Eight Values of Speech

 

Which one do you see in action today?:

Check on Governmental Power.

There have been many questions and concerns in regards to governmental power and the regulations that fall behind it. From standard practice of power in law and politics to major scandals that have led to the resignation of major presidents such as Nixon, governmental power is a major example of what needs to be worked on and is an example of what we see in action to this day. 

A Quote Referring to Mormon Scripture that is used to directly refer to our governmental power. 

When we look at the Check on Governmental Power, we typically look at two different things: The President and Congress.

Congress has the power to go to war and typically signs off on anything major. They are the acting body of leadership in our government in the United States. However, as time goes on some Presidents find it fitting to take control and lead with no regards for our congress. 

Take the Iran war for example, which is a bigger scandal than the Iran-contra affair. While most of US Involvement in Iran has ceased it is still, nonetheless a major modern example of Governmental power being abused. In my own opinion, we need to check on not only the governments power, but the Presidents power and how it is being used in modern day issues. 

Continuing on, the Ukrainian war is a big example of wars we should have not taken any part in.  According to the United States Department of States own Bureau of Military Affairs (USBMA). To date, the US has provided $66.9 billion in military assistance since February 2022 when Russia launched its full invasion of Ukraine and approximately $69.7 billion in military assistance since Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014. 

We have now used the emergency Drawdown Authority on 55 occasions since August 2021 (prior to Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine) to provide Ukraine military assistance totaling just over $31.7 billion from Department of Defense stockpiles. These numbers are quite high and are a major factor in the United States National Debt.

When we ask ourselves about the Check on Governmental Power and what we see in action today, we would be wise to refer to the President utilizing congressional authority without the approval of congress and the overall usage of his power is something that we as citizens of the Country of the United States of America need to check on.

As of September 1st, 2026 US debt has risen to $40.2T according to the US Debt clock and continues to rise by the second. While there are many major factors to why this is, the humanitarian aid among other things is a main factor in the primary cause of our unimaginably high debt.

Lastly, arguably one of the biggest and most impactful moments of why we should keep governmental power in check would have to be traced back to 2020 onward. As the majority of people are aware of, Covid was a time of civil unrest and major change in the US. 

The Great Barrington Declaration Spearheaded and Fixed Regulations during COVID-19.

 

While there were vaccines and allegedly, major breakthroughs during the height of Quarantine, it can be said that it has left lasting effects on everyone. From standard lockdown procedures to the latter half of covid, with the Great Barrington Declaration and doctors speaking out against the governments statements on the vaccine there has been major turmoil since Covid and it can be said that it has left major turmoil among people.

The biggest thing to touch on would be he twitter files, which is an online document speaking on major social media sites such as twitter (now known as X) and their role in helping with governmental silencing which has led to constitutional lawsuits and backlash since Covid. 

The twitter files have played a major part in reorganizing moderation

According to lemonde, a controversial and worldwide-covering french newspaper based in France the twitter files, which were released by Elon Musk and covered by other independent Journalists, are being utilized to this day to reorganize management and moderation procedures across X but not restricted to many other social media platforms due to twitters violation of the first amendment rights. It additionally covers major dissemination and unlawful censorship of not only the New York post, but major influencers and political figures, which violate major constitutional rights.

With this being said, while the twitter files, the Ukrainian war, and the Iran conflict can be argued as "Old news" or "Good for maintaining geographical peace" they are still showing the necessities of keeping governmental power on check and what will happen if we don't push to keep the president in his own lane.

 

Supreme Court Reflection

The US Supreme Court Building.

 One of the most interesting points in the documentary was its description of the U.S. Supreme Court as the most powerful judicial branch in the world. Just over 100 justices have served on the Court.

The Court is repeatedly called upon to draw the lines of power. Its decisions determine how the Constitution applies when disputes reach its doors.

John Marshall was presented as a major figure in the Court’s history. Known for Marbury v. Madison, he strengthened the Court and upheld the Constitution during his leadership.

But the Court’s history also includes serious failures.

The Dred Scott decision is remembered as the Court’s “self-inflicted wound.” The documentary connected the Court’s responsibility with the principle that due process cannot be denied to an American citizen.

The justices must interpret a Constitution written more than 200 years ago. Although they may have different views, they share the objective of deciding the cases brought before them.

The number of cases was surprising. The Court receives more than 100 every week but accepts only about 100 fully reviewed cases each year.

The justices cannot arrive in the morning and simply choose a public problem to address. They must wait for people to bring issues to the Court, and when those issues eventually knock, the Court responds.

Each side is allowed 30 minutes to present its position, creating an hour of oral argument. I found it interesting that rhetoric can make a difference because the way a case is presented may influence the Court’s consideration.

After oral arguments, all nine justices meet privately in their chambers. Someone writes the Court’s reasoning and legal foundation, while any justice may write a separate opinion.

That writing may go through a dozen or more drafts as a justice tries to persuade others to join an opinion. Once the work is complete, the opinions are released to the press.

The documentary’s final point surprised me most: the Court’s power depends on earned trust and, ultimately, the trust of the American people

AI DISCLAIMER: This Post was made in collaboration with Microsoft Copilot. All information is factual and backed up by real sources from real documentaries.

5 news sources of information

#1: WSMV TV

WSMV-TV is one of my favorite news stations to take news from. Due to its locality in tennessee, where I live, it is a brilliant news source that covers virtually everything. From tennessee weather to groundbreaking events if you're in Tennessee and theres a News story they're there. Having actually worked with WSMV-TV I can say with confidence that they are nice, brilliant people.

#2: Fox News

I like fox news for a variety of reasons, but the main reason I chose them was primarily because of their presence around the country. They have covered roughly every ground breaking story, from unsolved murder cases to the attempted assassination of President Trump if theres something that needs to be covered they will be there. However, They are not my primary news source due to their excessive media bias but they are none of the less, a good news station that is reliable.

#3: CNN

CNN is arguably one of the most well known News channels around the world primarily due to their presence worldwide. CNN is a multinational news company, their Parent company being CNN Worldwide. CNN is well known for covering roughly every national news break around the world, covering things like war to modern revolutions. They are probably most famous for being one of the only American news company channels to send press to the Ukrainian front at its highest, which they showed firsthand that war does not rest when press is in foreign land. I find CNN a reliable news source and one that will show you firsthand whats going on in the war, though it can be partially biased.

#4: Newsnation

Newsnation is a semi-local news station based in Chicago, Illinois. They cover practically everything that happens in Illinois. It is a brilliant news channel for anyone who is curious about what happens in the Illinois area.

#5: Newsmax

Newsmax is a Far right, conservative News station based in Florida. It typically covers everything that republicans do. It isn't really one I watch due to its strong media bias but I recommend it for anyone who is curious about right-wing politics.