Most Americans can't name a single Supreme Court Justice.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

And to that I say, and I mean this with all the passion and sincerity I can muster, "so?"

Seriously. I'm among this majority. So what? We don't vote for these people. We have little power in determining their appointment.

There's quite a few things many Americans are ignorant of. Some matter more than others. I really fail to see why so much is being made of this.

Can't locate Russia or Japan on a map? Problem. Don't know how our government system works? Problem. Can't tell a horse from a cow? Yeah. Problem. And while yeah, you need to know about the Supreme Court and what they do, why is it so scandalous that so many people can't name them by name?

I'm frankly more ashamed of myself that there are people I deal with personally on a regular basis that I sometimes forget their names. Now THAT'S shameful and I am disappointed in myself over this.

We got some serious, serious problems in this country. Somehow I'm missing how this is a huge one.

[Greenday]

One of my co-workers couldn't name any, I could only name one, and our older co-worker could name half.

Really, it just doesn't matter. Seeing as the Supreme Court isn't a democratically picked position, it doesn't matter if we know who is on it. We really can't affect their decisions.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Exactly how I feel about it. And yet, the media is just loving bandying it around like it's some sort of dark scandal they've just uncovered.

I would think there would be some actual news to report or something.

[protege]

I would think there would be some actual news to report or something.

Well, with the royal wedding over, and Charlie Sheen no longer on the headlines, plus no snow on the forecast...there's nothing left to report

[HYHYBT]

I could name lots of them... but probably not all the current ones off the top of my head. (Kagan, Sotomayor, Thomas, Kennedy, Scalia, Roberts, Alito... all but two's not too bad!)

[fireheart17]

I can name Scalia off the top of my head and I'm not even in America!

That would be because I'm doing an American Politics class at uni tho

[mikoyan29]

I think this is another general ignorance of the American public story. I tend to agree with you guys that it's not terribly important to know the names of the Justices but more important to know what their role within the government is. I know I could name more than 1. But this fits into the framework of other things you were mentioning....

[Greenday]

Sotomayor was the only one I could name and the only reason I remember her was because so many people were saying Obama only picked her because she's a female latino.

And no, RecoveringKinkoid, there isn't any news apparently. I dig in depth to what goes on in Afghanistan/Pakistan because, well, that's what I deal with. But unless any of the stuff I read about actually hits major news stations, I wouldn't expect people to hear about it.

[Gravekeeper]

Not American, but I can name 5 off the top of my head. But I attribute this entirely to the Daily Show. -.-

[draco664]

Well, with the royal wedding over, and Charlie Sheen no longer on the headlines, plus no snow on the forecast...there's nothing left to report

Wasn't there something in the news recently about some prick getting shot in the face? I think I heard something about that.

[Rapscallion]

I'll agree that it shows a lowish level of awareness, but is it something necessary? It's not as if they're politicians who can be voted in and out on their own merits or lack thereof.

Does it actually matter to the man or woman in the street? Are they even likely to be met in public for someone to need their name?

Rapscallion

[HYHYBT]

Wasn't there something in the news recently about some prick getting shot in the face? I think I heard something about that.

Well, yeah... but considering that was over and done when it hit the news, they dragged it out as far as they could. You could always go the "He's still dead" route, but when they're down to reporting on his porn collection, they've pretty well run out of substance.

[insertNameHere]

considering the get the position for life, and only leave it by their own choice or dieing, along with they get appointed by the president which means I have no control over it. Sure it might be nice to know how they might side on something but I doubt me sending them a letter is going to change their mind.

[Racket_Man]

Well, yeah... but considering that was over and done when it hit the news, they dragged it out as far as they could. You could always go the "He's still dead" route, but when they're down to reporting on his porn collection, they've pretty well run out of substance.

and now a recap of our top story (assisted by Gerrett Morris)
OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT IS FRANSICO FRANKO IS STILL DEAD. Good night and have a pleasent tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESyTVnxxrPc

[Boozy]

considering the get the position for life, and only leave it by their own choice or dieing, along with they get appointed by the president which means I have no control over it.

Maybe not, but these people have control over you. A great deal of it. Americans should be paying attention to the Supreme Court.

I cannot understand how someone who keeps up to date with what is going on in their country hasn't heard these names often enough to remember at least one.