 We take pride as a nation
that our government is grounded in a system of checks and balances. Three equal branches of government... Each with its own purpose... Each with its own power... Each supremely important. This week, our nation is watching a drama unfold between all three branches... Executive, Legislative, and Judicial . The Senate is holding additional hearings for President Trump's nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, to fill a spot on the Supreme Court left open by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy. This might be a good time for a little Supreme Court confirmation trivia... Q: Who was the last Supreme Court justice to be confirmed by unanimous vote of the Senate? A: Justice Anthony Kennedy! Wait...did you read that correctly? The confirmation was unanimous? In the Senate? Is that even possible? It was in 1987, the year Kennedy was confirmed. Unanimous That's certainly a word we don't hear often connected with Congress. But why not? The process surrounding confirmation hearings for Supreme Court justices has become so politicized over the years, it's hard to imagine any nominee having unanimous support. And yet, there have been many unanimous or nearly unanimous confirmations of justices in the Supreme Court's history. Why is it so difficult today? Is there a better way forward? We'll watch and wait this week as the Senate hears testimony and and makes a final decision about the Kavanaugh nomination. As we're watching and waiting, let's ask ourselves... What do WE think about the whole confirmation process? Is something broken with the system? Is there a way to fix it? What are the Purple Points surrounding the selection of Supreme Court justices? Does the simple majority Senate vote make sense? Would some kind of supermajority--60 votes--or 2/3--be better? Could we even ask for a 3/4 majority? Would that be possible? What about the tenure for Supreme Court justices? Should justices continue to have lifelong appointments? If they had term limits, what might that look like? Would it be better to stagger the replacement of justices somehow? It's in our nation's best interest to keep politics out of the Supreme Court. Maintaining the integrity of the Supreme Court is vital for our beloved checks and balances. Let's work together to find a better way forward. It's important work... supremely important!
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 Happy Peace Day!
The International Day of Peace is celebrated each year on September 21st. The United Nations established "Peace Day" by unanimous resolution in 1981. It's a day for people around the world to focus on building a culture of peace together. Each year, the UN selects a theme for Peace Day. This year's big idea is... "The Right to Peace- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70." Have you ever read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? You can explore it here... United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights It's powerful and important reading. In the United States we take many of these human rights for granted. We hold these truths to be self-evident. On Peace Day this year, lets remember that Freedom of Belief, Freedom of Expression, and Freedom of Assembly are all considered basic human rights. When we come together in the Purple Living Room Project we are exercising all three of these rights. We are fortunate that we can do so freely. Let's #Standup4humanrights around the world. The UN has a Pledge you can take...
It's an important pledge for all of us. You can take the official pledge HERE. On Peace Day this year, let's sit down and talk together... Then let's take a stand together for human rights around the world... and be grateful we have the right to do so freely.  Election Day is just around the corner...
Are you registered to vote? If not... WHY NOT?!?!?!?! If you're not registered yet, it's time to get moving! Many states require voters to register 30 days before election day. If you're not registered to vote, please STOP reading now and CLICK HERE... www.vote.gov If you are already registered, THANK YOU! Now... REMEMBER to VOTE! We can talk and talk and talk until we're red and blue and purple in the face, but the most meaningful action we can take as citizens is to exercise our right and our civic duty to vote. So, PLEASE... Let's keep talking until we are red and blue and purple in the face... and then let's walk over to the polling place together and VOTE!  Backpacks are filled, Pencils are sharpened, Laptops are charged... It's the beginning of a new school year! What will our children be learning? How to talk and listen to one another. Have you ever seen the Common Core Standards for speaking and listening? Here is what we expect of our high school seniors when they graduate... SPEAKING AND LISTENING Comprehension and Collaboration: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.A Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.B Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.C Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.D Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task. We set the bar high for collaboration skills...
and we should do so. We should also be able to practice what we benchmark. We need to model the art of respectful conversation for our children. The Purple Points Protocol combines many of these important skills in an easy-to-use format. Why not try it out? As our kids go back to school, let's get back to our own speaking and listening. Let's show our nation's youth we know how to talk the talk AND walk the walk. |
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May 2021
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