Tag Archives: Supreme Court

On the Death of a Controversial Judge

By Robin Bates | Published: February 14, 2016

How long should one pause following the death of a public figure like Justice Antonin Scalia before considering the political implications? It’s an issue that also arises in Anthony Trollope’s “Barchester Towers.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments closed

The Dickensian Horror of the Death Penalty

By Robin Bates | Published: July 13, 2015

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of problematic drugs for lethal injection. The Charles Dickens of “Oliver Twist” would be appalled.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Justice Scalia, Blind Like Pentheus

By Robin Bates | Published: June 30, 2015

Scalia attacking his fellow SCOTUS justices sounds like Pentheus excoriating Teiresias and Cadmus in “The Bacchae.” Unlike Scalia’s fellow justices, Teiresias gives as good as he gets.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , | Comments closed

Bigger Thomas, Clarence’s Shadow

By Robin Bates | Published: March 2, 2015

“Native Son,” 75 years old, is Justice Clarence Thomas’ favorite novel. I theorize that Bigger Thomas is the justice’s destructive shadow.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

Will Oliver Finally Get Health Care?

By Robin Bates | Published: April 4, 2014

Oliver Twist experiences the same ups and downs as Obamacare has. But there’s a happy ending.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

A Judge’s Love Affair with Marcel Proust

By Robin Bates | Published: November 14, 2013

Marcel Proust has made Stephen Breyer a better Supreme Court justice.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , | Comments closed

Sometimes Whites Need Voting Rights Act

By Robin Bates | Published: March 4, 2013

Steinbeck reminds us that it is not only people of color who have had their voting rights infringed.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , | Comments closed

Supremes’ Obamacare Decision, The Film

By Robin Bates | Published: June 29, 2012

Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision upholding Obamacare had all the makings of a Hollywood thriller.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Obamacare: Forcing Soufflé on Everyone

By Robin Bates | Published: March 30, 2012

Is the Supreme Court playing Potter to Obamacare’s George Bailey? Will Woody Allen’s version of French tyranny (soufflé and croissant at every meal) be the end result?

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , | Comments closed