Tag Archives: The West Wing

West Wing Reference #2

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Last week we discussed the dynamic between an author’s voice in a literary work and readers bringing their own assumptions to a piece. I think a literary work that epitomizes the controversy and difficulty in determining how to balance the two sides is the Bible. How does or should one read the Bible, which is automatically presuming there is a correct way to read it? In the West Wing clip, Dr. Jacobs believes that the Bible should be read and interpreted strictly–the letter of the law. President Bartlett points out, however, that following that method leads to many modern day scenarios with which she would not agree. Who is the author(s) of the Bible and should it be read with their intentions in mind or should it be adapted to readers’ modern day values?

Who Needs An Autopen When You Could Have Margaret?

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First to give this scene context (or at least what I can recall as the context): President Bartlett had been shot and was undergoing an emergency operation. He had not signed a document releasing himself from power. At the time, there was a large international crisis occurring so officials were unsure who was Commander-in-Chief.

Admittedly, I was searching Youtube for a different scene from the West Wing that highlighted speech writing, but stumbled upon this rather topical scene en route. Here, the power and meaning of a signature are highlighted. What is the difference between an autopen and a perfected (perhaps a better adjective would be forged) signature of a person? Is it the intent of the owner of the idea? President Bartlett did not authorize Margaret to sign on his behalf whereas he might authorize the use of an autopen to sign legislation. Also, Leo questions why Margaret is even practicing President Bartlett’s signature. How should a person’s signature be valued and should it be protected, if possible?