The Supreme Court's last day of the session.

So, today is the finale in this session of the Supreme Court. Obviously, there’s a great deal of attention being paid to who might or might not retire, and I must admit to some personal curiosity on that subject.

But, my real interest is in the issue concerning the display of the ten commandments in government buildings. We already have an Executive Branch headed by someone who says he was ’called by god’ to the position. And we have a Legislative Branch that is willing to roll over to the religious right on most issues. Is the Judicial Branch going to join in and make it a clean sweep?

Are those among us who not only believe in the freedom of religion but the freedom FROM religion going to have to ‘suck it up’ and accept that this is where we are in the development of our society?

brdlwyr - am I correct in understanding that, if the position is vacant, the new justice can just be appointed as Chief? I know it really doesn't carry 'extra weight', but as I said to Plum once, it DOES set the tone of the court - or at least how they operate.

We are in for some very sad years judicially.

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Goth, I don't like that decision either, but it's in line with precedent. Stare decisis is the most important thing for judges, and thank goodness for that. It's some of the finer points of this decision that are troubling, but I want to read the decision in its entirety before I blather about that.

Updated On: 6/27/05 at 02:30 PM

Ah, this is a nice quote. From Justice O'Connor in one of the Establishment Clause cases:

"At a time when we see around the world the violent consequences of the assumption of religious authority by government, Americans may count themselves fortunate: Our regard for constitutional boundaries has protected us from similar travails, while allowing private religious exercise to flourish. … Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must therefore answer a difficult question: Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly."

And this from a Reagan appointee. No wonder he was disappointed in her. :)

I read this as 'The Supreme's Last Day in Court".......and I thought 'WHAT has Mary sued for now?"

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