OXFORD, Miss. – A free, public discussion titled “Powers of the
\nExecutive Branch Under the U.S. Constitution” will be held in
\nobservance of Constitution Day Wednesday (Sept. 17) at the University
\nof Mississippi.<\/p>\n
Set for 4 p.m. in the Lamar Law Center’s William Ethridge Jr. Moot
\nCourt Room, the event features panelists Kyle Duncan, assistant
\nprofessor of law, Shelia Skemp, professor of history, and John Winkle,
\nprofessor of political science.<\/p>\n
The discussion topic is of particular significance as UM prepares to host the first 2008 presidential debate Sept. 26. The historic event, which will be televised live around the globe, is set for 8 p.m. in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts and is expected to attract more than 3,000 journalists worldwide.<\/p>\n
The Constitution Day program participants will talk about issues surrounding the executive branch of government as stated in the Constitution. Duncan said he will specifically address what the Constitution says about the character of the president.<\/p>\n
“Generally speaking, I will talk about what we can infer from the Constitution itself about the kind of person who should be president,” he said, adding that the observance is a great time for students to truly examine the importance of the nation’s founding document.<\/p>\n
“The vast majority of university students have never even sat down and read the Constitution,” he said. “They likely think it’s some mythical document that only Supreme Court justices can possibly understand. That’s not true. It was intended to be understood by the average, educated person. It is the document that literally ‘constitutes’ us as a people and a nation.”<\/p>\n
Constitution Day is a universitywide celebration, but for the past few years, the law school has put together the program for the occasion, law school Dean Samuel M. Davis said.<\/p>\n
“We are blessed at Ole Miss with an abundance of outstanding teachers and scholars who have given freely of their time each year to take part in the program,” he said. “This year’s panel promises to be outstanding.”<\/p>\n
For more information on the panel discussion or to request assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-6900.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"