Monthly Archives: July 2013

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night

Last month, in striking down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act,  Chief Justice Roberts, writing for the 5-4 majority in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder, declared that federal oversight of the electoral process in mostly southern states, including various counties in Florida, no longer was necessary because “things have changed dramatically.”  The Chief Justice […]

The “Wayward” Supreme Court

I was planning on writing something fun and light-hearted this week – it’s mid-summer, the sun is shining (occasionally), Mainers are grilling and gardening and congregating with friends and family.  But the Supreme Court’s recent decisions on workers’ rights have put me in a distinctly less celebratory mood. Although they wear robes, Supreme Court Justices […]

Grillmasters’ Bill of Rights

This Thursday July 4th marks the anniversary of the birth of our nation, the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As Americans, while we all appreciate the significance of this historic document, we also hold these truths as self-evident – that July 4 is the official beginning of summer, a great excuse to get together […]