The start of a slippery slope?: the Supreme Court’s October docket
In a post Roe v. Wade world, the Supreme Court has shown a clear push for a society that reflects conservative values. This shift started under the presidency of Donald J. Trump, who nominated enough GOP-aligned justices to create a conservative majority of six to three on the Supreme Court. Since Trump and Republican-led efforts […]
Episode 14: “Christians, Court, and Coffee Cups” with Hannah Nivar and Dennis J. Wiebolt III
Listen and subscribe to our podcast: Via Spotify | Via Apple Podcasts Hannah Nivar & Dennis Wieboldt join Max & Bryan to discuss on Christianity in American public life. They speak on the variety of Christian experiences in the US and share their views on the proper role of Christianity in America. The guests also join Ariana for […]
Off-Campus Censorship: Freedom of Speech in the Digital Age
“Fuck school. Fuck softball. Fuck cheerleading. Fuck everything.” This is what high school freshman B. L. captioned a Snapchat after discovering that she did not make the varsity cheerleading team. In the photo, B. L. and a friend were in a convenience store sticking out their tongues and raising their middle fingers. The self-deleting Snap […]
Transparent Transphobia: The Fight for LGBT Rights Is Far From Over
The day after President Joe Biden was sworn into office, #BidenErasedWomen trended on Twitter. What had the brand-new president done to women that was so horrible? He signed an executive order to protect LGBT Americans from discrimination. Biden signed several executive orders on his first day in office; most of them reversed Trump-era policies regarding […]
Debunking Originalism: How Objectivity Promotes Judicial Bias
Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings revived the debate between originalism and living constitutionalism. The former espouses that judges ought to interpret the literal text of the Constitution according to what the words meant when they were promulgated. The latter suggests that the Framers intentionally used loose language to allow for future interpretation, and that […]
In Response to “American Theocracy and the War on Christmas”
When those of us interested in politics look to history for support, we must be wary of reductionism. Though it may be advantageous for headlines to make eye-catching claims, history is much more nuanced. In “American Theocracy and the War on Christmas,” Alex Jarecki reduces the complex relationship of religion and politics in America to […]
Puppet Theater: Behind the Right’s Originalism
This article is one half of a discussion on originalism in American jurisprudence. For its companion, which argues that originalism limits the abuse of judicial authority for political ends, click here. “This small hearing room and the little TV box that you’re looking at . . . are a little bit like the frame of […]
Originalism: The Best Alternative to Oligarchy
This article is one half of a discussion on originalism in American jurisprudence. For its companion, which argues that originalism is a cover for conservative judges to impose their policy preferences, click here. Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court revived political conflict surrounding the judiciary’s proper role in American democracy. The political […]
What Overturning Roe Would Mean for Our Futures
Photo by Charles Edward Miller The Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade was a turning point in US history—a celebratory moment where freedom triumphed and the fundamental human rights of bodily autonomy and personal choice were extended to Americans with uteruses. The landmark decision has been one of great controversy, with efforts to […]
Four Non-Biden Reasons for Progressives to Vote for Biden
Let’s assume you’re a progressive disappointed with the two viable presidential candidates this November. Fair enough. But there are still reasons to support Joe Biden even if you dislike him, beginning with Federal Judges. This is the best way to play the political long game, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell knows it. After Republicans […]