Jan Crawford Greenburg (ABC News), the Stallworth lecturer, 7:30 pm on 23 Sep. 2008. Author of Supreme Conflict, (2007) New speakers' dates and topics for Alabama World Affairs Council meetings, 2008-09 Katheryn Kennedy, "Rock the Polls", 16 Sep. 12:30 in PSC 311. Ms. Kennedy, formerly an aide to the Governor, now represents AUM's Center for Advanced Technology. James Payne '99 also came to PSC 302 on 7 Oct. to speak on European institutions and law.
Also, class guest speaker in PSC 311, Tues 23 Sep at 12:30 in FL 203. NEW My book notes on Supreme Conflict NEW Summary of reviews: Her lively new book, Supreme Conflict, (2007)argues that W. Bush has been more successful than other recent Republican presidents, in casting the Supreme Court in a conservative direction. His appointees, Samuel Alito and John Roberts, are more ideologically motivated than some predecessors, and not so off-putting to conservative and moderate colleagues as is Clarence Thomas. According to reviewers, the book's qualities are use of participant interviews and papers of Supreme Court justices -- while weaknesses are a lack of theory or academic data, and missing some important areas of judicial politics. Some complain that her book is delivered from a harsh and simplistic conservative viewpoint (one review compares Greenburg to Ann Coulter) that fails to understand the qualities of moderate conservative justices. On the other hand, some reviewers excuse her for reporting such views of others -- her own views seem (to reviewers) to fall between moderate and radical conservatism. She is particularly critical of Justice Souter and critical of O'Connor, despite her being a likeable source. A specific point she makes is that notes show Clarence Thomas is opinionated and often a leader, not a follower, of Antonin Scalia. She also argues that Bush v Gore (2000), decided in great haste, resulted in an unnusual argument based on equal protection and is not typical of quality or pattern of the Supreme Court's work. Overall, the book (although not an academic work) is the best reported, popular, "inside" story of the Court since Woodward and Armstrong's The Brethren, thirty years ago. Some pertinent questions suggested for Ms. Greenburg: Does her thesis of a struggle for a conservative revolution, really depend on limiting conservatism to the radical, moral Right? Does her thesis depend on Republican Presidents (before W. Bush) actually desiring the radical conservatives' agenda? Why can't judges blend the common law approach with the constitutional approach in most cases? Why is it not judicial activism to reverse precedents in a conservative direction? Does her thesis depend on confusing originalism (intent of the Founders) with judicial restraint (judges not making new law)? Doesn't her book show that some Republican activists deliberately politicized Supreme Court appointments? Why doesn't her book feature judicial issues beyond the moral right agenda -- like economic or defense powers? Is a subtheme of the book that both women justices felt "put-downs" from men, not only when first denied jobs but also when on the Supreme Court? Are there some rights (like abortion, or privacy from police intrusions) that were not written into the constitution precisely because abortion (until the baby kicked) and privacy (there being no police) were assumed normal in 1787? On page 174, on restricting federal powers over interstate commerce under the constitution, why does she only give the tenth amendment's restriction-- and leave out the "make all laws necessary and proper" or 'elastic' clause? Voting blocs on the Supreme Court:NEW Justices generally considered legal conservatives: Roberts (Chief), Scalia, Thomas, Alito Justices considered moderate legal conservatives, swing voters: Kennedy (and formerly O'Connor, now retired) Justices generally considered legal liberals: Ginsburg, Stevens, Souter, Breyer Justices and their appointments, (ages in 2008) -- party of president nominating: NEW John Roberts (chief) by W. Bush, 2005 (53) -- R John Paul Stevens by Ford, 1975 (88) -- R Antonin Scalia by Reagan, 1986 (72) -- R Anthony Kennedy by Reagan, 1988 (72) -- R David Souter by G. Bush, 1990 (69) -- R Clarence Thomas by G. Bush 1991 (60) -- R, very close confirmation vote Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Clinton, 1993 (75) -- D Stephen Breyer, by Clinton, 1994 (70) -- D Samuel Alito, by W. Bush, 2006 (58) -- R, close confirmation vote Reviews and notes: New York Times review (favorable, with some gaps such as hard data and topics such as presidential power) John O. McGinnis, "Coming to Order, How the Supreme Court Really Works," Wall Street Journal Opinion NEW Ken Gormley, "Bush Built a Right Wing on Highest Court by Trial, Error," review, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette NEW Amazon.com: best customer reviews: Favorable | Critical The Court's current membership, table, on Wikipedia NEW
Katheryn Kennedy, "Rock the Polls", 16 Sep. 12:30 in PSC 311. Ms. Kennedy, formerly an aide to the Governor, now represents AUM's Center for Advanced Technology.