[presidio9]

Unless someone can tell me the importance of memorizing judges' names.

Nobody is saying that everyone should have memorized every name, but even paying casual attention to the news should develop some familiarity with at least a few of the Justices. Especially after we just had two recent replacements. Failure to pay attention indicates lack of information, which ought to preclude an individual from voting. By definition, you are incapable of making informed decisions if you are not informed.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I'd be more worried about studies showing thatr they can't name the three branches of government, or identify the subjects of a few Constitutional amendments (not even by number.)

[weegee]

Nobody is saying that everyone should have memorized every name, but even paying casual attention to the news should develop some familiarity with at least a few of the Justices.

The "news" covers the Palestinian war against Israel, American war dead, Walmart boycotts, car chases, 10 year old murder cases, and terrorist threats.

When the justices make a decision, we are lucky to hear the names of the court judges wrote the decision and the dissenting view.

You have to be a news junkie (which FReepers are) to get such details.

Not saying that it isn't important; just that the media gives this more play than the activities of the court.

[red irish]

Most of the people that I know who don't know anything about their government are those who claim to be democrats. It is almost unbelievable to think that so many people in this country don't know squat about their own government but they know everything that Brat Pitt or Madonna does or thinks about. Just because some people may not remember names which as I get older and because of medication have problems with memory does not excuse them to know more about Hollywood than what goes on in their own country. And unfortunately I can see it in my own children.