film

Original Intent: The Battle for America

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Producer(s)	Mathieu Roberts
Director(s)	Anthony Sherin
Release Date	2007
Work In Progress	No
Runtime	55 min
Format(s)	DVD
Language(s)	English
Youth Media	No

Film Description

Original Intent is the judicial philosophy promoted by President George W. Bush and Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. Originalists believe the U.S. Constitution should be interpreted in the way the Founding Fathers understood it in 1789 – an era when only white men were allowed to vote and slavery was legal. Others believe the Constitution was crafted in broad, open-ended language and that its meaning evolves over time.

Is President Bush promoting a fair and neutral way for judges to interpret the Constitution? Original Intent: The Battle for America argues that the far right is using originalism as a cover to advance a radically conservative political agenda.

With the recent appointments of Justices Roberts and Alito, the balance of the Supreme Court has shifted dramatically to the right and many laws that are considered fundamental rights could be overturned, particularly laws that protect civil rights, voting rights, affirmative action, reproductive rights, privacy, and sexual freedom. These laws and rights will be eviscerated if President Bush and the far right secure a working majority on the Supreme Court.

Official Site	http://www.ironweedfilms.com/films/original-intent
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Last Updated On:	April 14, 2009

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Related Issues	Criminal Justice, Economic Justice, Environment, Family & Society, Gay/Lesbian, Gender/Women, Health/Health Advocacy, Human Rights, Immigration, International, Media, Politics/Government, Legal Reform, Voting/Elections, Racial Justice, Religious Freedom, Youth