Tag Archives: constitutional law

In defense of ‘traditional’ marriage

Even though I grew up in Las Vegas, I’ve never been much of a betting man. But if I were, I’d be willing to lay 2 to 1 odds that the Supreme Court will strike down the federal Defense of … Continue reading

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Can we be safe in a free society?

As happens every time there’s a mass shooting – a tragedy of increasing frequency, it seems – gun dealers nationwide reported a spike in sales in the days following the terrible slaughter this month in Connecticut. The experts tell us … Continue reading

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Rewrite the Constitution, or this book?

“The Daily Show” is a news show for people who don’t watch news shows. Similarly, “Me the People,” by Daily Show writer Kevin Bleyer, is a book on the U.S. Constitution for people unlikely to read books about the U.S. … Continue reading

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A right to remain anonymous

I’m Marc Charisse and I approved this message. I don’t have much choice, actually, working as I do in a profession that puts a premium on standing behind what you believe in by putting your name on it. Most newspapers, … Continue reading

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Court less divided than you might think

One of the most common complaints I hear at our regular Tuesday constitutional law lunches is that the Supreme Court is too often divided,  5-4, along predictably ideological lines. That suggests, of course, that the justices’ opinions are determined more … Continue reading

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Presenting the Great Prognosticator

OK, I was wrong about the Supreme Court’s vote on health care. For months, I’ve been confidently predicting a 6-3 vote upholding the law. But I was right on about Chief Justice John Roberts, who I insisted would do the … Continue reading

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How would Justice Holmes vote on health care?

As the Supreme Court begins its second day of oral arguments on the national health-care law, I’m reflecting back to Holmes’ famous dissent in Lochner v. New York. The majority in that infamous decision ruled that a constitutional “right to … Continue reading

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