Events & Programs

THE CONSTITUTION

THE CONSTITUTION 2004
An Ongoing Conversation

Wednesdays, Sept. 29, Oct. 6 & Oct. 13, 2004
7:30 p.m.

The Bainbridge Public Library
1270 Madison Ave. N.

In his commencement address to the University of Washington 's 2004 graduating class, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson described the United States Constitution as "the pillar of strength, the unshakable rock upon which this country stands."

When our country's beliefs are tested or when our motives are questioned, knowing the words of our founding documents can help. But few of us have bothered to read them since we left high school.

Find out how well you know the Constitution in a series of lecture/discussions sponsored by BIAHC at the Bainbridge Public Library.

TICKETS

Tickets for the series are $25 adults and $10 students. Tickets for individual programs are $10 adults/$5 students at the door, space permitting.

Series tickets are available from BIAHC at 206-842-7901 or biahc@artshum.org

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SERIES SCHEDULE

September 29:

The Making of the Constitution. Underlying principles, philosophy, and values. Was it intended to be a static or "living" document? Speaker: David Engdahl , Professor of Law, Seattle University School of Law.

October 6:

The Balance of Powers. Evolution of the presidency. The role of the courts. Federalism. Presidential war powers. Separation of church and state. Speaker: David Harrison, Senior Lecturer, Foundation of American Democracy, University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs.

October 13:

The Bill of Rights. Evolution and application today to such issues as the Patriot Act, right to privacy, affirmative action, campaign finance reform, immigration and gay marriage. Speaker: Hon. John C. Coughenour, Judge, United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.

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With help from some Constitutional scholars, we'll re-examine the principles underlying our form of government and consider how these principles have been applied in the past to issues such as the separation of church and state, states' rights, and balance of governmental power, and how the Constitution applies today to such current issues as gay marriage, religion in public places, reproductive rights, and presidential war powers.

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SUGGESTED READINGS

• National Constitution Center: Text of the U.S. Constitution.
  www.constitutioncenter.org
• Christian Science Monitor: Review of Supreme Court 2003-04 term.
  www.csmonitor.com
• August Wilson:  2004 Commencement Speech at University of Washington - Assaults on Justice Undermine Constitution.
  www.commondreams.org
• Seattle Times: Battle Over Gay Marriage.
  seattletimes.nwsource.com
• NOW with Bill Moyer: Civil Liberties and National Security:
  www.pbs.org
• NOW with Bill Moyer: God and Government. www.pbs.org
• Uncommon Knowledge: Another Brick in the Wall - Separation of Church and State: www.uncommonknowledge.org
• Uncommon Knowledge: Law and Order - Civil Liberties and the War on Terrorism. www.uncommonknowledge.org
• Uncommon Knowledge: The Supreme Court and the Constitution.
  www.uncommonknowledge.org
• Uncommon Knowledge: Federalism and the Supreme Court.
  www.uncommonknowledge.org
• Uncommon Knowledge: Judicial Supremacy. h/www.uncommonknowledge.org
• Uncommon Knowledge: Off to the Races - The Supreme Court and Affirmative Action. www.uncommonknowledge.org
• Uncommon Knowledge: School Vouchers and the Supreme Court.
  www.uncommonknowledge.org
• Uncommon Knowledge: The Meaning of the Second Amendment. www.uncommonknowledge.org

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