The paper discusses the complex and often politically charged process of nominating justices to the Supreme Court, highlighting the significant influence such nominations have on the judicial and political landscape of the United States. It delves into the historical development of the Supreme Court, the evolving role of justices, and the contentious nature of recent nominations. The paper emphasizes the balance between judicial independence and the ideological leanings of nominees, reflecting on how past justices have sometimes defied the expectations of the presidents who appointed them. It also explores the concepts of judicial activism and conservatism, examining how these philosophies impact the Court's decisions and its interaction with broader societal and constitutional issues.
Joan F. Foster's paper "The Promise" discusses the transformative impact of "Promise Communities" in America over the past decade. These communities, including cities like Kalamazoo, El Dorado, Denver, Pittsburgh, and Lynchburg, have implemented place-based scholarship programs to enhance educational attainment and economic development. The paper examines the historical context, implementation, and positive outcomes of these initiatives, emphasizing improvements in graduation rates, college enrollment, and local economic growth.
This paper, delivered by Joe B. Linker, Jr., explores the ancient game of GO, highlighting its historical origins, strategic depth, and significance beyond mere entertainment. Linker draws parallels between GO's principles and the strategic maneuvers in the Communist Revolution in China, emphasizing how the game serves as a model for understanding military and political strategies in the Far East. The paper underscores GO's status as the greatest strategic game, its influence on military tactics, and its role in intellectual culture, particularly in China and Japan. By analyzing the Communist Revolution through the lens of GO, Linker suggests that Western misunderstandings of Eastern strategies could be mitigated by studying this game.
Julie Doyle's paper, "The Pursuit of Champagne, Faïence and a Renoir Madame," explores her family history and connections to Henriot Champagne, Quimper pottery, and Renoir's portrait of Madame Henriot. Doyle undertakes a trip to France with family members to investigate these ties, discovering historical details about her ancestors and the Henriot namesakes. Despite finding no direct familial connection, she uncovers enriching stories and deepens her appreciation for her heritage.
The paper delves into the ethical, legal, and personal aspects of medically assisted suicide, leveraging the philosophical and cultural backdrop of Hamlet's soliloquy to explore the complexity of choosing death over life in the face of unbearable suffering. It provides a comprehensive overview of the topic, including terminological clarifications, historical and current legal statuses, and various perspectives on euthanasia and assisted suicide. The author critically examines arguments for and against the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, reflecting on the implications for society, the medical profession, and individual autonomy. The paper concludes by contemplating the profound moral and existential questions surrounding the right to die, suggesting that these issues transcend institutional answers and resonate deeply with personal conscience and humanity's quest for dignity in death.
Marc Schewel's "The Quiet Way," critically examines the cultural bias towards extroversion in American society, juxtaposing it with the value of introversion. Schewel argues against the pervasive belief in the superiority of teamwork and extroversion for creativity and success, using historical and contemporary examples, including Roger Bannister's sub-four-minute mile and Steve Wozniak's creation of the Apple computer. The paper highlights the contributions of introverts to innovation and leadership, supported by research suggesting that solitude and deep work foster greater creativity and problem-solving than group work.
This follows up the 2001 Sphex presentation called “The Second California Gold Rush.” After reviewing the story of a ship filled with gold and people fatally sinking in 1857, a follow up tells the unusual if not bizarre ending of the adventure or “the rest of the story.”
A history of the building and financing of Virginia's highway system, with attention to effort to complete a north-south highway through the central portion of the state.
The Rocky Road to Fame by Joan Jones chronicles the extraordinary life and pioneering work of William Smith, who created the world's first geological map of England and Wales in 1815. This detailed narrative explores Smith's humble beginnings, his innate curiosity about the natural world, and his monumental solo effort in producing a geological map that laid the foundations for the science of geology. Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial ruin and lack of recognition from the scientific community of his time, Smith's work eventually earned him acclaim and the prestigious Wollaston Medal. His story is a testament to the impact of individual dedication and vision in advancing scientific knowledge.
A ship filled with gold and people leaves California but sinks in 1857. In the 1980s a search began and resulted in the largest salvage award in admiralty history.
This paper explores Lynchburg's 1972 annexation plan, highlighting the city's ambition to expand by nearly 50 square miles. It discusses Lynchburg's socio-economic context in the early 1970s, motivations behind the annexation, and the ensuing public resistance. The paper details the legal process, the trial's outcome, and the long-term implications for regional growth. It also examines the divisive personal and cultural impacts on residents.
This paper by Cranston Williams details the history and development of Southern Pine newsprint, beginning with its origins and significant milestones. It covers the establishment of mills, the impact on the newspaper industry, and the economic implications for the Southern United States. Key historical figures and events, such as the first Southern Pine mill at Lufkin and the involvement of Dr. Charles H. Herty, are highlighted.
This paper presents a comprehensive history of civil engineering, detailing the evolution of engineering principles from ancient times to the modern era. It covers significant developments like irrigation in Mesopotamia and Egypt, Roman aqueducts and roads, medieval bridges, and modern advancements in structural materials and designs. The paper emphasizes the role of civil engineering in shaping public infrastructure, transportation, and public health systems, highlighting the pivotal role of material science in these advancements.
Thomas Ledford's paper discusses the end of the James River and Kanawha Canal and how it was transformed into a steam railroad right of way that operates today as the CSX Corporation. During Washington and Jefferson’s era the need for western expansion to improve the economy became evident. The two giants of that era were canals and railroads. Ledford explains why the canals eventually lost the “struggle between giants.”
A succint summary of the history and current status of Israel and the Palestinian people and proposed solutions to the current social and political stalemate between Israel and the Palestinian people.
When the Webster’s Third Dictionary arrived in 1961, it set off a tempest of anger, condemnation and rejection. Many highly respected people said, “Take Webster’s Third out of print.” This fascinating paper explores many of the changes from Webster’s Second dictionary that were condemned. After discussing the changing nature of language and accepting some of the critics’ points as reasonable to consider, Dr. John Turner concludes by sharing his reasons for endorsing Webster's Third Dictionary.
Marc Schewel's presentation examined the inefficiencies and high costs of the U.S. healthcare system, which spent approximately $3.65 trillion in 2018. He highlighted the discrepancies between this high expenditure and the poorer health outcomes in the U.S. compared to other high-income countries, scrutinizing various sectors of the healthcare industry, including hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance providers, for their role in inflating costs.
Judge William W. Sweeney's paper, "The Trial of Christ," details the historical and judicial context of Jesus Christ's trial, emphasizing its illegality and the influences of Roman and Hebrew laws. The paper explains the procedural flaws and political pressures that led to Jesus' crucifixion, highlighting key events like the cleansing of the temple, the role of the Sanhedrin, and Pilate's reluctant involvement.
James R. Caskie's paper revisits James R. Caskie's review of Walker Lewis' legal analysis of the John Peter Zenger trial, which played a pivotal role in establishing freedom of the press in the American colonies. The paper, originally tailored for lawyers, is simplified for a broader audience, emphasizing Zenger's battle against the corrupt Royal Governor William Crosby in 1734-1735, who abused his power to suppress true but critical publications.
This paper, presented by Richard P. Gifford, explores the impact of Vikings on history. It covers their origins, raids, and settlements across Europe and beyond. Gifford argues that Vikings were catalysts in shaping Western civilization, highlighting their roles as traders, settlers, and organizers. The paper underscores the Vikings' influence on regions like England, Iceland, and Russia, emphasizing their enduring legacy.
The paper reflects on a pivotal personal experience of the author involving Judge Moon and a trial advocacy class that altered the course of the author's legal career, leading him from aspiring tax or corporate lawyer to circuit court judge. The narrative expands into an in-depth exploration of teaching methodologies in the trial advocacy class at the University of Virginia, emphasizing the integration of legal, Latin terms, and rhetorical skills focused on ethos, pathos, and logos. Judge Cook then discussed at length the life and impact of Frederick Douglass, with an emphasis on the power of Frederick Douglass’s rhetoric to educate and inspire law students.
