RBG HAS CANCER REMOVED | Divisions Among Conservative Justices | SCOTUS Holiday Gift Guide
December 21, 2018
BABY PLEASE COME HOME
|News just broke that JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG had surgery Friday morning to have cancerous growths removed from her lung. NPR’s Nina Totenberg reports that doctors say prospects look good for a full recovery for Ginsburg and she hopes to be back at work in early January for the start of the next round of arguments.
HERE COMES SCOTUS, HERE COMES SCOTUS
|David Savage with the Los Angeles Times reports on the growing trend of Trump lawyers rushing cases straight to SCOTUS. Savage says it’s the latest sign of how political polarization is changing the rules in Washington.
WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER?
|In her latest, Linda Greenhouse with The New York Times writes about divisions within the Supreme Court — but not the obvious kind. She considers splits among conservative justices and how some are putting ideology first, while others are more concerned with the long-term legitimacy of the institution. Looking at the latest example of how these divisions might manifest, Greenhouse considers a pending case challenging the constitutionality of Obamacare and suggests, “Here’s the really fun part. Back in 2012, CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS saved the Affordable Care Act from the Republicans. Now influential voices on the right are being raised in prayer for him to save the law for the Republicans.”
GO-TO GUY
|Speaking of, the Texas judge who ruled to invalidate Obamacare has a history of siding with Republicans. And as NPR’s Ashley Lopez reports, “Critics say his history is ultimately why that case was before him in the first place.”
OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
|Remember JACK PHILLIPS? He’s the Colorado baker who, citing religious reasons, refused to make a cake for a gay wedding and then had his case ruled on by the the Supreme Court earlier this year. Well, now he’s back in court facing another allegation of LGBTQ discrimination. Ashley May with USA Today writes, “Autumn Scardina, a transgender woman who is also a Denver attorney, said Phillips’ bakery refused to make a cake for her in June 2017 to celebrate her transition from male to female. The request, which came weeks after the Supreme Court case involving Charlie Craig and David Mullins, was for a birthday cake colored pink on the inside and blue on the outside.”
SMART AND SATISFYING
|Alissa Wilkinson for Vox notes that it’s been a banner year for JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG. She says the year’s “widespread iconification culminates in On the Basis of Sex.” Reviewing the new film, Wilkinson says that although it is largely focused on RBG’s work, it is also a love story. The romance between Ruth and her husband Marty is portrayed “in a striking reversal of how romantic relationships usually work in movies about someone’s career taking off.” Wilkinson suggests, “There’s nothing flashy or innovative about On the Basis of Sex. It’s the very definition of a workmanlike film. But it’s a satisfying watch nonetheless, and a smart one too — just like its subject.”
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
|If gift-giving isn’t your forte, or perhaps you’re still looking for the perfect item for the court watcher in your life, check out this list of RUTH BADER GINSBURG inspired gift options. Numbers four, six and nine have already been purchased and wrapped for loved ones of yours truly.
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
|The holiday season is indeed upon us, so SCOTUSDaily is going to take a brief pause with plans to return after Christmas. Happy holidays to you and your family!