Law as (almost) Poetry: Justice Kennedy on Marriage

Below is the last paragraph of Justice Kennedy's majority opinion in the gay marriage case. Too good not to share:

Fair Housing--Last SCOTUS Bombshell of the Day?

The Court also upheld the federal Fair Housing Law. The FHL was enacted roughly 40 years ago in an attempt to eradicate housing discrimination. Over the years it had been held to outlaw not only overt discrimination, but policies or laws that didn't appear discriminatory on their face, and yet had a discriminatory impact.

In the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, the question was whether that was still true.

By a 5-4 vote, the answer is yes.

Turns Out, It IS Adam and Steve

In Obergefell v. Hodges, the Court recognized the right of same-sex couples to marry in the United States. This 5-4 decision makes same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.

Sometimes a Typo Is Just a Typo

In King v. Burwell, a handful of citizens challenged the Healthcare Affordability Act (Obamacare). The premise of the case stemmed from the wording of a single phrase contained in the dishearteningly long statute which seemed to indicate that the government could not give tax credits to citizens of states that had their own health insurance exchanges (which would be most of the states). Everyone agreed that that was not what Congress had intended. Everyone agreed that the unfortunate wording came about in the process of amending and re-amending the proposed law. And yet, there it was, right?

There were lots of problems with this lawsuit, by the way--the most pressing of which being that most (possibly all) of the plaintiffs lacked standing, or any legally recognizable harm. But the Supremes left those issues aside and tackled the question head on.

It's a typo. Move on. Obamacare can proceed as intended. (This case was decided by a suprisingly sturdy 6-3 majority.)

Big Week at the Supreme Court

Lots of major decisions are being handed down this week at the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). I'm posting a link to SCOTUSBlog, which is a well-respected blog that covers SCOTUS decisions, with thoughtful commentary on the reasoning behind them and their impact going forward. If you want to know what people who actually understand law are saying about the Court, this is the place to look.

Kramer v. Catholic Charities

Several of you attended an Indiana Supreme Court argument at Purdue last fall. In the case, Kramer v. Catholic Charities, the adoptive parents of a baby girl sued the adoption agency for negligence when they learned that that biological father had stepped forward to claim the child. The adoptive parents' claim was based on their allegation that the agency breached a duty to them by failing to check the putative father registry or by failing to warn the parents that the agency had not done so.

The Supreme Court, while sympathetic to the adoptive parents' anguish, was not sympathetic to their legal claims.

You can read the whole opinion here:

Kramer v. Catholic Charities

Who's a Drama Queen? I'm a Drama Queen!

Lafayette Civic Theatre will hold its annual 10-minute play festival next Friday and Saturday, June 12 & 13.

Why am I announcing it here?

Because I am making my dramatic debut, that's why. I have been cast in the role of "Mom" in the play "Fun House Debt." This is my first dramatic role since the 4th grade. I am cast alongside two seasoned performers. Yikes.

I push all of you to move beyond your comfort zones on a regular basis. This is your chance to see the tables get turned. :-) A link for information about the 10-minute Play Festival is below.

Lafayette Civic Theatre 10-Minute Play Festival