SCOTUS Watch

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Tue Jun 26, 2018 1:52 pm

Our Constitutional checks and balances just failed.

Congress cannot be controlled by the Republicans anymore.

Trump cannot be permitted to act as President anymore.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Tue Jun 26, 2018 2:02 pm

I still can't believe a gay man is being scheduled for execution because the jury thought he would enjoy prison.

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Tue Jun 26, 2018 2:09 pm

LawBeefaroni wrote: ↑Tue Jun 26, 2018 2:02 pm I still can't believe a gay man is being scheduled for execution because the jury thought he would enjoy prison.

What the hell? Is that for real?

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Tue Jun 26, 2018 2:11 pm

Yes. Supreme Court declined to intervene because the jury was biased against homosexuals not blacks.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Tue Jun 26, 2018 3:52 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Tue Jun 26, 2018 11:39 am Also, and this is stating the obvious, but McConnell is such an asshole.

IMO the worse than DJT and worse than Paul Ryan. He's the original worst of us in power and he has enabled and empowered the rest.

History will remember him for what he is. And us for allowing him to be so successful.

Imagine how different today would be if we took the Senate from McConnell over Merrick Garland as we should have.. (Much less the presidency) If I had to trace whatever it is to any single event, it wouldn't even be Palin's prominence or the Tea Party. It would be our failure to stop the McConnell from declaring control of the Supreme Court.

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Tue Jun 26, 2018 4:56 pm

LordMortis wrote: ↑Tue Jun 26, 2018 3:52 pm
El Guapo wrote: ↑Tue Jun 26, 2018 11:39 am Also, and this is stating the obvious, but McConnell is such an asshole.

IMO the worse than DJT and worse than Paul Ryan. He's the original worst of us in power and he has enabled and empowered the rest.

History will remember him for what he is. And us for allowing him to be so successful.

Imagine how different today would be if we took the Senate from McConnell over Merrick Garland as we should have.. (Much less the presidency) If I had to trace whatever it is to any single event, it wouldn't even be Palin's prominence or the Tea Party. It would be our failure to stop the McConnell from declaring control of the Supreme Court.

McConnell is right about this being his most lasting impact.

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 10:35 am

More return on investment today.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday dealt a blow to organized labor, ruling that non-members cannot be forced in certain states to pay fees to unions representing public employees such as teachers and police, shutting off a key union revenue source.

On a 5-4 vote powered by the court's conservative majority, the justices overturned a 1977 Supreme Court precedent that had allowed the so-called agency fees that are collected from millions of non-union workers in lieu of union dues to fund non-political activities like collective bargaining.

The ruling means that the estimated 5 million non-union workers who pay these fees will no longer have to do so.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 10:57 am

What is hugely disappointing is the conservative majority's repeated willingness to accept the one sided "free speech" of conservatives despite other factors.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 11:37 am

We'll see if it is one-sided. One consequence of this ruling is that it may unleash waves of first amendment disputes about government fees and "constitutionalize workplace disputes". This is the very height of judicial activism they used to bitch about but what it new since it is way beyond clear that modern conservatism is about power at any expense and massive hypocrisy.

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:10 pm

Kennedy is retiring.

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:13 pm

Anthony Kennedy retiring from Supreme Court

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:14 pm

Well that's unfortunate.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:15 pm

The idea that this administration is going to get two Supreme Court justice appointments - appointments that are going to impact life here in America for decades - is unthinkable.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:16 pm

In other words, the SCOTUS is not going to save America.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:18 pm

Don't worry. It's less than five months until Senate elections, which will determine who will get to vote on judicial appointments. Under McConnell's clearly established principles, he will undoubtedly hold off on any hearings until the American people get a chance to weigh in on who will have a chance to evaluate the next Justice.

Fuck you, Kennedy.

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:22 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:18 pm Don't worry. It's less than five months until Senate elections, which will determine who will get to vote on judicial appointments. Under McConnell's clearly established principles, he will undoubtedly hold off on any hearings until the American people get a chance to weigh in on who will have a chance to evaluate the next Justice.

Fuck you, Kennedy.

Dude is 82... How about fuck you McConnell instead? This is a nom the right won, the last one was straight up stolen. And yep, we're fucked for a good 20+ years.

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:23 pm

https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/stat ... 4405984256

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:26 pm

This response to junior orange made me laugh

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:27 pm

Enough wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:22 pm
El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:18 pm Don't worry. It's less than five months until Senate elections, which will determine who will get to vote on judicial appointments. Under McConnell's clearly established principles, he will undoubtedly hold off on any hearings until the American people get a chance to weigh in on who will have a chance to evaluate the next Justice.

Fuck you, Kennedy.
Dude is 82... How about fuck you McConnell instead? This is a nom the right won, the last one was straight up stolen. And yep, we're fucked for a good 20+ years.

Oh, I've given a thousand and more FUs to McConnell. But Kennedy can't control McConnell, and he knows (or should know) exactly who McConnell and Trump are. His retirement and timing is entirely within his control. This retirement, combined with his decision in the travel ban case, is empowering Trump with broad new powers to reshape the government and the country. And apparently Kennedy is fine with that. So...fuck you, Kennedy.

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:29 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:27 pm
Enough wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:22 pm
El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:18 pm Don't worry. It's less than five months until Senate elections, which will determine who will get to vote on judicial appointments. Under McConnell's clearly established principles, he will undoubtedly hold off on any hearings until the American people get a chance to weigh in on who will have a chance to evaluate the next Justice.

Fuck you, Kennedy.
Dude is 82... How about fuck you McConnell instead? This is a nom the right won, the last one was straight up stolen. And yep, we're fucked for a good 20+ years.
Oh, I've given a thousand and more FUs to McConnell. But Kennedy can't control McConnell, and he knows (or should know) exactly who McConnell and Trump are. His retirement and timing is entirely within his control. This retirement, combined with his decision in the travel ban case, is empowering Trump with broad new powers to reshape the government and the country. And apparently Kennedy is fine with that. So...fuck you, Kennedy.

Given he could have at least delayed until after midterms, I guess I will allow it.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:30 pm

OK, Lit?

Past of light?
Literature?
Drunk as shit?

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:32 pm

Websters is my hero,

https://twitter.com/MerriamWebster/stat ... 3859747844

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:32 pm

I hear Merrick Garland is available.

Yeah, I live in a dreamworld sometimes.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:33 pm

Enough wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:22 pm
El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:18 pm Don't worry. It's less than five months until Senate elections, which will determine who will get to vote on judicial appointments. Under McConnell's clearly established principles, he will undoubtedly hold off on any hearings until the American people get a chance to weigh in on who will have a chance to evaluate the next Justice.

Fuck you, Kennedy.
Dude is 82... How about fuck you McConnell instead? This is a nom the right won, the last one was straight up stolen. And yep, we're fucked for a good 20+ years.

Yup - Kennedy at least had a penchant for protecting individual rights. His replacement sure as shit won't give a damn about individual's rights.

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:38 pm

Wow, so we are looking at 80k votes in three states producing two justices in the first year and half of his POTUSshit. Fuck you Jill Stein.

Edit, thinking a bit more about this... Kennedy was the swing vote, so does that mean that Roberts inherits that role? That really tells you about the future trajectory of the court when Roberts plays the reasonable one. Also, if they overturn Roe v Wade, would that create a motivated electorate?

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:42 pm

So...Jeff Flake has been saying that he would blockade all of Trump's judicial appointments unless and until there's a vote on the bill to restrict the presidential national security tariff power. Going to keep that up, Jeff?

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:42 pm

Odds of RBG staying on until 1/2021? She is 4 years older than Kennedy...

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:44 pm

Zaxxon wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:42 pm Odds of RBG staying on until 1/2021? She is 4 years older than Kennedy...

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:47 pm

Zaxxon wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:42 pm Odds of RBG staying on until 1/2021? She is 4 years older than Kennedy...

She's pretty amazing. I'm not sure I'd bet against it. She can do more pushups than I can.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:49 pm

Interesting questions for history: Did the SCOTUS become more politicized over the last 30 years because of the decline in our politics, was it in the drivers seat to the politicization or a mix of both. Also, the questions about whether RBG and other age at risk liberals should have retired earlier in the Obama administration will be kicked around.

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:51 pm

malchior wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:49 pm Interesting questions for history: Did the SCOTUS become more politicized over the last 30 years because of the decline in our politics, was it in the drivers seat to the politicization or a mix of both. Also, the questions about whether RBG and other age at risk liberals should have retired earlier in the Obama administration will be kicked around.

Another question, will the court keep it's current power, or does the McConnell maneuver and potentially similar gaming to come, weaken the court?

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:52 pm

malchior wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:49 pm Interesting questions for history: Did the SCOTUS become more politicized over the last 30 years because of the decline in our politics, was it in the drivers seat to the politicization or a mix of both. Also, the questions about whether RBG and other age at risk liberals should have retired earlier in the Obama administration will be kicked around.

How is it even a question? It was completely irresponsible of RBG to not retire in early 2014.

Side note: this is also another way in which our system is archaic and borked. They shouldn't be lifetime appointments - they should be for something like 10 - 15 years.

Fireball · Post by **Fireball** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:52 pm

I just can't anymore

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:54 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:52 pm Side note: this is also another way in which our system is archaic and borked. They shouldn't be lifetime appointments - they should be for something like 10 - 15 years.

There should also be a max age. I'm thinking 75.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:56 pm

Too Soon?

gilraen · Post by **gilraen** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:57 pm

malchior wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:49 pm Also, the questions about whether RBG and other age at risk liberals should have retired earlier in the Obama administration will be kicked around.

Because McConnell wouldn't have been so shameless as to stall the confirmation hearings for 2+ years, instead of 1+? Puh-leeeeze.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:00 pm

gilraen wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:57 pm
malchior wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:49 pm Also, the questions about whether RBG and other age at risk liberals should have retired earlier in the Obama administration will be kicked around.
Because McConnell wouldn't have been so shameless as to stall the confirmation hearings for 2+ years, instead of 1+? Puh-leeeeze.

To be fair - he came up with the plan because Scalia dropped dead. He needed a paper thin justification to do it. I don't know if he would have even thought about it had it not been a balance of court issue.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:10 pm

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:12 pm

malchior wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:10 pm

[Rip:] "VICTORY LAP!!!1!"

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:14 pm

Holman wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:12 pm
malchior wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:10 pm
[Rip:] "CIVILITY LAP!!!1!"

FTFY