[EDITOR'S NOTE: This event was also made possible by the Office of Student Affairs and Department of Political Science Chairman Joseph Losco.]
In 2004, President George W. Bush declared every Sept. 17 Constitution Day because the U.S. Constitution is vital in every American's life.
In order to commemorate the Constitution, universities across the country are required to present a program during the designated week.
Honor society Pi Sigma Alpha sponsored a Ball State University event featuring Patrick Baude, professor of law and public services at Indiana University, who presented a lecture Monday entitled, "The Supreme Court: Remembering its future, imagining its past."
"When we started looking for a speaker for Constitution Day, Professor Baude's name came up, and we decided he would be a good speaker," secretary of Pi Sigma Alpha Nick Emmons said.
During the presentation, Baude covered topics including voting rights, abortion and Title IX, along with what the Constitution really means.
Baude emphasized that no serious constitutional questions are easy to answer because the Constitution can be interpreted in several ways.
Also, he said he believed the Constitution is not a clear-cut statement but merely addresses who may decide and debate the guidelines it sets forth.
"Most universities decide to spend Constitution Day with people that have studied the Constitution their entire life," Baude said. "When I decided to come here, I thought I would be talking about the appointment of Chief Justice Roberts, but due to Hurricane Katrina, I had to shift my speech."
At the end of his speech, Baude turned his focus to Katrina and what he had found written in blogs over the past weeks. Baude said most entries discussed why New Orleans should use martial law, which is complete governmental power turned over to the military.
He said martial law hasn't been used in the United States since the Civil War, so it is "a thing of the past."
Baude mentioned the lootings taking place in the hurricane disaster area. He said looting is not a real crime if people take supplies to survive. The victims of Hurricane Katrina who took items from stores wouldn't be considered looting unless they take something that isn't necessary to survival.
Needed items such as diapers would be okay to take, but other items such as beer or a television, would not, he said.
"It was really great that Professor Baude came here, even though I think there are some things that he could have elaborated on, and (it) was a good learning experience for me," Emmons, a senior political science major, said.
Several other events both on-and off-campus will be hosted by other Ball State departments. J-Ideas will present a 30-minute webcast panel discussion by Linda Monk on Sept. 16 at 10 a.m., which can be accessed by http://www.jideas.org. Also, on Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. in AJ 175, a panel discussion will be held to discuss the Constitution. The panel members include Gene Polinski, director of the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center; Dennis Ryerson, editor of The Indianapolis Star; Debra Hernandez, director of Sunshine Week; and Roger Lavery, dean of Ball State's College of Communication, Information, and Media.
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