Can someone who can make flyers help? (Supreme Court)

[wildflower]

I'd like to ask for help from those of you who can make flyers and post them to be downloaded.

Especially given recent events, I think we need to get info out on the Supreme Court. (If a flyer on this already exists, please point me to it; I've been searching but haven't found one.)

I'm looking for something with 5 to 10 short, to-the-point paragraphs (preferably with bullet points), about what could happen to the SCOTUS makeup, and 5 possible/probable effects (e.g on reproductive rights, civil rights, etc.).

If there isn't one out there, maybe we could brainstorm on this thread and one of us can get something made up?

How's this for a header (done in the right typeface, etc.):

Your vote will affect the Supreme Court
...and the Supreme Court affects you.

OR

Your vote will change the Supreme Court...
and the Supreme Court affects YOU.

(Followed by the bulleted list.)

************
Here's an article that might help us:

Presidential election impacts nominations to courts, should affect voting choice

Within two weeks, the election will finally arrive. The political-minded population of this country will be presented with the ultimate gift—a “chance of a lifetime” election.

Despite all the political discussion of the past four years and the presidential chaos of the past year, it’s hard to believe that over 5 percent of voters are still undecided. Get with it! The implications of this presidential election are numerous. An often overlooked implication of the election is the impact upon the Supreme Court.

In the last year, the citizens of the United States have heard numerous discussions on foreign policy, health care, taxes and education. All these issues matter. However, many Americans formulate political opinions based on “wedge issues” such as abortion, same-sex marriage and the death penalty. There is no more important institution concerning these issues than the Supreme Court.

The face of the Supreme Court may soon change. In the near future, the Supreme Court will likely lose one to four justices. With William Rehnquist and John Paul Stevens near retirement and both female justices, Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in their 70s, it seems that the Supreme Court holds a new future. Considering many important decisions have been 5-4 or 6-3 rulings, the implications of nominations are large. The next 30 years of Supreme Court activity is at stake.

more at

http://www.flyernews.com/article.php?section=Opinions&a... ;volume=52&issue=13&artnum=04

[wildflower]

1. Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?

:)

[intheflow]

2. Supreme Court Flyer

OK, I'm super-over-committed, but I'll take the bait. Here's my specialty, though, so maybe you won't want to work with me: I'm in seminary to be a UU minister (way religious left). My idea would be to put quotes from prominent religious leaders to support our 5 bullet points.

For instance, the United Methodists support Roe v. Wade.

Other bullets might be:

Capital punishment/capital punishment of minors

Separation of church and state (i.e., Judge Roy Moore's 10 Commandment battle in AL)

Environmental/energy law

Secret detentions and use of torture on prisoners

I dunno... what else is coming up before the Supreme Court these days?

Whatever, I can probably find some major denominational leader who is left on the matter. So what do you think?

[wildflower]

3. This isn't exactly what I was thinking of, but it's a good idea...

It would appeal to the religious left and moderates.

I was thinking of a secular flyer listing items wherein past rulings or opinions judges have voiced were given as examples of what would happen if the majority of the court became far right.

For example, Thomas and Scalia voted to allow a ruling to stand in a state (I forget what the state was) in which a gay couple was prosecuted for sodomy after police raided their home.

Other issues I thought of would be civil rights, and civil liberties.

In essence, as the third branch of a far-right-wing party, the SCOTUS could help the gov't overhaul the constitution and take away any rights they wanted from anyone; it is scary and I wanted to get this through to people.

But a religious flyer could be done in addition to a secular one; I like your idea of the endorsements. If you want to do a flyer of this type, that would be awesome. But if you're overcommitted, I understand.

I won't be back on the computer until after tomorrow, so I'll check back in then. Thanks so much, and thanks for helping me brainstorm on this!

:hi:

-wildflower

[intheflow]

4. What if we combined the two?

Take my quote idea and do some civil and some religeous leaders? We're working towards the same end, we need to keep it from going any further left.

Can I email you with a mock up in MS word so you can see the layout I'm envisioning?

[wildflower]

5. Well, I really wanted to have a secular one as well...

for the areligious and, especially, antireligious (I know a few).

But I think the one you're doing/have done sounds excellent, and the two will complement each other perfectly. I'll have to figure something out for the secular one.

Again, thanks SO much! I know you are incredibly busy at this time; thank you for taking the time out to reply to my request and work on the flyer.

-wildflower

[wildflower]

6. More info on the Supreme Court...

For anyone making a flyer or needing a reference when talking to voters. Includes some recent rulings and (at the bottom of the page) a list of the potential Bush and Kerry nominess.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-09-29-election-court-cover_x.htm