Supreme Court justices don’t often give interviews, but Ruth Bader Ginsberg has been increasingly voluble of late. In her most recent interview, Ginsburg made it clear that she thinks the Court got it right by taking an incremental approach to marriage equality in its June decisions.
“The court handled both of those cases just the way they should have,” she said in remarks to reporters with Bloomberg News and The New York Times
Ginsburg may well be reflecting on the Supreme Court’s role in legalizing abortion. She has said that the Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was too bold, resulting inevitably in a backlash. A more limited ruling on marriage equality would, from this point of view, allow the country to adjust to the idea and provide the time needed for broader acceptance.
Ginsburg is clearly no fan of the current Court, calling it “one of the most activist courts in history.” In the wide-ranging interview, Ginsburg also expressed her appreciation of President Obama, saying his push for healthcare reform was “brave.”
Ginsburg, 80, made it clear in her remarks that she has not intention of stepping down, despite pressure to quit so Obama can pick another liberal to replace her. Despite two cancer scares, she says she’s in excellent health. Her only concession to her age: “I don’t water-ski anymore.”
1EqualityUSA
The conservatives on the Supreme Court are doing their best to have a Republican elected for President, so they can continue to legislate their religious beliefs from the bench. Citizens United and the gutting of the Voting Rights Act were both attempts to manipulate this Country. Since the Republicans have lost touch, they, in order to stay in power, resort to voter suppression, gerrymandering, manipulating laws, closing down voting on campuses, cheating, and lying. They’ve awakened a sleeping giant. All of these manipulative deeds will turn around and bite them in the end. Nobody likes cheaters. Nobody likes cheaters who get us in financial trouble every time they take office. The game is up. This Country was taken to the financial brink with Bush on board. With Scalia, Alito, Pubic-hair-on-the-Coke-porn-watcher-Thomas, the GOP has done enough damage.
manjoguy
“expressed her appreciation of President Obama…” Obama has done so much to hurt this country.
Whup-Ass Master
@manjoguy: Citations, please. Asshole.
Joetx
@manjoguy: Yeah, and what did that dipshit predecessor of his do???
Billysees
A great lady she is.
AxelDC
The SC punted! On DOMA, they made sure the Federal government recognized gay marriages in the states that allow them, but they left wide open the question of whether those marriages have any validity in other states. The US recognizes marriages from Canada or Europe, but if you are gay and married in Maryland you are not married in Virginia or Pennsylvania. What happens if you marry in Delaware and move to New Jersey? The Court left this question unanswered by leaving half of DOMA intact.
On Prop 8, the Court just turned its back. The unlikely majority coalition showed that the Justices preferred to avoid the issue. Chief Justice Roberts wrote for the majority, and was joined by Justices Ginsburg, Kagan, Breyer, and Scalia. Since when to Kagan and Ginsburg side with Scalia and Roberts on gay rights? The conservatives wanted to avoid a broader decision and the progressives were happy to give California gay marriage. We have no word on the court of the legality of Prop 8 or its broader meaning for the nation, just that the plaintiffs lacked standing.
I’m not sure how Ginsburg can be happy with two decisions that just raise as many questions as they answer.
AxelDC
@manjoguy: Whatever! If he’d just slept for 8 years he would be a better President than Bush, McCain or Romney ever could be.
Spike
@manjoguy: Funny when teabagging repubs find their way to gay links/comments.