Category Archives: Supreme Court Issues

Cartoon: Democrats React To A Crisis

Posted on July 5, 2018 by Ampersand

If you like these cartoons, help me make more. A $1 sponsorship really matters. After Justice Kennedy announced his retirement – within an hour – my twitter feed spat forth, again and again, Bernie fans blaming the loss of the … Continue reading →

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Antonin Scalia, 1936-2016

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Ampersand

I can’t say I feel sad that Scalia died – I feel sympathy for those who loved him, because they must be sad today, but that’s it. Nor do I feel happy, although pragmatically of course I’m pleased that the … Continue reading →

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Supreme Court Legalizes Marriage Equality Nationwide

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Ampersand

The vote was 5-4. From Justice Kennedy’s majority opinion: The States have contributed to the fundamental character of the marriage right by placing that institution at the center of so many facets of the legal and social order. There is … Continue reading →

Posted in Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues, Same-Sex Marriage, Supreme Court Issues | Comments Off  

Supreme Court Declines To Gut Obamacare, 6-3

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Ampersand

From Chief Justice Roberts’ decision (pdf): In a democracy, the power to make the law rests with those chosen by the people. Our role is more confined—”to say what the law is.” Marbury v. Madison, 1 Cranch 137, 177 (1803). … Continue reading →

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Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Any Gay Marriage Appeals – In Effect, A Big Victory For Equality

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Ampersand

From ScotusBlog: With not a single dependable hint of its own constitutional view of same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court in one fell swoop on Monday cleared the way for gays and lesbians to wed in a batch of new states … Continue reading →

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Is the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Unconstitutional?

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Ampersand

Sasha Volokh brings up the question with a quote from Justice Stevens’ concurrence in City of Boerne v. Flores.1 In my opinion, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) is a “law respecting an establishment of religion” that violates … Continue reading →

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Supreme Court Rules For Coporations In Hobby Lobby

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Ampersand

You can read the ruling in pdf form here, and Ginsburg’s mammoth, strongly-worded dissent here. Sarah Kliff sums up the ruling in three sentences: 1. A federal law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was written to protect individuals’ religious … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion & reproductive rights, In the news, Supreme Court Issues | Comments Off  

Utah Has Legal Same-Sex Marriage (for now)

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Ampersand

Well, that was unexpected. From Scotusblog: Directly applying the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act to a state’s ban on same-sex marriage, a federal judge in Salt Lake City ruled Friday that Utah’s voter-approved state constitutional … Continue reading →

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Section 1311: How The Supreme Court Could Still Trash Obamacare

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Ampersand

I think it’s likely that, in the future, “section 1311” be as familiar a phrase to my people1 as “hanging chad.” Michael Cannon and Jonathan Adler are leading the charge on this issue on the right. They write: To advance … Continue reading →

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North Carolina Republicans To Challenge Voter Registrations Of Students At Black University

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Ampersand

This is how Republicans are trying to win elections. The Watauga County Board of Elections voted Monday to eliminate an early voting site and election-day polling precinct on the campus of Appalachian State University. The Pasquotank County Board of Elections … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections and politics, Race, racism and related issues, Supreme Court Issues | Comments Off