Supreme Court has saved toughest cases for second half

[usregimechange]

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court entered its holiday intermission with the starkest drama put off until the second act.

When justices return on Jan. 11 for their next oral arguments, they'll barely have scratched the surface of the 2009 term. They've issued only four decisions so far, none dealing with the cases for which the term is likely to be remembered.

With more than 50 scheduled cases yet to be heard or decided, and other cases still to be added, some of these pending questions are pretty fundamental.

Does the government violate the First Amendment when it bans corporations from spending their own money on political campaigns? Do cities and states violate the Second Amendment when they ban gun possession?

...

In addition to specific cases, the coming months will shed light on the future of the nation's highest court itself.

Many court watchers expect Justice John Paul Stevens to announce his retirement, as the 89-year-old jurist hasn't hired his full complement of law clerks for next year. At the other end of the career spectrum, the new year will further illuminate the evolving role of the court's newest member, Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/81348.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. "Tough" cases like Governor Don Siegelman?

Whether his constitutional rights were violated on the way to a false conviction?

[-..__...]

2. I hate being overly optimistic..

but, I look forward to seeing our second amendment rights (McDonald v Chicago), apply to the states and the right to keep and bear arms will become the law of the land (then we're going to party like it's 1999 :party:)

[MrsCorleone]

3. Case of our lifetimes: Citizens United v FEC.

We lose what little leverage we have left against big industries should the Roberts court rule in favor of Citizens United.

[MrsCorleone]

4. Not surprised to see the unrec crew jump on this post. nt