Supreme Court Nomination Shenanigans, Using Vultures to Solve Crimes, African Sleeping SicknessTop of Mind with Julie Rose • Season 1, Episode 853
Jul 11, 2018 • 1h 42m
Supreme Court Nomination Shenanigans
Guest: Richard Davis, PhD, Professor of Political Science, Brigham Young University, Author, “Supreme Democracy” and “Electing Justice”
The political fight is underway in Washington over President Donald Trump’s nomination of Federal judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the seat of retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. At first glance, the process for appointing a Supreme Court Justice is a simple choice by the President that's confirmed by the Senate—but maybe it isn't that simple.
Using Vultures to Solve Crimes
Guest: Lauren Pharr, PhD, Forensic Scientist, Pharr Forensic Consulting LLC
When police find human remains, blood and bone samples are important evidence, of course. But feathers? Absolutely, says forensic scientist Lauren Pharr. She’s an expert in reading the clues left behind by vultures, and her knowledge of vulture scavenging behavior has helped police solve some tricky cases.
Staying Civil in Social Activism
David Meyer, PhD, Professor of Sociology, University of California Irvine
In the last several weeks, Trump Administration officials have been getting tossed out of restaurants or taunted by crowds while dining in public. Is it civil to harass a political figure while they’re conducting their private life? How about if it’s not a public figure, but just a regular teenaged Trump supporter wearing a Make America Great Again hat while eating in a fast food restaurant with friends?
The Apple Seed
Guest: Sam Payne, Host of “The Apple Seed” on BYUradio
Sam Payne shares a the song "Old People in Love."
Taking on African Sleeping Sickness with Chemistry
Guest: Ken Christensen, PhD, Professor of Chemistry, Brigham Young University
African Sleeping Sickness kills up to half a million people a world – mostly in hot sub-Saharan Africa. With the magic of careful chemistry and some glowing proteins, there might be new treatment options against the parasite that causes it.
Americans Are Having Fewer Babies
Guest: Caroline Sten Hartnett, PhD, Professor of Sociology, Uni