I see recognizing the Justices more as knowing our legal system and how courts operate than being political, but, I agree that apathy abounds.
How is it that our Canadian poster can name every one but the majority of Americans can't even name one? The only answer is that our public school system is failing our kids. Not every person is going to be interested, of course, but they should know at least ONE!
I see nothing wrong with shaming them. Being able to name the Justices is one of the tests for immigrants so why not native born citizens?
""A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul" ~George Bernard Shaw
""A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul" ~George Bernard Shaw
Bethere (03-20-2017)
We don't learn them in high school unless we take an elective US history course (I didn't - I took all of the ancient history and medieval history classes, along with my mandatory Canadian history classes). Our news is dominated with US stories, though, and most of us pay at least a little bit of attention to it. Our 6pm news usually has a fair portion dedicated to world and US news. Certain social issues are very important to Canadians and there are several very important SCOTUS decisions that we know, which results in us knowing at least a few of the Justices. For example, when Obergefell v. Hodges took place, it would have been heavily covered in Canadian news and they would have broken down the votes. Over time, you just learn it.
That said, there are probably a fair amount of Canadians who know at least one US Justice, but can't name one Canadian Justice. Our Supreme Court is less activist and you don't hear about them as often as SCOTUS. I know them because I took Canadian law classes. It is kind of funny in a sad way that we have more exposure to US policy/politics sometimes.
FindersKeepers (03-21-2017)
"Notorious RBG" lol.
I have a big cook.
Bethere (03-20-2017)
"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."
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Nattering naybob