Supreme court

16 June 2008 -- Thousands of same-sex couples are expected to wed in California following the state's Supreme Court ruling that overturned a ban on gay marriage.

State officials will issue the first marriage licenses at 5pm local time.

In a four to three decision in May, the California Supreme Court ruled against a voter-approved law that restricted marriage to a man and woman.

The court said the state constitution's guarantee of equal rights gives same-sex couples the right to marry.

California voters will have a chance to overturn the court ruling in November when they vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to limit marriage to a man and a woman.

Twenty-seven U.S. states have amended their constitutions to limit marriage to a union between a man and a woman.    » read more »

The court's latest rebuke of Guantanamo Bay won't close the prison down. But it's a step toward curbing Bush's unilateral tactics.

Jun. 13, 2008 | For the third time in four years, the U.S. Supreme Court has slammed the Bush administration's detention policies at Guantánamo Bay – locking up terrorist suspects indefinitely and beyond the law.

Guantanamo protesters, London: Photo by Val Kerry (CC)    » read more »

13 June 2008 -- "The Carter Center and I welcome the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Boumediene v. Bush, restoring the constitutional rights of habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. This hallmark decision represents a victory for the rule of law and will improve the United States' image as a champion for human rights and freedom across the world, as well as ensure that individuals in Guantanamo will be afforded an adequate treatment as guaranteed by our nation's Constitution.

It is my hope that this decision will mark an end to an era of indefinite detentions, torture, coerced evidence, and other egregious violations of civil rights in the name of the war on terror, and that compliance with the ruling will be expedited."

Source: The Carter Center

June 12, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - "Today's Supreme Court decision ensures that we can protect our nation and bring terrorists to justice, while also protecting our core values. The Court's decision is a rejection of the Bush Administration's attempt to create a legal black hole at Guantanamo - yet another failed policy supported by John McCain.

Barack Obama mural, Brooklyn: Photo by Shira Golding (CC)    » read more »

June 12, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Boumediene v. Bush, which held that Guantanamo Bay prisoners have the right to contest their detention in federal courts:

Guantanamo Bay protest outside US Supreme Court: Photo by takomabibelot (CC)

“Today, our nation’s highest court again rejected the Bush Administration’s expansive view of executive power.    » read more »

May 6, 2008 -- After weeks of pretending to be "a different kind of Republican," John McCain showed his true colors today in his speech about the kind of judges he would appoint as president. While he makes a show of trying to recast himself as a "moderate" for the general election, in reality John McCain is promising four more years of right wing judges bent on pushing a radical agenda from the bench.

In fact, in his 22 years as a Republican Senator, John McCain has never voted against a single judicial nomination by a Republican President. No matter how far outside the mainstream they have been, John McCain has been a loyal rubberstamp for their radical right wing agenda.    » read more »

May 6, 2008 -- “Senator McCain today chose to pander to those on the far right who prefer partisan fights designed to energize a political base during an election year. He ignored his own history in supporting filibusters against circuit court nominees, as well as his record of flip flops depending on which party holds the presidency.

Shredding truck parked by the US Supreme Court: Photo by Clarissa (CC)    » read more »