Civil Discourse

In this episode, Nia and Aughie discuss three SCOTUS rulings: the pipeline ruling under the Appalachian Trail, the sanctuary city ruling, and the declination to take a Second Amendment case from the 10 proposed. Each of these rulings have long-term implications for federal and state powers. 

Nia and Aughie discuss the meaning of "sex" as written into Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, considering how it may pertain to being fired for being homosexual or transgender. They also talk at length about the concepts of Constitutional textualism, as interpreted by several justices.

Aughie and Nia discuss this Second Amendment case, originally opposing the travel ban on guns outside of going to firing ranges, as set by New York City. The case eventually is eventually declared moot (as the city rescinded the law), but there is a lingering question of lower court's application of SCOTUS Second Amendment precedent.

In this episode, Aughie and Nia discuss the Georgia v Public Resource case decided before the Supreme Court, October term, 2019. The holding: Under the government edicts doctrine, the annotations beneath the statutory provisions in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated are ineligible for copyright protection (SCOTUSblog).  

In this episode, Nia and Aughie discuss the application for a hearing before the Supreme Court, called a writ of certiorari. Aughie details the division of labor, brief building process, and clerk work of the Supreme Court, leading to the Justices' decisions about taking a case.  

Nia and Aughie discuss the new rules for oral arguments as the Court adjusts to meeting under social distancing guidelines. Mention is made of the problems created by using a zoom-like software to hold arguments (and the flush heard around the legal world).

Nia and Aughie are spending the next several weeks focusing on the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). This episode explains the case Marbury v Madison, which led to judicial review, and set the tone for the importance of the SCOTUS going forward. Learn about the maneuvering of Madison, Marshall, Adams and Jefferson as the third branch of government finds its feet.

Nia and Aughie discuss the Constitutional powers granted to the President to adjourn Congress or call a session of Congress. There are very narrow circumstances under which a President may adjourn Congress. Only once has a President called Congress into session.

Nia and Aughie are joined by Dr. Judyth Twigg of the VCU Political Science department. Dr. Twigg specializes in global public health issues and all things Russia, and gives Nia and Aughie a primer on current Russian politics. Later in the episode, Dr. Twigg connects politics to the coronavirus in Russia, and makes some predictions about Russia's political future.

Nia and Aughie discuss the gold standard, what backs American currency, and the beginnings of the national economy. They also explore the philosophical questions around debt and currency as social interaction.