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Our justices do not work that way. That is why we have so many votes that are 5-4, 6-3, etc. They may have points of their opinions where they are in full agreement, such as their recent overturn ruling and subsequent opinions in the case of the New Haven firefighters. The press has been mostly about the 5-4 decision, split along the usual lines.However, the concurring five justices, and dissenting four justices had one point of full agreement. There was full agreement (yes, 9-0!) that rejected the Sotomayor and fellow two members position that disparate racial results ALONE justified New Haven's decision to deny promotion of the firefighters and to dump the exam. There was no inquiry whether or not it was fair and job-related. This really is HUGE.There is one course of redress for any federal official to be held accountable: impeachment. It is a very difficult area to approach where the judiciary is involved. If everything were cut and dried, all laws abundantly clear in all cases, all cases simply black and white there would be no need for the SCOTUS in the first place.But at least the course of redress is there... Even if most Americans are totally clueless about it.
Our justices do not work that way. That is why we have so many votes that are 5-4, 6-3, etc. They may have points of their opinions where they are in full agreement, such as their recent overturn ruling and subsequent opinions in the case of the New Haven firefighters. The press has been mostly about the 5-4 decision, split along the usual lines.
However, the concurring five justices, and dissenting four justices had one point of full agreement. There was full agreement (yes, 9-0!) that rejected the Sotomayor and fellow two members position that disparate racial results ALONE justified New Haven's decision to deny promotion of the firefighters and to dump the exam. There was no inquiry whether or not it was fair and job-related. This really is HUGE.
There is one course of redress for any federal official to be held accountable: impeachment. It is a very difficult area to approach where the judiciary is involved. If everything were cut and dried, all laws abundantly clear in all cases, all cases simply black and white there would be no need for the SCOTUS in the first place.
But at least the course of redress is there... Even if most Americans are totally clueless about it.
