The Supreme Court is closing its iconic front entrance

[katty]

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100503/ap_on_go_su_co/us_supreme_court_access

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court is closing its iconic front entrance beneath the words "Equal Justice Under Law."

Beginning Tuesday, visitors no longer will ascend the wide marble steps to enter the 75-year-old building. Instead, they will be directed to a central screening facility to the side of and beneath the central steps that was built to improve the court's security as part of a $122 million renovation.

Two justices, Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, called the change unfortunate and unjustified.

Breyer said no other high court in the world, not even Israel's, has closed its front entrance over security concerns.

He said the main entrance and front steps "are not only a means to, but also a metaphor for, access to the court itself."

[no_hypocrisy]

1. They closed off the front entrance to our county courthouse for the same reason.

[aquart]

2. It's a bad reason.

[Demeter]

3. A Continuation of the 1950's Public Bomb Fallout Shelters

and about as effective and useful.

[Blue Owl]

4. The rear entrance is more discreet & corporation-friendly

n/t

[xxqqqzme]

5. "..."are not only a means to, but also

a metaphor for, access to the court itself."...'

The obscure entrance is now a metaphor for 21st century access to justice.

[bighughdiehl]

6. How fitting

equal justice under the law my ass in light of a certain recent decision.

[Jefferson23]

7. "The court said the new entrance grew out of two independent security studies in 2001 and 2009"

I need to find these studies, pitiful decision.

[MissMarple]

8. Now just who was the genius who decided this? Citing "independent studies" is not an answer.

It's an excuse.

[onehandle]

9. The court of President selection, unlimited corporate political spending and guns guns guns.

Who cares. You can put them underground for all I care.

[jotsy]

10. An action that speaks to any public justice being side stepped.

Lovely, and the hits just a keep on a comin'.

edited due to lack of coffee.

[Mr. Sparkle]

11. It sounds like the corporatists on the court are getting worried.

It is a kin to a gated community for the rich and powerful. It is their play thing, now.

[wizstars]

12. So now they'll be going in thru the rear.....

...physically and metaphorically....
Like they've been doing since December 2000

[katty]

13. gov+corps close front doors of their ivory tower of 'justice'

[Blue Owl]

14. Scalia's "Back Door Justice"

All this (gestures to map of USA) could be yours if the price is right!