French toast and politics: UGA law professors host Supreme Court discussion over breakfast

On the cold morning of Oct. 19, a small crowd of University of Georgia law students, attorneys, professors and representatives gathered at Big City Bread Cafe to discuss the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

The topics of conversation were facilitated by UGA Law professor Christian Turner and covered a wide range of issues including an analysis over the current structure of the Supreme Court, the controversy behind Kavanaugh’s nomination and the appointment process as a whole.

One of the major points of dialogue was Turner’s proposition of a 28th amendment, which would restructure the Supreme Court entirely. Through his proposal, there would be an 18-person court who would each serve 18-year terms, thereby making it easier for the president to make appointments and more difficult for nominations to be obstructed.

The proposition initiated conversation over the current status of the court system, including how it has become increasingly politicized and caters more to political identifications and party affiliations rather than being a fair and just entity. This especially holds true for the Supreme Court, Turner said, which dictates that once a justice has been appointed, the only two likely factors that can remove him or her is death or voluntary retirement, Turner said.

“We’re at a dangerous point,” Turner said. “I think it is very important that we put in place a cooperative structure that everyone can follow. This idea that [a party] can win forever … I had a colleague who described his glee that there was a possibility conservatives would dominate the Supreme Court for our entire lifetime. He didn’t seem to recognize that that is a problem. That’s not how democracy works. It should be reflective over time of people’s attitudes, which is why you have to be willing to lose sometimes.”

Cait Felt, a second-year law student at UGA who graduated in 2016 with degrees in Arabic and international affairs, attended the event. As event chair for the UGA School of Law’s chapter of the American Constitution Society, she assists in inviting panelists and moderating events.

“I like to take any opportunity I can to listen to people who care about the political landscape of our country talk and discuss the future,” Felt said. I think discussions like this are incredibly important because there’s a lot of frustration with the political system right now, particularly as it relates to the Supreme Court.”

As participants continued to sip on coffee or eat breakfast sandwiches, there was an agreement among several members that changes in America’s political system need to happen.

“Everything is a sham,” said David Lyle, who is senior counsel for strategic engagement within the Athen’s chapter of ACS. “There is zero interest in holding the executive [branch] accountable.”

While the conversation was open to differing opinions, it demonstrated the importance of having political discussions, particularly during periods such as now when the nation is severely divided along political lines.

“I think that events like this are part of a larger movement,” Felt said. “I’m sure that politically-aware and curious citizens all over the country are having these discussions. One of the most important parts of living in a democracy is having discussions about how we can act to improve our country.”

Dr. Christian Turner, an associate professor of law at the University of Georgia School of Law, leads a discussion on the Kavanaugh court on Oct. 19, 2018 at Big City Bread Café in Athens, Georgia. Visible to the left of Dr. Turner is Deborah Gonzalez, democratic candidate for U.S. House District 117. (Photo/Julian Alexander)