Changes

For example, the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, in which about 20 were executed for allegedly being witches (a term that included men and women), are difficult to understand from a strictly legal perspective.  But when the politics of the town are explained, then the bizarre episode is not so mysterious.  Poor people in the town, who sat on the juries, were resentful of some of the accused wealthier defendants.  The accusations and trials became a form of class struggle.

For example, the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, in which about 20 were executed for allegedly being witches (a term that included men and women), are difficult to understand from a strictly legal perspective.  But when the politics of the town are explained, then the bizarre episode is not so mysterious.  Poor people in the town, who sat on the juries, were resentful of some of the accused wealthier defendants.  The accusations and trials became a form of class struggle.

Similarly, the acquittal of African American celebrity O.J. Simpson of murdering his white ex-wife is surprising if one looks only at the mountain of evidence that was presented against him.  It requires recognizing the tense racial politics of the Los Angeles area, including the Rodney King incident and the subsequent race riots, to understand why an almost entirely African American jury acquitted O.J. Simpson against charges presented primarily by a white prosecutor based on testimony by white police officers.

Similarly, the acquittal of African American celebrity O.J. Simpson of murdering his white ex-wife is surprising if one looks only at the mountain of evidence that was presented against him.  To understand this, one must recognize the tense racial politics of the Los Angeles area, including the Rodney King incident and the subsequent race riots, and that helps explain why an almost entirely African American jury acquitted O.J. Simpson against charges presented primarily by a white prosecutor based on testimony by white police officers.

Politics extends even to fast food.  The president of Chick-fil-A spoke out in defense of traditional marriage, and soon afterward the fast-food chain was the focus of a political dispute.  Many went there in support of its position, while others said they would no longer go there.  One executive filmed an abusive tirade that he unleashed on a Chick-fil-A employee due to the politics, and then that executive himself was fired from his job after his video "went viral" on the internet (was widely seen and talked about).

Politics extends even to fast food.  The president of Chick-fil-A spoke out in defense of traditional marriage, and soon afterward the fast-food chain was the focus of a political dispute.  Many went there in support of its position, while others said they would no longer go there.  One executive filmed an abusive tirade that he unleashed on a Chick-fil-A employee due to the politics, and then that executive himself was fired from his job after his video "went viral" on the internet (was widely seen and talked about).

*is there a conflict between courts in different parts of the Nation, which the Court should resolve?

*is there a conflict between courts in different parts of the Nation, which the Court should resolve?

*is the issue of immense national interest that the Court should decide?

*is the issue of immense national interest that the U.S. Supreme Court should decide?

The first reason -- a conflict between courts in different parts of the Nation -- is known as a "Circuit split."  Each U.S. Court of Appeals is a numbered Circuit, as discussed below, and when they disagree on an issue and render conflicting decisions, then the U.S. Supreme Court likes to accept one of the cases to establish what the rule of law will be for that issue nationwide.

The first reason -- a conflict between courts in different parts of the Nation -- is known as a "Circuit split."  Each U.S. Court of Appeals is a numbered Circuit, as discussed below, and when they disagree on an issue and render conflicting decisions, then the U.S. Supreme Court likes to accept one of the cases to establish what the rule of law will be for that issue nationwide.