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Seems like SCOTUS may be on good behavior after seeing it's reputation plummet after Dobbs.

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Interesting that the 3 dissents, in Moore v. Harper, Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch, all have had financial ethics issues in the news. Just sayin'.

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Yes! Bravo for writing the connection!

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IтАЩd like to hear a knowledgeable analysis of how three SCOTUS justices managed to conclude that the тАЬindependent state legislature doctrineтАЭ correctly interprets the Constitution.

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It was Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch. The explanation is that they were born with their heads up their asses and have remained in that position since.

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Tom And so let the light shine. Alito and Thomas are such world-class ass holes that Gorsuch must scurry to catch up.

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Well, yes, TCin LA. That does explain it but is not the legal analysis that I was looking for of the dissent they wrote from that position, which must have been hard to pull out with their heads blocking the way.

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I laughed out loud.

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Glad I finished my tea before I read your comment or IтАЩd be cursing while I mopped up my keyboard!!!!! Need some eye bleach now too!

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тАЬThe explanation is that they were born with their heads up their asses and have remained in that position since.тАЭ

It also explains/ shows they are bought and sold for stooges doing their rich тАЬpatronsтАЭ bidding(s).

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And, for a pittance.

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I am stunned that people are so focused on the dissenters instead of this amazing victory. There were 3 conservative Justices who voted for Democracy today. Let's celebrate that!

Here is an interesting article on John Roberts in Slate. "John Roberts Has Wrested Back Control of the Supreme Court"

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/06/john-roberts-supreme-court-kavanaugh-barrett-allies.html#:~:text=John%20Roberts%20Has%20Wrested%20Back%20Control%20of%20the%20Supreme%20Court

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DonтАЩt celebrate too much, the SC crisis is not over by a long shot, as my Daddy used to say.

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Jeri, I take the celebrations where and when I can. It's fuel to keep going.

I can't live under a cloud. Frankly, there is always going to be something somewhere. We've been in this battle going on 7 years now for the soul of this Country. Let's take the wins where they pop up.

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great, fuel is great

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A sincere thank you.

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I both celebrate the decision (starting with a sigh of relief), and continue my concern.

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Nah. I celebrate full tilt. Then keep working for Democracy.

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Barbara M -- Neal Katyal was the very brilliant and forceful lawyer who argued before SCOTUS! Very Very very High Praise!

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I am ever grateful to him and to Mark Elias/Democracy Docket!!!

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Mark Elias has been talking about getting this decision for months.

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John Roberts is deeply invested in white supremacist mythology. He occasionally sends diversionary signals in the vain hope of hiding his underpinnings from future historians. But he did pick a good time to send out a flare. Lucky for American democracy, thatтАЩs for sure.

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We can hold both the good & bad

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Good and bad what? I am talking about an attitude towards everything that happens. I refuse to worry about things outside my control.

"If you can do something about it why worry.

If you can't do anything about it why worry."

Buddhism

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True, I think there are some Buddhist quotes re the duality of our nature & the world of being able to hold both, complimentary not oppositional. " Expect nothing & be ready for anything" or something like that.

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This is essentially what my husband says whenever I lament what's going on with tfg, SCOTUS, et al. "There's nothing you can do about it," except vote. Doesn't make me feel better, though.

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ItтАЩs frustrating to depend on voting to make the change that most want because of the ways those who want to remain in power futz with the system to reduce our impact. DoesnтАЩt stop me thoтАЩ, only makes me want to try harder!

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Jeri and Barbara, you are playing out the exact debate going on in my head right now!

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YES!

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Thomas and Alito seem willing to destroy democracy for their benefactors. They are solutions waiting for the right cases to be imposed. Thomas in particular seems full of hate ( self hatred?) and semi-nihilism.

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Yes. It also could be that there are essential personality traits that were physically left out at birth. The capacity for simple empathy and a sense of justice for the majority of the down trodden. They don't follow a Jesus I read about. They, along with Barrett and Gorsuch, are right out of a Dan Brown novel.

What they really care about is fishing with rich guys. And private plane rides. Being treated as if they were important. They are shallow wanna be elitists.

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Thomas and Alito both seem to be very angry, unhappy men--goodness only knows why. Alito's Catholicism is not a comfort to him as one's religion is supposed to be. Thomas's anger...self-hatred, perhaps?

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They are used to shouting bull Schitt. Rupert has been giving a master class for almost 30 years

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тАЬThe Supreme Court's long-awaited decision in Moore v. Harper is a resounding, reverberating victory for American Democracy.тАЭ Thanks, HCR, for pointing out this statement by Judge Luttig, and by ending today's letter with the authoritarian jitters around the world, and giving the last words on democracy to Pres. Biden.

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The widespread bad press concerning Mr and Mrs Thomas may also have something to do with it.

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I don't think they care one bit. Lifetime appointment and evidently, they have no ethics, moral compass, or understanding of "conflict of interest". And frankly why should they - it has been clearly shown their power and influence is not at risk.

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I think these three justices prove the case for reforming the SC. 1) Increase the number of justices to 13, commensurate with the number of federal districts. 2) Institute term limits. The 18 year plan has much to recommend it. 3)The SC should have to follow the ethics rules of the federal judiciary.

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Yes would be a great improvement, 25 probably even better. I guess 435 would be awkward but kinda find it attractive, anyway, especially if Biden got to appoint all of them.

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Their examination interviews indicate that you're correct.

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I think the scandals likely weigh on "Conservative's" urge to brazen it out.

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I agree.

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I think it may be in part that they don't want to diminish the power of the Judiciary. After all, they are the judiciary.

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Or they just felt the need to support state courts?

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