

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WATCH THE VIDEO NOW

Blog Post #1: Top 5 News Sources

 1. TikTok 

TikTok is one of my top news sources mostly because I am on the app often, and news can spread fairly quickly there. I usually come across current events, entertainment news, aswell as things happening around the world either through it coming up on my For You Page or me looking it up. I like TikTok because information is usually shown in short and easy-to-understand videos. It also gives me a way to hear different people's opinions and perspectives. So overall, I would recommend TikTok as a way to gain information, but I would also recommend double-checking different news sources since not everything posted on TikTok is accurate. 

2. Local News on TV

local news in TV us also one of my main sources because it keeps me updated on what is happening in my area. i like watching local news becasue it covers tings that direcly affect my comunity, such as weather, traffic, local events, and important comunity stories. i would recomend local news because it is an easy way to stay informed about what is happening close to home, especially suring severe weather or other important local events. 

3. Instagram 

instagram is another source i use to keep up with news and information. I often see news stores, updates from celebrities, organiizations, and different media accounts while scroling throight instagram. i like instagram because i can find our about something quickly without specificaly searcing for it. i would recomend it because it is convenient and gives you access to alot of different types of information, although like tiktok, i think it is important to make sure the information comes from a trustworthy source. 

4. Word of Mouth 

word of mouth is also a major source of information for me because i often hear about things through my friends, family, classmates, or other people around me. Sometimes people will tell me about something that happened before i see it online or on the news. i like getting information this way because it feels more personal and gives me the oportunity to talk about a story with someone i know. i would recomend listeing to people around you because conversations can help you discover news and different perspectives, but i would still verify important information before beliving it complely. 

5. CNN 

CNN is one of my top sources beacause. it gives me more detailed coverage of major national and international events. i like CNN because it is easy to access online or on TV, and it covers breaking news as well as politics,