Category Archives: Supreme Court Issues

Let’s Ban Handguns. (How Democratic State Legislators Should Respond To The Supreme Court’s Decision On The Texas Abortion Ban)

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Ampersand

Texas’ abortion ban has a novel enforcement mechanism: Usually, a lawsuit seeking to block a law because it is unconstitutional would name state officials as defendants. However, the Texas law, which makes no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from incest or … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion & reproductive rights, Supreme Court Issues | 41 Comments  

Cartoon: The Great GOP Anti-Voting Cycle

Posted on October 24, 2020 by Ampersand

If you like this cartoon, help me make more by supporting my Patreon. A $1 or $2 pledge really helps! I worry a lot about how Republican court-packing makes it easier for them to win elections, making it easier for … Continue reading →

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Cartoon: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Ampersand

If you like these cartoons, help make them happen by supporting my patreon! I don’t think there’s anything I can say about Justice Ginsburg that her many admirers haven’t said this week. She was an amazing woman, and the world … Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues, Supreme Court Issues | Comments Off  

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