Scotus

Emerging GOP Theme: Nullification

Chris Weigant | Posted 11.14.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

The code words change over time (from "nullification" to "states' rights" to Pawlenty's "state sovereignty"), but the idea is the same -- we retain the right to ignore any laws we don't feel like following.

Did Thomas Jefferson Think Corporations Were People?

Carl Pope | Posted 11.14.2009 | Politics


Carl Pope

Will the Supreme Court overturn 102 years of precedent and rule that corporations have the same right to spend money to influence elections that citizens possess?

Legalized: Oral Sex, Sodomy and Immoral Prosecutions

Tina Dupuy | Posted 09.21.2009 | Politics


Tina Dupuy

Illegal is not the same as immoral. Jaywalking is illegal, few would argue it's immoral. What lawmakers, banks and brokers did to the economy was technically legal -- but it was far from being moral.

The GOP's 'Wise Latina' Problem

Dolores Huerta | Posted 09.10.2009 | Politics


Dolores Huerta

The Right never expressed disapproval over rulings by Scalia and other conservatives who concur with Sotomayor, underscoring how disingenuous attacks by the NRA and its allies have been.

Obama's Second Hundred Days

Chris Weigant | Posted 09.06.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Our look back at Obama's second 100 days will begin with a short overview, and then move on to the categories: "the best of times," "the worst of times," and "the age of (media) foolishness."

Forget Being "Borked," She's Been "Sotomayored"

Karl Frisch | Posted 08.20.2009 | Media


Karl Frisch

It's clear the conservative press has little interest in ascertaining the veracity of right-wing smears against Sotomayor before advancing them.

The JusticeBot 9000

Chris Weigant | Posted 08.15.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

The JusticeBot 9000: You said you wanted a machine that took all the human factor out of the law, so that emotion and empathy would be forever banished from the bench.

Sonia Sotomayor's Amazing Judicial Temperament

Madeleine M. Kunin | Posted 08.15.2009 | Politics


Madeleine M. Kunin

Sotomayor displayed admirable self-control and patience throughout this hearing. I, on the other hand, found myself yelling at the TV screen during the question periods from some of the senators.

My Interview with the Man Who Spent 16 Years in Jail Because Sonia Sotomayor Denied His Appeal

Allison Kilkenny | Posted 08.15.2009 | Politics


Allison Kilkenny

Jeffrey Deskovic's case highlights some startling flaws in the US court and prison system, and a potential weakness in Sotomayor's judicial style: her history of preferring procedure over innocence.

Wise Latina, Meet Ricky Ricardo...

Phil Bronstein | Posted 08.15.2009 | Politics


Phil Bronstein

Ricky Ricardo always got blindsided, then hustled by his ditzy wife. All she needed to do was apologize and maybe cry a little. Neither Sotomayor nor Senator Coburn seem like they'll be doing any weeping.

Senator, Would You Be Ok With an All White Court? Really?

David Weinberger | Posted 08.15.2009 | Politics


David Weinberger

If all else were equal, would you prefer to have a Court made up of nine white men from similar backgrounds, or a Court that includes men and women of various hues and from a variety of backgrounds?

Every Judge Is an "Activist Judge"

Allison Kilkenny | Posted 08.13.2009 | Politics


Allison Kilkenny

Whenever interpretation occurs during rulings, justices rely on their past experiences, ideologies, biases, prejudices, and yes -- the most dreaded of human qualities -- empathy.

McConnell Warns Dem "Rush" To Confirm Sotomayor Will Have "Consequences"

AP | JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS | Posted 07.11.2009 | Politics


WASHINGTON — Republicans accused Democrats Wednesday of moving too hastily on Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination, warning that the decis...

The Making Of A SCOTUS Robe (VIDEO)

Huffington Post via Politico | Posted 07.06.2009 | Style


The Bentley and Simon Robe Factory in Salem, Virginia is waiting for a phone call from Supreme Court justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Since 1912, the ...

Senator Sessions, Judge Sotomayor, And Racism

Chris Weigant | Posted 07.04.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

In all the hoopla over Judge Sonia Sotomayor being nominated to the Supreme Court, there is one interesting side story that the media is largely ignor...

Friday Talking Points [79] -- Judicial Activism And Bias

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.29.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

"Judicial activism" (or, alternatively, "legislating from the bench") is defined -- no matter what your political beliefs -- as "judges not ruling the...

Sotomayor: A Good Choice, but Hardly Radical

Allison Kilkenny | Posted 06.26.2009 | Politics


Allison Kilkenny

Sotomayor is a capable addition to the high court. Let's hope the Republicans don't embarrass themselves too badly trying to block her appointment.

Left is the New Center

Nancy L. Cohen | Posted 06.25.2009 | Politics


Nancy L. Cohen

Contrary to conventional wisdom, it looks as if the Left's much derided cultural liberalism is the key to cementing the Democrats' majority status for the coming years.

Obama: Supreme Court Pick Coming Soon

AP | Posted 06.23.2009 | Politics


WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he doesn't feel "weighed down" by a need to pick the next Supreme Court justice based on demographics, argu...

Obama Court Pick May Come Next Week

CNN Political Ticker | Ed Henry | Posted 06.22.2009 | Politics


A top aide to Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy told fellow Democrats on Friday to get ready for President Obama's Supreme Court pick to come as...

Jennifer Granholm, Supreme Court Candidate, To Be At White House

AP | BEN FELLER | Posted 06.18.2009 | Politics


WASHINGTON — Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, one of President Barack Obama's candidates for the Supreme Court, will be at the White House on Tu...

The Right's Elitism on Judges

Jonathan Singer | Posted 06.17.2009 | Politics


Jonathan Singer

Is there really such a thing as one uniquely qualified Supreme Court nominee that no other in the legal community around the country could match?

Justice Delayed

Nan Aron | Posted 06.13.2009 | Politics


Nan Aron

Here's another reason for the filibuster threat against Dawn Johnsen: it seems that some Republican senators have an allergic reaction to women in positions of responsibility.

Obama's Shortlist For Supreme Court: Napolitano Added

The Huffington Post | Megan Slack | Posted 06.11.2009 | Politics


Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is now being added to President Obama's shortlist as David Souter's replacement on the Supreme Court, acc...

White House: No Supreme Court Nominee Next Week

AP | Posted 06.08.2009 | Politics


WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama's announcement of a Supreme Court nominee is not imminent. Presidential spokesman Robe...