Supreme Court Upholds Oregon Assisted Suicide Law
Good news indeed. The Roberts Court's first major decision was a bitch-slap to the Bush administration and former Atty General John Ashcroft, who had sought to take legal action against doctors who aided patients commit suicide.
Beyond the implications for doctors in Oregon, this ruling is also a blow to the "unitary executive." In the majority opinion, the Court denies the executive the right to claim unenumerated authority.
It was a 6-3 decision with Roberts, Scalia, and Thomas dissenting (of course). But even if Alito had been on the court, the good guys still would have won in a 5-4 decision.
For more details and the White House response, join me across the break.
(CP @ BT, SP, MLW)
Read More