Tonight on Book TV, we take an inside look at the Supreme Court. We begin with a conversation with S.C. Justice Clarence Thomas. Later, we examine the interactions between Obama's White House and the Supreme Court.
First, Akhil Reed Amar, law professor at Yale University, presents his thoughts on the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and what the author deems are its many obtuse passages. Mr. Amar posits that that Constitution cannot be understood by its original text alone, but through historical precedent. Akhil Reed Amar discusses his book with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the National Archives
Next, Dale Carpenter, who submitted an amicus brief in the case of Lawrence v. Texas, tells the story of the landmark case from the arrest of John Lawrence and Tyron Garner and the players involved in their prosecution, to Justice Kennedy reading the Supreme Court's decision and the reaction of gay rights advocates nationwide. He discusses the case that laid the foundation for same-sex marriage laws with Los Angeles Times Supreme Court reporter David Savage.
Then, Richard Sander, law professor at UCLA and Stuart Taylor, former Supreme Court reporter for The New York Times present their thoughts on affirmative action in prelude to the Supreme Court’s hearing of oral arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas. The authors report that they agreed with the initial goals of affirmative action but now believe the system hurts more than helps minorities. Richard Sander and Stuart Taylor speak at the CATO Institute
And finally, Jeffrey Toobin, staff writer for the New Yorker and senior legal analyst at CNN, reports on the relationship between the Obama administration and Chief Justice John Roberts and the U.S. Supreme Court. The author examines the recent addition of four Justices in the past five years and how it has affected the Court's decisions on numerous cases, including its recent ruling on health care. Jeffrey Toobin speaks at the Free Library of Philadelphia.