Supreme Court Reflection

 

The Supreme Court is the most powerful judicial system on Earth

Watching this documentary changed the way I think about the Supreme Court. Before watching, I knew it was an important institution, but I did not realize how much of its power depends on public trust rather than force.

One of the first things that stood out to me was the idea that the Supreme Court's authority comes from the faith of the American people. The documentary repeatedly emphasized that the Court's power is earned through trust, and I found that perspective interesting.

I was also surprised to learn how difficult it is to become a Supreme Court justice. One quote from the documentary described the appointment as being "akin to being struck by lightning," which highlights how rare that opportunity is.

Another thing I learned was how many cases the Court receives. The justices review about 100 cases per week, adding up to nearly 7,000 each year. I had no idea the volume was that high.

The documentary also explained that judges cannot simply choose issues to address whenever they want. Instead, they must wait for cases to come before them, unlike the president, who can actively choose priorities and policies.

I found the discussion of oral arguments especially interesting. What looks like an intense argument is often a conversation between the justices and attorneys. The documentary even joked that there are three arguments: the one you plan to give, the one you actually give, and the one you wish you had given afterward.

The process behind decisions was also fascinating. After hearing a case, the nine justices meet privately and work through drafts of opinions that can take weeks to develop as they try to persuade one another.

My biggest takeaway is simple. The Supreme Court's influence does not come from military power or direct control over the public.

It comes from the trust Americans place in the institution and its role in interpreting the Constitution. That idea changed the way I view the Court and helped me understand why its legitimacy matters so much.

Top 5 News Sources

1.) Google News

My main source for information and news. It is reliable because of the numerous trusted sources it provides. I can trust google news to provide me the most recent and biggest events occurring across the world. You will commonly find the same story appearing on various sources. This provides you more perspectives and information so you can see the big picture.

2.) TikTok

TikTok provides short form videos and slides as their main form of media. It also only takes a few minutes to post a TikTok video, so news and other important information find their way onto your feed fast. Another positive aspect is that you can build your own feed by taking advantage of its algorithm. However, one of the only downsides to TikTok is it can sometimes be untrustworthy since anyone can post a video. You'll get your news fast, but it is also important to double check if the information is true.

3.) Instagram

Similar to TikTok, Instagram's main form of media is its short form videos and slides. It is a reliable source to turn to when searching for recent news. There are many big name news sources who post on Instagram, but like TikTok. Anyone can post on Instagram, so just make sure to double check all information. It also very accessible to anyone who wants to use it.

4.) X (Twitter)

Many major news sources and political figures use the X as their main platform. You are also able to follow specific sources so your feed is tailored to your interests. The platform also  allows users to see a variety of perspectives on the same story, which can help them better understand different viewpoints.

5.) CNN

I use CNN because it is a reputable news source who employ trained journalists who follow professional reporting standards and fact checking procedures. The network provides coverage of both domestic and international events through a large team of correspondents and experts. CNN's reporting often includes multiple sources, interviews, and detailed analysis, which help me better understand complex issues. CNN is the most trustworthy out of the 5.