About the Supreme Court — In 1787 the U.S. Constitution came to life. The authors chose the word “Supreme” to describe the third branch. Over 200 years later, as language tends to do, the connotation has evolved. Supreme, when applied to governance, commonly describes a despot, as in “Supreme Leader,” often associated with oppressive regimes. Armed with supernatural foresight, the founders could have chosen a different label. Maybe, The Final Decider Court. “Supreme” might be too infallible for the current Court.

Alec Lyall

Middlebury