It’s the First Monday in October but we only have 8 Justices. That may change by Friday or we may be starting a new confirmation process. Too hard to predict with so much happening.
The first case that was heard today dealt with endangered frogs, and two Justices decided to make “drain the swamp” references. Here’s The NY Times coverage of the argument:
There was no empty chair to mark the absence of a ninth justice, and no mention of the confirmation fight. Instead, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. started the session with a nod toward continuity, noting that it was the 25th anniversary of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s investiture. “We all look forward to sharing many more years with you in our common calling,” the chief justice said.
Justice Ginsburg, who is 85, smiled and nodded.
Soon afterward, the eight justices turned their attention to the fate of the dusky gopher frog. They discussed draining the swamp, but not as a figure of speech.
The species is in danger of extinction, and the only known remaining frogs live in the De Soto National Forest in Mississippi. In 2012, the federal government came up with a backup plan, designating private land in Louisiana as “critical habitat” for the frogs’ survival. None of the frogs live there now, and the designation could limit the ability of the owners to develop the land, by one account potentially costing them about $33 million.
While we wait for a full Court, here’s your moment of zen from SNL:
Next up, prosecutor Rachel Mitchell. #SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/13uZEO29Mr
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) September 30, 2018
I understand that there will be an after hours kegger at the Court on Friday.
ReplyDelete@6:18PM what happens after a few at said kegger if one justice throws his/her beer in the face of another justice, over a perceived slight?
ReplyDelete