The Supreme Court to Consider Whether to Hear Prop 8 Case

From the American Foundation for Equal Rights' press release:

Today, the United States Supreme Court indicated that it will consider whether to grant review in Hollingsworth v. Perry (formerly Perry v. Brown), the federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8. The Perry case, along with several cases challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), will be considered at the Justices’ private Conference scheduled for Tuesday, November 20. Enacted in November 2008, Proposition 8 eliminated the fundamental freedom of gay and lesbian Californians to marry. DOMA, which was enacted by Congress in 1996, nullifies the marriages of gay and lesbian couples for all purposes of federal law.

“For far too long, gay and lesbian couples in California have been waiting to exercise the fundamental freedom to marry that the United States Constitution already tells them they have,” said Adam Umhoefer, Executive Director of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), the sole sponsor of the Perry case. “With the distribution of our case for the Court’s consideration, we move one step closer to the day when the nation will be able to live up to the promise of liberty and equality enshrined in our Constitution, and all Americans will be able to marry the person they love.”

Is Elena Kagan the One?

Interesting rumor. In Politico, Mike Allen says that Elena Kagan may be named the new Judge.

"Look for President Obama to name his Supreme Court pick Monday, and look for it to be Solicitor General Elena Kagan, a former Harvard Law dean. The pick isn't official, but top White House aides will be shocked if it's otherwise. Kagan's relative youth (50) is a huge asset for the lifetime post. And President Obama considers her to be a persuasive, fearless advocate who would serve as an intellectual counterweight to Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Scalia, and could lure swing Justice Kennedy into some coalitions The West Wing may leak the pick to AP's Ben Feller on the later side Sunday, then confirm it for others for morning editions."

Now, this is his view, this is not official. But I wonder if this is true, will it be an easy process or drawn out because of silly Repubs? I guess we will learn more on Monday.

Supreme Court Justice Hillary Clinton?

The rumors are running.

There are talks that Hill-Hill could be on the list to be a Judge.

Sen. Orrin Hatch says he's heard Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's name mentioned in connection with the Supreme Court vacancy brought about by the retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens.

Hatch didn't elaborate in an interview Monday. Appearing with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy on NBC's "Today" show, the Utah Republican said only, "I heard Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's name today and that would be an interesting person in the mix."

Interesting, I wonder if she would consider it?

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It's Official... Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is Retiring

Yes, we heard the rumors, but it's true.

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is retiring from his position in the summer.

Stevens' announcement had been hinted at for months. It comes 11 days before his 90th birthday.

Throughout his tenure, which began after President Gerald Ford nominated him in 1975, Stevens usually sided with the court's liberal bloc in the most contentious cases – those involving abortion, criminal law, civil rights and church-state relations. He led the dissenters as well in the case of Bush v. Gore that sealed President George W. Bush's election in 2000.

Stevens began signaling a possible retirement last summer when he hired just one of his usual complement of four law clerks for the next court term. He acknowledged in several interviews that he was contemplating stepping down and would certainly do so during Obama's presidency.

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The Camera Ban sticks!

The Supreme Court will keep the ban on cameras alive during the Prop 8 case. Their vote was split 5-4, with the conservative justices in the majority.

You can't Hate & Hide forever, bigots!

A 3 Day Delay on viewing the Prop 8 Case

A minor setback for viewing the Federal Prop 8 trial. The Surpreme Court blocked the YouTube viewing of the case for 3 days.

The high court on Monday said it will not allow video of the trial to be posted on YouTube.com, even with a delay, until the justices have more time to consider the issue.

It said that Monday's order will be in place at least until Wednesday. Opponents of the broadcast say they fear witness testimony might be affected if cameras are present. Justice Stephen Breyer said he would have allowed cameras while the court considers the matter.

Well, I don't care about their fears. They took away our rights with pride, they should defend their bigotry with honor. This just proves we are dealing with cowards and fools.

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