U.S. Supreme Court - BLOG #2

The Supreme Court as composed June 30, 2022 to present.

Before watching these videos, I understood that the U.S. Supreme Court was an important part of our government, but I did not realize how much responsibility falls on only nine people. As the highest court in the country, its decisions can affect Americans for generations.

U.S. Supreme Court Building

One thing that impressed me most was learning that around 7,000 petitions arrive at the Supreme Court every year. A case begins with a written petition, and the justices meet in private conferences to discuss which cases they will hear and cases they have already finished.

I was also surprised by how much responsibility each individual justice carries. Although they have assistance from clerks and secretaries, each justice is ultimately responsible for making their own decisions.

It was interesting to learn that it can take a new justice a few years to fully understand how to do the job. Considering they are responsible for interpreting the Constitution, which was written more than 200 years ago, and applying it to modern issues, I can understand why.

Another fact that stood out to me was how long a justice can influence the country. Some remain on the Court for decades after the president who appointed them has left office, meaning one appointment can impact the United States far into the future.

I also enjoyed learning about some of the Court's traditions. The justices take a new group portrait whenever someone new joins, and before every conference, each justice shakes hands with every other justice. I think this is a meaningful tradition because even when they strongly disagree, they begin their work by showing respect for one another.

My biggest takeaway was learning that much of the Supreme Court's power rests on public faith in the institution. The Court makes decisions that can directly affect the rights and lives of millions of people, making the public's trust incredibly important.

After watching these videos, I have a much better understanding of what happens behind the scenes at the Supreme Court. More importantly, I understand why the decisions of these nine justices deserve our attention.

AI Disclosure: AI was not used in the research and information for this blog post. All information came from notes that I took while watching a video titled "Supreme Court of the United States." I then prompted ChatGPT Plus to help me shape my notes into a blog post between 300 and 350 words written in a smooth, professional style. I then added links to online sources that the reader could pursue for more information. Finally, I added appropriate images and captions to help break up the type and give the post a more professional look.

My Top 5 News Sources - BLOG #1

1. Google

Google is probably my most-used source of information because it is always the first place I go when I have a question. Whether I am researching something for school, looking into a story I saw online, or trying to fact-check a claim, Google helps me find multiple sources instead of relying on just one post. I would recommend Google to anyone who wants to research a topic quickly, but it is still important to pay attention to where the information comes from.

2. Apple News

Apple News is one of my main news sources because it puts stories from many different publications in one place. I usually find out about major breaking news through a notification on my phone before I see it anywhere else. I also like that the app learns what topics I am interested in while still showing me important national and international stories. I would recommend Apple News to anyone who wants an easy way to keep up with what is happening throughout the day.

3. YouTube

YouTube is one of my favorite sources when I want more than a short headline or article. I use it to watch interviews, commentary, video essays, and longer breakdowns of topics that interest me. It is especially helpful when a story is complicated because I can hear someone explain it and see the evidence they are discussing. Since anyone can upload to YouTube, I try to compare different videos and check where creators are getting their information before believing everything they say.

4. NBC News

NBC News is one of the sources I use for major national and international stories. I like that its coverage is straightforward and includes written articles, video clips, live updates, and interviews. I normally turn to NBC when I want the basic facts about an important event before looking at people’s opinions about it online! I would recommend NBC News to anyone looking for a familiar source that covers several types of news in one place.

5. New York Post

The New York Post is a source I use for trending stories, entertainment news, crime stories, and topics that people are already discussing on social media. Its headlines usually catch my attention, and the articles are easy to read when I want a quick explanation of what happened. I don't think any single publication should be someone’s only source, so I often search for additional coverage if a story seems especially surprising or controversial. I would recommend the New York Post to people who enjoy staying updated on stories that are currently getting a lot of attention!