| Who didn't cringe when Katie Couric asked Sarah | | | | pillared Great Hall with busts of each of the Chief |
| Palin, "What other Supreme Court decisions do you | | | | Justices past and present. |
| disagree with?" and Palin could not give her a direct | | | | So far, mostly aesthetics. There is still so much to |
| answer? I wondered first of all if the question was | | | | understand about the Court. But believe me, this is the |
| trying to bait Palin into admitting that her problem with | | | | place to do it. Visitors can view a short film to begin |
| Roe v Wade is a moral one rather than a political one | | | | the learning process as well as other exhibits. Beyond |
| - something I had a hard time understanding why she | | | | that, if the visitor hits the right day, it's show time. |
| wouldn't admit. But next I turned the question to myself. | | | | Visitors are allowed in the courtroom while court is in |
| Did I even know of other Supreme Court decisions? | | | | session. This is allowed on a first-come, first-serve |
| Have others been as talked about? As controversial? | | | | basis, of course, and often requires standing in line well |
| As legislative in their lasting effects? I had no idea. | | | | before the doors open. You can find a calendar of the |
| It made me think about the branches of our | | | | Supreme Court's schedule on the Supreme Court |
| government at their basic level, what their roles are, | | | | government website at To find out whether court is in |
| and how they have been played out. And with regard | | | | session on a given day, whether they will be hearing |
| to the Supreme Court, it made me wonder where I | | | | arguments or otherwise, and other up-to-date |
| would even go to begin to create my own answer to | | | | scheduling questions, call (202) 479-3211. This will be |
| the question put before Palin in that interview. | | | | invaluable when scheduling your D.C. tour. |
| Although there is information online about various | | | | When court is not in session, lectures are held in the |
| Supreme Court decisions, I think the first and best way | | | | court room every hour on the half hour starting at 9:30 |
| to understand this branch of our government is to visit | | | | a.m. These give further insight into the role of the |
| it. The Supreme Court is one of the beautiful | | | | United States Supreme Court. I don't suppose any of |
| architectural wonders in Washington D.C. And aside | | | | the information in the courthouse, nor these lectures, |
| from this visual appeal, it contains all kinds of | | | | would give me a definitive answer to the question of |
| information and opportunity to understand the judicial | | | | which decisions I do or do not agree with. But a tour |
| process. | | | | here would be a great start at knowing how the |
| Inside visitors will first be further astounded by the | | | | process takes place and finding out where to look to |
| grandeur of this impressive building. Most people will | | | | find out more. |
| agree it took far too long to give the judicial branch of | | | | We have an amazing government and amazing |
| our government its own home but that the beautiful | | | | opportunities to see it in action and further understand |
| building goes a long way toward making up for it. I | | | | it. The Supreme Court offers just some of these |
| especially want to see the five-story marble | | | | opportunities. It is a beautiful, awe-inspiring structure and |
| staircases supported only by overlapping stairs and | | | | a perfect addition to Washington D.C. tours. |
| their extensions into the wall. Visitors will also enjoy the | | | | |