What I Learned About the U.S. Supreme Court

 

One of the most interesting things I learned about the Supreme Court is how much influence the Court has, even when it decides not to hear a case. The video explained that the justices do not like people saying they are affirming a lower court decision when they refuse to take a case. Still, it seems difficult not to see it that way because the previous ruling remains in place.

I also learned more about how the Court operates internally. Before discussing cases together, the justices try to make sure everyone has an opportunity to speak once before anyone speaks a second time. That process surprised me because it suggests an effort to give every justice an equal voice during deliberations.

Another detail that stood out was that at least one justice may already have a decision in mind before the private discussions begin. The video also noted that the justices write opinions and can become increasingly resistant to changing their views over time.

The biggest takeaway for me was the extraordinary power of the Supreme Court.

The Court serves as a constitutional check on both Congress and the president. Through the principle established in Marbury v Madison, the Court has the authority to determine whether actions taken by other parts of government are constitutional. That power helps place limits on government authority and makes the Supreme Court one of the most influential judicial institutions in the world.

The most surprising part of the video was learning about the Dred Scott decision. From my perspective, the justices in that case appeared to interpret the Constitution based on their own beliefs rather than applying it fairly. The ruling declared that Black people could never be citizens, a position that was eventually overturned only after the Civil War and the adoption of the 14th Amendment.

The video also changed how I think about constitutional interpretation. One point that stood out was the idea that the meaning of the Constitution can change over time as society changes. The phrase “We the People” originally applied to a much narrower group, but today it is understood to include women, minorities, Native Americans, and others who were once excluded.

Overall, the video helped me see the Supreme Court not as a static institution, but as one that continues to shape and be shaped by American history.

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 Microsoft Copilot Pro to help me shape my notes into a blog post between 300-350 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 to help break up the type and give the post a more professional look.

My Top Five Sources of News and Information

Instagram

    I use Instagram for a wide variety of news. I get random political stories and current events which informs me about the world on this platform, that information is typically given in a satirical or funny way. I also see memes and sketches for entertainment, movie and tv show clips and news about them, sports related content, and cute animal videos. Additionally, usually through targeted ads I have found many musicians and books that I enjoy and wouldn't have known about otherwise. Beyond all that, I also get to see updates on my friends' lives through their posts and stories. I recommend Instagram because it can give you whatever you want from it and as long as you can control how long you spend on the app, it is a great source of info and entertainment.

Youtube

    On youtube, I primarily use this for entertainment. One of the best things I use Youtube for, is for information on games that I am playing. Looking at guides when I am stuck on something or just learning what things are good in a game is very helpful and enjoyable for me. Anyone can use Youtube for anything to be honest. There is so much content and so many communities on the platform that there is truly something for everybody.

Podcast - Lemonade Stand

    This is a podcast that I am fond of. It is run by 3 content creators and it covers business, tech, and general current events ranging from serious to silly. Each episode, the hosts bring various stories to talk about and I find it both interesting and funny. I recommend this podcast to anyone interested in learning about some things going on in the world in a less serious way than traditional news channels.

Last Week Tonight - John Oliver

    Last Week Tonight is a late night show hosted by John Oliver that uploads its episodes for free to Youtube. He covers a single story in each episode ranging from politics to Buccees suing random local gas stations for copyright infringement. He and his writers weave many jokes into his show and I quite enjoy it. It is a bit infrequent but always delivers on its content. I mostly watch for the laughs but also to learn about something because he spends lots of time on the topics and explains what is going on with them. It is good for some enjoyment while learning about something in a 30 minutes or less format which isn't too long or too short.

MSNBC - MS Now

    This is a traditional news source that I don't use much but still felt like mentioning it. I have mostly found them through their Instagram account where they cover a story typically about politics. They really only cover politics mostly and are a left leaning organization. I have found it to be a decent source of news when I sometimes come across a story they are running. It's primarily driven by particular news anchors so if there is one you like in particular, you can watch their show.