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In reply to the discussion: On the USSC [View all]

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
8. Your response got me
Sun Dec 9, 2012, 08:49 PM
Dec 2012

thinking ..... my interest in the law and legal process really began around 1973, when I became acquainted with Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. My library has a good-sized section of various law books that I began collecting in '72; the most recent addition came this past Thursday. And my first two years of college were for paralegal assistance, with a few other law (and law enforcement) classes in later years.

Around the mid-1980s, I became particularly interested in the issues relating to marriage equality. That interest was sparked by a friendship with a women employed in county human services; her office was along the same hallway as mine, and although she worked for a different agency, the populations we served had significant overlap.

Being friends with her -- and we are still as close as twin siblings -- opened my eyes to a depth of discrimination that I had not realized existed. And because of my non-employment work -- which has always focused on social justice -- I had the opportunity to know some very good and capable lawyers. So for the past 25 years, in what is admittedly a small contribution to the Good Fight, I've tried to come up with the best ideas for legal challenges to the too common undemocratic laws and policies on marriage rights.

So it was a blast for my wife and I to travel to Boston this summer, to attend the wedding of the daughter of two of our closest friends. I remember that woman from when she was a little kid, right up through her amazing high school and college basketball career. She often babysat our daughters, and is simply one of the most amazing human beings that I have had the pleasure of encountering in life. And I've known the woman she married, though casually (she lives in Boston, which is a long ways from here!) for several years. Attending the ceremony and reception was great on its own, of course. But it was an even more special time for me, because it signified a real advance in social justice.

I don't think that there will be five in-justices on this. Obviously, I could be wrong. But the two worst rulings in recent times -- Bush and the unlimited corporate buying of elections -- did not surprise me in the least. Both were troubling, of course, but sadly expected. This is a very different circumstance, with very different dynamics. In my opinion, the only real question is if we get a 5-4 decision, or 5-3. The 5-4 is a safer bet, but I think 6-3 is likely.

On the USSC [View all] H2O Man Dec 2012 OP
K&R. ms liberty Dec 2012 #1
Thanks. H2O Man Dec 2012 #2
I think you got that about right bigtree Dec 2012 #3
It will almost H2O Man Dec 2012 #7
Good points. I'm on pins and needles, despite the fact that it seems that there is Zorra Dec 2012 #4
Your response got me H2O Man Dec 2012 #8
It will be interesting to see hootinholler Dec 2012 #5
Self-righteously, H2O Man Dec 2012 #9
k&r... spanone Dec 2012 #6
Thanks! H2O Man Dec 2012 #10
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