July Begins: Round-Up

We are moving into a July 4th weekend while Congress is in recess and the Supreme Court is in recess until the fall. On that front, Joan Biskupic, the veteran Supreme Court reporter, basically said we have a YOLO (you only live once, so let's do it all now!) Court:

Twenty months later, it is plain the majority was in a rush. The right wing did not need Roberts' vote for a majority, and on many conservative agenda items, such as religion, race and regulatory power, he was fully with them. (Roberts wrote alone in Dobbs -- with a middle ground that dissatisfied both sides).

Well, An apt time for me to write a book view of Taking Back the Constitution, eh? I also re-read an older book by Daniel Farber (who also co-wrote a book opposing choosing any specific means to interpret the Constitution, arguing a balanced approach works best) on the Ninth Amendment.  The general discussion is more satisfying than the usual "the Ninth is better than" and a quick run through of a few issues.  

One last Supreme Court thing for now.  The calendar on the website does not have the summer order list days marked off. This was a thing that I was annoyed about when SCOTUSBlog didn't mark them off. They are, like other official days, specifically scheduled.  They count.  

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The year marches on, a half of it complete. Today's Canada Day, explained one place thusly:

All those who celebrate Canada as their home and native land celebrate Canada Day on July 1st. The day commemorates the anniversary of the Constitution Act, which consolidated three territories into the single nation of Canada, way back in 1867.

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The end of Pride Month also brings this official statement by the lesbian press secretary:

Today, some of Florida’s most vulnerable students and families are more fearful and less free. As the state’s shameful “Don’t Say Gay” law takes effect, state officials who claim to champion liberty are limiting the freedom of their fellow Americans simply to be themselves. Already, there have been reports that “Safe Space” stickers are being taken down from classrooms. Teachers are being instructed not to wear rainbow clothing. LGBTQI+ teachers are being told to take down family photos of their husbands and wives—cherished family photos like the ones on my own desk.

The law in purpose and effect is a violation of freedom of speech, equal justice, and local discretion.  The statement continues:

The Department of Education will be monitoring this law, and any student or parent who believes they are experiencing discrimination is encouraged to file a complaint with the Department’s Office for Civil Rights.

Yes, we have a President on the right side of things. Can Colbert stop his stupid "somewhat confused guy with aviator glasses" bit now?  There is also a rather mixed "President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom."  John McCain, Denzel Washington, and Gabrielle Giffords being on the list suggests the diversity here.  

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Early this week, there was a surprise 1/6 Committee hearing and the aide to chief of staff Mark Meadows (I prefer Audrey) had some highlights, which particularly added to evidence of guilt [the assumption of many is that this f-ing obvious, but the revelations here underlines that details matter too].  Another thing: she had a pretty serious role for someone born in the mid-1990s.  I'm not just getting old.  She is in her mid-20s! 

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Two other notable things this week.  Well, at least two. "Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison for enabling Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual exploitation of teen girls."  And, "R. Kelly, the former R&B singer who had long escaped criminal penalties despite decades of sexual misconduct allegations, was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday for sex trafficking and racketeering."  Justice at times comes.