Yes, briefly. There is a great divide in this country--and where is that not true? But since the election of Donald Trump the division has become quite caustic. Many of our deep ideological divisions are played out over Supreme Court nominees. The Supreme Court is the ultimate arbiter of law in the U. S., so appointments are significant, because they are for life. This nominee represents a far-right agenda. But that's not the problem. The problem is, he has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in high school. No way to tell who "remembers" this event accurately. So, an FBI investigation was called for. But his side (Trump and allies) didn't want one. Finally, yesterday, the FBI was told to do a brief investigation, not only into this event but into other charges that have been leveled against the nominee. So, the nation is riveted now, its focus on this real-life drama played out with the reputations of two people on the line and the possible ideological bent of the Supreme Court in balance.
This is really bigger than politics and it has caused me and others to think about wider issues.
I guess my summary isn't brief, as promised :)
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Thank you for telling me.
.... hmm ....
... I don't know enough about your system to be able to say anything about it. But as a rule everything that is written or said in the media is accompanied by an interest - we know that, don't we? Sometimes I think the US invented public relations. I know, of course, that it has existed since states and statesmen have existed. Romans and Greeks and Egyptians can sing a song about it.
Has the Supreme Court frequently fallen into disrepute?
What is your own apprehension? That this important authority is in danger of ideologically contaminating itself?
I would think that the USA has a much worse public than we find here. But I can be wrong. I wouldn't know of an event in the history of our judges or politicians who might have anything to do with sex or bedtime stories. ...There was something with a minister ... but well, that was nothing "fancy". Here it is perhaps something else neuralgic. ... Oh, I've really been out of this witch's kitchen too long.
But I'd like to ask: What were the important decisions of which you know the Supreme Court made? Do you see their work endangered on a whole?
... I am not so sure about our supreme courts, but I have had the impression for some time that the forces are under great pressure. Which I don't bring together only with political parties or ideologies, but also with a large part - if not the bigger one - in accelerating global events and high technology and its demanding speed. I think, modern nations suffer a lot from stress.
I love your balanced view--and your global perspective. I'm not sure about the US inventing public relations, but the media certainly can be hysterical.
It would be difficult to overemphasize the importance of the Court. It ruled, for example, notoriously, that a slave (Dred/Scott, 19th century) could be returned to its master, because a slave was property and could be claimed as such if captured, anywhere. This became the law of the land until the Civil War.
The Court also ruled, notoriously, that "separate could be equal" (Plessy v Fergusson---I think 1896) and therefore that segregation could legally be practiced everywhere in the United States. Separate bathrooms, drinking fountains, swimming pools, etc. Not until 1954, in Brown vs Board of Education, was segregation in public schools, specifically, rendered unconstitutional. This public school segregation doomed generations of black children in the US to substandard, underfunded educations.
There are books filled with equally momentous decisions made by the Supreme Court. And these decisions are binding on the whole country and cannot be overturned unless the Court reverses itself at a later date.
There is no area of life untouched by the Court. That's why this nomination is so significant. We want someone with exemplary character, and with Solomon-like wisdom to sit on the Court. Only 9 Justices. 9 people make these rulings. So if this nominee did sexually assault an acquaintance in high school, it matters. And if he's lying about it now, it matters even more. This explains why the drama has gripped the nation. In one week we will have an FBI report. This may or may not exonerate the nominee. If it does, he gets put on the Court. If it doesn't, another nominee will be named.
Sorry for the long answer--didn't know how to make it shorter and explain how important the Court is in the US--not just to law, but to everyday life.
... oh, that answer surprised me. I wouldn't have thought of this.
Is there a basic question which is concerning the court right now? You named quite some big changes in your nations history. You think that the segregation is coming to be installed again?
... I have no idea how the split of the people can be prevented other than to not participate in spreading anxiety. A very difficult topic and also one, the individual is asked to find his inner strength and orientation.
I do try not to spread anxiety--good advice. And since my formal training is in history, I try to keep the long view. Sometimes it's hard though :)