Blog post #3

 Participation in self-government, to me, is one of the most important values of free expression. I probably wouldn't have picked this one if you asked me this last year. From last semester, taking Campaigns and Elections class and working on Josh Stein's campaign, that everyone should participate in the election process. I felt (very small) I had an impact on the election by actually going out and knocking on doors. I also phone banked a lot (which sucked) but doing this showed me that you need to participate in the election process.

I feel that TikTok is an excellent example of Checks on government power. I say this because banning TikTok sets a precedent for any social media to be effectively banned. Even though TikTok is run through Oracle servers, there is no real evidence that the Chinese government is stealing data. According to this article, "the Justice Department and a senior U.S. intelligence official say flatly that they have no direct evidence China has used TikTok for propaganda purposes in the U.S." So that leads to the question of why it is being banned. As you said, the argument that they are collecting data is also baseless due to how a social media company makes money. They have to collect data just like every other social media, and yet there's no direct evidence China has used TikTok for propaganda purposes in the U.S. 

A theory helps explain real-world phenomena by providing a structured framework to identify patterns, establish cause-and-effect relationships, and predict outcomes. An example I can think of is if we observe someone someone trying to become a faster runner. We see that if they work out more, they will become a faster runner. By offering concepts and principles, theories help us interpret why events occur and how different factors are connected, allowing us to make informed decisions or predictions based on the insights they provide. Another example, rational choice theory can be used to explain voting behavior in elections. Suppose there is a low turnout in an election. In that case, people's rational choice theory might interpret this as people perceiving that the cost of voting, such as time and effort, outweighs the potential impact of their vote.

Another theory that I agree with is Promoting tolerance. America has its problems, but we are a nation of many different types of people who live together. I have visited NYC many times, and it's a great example of Promoting tolerance. There are many different types of people that live in NYC; however, they live next to each other side by side. Writing this post has made me think of how these theories can be applied to American daily life and how it's a real opportunity to just be born here. 

Blog Post #2

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Supreme_Court_Building

• What did you learn about the Supreme Court that you didn't already know?

One thing I learned was that the Court was initially seen as a relatively weak institution under the Judiciary Act of 1789. It was only till Marbury v. Madison in 1803. Which established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to declare laws unconstitutional. Only under Chief Justice John Marshall's leadership did the Court's authority and respect significantly enhance. His leadership not only strengthened the Court's position within the government but also helped define the principles of federalism and the balance of power between state and federal governments.

• What is the most important takeaway point about the Supreme Court?

I feel Justice Sandra Day O'Connor says it best, "Every Petition, whether it's filed by high-priced legal counsel or whether it's written by some prisoner sitting in jail someplace in his own hand, gets the same individual consideration."

https://judicialstudies.duke.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/ME626-10_1200by800.jpg

• What was the most surprising thing you learned?

 The most surprising thing I learned is how the court actually works with oral discussions. In her testimony, Ruth Bader Ginsburg describes the first time she argued as a lawyer. She was so nervous that she didn't eat beforehand and felt terrified, but after just a few minutes, she began to feel completely comfortable. This shift in her experience shows how, despite the intimidating atmosphere, the process of oral arguments can become familiar and manageable, even for someone who was initially overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Ruth_Bader_Ginsburg_2016_portrait.jpg/640px-Ruth_Bader_Ginsburg_2016_portrait.jpg

• How did the video change the way you thought of the Supreme Court?

One thing that changed the way I thought of the court is that it really doesn't matter how much you spend on legal fees. They genuinely hear any vital case. Also, I did not know that they really just ask more general questions rather than more legal questions. 

TOP FIVE SOURCES OF NEWS AND INFORMATION

 1. AP (Associated Press) https://apnews.com/

The main reason I chose the Associated Press is that it aims to provide unbiased news. It mainly focuses on delivering straightforward facts without dramatizing them. It also has a dedication to neutrally and broad accessibility with no paywall. Their coverage is from multiple perspectives, avoiding the dominance of a single political or cultural lens. It is also known for its extensive editorial process and has cemented its reputation as a trustworthy and impartial news source. 

2. The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/

The Wall Street Journal is a reputable source because it focuses on business and economic trends. I feel that its editorial pages run mostly center-right, but it is factual and never really has any problems with it having very accurate reporting on both domestic and international issues. I mostly read and watch its content when it comes to global matters.

3. The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/

Although the New York Times may be liberal in its editorial stance and some reporting choices, it is overall committed to factual, in-depth journalism, which makes it a reliable source. The paper also frequently issues corrections when errors are identified. It does, however, have many contributors from various political backgrounds

4.  The Joe Rogan Experience. https://open.spotify.com/show/4rOoJ6Egrf8K2IrywzwOMk

I enjoy watching The Joe Rogan Experience due to the fact that he brings in such a large amount of diverse people to the podcast.  It can be anything from TheoVon making jokes for 3 hours to Mark Zuckerberg explaining how Facebook works. I also liked how he tried to have both major parties, Trump and Harris, come in and talk on the podcast. He also had (at the time) presidential cadet Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the show. He has (as of writing) 2,260 episodes. I will say that if there's a topic you want to know about, then he probably has a podcast about that.  

5. Fox Business https://www.foxbusiness.com/

I get a lot of my news from Fox Business because it has a significant business sense. Meaning that it will not have any actual bias since it has to do with the economic world and not the political world. An example of this is its covering of new tariffs. It doesn't cover it as a political issue but rather the economic details of the problem. I also get most of my news from the market here.