bahmer

Can You Read, Do You Read?
By Jake MacAulay - June 8, 2019

Part of my work here at the Institute on the Constitution involves making presentations across the country about matters of law and government and the Constitution.

Sometimes, I’ll ask the members of the audience to raise their hand if they have ever read a Supreme Court opinion. Almost always there are no hands raised.

Do you find it curious that almost no one reads that which almost everyone considers to be the “law of the land” – which, by the way, it isn’t.

This may be the quintessential example of the degradation of the formerly vibrant American culture.

There are at least three massive leaps of faith born out of the laziness and the ignorance of our Godless and reckless culture:

First, we falsely accept the notion that the Courts, which are the judicial branch of government, make law, which is the province of the legislative branch;

Secondly, we don’t read what this false oracle writes and therefore don’t even know what the man behind the curtain – the great and wonderful OZ — has actually said;

Then thirdly, we blindly accept the word of Rachel Maddow or George Stephanopolis of Sean Hannity, as to the meaning of that which we have not even read.

What kind of people would act this way but a people who are no longer capable of self-government?

The enemies of America know the answer to this question:

What is the difference between a people who can’t read and a man who don’t?

The answer is, of course, “Nothing”

https://youtu.be/p1QKfD5DWRI

Carol Kelly

Good post! I,2,3 are all answered by why? I don’t believe that the Supreme Court is a primary t***slation of the Constitution, and I know Hannity has our best interest in his heart and mind, but like us, he can’t change anything. I do read and I do think but I can’t do anything but feel frustration. These aren’t the correct responses but there you have it.

bahmer

I hear you and I am in the same boat of feeling frustrated and not knowing what to do about it.

jeff smith

[quote=bahmer]Can You Read, Do You Read?
By Jake MacAulay - June 8, 2019

Part of my work here at the Institute on the Constitution involves making presentations across the country about matters of law and government and the Constitution.

Sometimes, I’ll ask the members of the audience to raise their hand if they have ever read a Supreme Court opinion. Almost always there are no hands raised.

Do you find it curious that almost no one reads that which almost everyone considers to be the “law of the land” – which, by the way, it isn’t.

This may be the quintessential example of the degradation of the formerly vibrant American culture.

There are at least three massive leaps of faith born out of the laziness and the ignorance of our Godless and reckless culture:

First, we falsely accept the notion that the Courts, which are the judicial branch of government, make law, which is the province of the legislative branch;

Secondly, we don’t read what this false oracle writes and therefore don’t even know what the man behind the curtain – the great and wonderful OZ — has actually said;

Then thirdly, we blindly accept the word of Rachel Maddow or George Stephanopolis of Sean Hannity, as to the meaning of that which we have not even read.

What kind of people would act this way but a people who are no longer capable of self-government?

The enemies of America know the answer to this question:

What is the difference between a people who can’t read and a man who don’t?

The answer is, of course, “Nothing”

https://youtu.be/p1QKfD5DWRI[/quote no I don't . yet I do listen to Hannity and others of a conservative view . I have tried to listen to left leaning shows in the past and find them to be so full of themselves that I stopped listening to them and their "propaganda " . I listen to Christian news and bbc when I can get them . I am all over the country and have little time to watch tv if any . bits and pieces of views and news are what I receive . I smush them all together and form my own opinion . as I am right now you couldn't pay me to trust a dem. and I;m not sure of to many repub.

ACP45 Loc: Rhode Island

You can add me to the list also. Perhaps there will come a time when each of us need to take a stand, but unless, or until then, keep your head down and just do the best you can for those around you.

Hug

Great Post! I read a lot, but I will admit that I haven't read a Supreme Court decision in at least 20 years. I am too eager to just settle for the decision.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Lack of education is the bane of our Republic. Those who graduate High School are essentially as ignorant as those who do not, at least, in regards to the Constitution, democratic principles, and civic responsibility. If it's not on Youtube, the vast majority of our citizens don't have a clue what their rights are, what their responsibilities are as a citizen, nor how their government is supposed to work.

The ignorant shall forever be s***es to those who know some stuff.

waltmoreno

I’ve read lots of opinions by the SCOTUS. Both in law school and in my work since then. But it doesn’t make any difference. I’m in the same position as someone who has never read a single opinion. One person is powerless to do anything about bad opinions. Speaking out about the injustices they cause changes nothing. Just ask any of the Japanese Americans who were forceably relocated after Pearl Harbor. Or better still, what about the millions of babies slaughtered because of Roe v Wade.
Obviously the only answer is to have a Supreme Court made up of Justices who revere the Constitution. All we really need is a bare majority.

Hug

Walt, bet you are a good lawyer.

Carol Kelly

Good advice.

Carol Kelly

Well, yes! But how do we get that? They keep disappointing. You can’t read a book by its cover or believe any man or woman by their claims when running for public office.

dongreen76

......Then the concept of freedom is bust.I might concurr with what you say except for one thing.I found that the empty wagons make the most noise.I have found that there still exist a silent majority.I have found that the media instigates.These three factors create or may give a false pessimistic outlook as to how and where the country is going or the mind set of what it seems to have.
We are due to have a severe `falling down` so to speak; if one such as you take a -"the glass is half empty" -as oppose -"the glass is half full"- outlook of things.
You know for a fact that every one but you can't read,do you?you have had an in depth conversation with each and every residing individual in this ole`U. S. of A ,have you.? You know for a fact that all citizens don't understand that congresses responsibility is to make laws and that the judicial systems job is to interpert those made laws as to whether they are consistent with the Constitution or not.You know that is funny,that is a relatively simple concept that they teach in elementary academia

Lastly,I don't actually remember who said ,or coined the following phrase,but I do know it applies to the mentality that you harbor.It was either FDR,or Winston Churchill. The phrase was; "The only thing we have to fear,is fear it self."
I will endeavour to explain this phrase to you ,seeing as how I don't think you can read.If you assume the worst,and have a defeatists mindset,and assume there is an antagonistic force that cannot be over came,or it is none existent,this mindset will be detrimental to the point where you will either become insane,or if it exist, it will deter your efforts from being able to overcome what ever force you perceive to be a threat.

dongreen76

I watched Hannity many times.If you are familiar with that old social stigma,(it is known to be prominent within the black communities)The I pass for white stigma
. It is a situation of having a black so fair in complexion and having physical chacracteristics of a porportion he/she could literally be taken for Caucasoid,even though they are black-having one drop of black blood (as went back in the day) meant you were considered negro.Well, Mr Sean Hannity,is naught but a politically expedient incurrer.The problem that is known as race discimination encompasses other forms of discrimination,such as ethicnicity ,religion, and nationality.In Hannity's case he is part Hispanic,part Irish,he expediently coverts the Hispanic part himself, and expounds the Anglo-Saxon,or Aryan side of himself,Hence,he is` I pass for white Sean Hannity".

Carol Kelly

How in the heck did race get into this?

Hug

WOW! DID YOU EVER GET INTO THE WEEDS!