"Dis-empowerment breeds discouragement, and people who are always eager to gripe about government remain passive, as discouraged people often do" (Gans, 2003 p. 42). I believe this quote accurately details the recent Supreme Court's decision on Trump's travel ban. Unchecked Power is Still Dangerous by NYT guest columnist, Leah Litman explains the trouble that this Supreme Court decision will/has caused. Litman includes direct quotes from Trump that exude obvious religious animus such as: "Islam hates us" and his accusation that Muslims have "violent ideologies". Even though this case was rooted in Racist ideologies held by President Trump, the court ultimately decided that the "admission and exclusion of foreign nations is a fundamental sovereign attribute exercise by the Government's political departments largely immune from judicial control".
Furthermore, the controversies of the Supreme Court don't stop there, but continue with the retirement of Justice Kennedy. Justice Kennedy was known for taking a more liberal approach to women's rights and the rights of minorities; however, in his absence, it is merely a waiting game to see what kind of conservative Trump would pick. A Supreme Court for the Powerful by NYT Opinion Columnist, David Leonhardt outlines some controversies where the new Justice would be the deciding vote. These include debates on: the EPA fighting climate change, outlawing abortion, race-based affirmative action, capital punishment, and outlawing same-sex marriage.
In the outcome of Trump vs. Hawaii, we see how easily President Trump got away with his racist immigration decision. Because the court was told to view the case at face value, it was deemed constitutional because it was based on "legitimate purposes: preventing entry of nationals who cannot be adequately vetted and inducing other nations to improve their practices." The notion that a travel ban will force other nations to "improve their practices" is ludicrous. This ban is yet another reason for other countries to laugh at the United States' absurd practices. Other countries have recently renounced the US because of our current immigration practices and the pulling out of the UN Human Rights Council, and the Trump vs. Hawaii ruling is the just the latest.
Circling back to the earlier quote by Herbert Gans, "Dis-empowerment breed discouragement" and at a time when the President seems to have a dangerous amount of power and control, US Citizens must step in to intervene. This intervening doesn't seem likely when even the Supreme Court backs the President's absurd ban. Now, more than ever before, it is crucial for Citizens to renounce the president. The american people still have a voice in the matter even though the immediate future looks bleak. People can call their local Senators and Congressman to try and sway their mind in upcoming bills. People can also protest and attend rallies to peacefully show their discontent. We see that the recent protests and "noise" surrounding the separation of immigrant children may have persuaded the President to take action. Although we don't know for absolute certainty that protesting changed the immigration issue, it is still a glimmer of hope that the American people can hold onto and use as fuel.
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| The 9 sitting Supreme court Justices |
Furthermore, the controversies of the Supreme Court don't stop there, but continue with the retirement of Justice Kennedy. Justice Kennedy was known for taking a more liberal approach to women's rights and the rights of minorities; however, in his absence, it is merely a waiting game to see what kind of conservative Trump would pick. A Supreme Court for the Powerful by NYT Opinion Columnist, David Leonhardt outlines some controversies where the new Justice would be the deciding vote. These include debates on: the EPA fighting climate change, outlawing abortion, race-based affirmative action, capital punishment, and outlawing same-sex marriage.
In the outcome of Trump vs. Hawaii, we see how easily President Trump got away with his racist immigration decision. Because the court was told to view the case at face value, it was deemed constitutional because it was based on "legitimate purposes: preventing entry of nationals who cannot be adequately vetted and inducing other nations to improve their practices." The notion that a travel ban will force other nations to "improve their practices" is ludicrous. This ban is yet another reason for other countries to laugh at the United States' absurd practices. Other countries have recently renounced the US because of our current immigration practices and the pulling out of the UN Human Rights Council, and the Trump vs. Hawaii ruling is the just the latest.
Circling back to the earlier quote by Herbert Gans, "Dis-empowerment breed discouragement" and at a time when the President seems to have a dangerous amount of power and control, US Citizens must step in to intervene. This intervening doesn't seem likely when even the Supreme Court backs the President's absurd ban. Now, more than ever before, it is crucial for Citizens to renounce the president. The american people still have a voice in the matter even though the immediate future looks bleak. People can call their local Senators and Congressman to try and sway their mind in upcoming bills. People can also protest and attend rallies to peacefully show their discontent. We see that the recent protests and "noise" surrounding the separation of immigrant children may have persuaded the President to take action. Although we don't know for absolute certainty that protesting changed the immigration issue, it is still a glimmer of hope that the American people can hold onto and use as fuel.
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