Civics Initiative
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Abortion case highlights how previous decisions affect later cases
There needs to be a way to correct decisions at odds with the underlying laws being applied. The court can and does have options to prevent (or correct) this type of result.
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Why the U.S. is ‘eternally vigilant’ against suppression of speech
Putting aside whether listening to every possible opinion is actually the best way to discern truth, there are lessons from the Supreme Court’s extremely broad protection of speech for parallel matters like religious freedom.
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Leaks, intimidation not entirely new, but this level is unprecedented
What the Constitution does not provide – and civil society must not countenance – are attempts to shape the Supreme Court’s rulings through pressure.
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Supreme Court leak harms American democracy
the leak of the opinion itself is damaging to American democracy by how it harms the institution of the Supreme Court.
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Cases carefully chosen to catch the Supreme Court’s eye
Those who hope to influence the law have an incentive to strategically pursue cases that are likely to get the court’s attention. A good example is the strategy that led to the end of school segregation.
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Harsh Shanghai lockdown highlights the strength of the U.S. Constitution
American governments may have botched many things in the pandemic, but communist China’s oppressive methods reveal what a truly horrifying pandemic response looks like.
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The antidote to the poison of the culture war
Refuse to allow the obnoxious fighting and caricaturing of our political opponents to poison other aspects of life. Showing decency and graciousness will help our democracy – and you’ll be happier, too.
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Factors guiding decisions about Supreme Court nominees
Perhaps a time will come that a nominee’s approach to working with judicial colleagues will become a more significant factor in confirmation hearings. It is an important subject that deserves more attention than it typically receives.
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State supreme court nominations: quiet but important
Gov. Spencer Cox nominated Judge Diana Hagen this week to serve on the Utah Supreme Court. State supreme court justices’ importance comes from the unique role of state law in our federal system.
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Ukraine and the importance of learning history
Amid the calamity and human tragedy of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there are lessons that can help prevent future tragedies. Two scholars recently pointed out three such lessons.