Entry #6 Kennedy

 

 

John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President at noon on January 20, 1961. In his inaugural address he spoke of the need for all Americans to be active citizens, famously saying, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." He asked the nations of the world to join together to fight what he called the "common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself".

He added: "All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin." In closing, he expanded on his desire for greater internationalism: "Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.

The address reflected Kennedy's confidence that his administration would chart an historically significant course in both domestic policy and foreign affairs. The contrast between this optimistic vision and the pressures of managing daily political realities at home and abroad would be one of the main tensions running through the early years of his administration.

Kennedy brought to the White House a stark contrast in organization compared to the decision-making structure of former-general Eisenhower; and he wasted no time in dismantling Eisenhower's methods. Kennedy preferred the organizational structure of a wheel, with all the spokes leading to the president. He was ready and willing to make the increased number of quick decisions required in such an environment. He selected a mixture of experienced and inexperienced people to serve in his cabinet. "We can learn our jobs together", he stated. Throughout the terms of presidency, President Kennedy was the only president that died before his parents. The Kennedys have generations of family members. Wealthy and powerful, but still tied into their original beliefs.

Entry#5 Supreme Court

   Article 3 section 1 of the U.S Constitution establishes judicial Power to the supreme court. The duty of the judicial branch is to interpret laws. In other words, "to say what the law is"(Chief of Justice Marshall). Article 3 of the U.S Constitution is the shortest, and least specific branch compared to the other 2 branches, Legislative and Executive branch.



This case established the judicial review.

                                                   Marbury v. Madison 1803

Facts: Marbury was a justices-of-the-peace whom President Adams, on his last day in office, appointed for the District of Columbia. Although Acting Secretary of State Marshall sealed the commissions, several (including Marbury’s) were not delivered on time. Jefferson, President Adams’ successor, ordered Madison, the new Secretary of State, not to deliver the commissions. Marbury argued that (a) he and the other appointees were entitled to the commissions and (b) Madison’s failure to deliver the commissions entitled the appointees to a writ of mandamus.

Rule: (Marshall, C.J.) Implicitly, Article VI, Section: 2 of the Constitution gives the Supreme Court the authority to review acts of Congress and determine their constitutionality.   

                                         Brown v. Board of Education 1954 

Synopsis of Rule of Law. Even assuming equal facilities, if children in public schools are segregated solely on the basis of their color, the minority group is deprived of equal protection under law.

Facts. Black and white children were segregated in public schools citing laws which made segregation based on color mandatory or permissible. In other physical respects, including buildings, teaching curricula, teacher’s salaries, or qualifications, the schools were equal or were being brought to equal standards.

 

                                                              Cooper v. Aaron 1958

Synopsis of Rule of Law. The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land; Supreme Court Cases are binding upon all the States.

Facts. A state governor wishes to have the state legislature make it legal to segregate children in school based on his or her race. The Governor’s argument is one that the case is only binding until the state legislates otherwise, and that the case of Brown v. Board of Education should not be binding on the state.

 
      United States v. Nixon1962


Brief Fact Summary. The special prosecutor in the Watergate scandal subpoenaed tape recordings made of President Nixon (the “President”) discussing the scandal with some of his advisers. The President claimed executive privilege as his basis for refusing to turn over the tapes.

Synopsis of Rule of Law. Although a President deserves great deference regarding his Article II constitutional privilege, that privilege is not absolute and must be balanced against other constitutional interests

   The Supreme Court did not explicitly declare itself to be the final authority on the meaning of the constitution until these trials. The supreme court is very powerful and not easy to get a seat in. Many people have this undermined idea of supreme court judges having to be lawyers or have law training. Did you know nowhere in the constitution does it say that the U.S Supreme Court justices have to be lawyers or have any legal training. In fact, several justices in the courts history had never attended law school. James Byrnes, on the court 1941 to 1942, had little formal education and never attended college.

Entry #4 George Washington

        George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was the first President of the United States (1789–1797), the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the America Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Father of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution which replaced the Articles of Confederation and which remains the supreme law of the Land. Washington was elected President as the unanimous choice of the electors in 1788, and he served two terms in office. He oversaw the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that maintained neutrality in the wars raging in Europe, suppressed rebellion, and won acceptance among Americans of all types. His leadership style established many forms and rituals of government that have been used since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address Further, the peaceful transition from his presidency to that of John Adams established a tradition that continues into the 21st century. Washington was hailed as " father of his country" even during his lifetime.

        This is the basic knowledge of our first president ( I hope this is basic knowledge for you!). Through out our years of being in a history courses, we view Washington as the fearless and mighty father figure of this nation. All of it is true yes, but would bet my last dollar that you didn't know Washington was afraid of being buried alive. The most common fear many may have.  George Washington was  deathly afraid of being buried alive. After he died, he wanted to be laid out for 3 day just to make sure he was really dead. Interesting huh?

Entry #3 New Jersey vs. Tomato

      Their are many famous trial, that has shaped our country to what it is today. McCulloch vs. Maryland in 1819 due to this particular trial the states maintain more power than the government. Board of Education vs. Barnett in 1943, ruling that student can not be expelled for refusing to sault the flag.  Buckley vs. Valeo in 1976, set the Campaign Finance Laws. The most popular of course was Tinker vs. Des Moines School. The traditional freedom of speech rights during the Vietnam War. Through out history, we as a nation has gone through many trials, but one in particular out shine the moral concept of law. New Jersey vs. The Tomato, funny right?  on September 25th 1820, the tomato was put on trial. During this time period this was an important trial as in life or death.

On September 25th, 1820, Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson stood on the steps of the courthouse in Salem, Massachusetts with a basket of potentially toxic fruit. Despite warnings that its poison would turn his blood to acid, he told several hundred cheering spectators that he planned to eat the entire basket and survive.
"The foolish Colonel will foam and froth at the mouth," his own doctor shouted, "and double over with appendicitis. All that oxalic acid, one dose and he is dead. He might even be exposing himself to brain fever. Should he by some unlikely chance survive his skin will stick to his stomach and cause cancer."
Johnson, wearing black, ate the entire basket and indeed survived. The source of this story was an old farm journal, and may be less than reliable. If it is true, he was lucky those fruit were Tomatoes which as the evidence  shows are Evil.