The conservatives had to help Bush steal election 2000 so he could nominate more of their guys so they’d get the votes to start overturning settled law. Of course, Roberts and Alito had to lie about their intentions during their confirmation hearings but heck, they’re Republicans, so what did anyone expect?

Both Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. assured their Senate questioners at their confirmation hearings that they, too, respected precedent. So why were they on the majority side of a 5-to-4 decision last week declaring that a 45-year-old doctrine excusing people whose “unique circumstances” prevented them from meeting court filing deadlines was now “illegitimate”?

It was the second time the Roberts court had overturned a precedent, and the first in a decision with a divided vote. It surely will not be the last.

No, I wouldn’t think so. Say, do you think the Times is preparing us for a lot worse?  Read more