It is that time of year again. The first Monday in October traditionally begins the United States Supreme Court’s term. Sandra Day O’Connor, often considered a moderate, retired from the Court last year. Samuel Alito was confirmed last winter to fill her seat. Alito is generally considered more conservative than O’Connor. The opening of this term marks the first time this Court with this makeup will begin a full session. The new term begins with observers watching to see if the additions last year of John Roberts and Samuel Alito will lead to a string of conservative reversals of earlier opinions. Last term, the Court seemed to walk softly in most of its rulings, giving only occasional hints that a conservative revolution was waiting to take off, and indeed handed the Bush Administration a defeat when it struck down the Administration’s system of military tribunals. The Court’s upcoming matters address issues of abortion, affirmative action and air pollution, as well as immigration and patent law. Stay tuned!
– BBC&B
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