Orchestra

Students weigh in on Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing, legacy, and the open seat

Philip Keidel ‘24

The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg sent shock waves through our nation. A champion for women’s rights, Ginsburg served on the high court from 1993 until her passing. She had been nominated to the Supreme Court by then-President Bill Clinton to replace Justice Byron White. She was a strong women’s rights advocate, nicknamed “Notorious RBG” for her direct and forceful opinions about cases that were argued in the Supreme Court. When she died on September 18, the immediate question of her seat being filled by President Trump was at the top of Americans’ minds. At the time the court was considered to be a 5-4 conservative majority with Ginsburg being one of the four liberal, minority justices. Chief Justice John Roberts is viewed by many as the swing vote in many of the cases that the Court rules on. The Constitution states that one of the many duties of the President of the United States is to nominate justices to the Supreme Court. In 2016, President Obama, eight months before the election, nominated Merrick Garland. The majority-Republican Senate struck down his nomination, citing Obama being a “lame duck” president, meaning that he was at the end of his second term, with no way to be re-elected. President Trump meanwhile, is ending his first term. “I think Obama being a lame-duck president changes the outlook on the topic,

Over the past few months, Biden’s campaign speeches and interviews have brought gaffes shared across the internet worldwide. Although these blunders are funny to some, they invoke a different reaction in me, one of confusion and maybe even a little bit of fear. I often find myself asking the question “How can this man be running for President?” Whether it be racially insensitive comments to outright incorrect facts and statements, Joe Biden has persistently tarnished his reputation as a public speaker, arguably the most important trait a politician needs. Biden always seems to contradict his earlier statements with new ones, presenting everyone the question of what he really supports. This was especially prevalent during the first presidential debate where Biden disavowed the Green New Deal after previously declaring that it was the basis for his new climate plan. An important topic that Joe Biden cannot seem to maintain a consistent answer on is the defunding of police, a widely debated topic in today’s political climate. During an interview with Ady Barkan in July, when asked if he agreed with plans to redirect police funding, Biden responded, “Yes, absolutely.” This came just a month before a July interview with CBS where Biden rejected the idea of defunding the police and proposed even more funds for equipment and hiring, stating, “While I do not believe federal dollars should go to police departments violating people’s rights or turning to violence as the first resort, I do not support defunding police.” A third topic sparking controversy surrounding Biden are his racist comments, esTrump’s finishing his first term, and it’s his job to nominate justices to the Supreme Court,” Third Former Luke Fesnak said. Sixth Former Nachikethan Srinivasan disagrees;“I find the moves currently being taken by the Republican administration are hypocritical, but it’s nothing new to many of us who have been more or less politically aware of the last ten or so years.” Trump nominated the Honorable Amy Coney Barrett, a graduate of Rhodes College, Notre Dame Law School, and served fifteen years as a law professor at Notre Dame Law School. In 2017 President Trump nominated her to the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. During her confirmation hearing she participated in a notable confrontation with Senator Diane Feinstein of California, “The dogma lives loudly within you, and that’s a concern,” Feinstein said at that September 2017 confirmation hearing. Feinstein was referring to Barrett’s strong religious beliefs; she is a devout Catholic, and Feinstein believed that would play a part in the rulings she would make on the cases argued before her. Srinivasan agrees: he pointed to Barrett’s staunch conservative beliefs and her ties to religious groups that have clear views on how a relationship between a man and a woman should be.

“I don’t think this was a matter of Senator

Joshua Ricefield ‘22 pecially pertaining to the African American community. One of his most notable quotes surfaced during an interview with Charlamagne of The Breakfast Club where Biden ended the interview stating, “Well, I tell you what, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.” During an interview with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Biden made another extremely insensitive comment.“Unlike the African-American community, with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly diverse attitudes about different things,” Biden said. In both of these statements, Biden undermines the African-American community of which he holds the support of the majority. Biden’s ability to reverse his stance on serious topics from interview to interview and poor skills as a conveyor of information should scare every American voter concerned about the democracy of this country. If Donald Trump can make Biden change his stance on his policy to combat climate change in the middle of a debate, a Congress full of radical left leaders will be able to alter the very fabric of the Constitution that is the heart and soul of our country. This is, however, completely disregarding the fact that Biden has, on multiple occasions, misstated facts which resulted in exaggerated numbers that, in theory, could be believed by his supporters. In fact, recent polling has backed up my claims showing that Trump has thirtysix percent of the black vote compared to his mere eight percent during the 2016 election. With calls for racial justice, Biden’s comments are only lowering his numbers as his Offical portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Feinstein ‘attacking Barrett,’ but questioning whether her views will reflect the ideals of a bench that is committed to making no law respecting an establishment of religion,” Srinivasen said. Luke Fesnak said, “I think people can unfairly criticize strong religious beliefs. She’s intelligent, moral and quite competent. If you ask me, there’s no reason she shouldn’t be confirmed.” Vegas, Nevada support wanes from minority and radical left voters of whose policies he has contradicted. The role of the President is extremely important in that the fate of our country rests in their hands. What scares me about Biden is that many of his insensitive and false statements were but accidents on his part. There is no room for accidents in the Oval Office. In fact, one of his little slip-ups could send the entire country into a panic with the way the media unfairly reports on him. Biden has proven on multiple occasions from his oratory skills that he is not fit for such a role, and by doing so has alienated many of his supporters. As the election nears and Biden continues to lose the support of minority voters, no doubt due to his performance VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Barrett will most likely be approved for a confirmation hearing, but the real question is whether she is confirmed before the election, a Trump win will almost guarantee her confirmation, but a Trump loss may force Senate Republicans to try to force her through, something that would definitely be one of the most controversial political moves

Joe Biden’s oratory limits his campaign

Former Vice President Joe Biden speaking on February 15, 2020 in Las in U.S. history. GAGE SKIDMORE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS during speeches, his chances of winning the election leave with them. If you are a student of age to vote, then I believe it is your duty, as a responsible voter, to educate yourself about the presidential candidates. Although Trump’s actions as president are heavily demeaned by the press, I urge you to reconsider a quick choice to vote. Joe Biden is not fighting for racial justice in this country: he only adds to it by creating racial stereotypes especially for African Americans in his speeches. No, voting for Trump does not necessitate you to question your racial identity but who knows what a vote for Biden warrants, I certainly do not. Biden’s position changes every day.