dicta \ 'dik-te \ n. [L. fr. neut. of dictus, ptp. of dicere] (1599) 1: a noteworthy statement: as a: a formal pronouncement of a principle, proposition, or opinion b: an observation intended or regarded as authoritative 2: a judicial opinion on a point other than the precise issue involved in determining a case 3: a legendary coach of the Chicago Bears football team from 1982-1992. 
...when I have to overcome obstacles like this:
A new poll for Fox News is a good indication of how members of the one of the nation's most important institutions operate largely out of the public's consciousness. Asked "Which one of the current U.S. Supreme Court justices do you most admire or agree with?", half of the respondents had no idea. They either did not have an answer to the question or could not name a justice. On the silver lining front, the figure was 68 percent when the question was asked six years ago.
The "winner" in the poll, conducted last week, was Justice Clarence Thomas, perhaps the court's best-known and most controversial member. But he shared the top spot (11 percent) with -- drumroll -- Sandra Day O'Connor, who left the court in 2006.
When a 50% ignorance rate is considered "good news" our democracy officially sucks.
1 comments:
"When a 50% ignorance rate is considered "good news" our democracy officially sucks."
Or perhaps, considering the Court's autonomy from the other branches of government and its independence from public opinion, this could also be a sign that the system is indeed working correctly. When I turn the little knob on my kitchen sink, it gives me water. Since I am an average American and not a trained plumber, I would probably not have any reason to inquire into the details of how the knob works - unless, of course, it stops giving me the water...
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