WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court concluded its work for this session on Monday siding with religious institutions in a major church-state decision. The court ruled 7-2 that religious institutions may not be excluded from state programs with a secular intent — in this case, making playgrounds safer. Missouri’s state constitution, like those in about three […]
supreme court
Posted inBusiness, National Sports
Supreme Court rules trademarks that ‘disparage’ protected by 1st Amendment
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a law that prohibits the government from registering trademarks that “disparage” others violates the First Amendment, a decision that could impact the Washington Redskins’ efforts to hang on to its controversial name. Justice Samuel Alito delivered the opinion for a largely united court. He said the law […]
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Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump asks Supreme Court to reinstate travel ban
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to let it move forward with the president’s plan to temporarily ban citizens from six mostly Muslim countries, elevating a divisive legal battle involving national security and religious discrimination to the nation’s highest court. Justice Department lawyers asked the court to overturn a decision […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump travel ban showdown headed for Supreme Court
In this Sept. 27, 2016 file photo, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, Chief Justice Roger Gregory, gestures during an interview in his office in Richmond, Va. The 4th U.S. Circuit of Appeals dealt another blow to President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban targeting six-Muslim majority countries on Thursday, May 25, 2017, siding with groups that […]
Posted inNation / World
Rumors surround Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s exit
In this April 10, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump, left, and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy participate in a public swearing-in ceremony for Justice Neil Gorsuch in the Rose Garden of the White House White House in Washington. As one justice settles into his new job at the Supreme Court, is another about to […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Bad precedent and the nuclear option
WASHINGTON — For euphemism, dissimulation and outright hypocrisy, there is nothing quite as entertaining as the periodic Senate dust-ups over Supreme Court appointments and the filibuster. The arguments for and against the filibuster are so well-known to both parties as to be practically memorized. Both nonetheless argue their case with great shows of passion and […]
Posted inLetters
Democrats were right to oppose
I reject Sen. Susan Collins’ claim that Democrats had no reason to oppose Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court. In the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, he sided with corporate “rights” (privileges) over women’s rights. He sided against consumers ruling for corporations that swindled them. He ruled in favor of corporations against the right of […]
Posted inMaine
Sen. Angus King says he will oppose Neil Gorsuch
After weeks of indecision, U.S. Sen. Angus King declared Tuesday he would oppose the nomination of Neil Gorsuch for a Supreme Court seat. King also said he will not go along with Republicans who want to close debate on the confirmation and proceed to a vote on President Donald Trump’s choice to fill a longstanding court […]
Posted inLetters
Consider Neil Gorsuch’s bias
Sen. Angus King is said to be considering the record of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch carefully before he decides whether to support him. Sen. Susan Collins will likely support Judge Gorsuch regardless of his record. Maybe Sen. King should consider Gorsuch’s remarks to a law school class he taught — that women applying for […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web, Uncategorized
Sen. Susan Collins backs Judge Gorsuch, argues against filibuster
Calling on Democrats to “resist the temptation to filibuster a Supreme Court nominee who is unquestionably qualified,” U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday she supports the appointment of Neil Gorsuch to fill a U.S. Supreme Court seat that’s been vacant for more than a year. After praising Gorsuch, the Maine Republican warned colleagues that “playing […]