Open Thread: SCOTUS Takes Quotas Case
Today's starter topic: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear another case on an important issue: racial and gender quotas often known as "affirmative action." This is one of several big issues before the court:
The Supreme Court set an election-season review of racial preference in college admissions, agreeing Tuesday to consider new limits on the contentious issue of affirmative-action programs.
A challenge from a white student who was denied admission to the University of Texas flagship campus will be the court's first look at affirmative action in higher education since its 2003 decision endorsing the use of race as a factor.
This time, a more conservative court could jettison the earlier ruling or at least limit when colleges may take account of race in admissions.
In a court term already filled with the subjects of health care, immigration, and legislative redistricting, the justices won't hear the affirmative-action case, Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, until the fall.
But the political calendar will still add drama. Arguments probably will take place in the final days of the presidential election campaign.[...]
A federal appeals court upheld the Texas program at issue, saying it was allowed under the justices' 2003 decision in Grutter v. Bollinger that upheld racial considerations in university admissions at the University of Michigan Law School.
But the Supreme Court has changed since then. For one thing, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. appears more hostile to affirmative action than his predecessor, Sandra Day O'Connor. For another, Justice Elena Kagan, who might be expected to vote with the liberal-leaning justices in support of it, is not taking part in the Texas case.
The ruling isn't expected to come until after the election but this puts another issue that is unpopular for the left onto the forefront of the political issue agenda.
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Comments
There's been a lot of talk lately
Submitted by bkeyser on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:36am.
about how things are on the upswing for Obama; the economy is booming, Santorum is a religious zealot bound and determined to rid the nation of impure thoughts and contraception, Romney is a greedy bastard who cares only about rich folks, Iran isn't really a threat even with a nuke, etc. I contend, however, that this is a concerted media effort in conjunction with the Obama campaign to portray things as quite rosey for Democrats and in a disastrous state of turmoil for the GOP.
So what's new, you say?
Well, nothing. Except I keep reading an awful lot of comments here and other places that seem to indicate our side is buying into it. Don't. Obama's toast. This media narrative wouldn't be necessary if they really felt confident about his chances. Gallup says unemployment is going up this month. Along with gas prices. And Iran's saber-rattling. And now SCOTUS is taking on another umbilical position for liberals. Obama's in trouble and I'd bet a steak dinner that their internal polling is abysmal.
Don't be swayed. Just look out your window. Are those empty tenant spaces being filled in the strip malls? Are prices going down at the grocery store? Is the guy you know who's been out of work for a year being offered multiple second interviews? Are you considering a large, new investment? I seriously doubt it.
To add on to your excellent post, BK
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:07pm.
As you say, the media is glomming on to silly stories (Republicans will outlaw contraception), Santorum is a religious freak (Satan), yada yada.....to cover up for the left's failed policies (even that boob Bob Beckel has admitted of late that these social entitlement programs are wrong).
I believe we've already reached the tipping point. Here's an article, from across the pond, naturally...as our media refuses to be the bearer of bad news. The destruction of the American family...over 40% of the births in this country are now to single mothers, and for mothers under 30, it reaches half.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Yes, but.....
Submitted by Model850 on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 4:29pm.
"...even that boob Bob Beckel has admitted of late that these social entitlement programs are wrong."
Yes, but they meant well. So even though he admits the programs themselves were ill-advised or whatever, since their (the libs) hearts were in the right place, "No harm, no foul."
Affirmative
Submitted by kilrod on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:15pm.
"Affirmative Action" based on race was, is, and always will be wrong and unconstitutional, in my view.
kilrod "the Birther"
If an unborn child cannot trust you, why should I,??
While I agree with you....
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:27pm.
Whats even more agreigous here in the south is that we are still being punnished for the civil war. all our redistricting,, all our elections have to be cleared through the Justice department to make sure that we are NOT discriminanting against the Black man or the brown woman or the yellow child. We are still being punnished and untill they change that Affirmative action will not be touched.
Jarhead 77
Submitted by kilrod on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 2:23pm.
Thanks for your comment. I read a while back that Texas is one of 9 states that has to have its elections/redistricting cleared by the Justice deptment. I don't know the particulars of how the sorry gov. bastards are able to do this but you can dam well bet it will be addressed and fixed before this is all over. It is the angle the dimocraps and the sub-slime media used to screw up Tx. redistricting and force the Tx. primaries to be postponed to the point of nullifying the Tx. vote, hoping for the foregone preference in who the nominee would be. It tickles me no end to see these dirty tactics come back to bite them in the arse.
(grins) kilrod "the Birther"
"Let The Good Times Roll".
If an unborn child cannot trust you, why should I,??
What would be nice...
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 2:34pm.
If the Supreme Court lifted the requirement to have redistricting/elections cleared due to tthe fact that they do discriminate!: AGAINST all the people!
More discrimination:
Submitted by Dave the mailman on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 2:27pm.
Personally, I think "hate crime" legislation is unconstitutional. If two white guys beat up a black guy, that gets a stiffer sentence because it qualifies as a hate crime. If two black guys beat up a white guy, that DOES NOT qualify as a hate crime. Meaning, they'd get a lighter sentence. So, we now have legislation in place that TAKES RACE INTO CONSIDERATION when assigning punishment....
**Duct Tape Alert** This is not a drill!!
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:17pm.
Saw this yesterdat at Michelle Obama's Mirror: the letter sent home by the school that confiscated two students' lunches.
Food for Thought
Here's the part that will blow your mind:
Parents, we need your assistance with this component.
You have to read the whole thing. I can't c/p it.
The school takes over and demands that the parents get in line, or else.
WHOSE KIDS ARE THEY, ANYWAY??
They belong to the village, silly
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:20pm.
MOTUS strikes again.
It is totally appalling what is going on in this country (see my link above in post replying to BK).
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
blows my mind indeed
Submitted by jon_torlin on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 2:15pm.
I got friends with kids, I have to ask them if they are encountering anything like this crap.
I can't believe that the crap they served that little girl was their idea of a healthy meal when what she had (turkey sandwich and etc) was actually perfect. Sure, it didn't have the veggie, but it didn't need it either, we need the fruits more than we need veggies if there had to be a pecking order of such things. But the chicken nuggets??? That's not a meat or even a meat alternative!
This government is a danger to the kids and family unit, that's for certain. Why don't parents see that?
-Jon
For all the libs out there
Submitted by ThisnThat on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 3:25pm.
For all the libs out there that are fretting over the points lost due to illegal lunches from home, rest assured -- you can get some of those points back. o'bama's going to start an "extra credit" program, whereby you can gain those precious points back if:
As an extra bonus, these little things will let the Authorities know that your mindset, at least, is in conformance with o'bama's Amerika, and so they will be a little more tolerant of future transgressions -- as long as you eventually make up for them, of course, by foregoing all ambition higher than free medical care, free college tuition, and working for an energy-efficient industry. Power to the People!
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
⇒ Obama Attacks Seniors
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:19pm.
Having recognized an independent streak among retirees, the President has included in his 2013 budget, an increase to dividend income tax to 44% from the current 15% rate.
The Obama Administration, as you know, has taken significant steps to hasten the bankruptcy of Social Security, slashing employees' contributions to their Social Security fund by 33%.
Remember the ethics question about the lifeboat, limited food, and nobody but you and grandma aboard?
I'm juz' sayin . . .
I had an interesting conversation yesterday.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:53pm.
I was talking with a friend who does a lot of work for major news networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc, and he said to me ,"Don't ever think that the president will be selected by the voters. He is picked by the MSM and then he is presented in the most favorable light, while his opponent, whoever it may be, will be crucified." That's it, as best I can remember.
I wasn't shocked by the news, because I have always suspected that was the way it works, but to hear this guy, with close ties to the people doing the manipulating say it just stunned me.
He went on to say that the Democrats and the liberal executives consider the voters so stupid that they can be sold anything. I think that they proved that in the last presidential race. They spend 24/7 on the air helping to make them even more ignorant of the truth.
We are screwed if this RBFSOB is reelected, because the MSM and Commiecrat Party will be emboldened to do ANYTHING, literally, that they feel like doing. We could make 1930's Germany look like Ding Dong School compared to what this country will plunge into.
What line of work?
Submitted by mandrake on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 1:05pm.
Your first sentence states that your friend does a lot of work for the major networks. And your friend has inside knowledge of what these networks are thinking. And they are all working together as a MSM.
What is your friends job? Inquiring minds want to know!
You first.
Submitted by The Vet on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 1:26pm.
What is your line of work. What are your hours? When do you go on vacation? What is your address? When do you leave your house emtpy? Do you have an alarm? Do you have a dog? Do you have a safe and if so where is it? Do you keep cash in the house? Does you wife have expensive jewelry? Would you pay a large ransom if one of your kids were kidnapped? What route to school does your kids take?
Knock it off with trying to out people's identities you unbridled freakshow of a troll.
Guess MLK means nothing
Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 1:01pm.
Gee whatever happened to striving for the ideal of 'judging by one's character, not the color of their skin'? I thought that was the goal.
Silly
Submitted by Gothampc on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 1:34pm.
Silly, that's the rules for white men. And we all know how the MSM works regarding character assassination.
Got them stuck-up, bitter-clinger, Obama commie reds blues
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 2:27pm.
Great...
OBAMA SINGS THE BLUES...
WHILE AMERICA LIVES THEM...
Woke up this mornin'
Obama was on the tube.
Talkin' over me, WTF man,
Why's he such a boob?
Woke up this mornin'
Made maself a cuppa Joe
WTF man, Now he's ridin''
that 'prompter like a ho.
Nose in the air,
Rest of the country
Livin' in despair.
Lordy man, I got them
stuck-up, bitter-clinger
Obama commie reds blues.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
Nice, Jack! "Woke up this mornin'...
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 3:28pm.
Obammy done hosted a blues party. Problem iz Obammy don't know squat bout da blues despite having lived in Chicago.
But Blind Lemon SoL do, cuz he been playin da blues on his Strat for quite a while. Da basic rules iz:
1. Most Blues begin with: "Woke up this mornin'..." (Ed. Note: this line does not imply you actually got out of bed.
2. "I got a good woman" iz a bad way to begin da Blues, unless you stick something nasty in da next line like, "I got a good woman, with da meanest face in town."
3. Da Blues iz simple. After you get da first line right, repeat it. Den find something that rhymes - sort of: "Got a good woman with da meanest face in town. Yeah, I gots a good woman with da meanest face in town. Gots teef like Andrea Mitchell and she weigh 500 pound."
4. Da Blues iz not about choice. You stuck in a ditch, you stuck in a ditch...ain't no way out. AAA ain't comin'.
5. Blues cars: Lincolns, Fords, Cadoos and broken-down pickups. Blues don't travel in Volvos, BMWs, Subarus or SUVs. Most Blues transportation iz a Greyhound bus or a southbound train. Jet aircraft and state-sponsored motor pools ain't even in da running. Walkin' plays a major part in da Blues lifestyle. So does fixin' to die.
6. Teenagers can't sing da Blues. Day ain't fixin' to die yet. Adults sing da Blues. In Blues, "adulthood" means being old enough to get da electric chair if you shoot a man in Memphis.
7. Blues can take place in New York City but not in Hawaii or anywhere in Canada. Hard times in Aspen or Martha's Vineyard iz probably just clinical depression. Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Memphis, and Nawlins are still da best places to have da Blues. You cannot have da Blues in any place that don't get rain.
8. A man with male pattern baldness ain't da Blues. A woman with male pattern baldness is. Breaking your leg 'cause you wuz skiing at Aspen iz not da Blues. Breaking your leg 'cause a alligator be chomping on it is.
9. You can't have no Blues in an office or a shopping mall. Da lighting iz wrong. Go outside to da parking lot or sit by da dumpster.
10. Good places for da Blues
a. highway
b. jailhouse
c. empty bed
d. bottom of a whiskey glass
11. Bad places for da Blues
a. Nordstrom
b. gallery openings
c. Ivy League institutions
d. golf courses
12. No one will believe it's da Blues if you wear a suit, 'less you happen to be an old person, and you slept in it.
13. Do you have da right to sing da Blues? Yes, if:
a. you're older than dirt
b. you're blind
c. you shot a man in Memphis
d. you can't be satisfied
No, if:
a. you have all your teeth
b. you were once blind but now can see
c. dat man in Memphis lived
d. you have a 401K or trust fund
14. Blues iz not a matter of color. It's a matter of bad luck. Alan West cannot sing da Blues. Tiger Woods can. Ugly white people, Occutards and unemployed leftists also got a leg up on da Blues.
15. If you ask for water and your darlin' gives you gasoline, it's da Blues. Other acceptable Blues beverages are:
a. cheap wine
b. whiskey or bourbon
c. pond water
d. week-old black cowboy coffee
Da following are NOT Blues beverages:
a. Perrier
b. Chardonnay
c. Snapple
d. Slim Fast
e. anything form Starbucks
16. If death occurs in a cheap motel or a shotgun shack, it's a Blues death. Stabbed in da back by a jealous lover iz another Blues way to die. So are da electric chair, substance abuse and dying lonely on a broken-down cot. You can't have a Blues death if you die during a tennis match, running the NYC Marathon or while getting liposuction.
17. Some excellent Blues names for women:
a. Sadie
b. Big Mama
c. Bessie
d. Fat River Dumpling
e. Carpets Maddow
Wiminz with names like Michelle, Amber, Jennifer, Debbie, and Heather can't sing da Blues no matter how many men day shoot in Memphis, even if day be shacking up with a friend name of Carpets Maddow.
18. Good Blues names for men:
a. Joe
b. Willie
c. Little Willie
d. Big Willie
e. Slick Willie
f. Sherman Craine
19. Blues Name Starter Kit
a. name of physical infirmity (Blind, Cripple, Lame, etc.)
b. first name (see above) plus name of fruit (Lemon, Lime, Kiwi, etc.*)
c. last name of President (Jefferson, Johnson, Fillmore, etc.)
* if all da good fruit names are already taken by other guys in your band, consider an amphibian such as Bullfrog or Newt.
For example: Blind Lime Jefferson, Pegleg Lemon Johnson or Cripple Kiwi Fillmore, etc. (Well, maybe not "Kiwi.")
20. I don't care how tragic your life is: if you own a computer or smartphone, you cannot sing da blues, period.
Nice one SoL... and dat's the
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 3:33pm.
Nice one SoL... and dat's the history of the blues...
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
Dat was good, Slick Willy
Submitted by ThisnThat on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 3:42pm.
Dat was good, Slick Willy Johnson. Thing is, though -- I was just gitn over my blues when I had someone read your poem to me; and now I got the blues again. It's a sad thing, startin the blues again from the bottom.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
Day-um, SoL, ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 9:48pm.
Ah never spected you wuz a bruthah.
Dat be some mean honk bidness you got goin' wit dem dam blues.
It be mos ratch-uss, too, bro.
MD
Israel WILL attack Iran
Submitted by ThisnThat on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 3:33pm.
And very, very soon. So here's my question: Will the MsM blame o'bama for her failure, if she doesn't succeed due to Barry's refusal to help? Or will the MSM go balls-out in their biggest campaign yet to protect our Boy Wonder and attempt to heap the whole blame onto Israel for being so rush to judgement?
Because the fact is, when Iran threw the UN inspectors out this week, they essentially told the world they have something to hide. And that something is -- the makings of a nuclear bomb. Israel has simply run out of time.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
Indeed
Submitted by jon_torlin on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 4:35pm.
It's amazing the amount of patience that the country has against a US Gov't (not the country or its people, not one and the same, it's the gov't that's the enemy of its own people no less.) that is slowly driving Israel to end up with their backs against the wall which is what we're seeing happening.
I daresay that we will see how things will get when Israel DOES end up with their backs against the wall.
I'm just a bit concerned what the US Gov't will do as they are the undeclared enemy of Israel.
-Jon
not sure if this person is right
Submitted by shawn. on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 4:58pm.
.....because this is the first I heard about it. Lawmaker says Girl Scouts promote homosexuality and abortion
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-nn-na-girl-scouts-homose...
Debate Chat, anyone?
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 9:17pm.
http://us5.chatzy.com/441677241220
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)