Supreme Court closing iconic front entrance (Breyer and Ginsburg: "unfortunate and unjustified")

[usregimechange]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- 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."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_ACCESS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Court’s statement:
http://www.scotusblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Visitor_Entrance_Release-_2010.doc

Breyer-Ginsburg statement:
http://www.scotusblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Justice_Breyer_Statement-1.pdf


Previous related posts

The Bronze Doors of the Supreme Court: A depiction of the evolution of justice and Western law (Mon Sep-07-09)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6483186

[liberal N proud]

1. Going in to these places loses some of its awe when they do that

Entering the capitol is no longer awe inspiring because you don't enter directly into the rotunda.

It is difficult to take kids to these places and see the look of amazements on their faces when they walk in.

[Ozymanithrax]

2. We Americans have become a nation of simpering cowards. Freedom is dangerous...

Reducing danger is directly proportional to the loss of freedom.

[tekisui]

3. You are absolutely right.

We are still rattled from a non-effective explosive device put together by someone who didn't know what they were doing.

[deuce1]

7. Another "finger in your eye, we'll do what we want"

Too bad something couldn't be dug up against Roberts for a unheard of impeachment.

[n2doc]

8. + infinity n/t

[sarge43]

9. +1 n/t

[Captain Hilts]

18. We're letting the Bad Guys win. nt

[fishwax]

28. +1

[thereismore]

4. entry denied, justice denied? nt

[jobycom]

5. "...not only a means to, but also a metaphor for, access to the court itself."

What can be added to that?

[hootinholler]

20. Well if it's a metaphor we seek...

Then the screening is apropos to what happens with cases.

-Hoot

[fishwax]

29. indeed n/t

[spanone]

6. we will be shat upon for years by this roberts court...the w* legacy continues

[X_Digger]

10. Security Theater, nothing more.

Sad that we're willing to trade such an iconic experience for a perceived increase in security.

[Rex]

11. Well with Scarface on the bench, I'm surprised anyone gets let in.

He is such a hated persona, there will be huge parties when Tony and Thomas finally leave the court (probably won't happen until they have to be dragged away, evil people love power too much).

[HCE SuiGeneris]

12. However, Corporations will have a Speedpass through the front gate.

It's only fair since they own the Courts. Right?

[jobycom]

22. Why do they need one? They have five employees sitting on the bench.

They just stay at home and send instructions by text.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

30. No shit.

Your comment has me laughing and crying at the same time... :banghead:

[Cronus Protagonist]

13. Well, it's all about backdoor corporate deals now anyway

Might as well use the damn back door!

[dpbrown]

14. That's just stupid

Open the doors, idiots!

[kenny blankenship]

15. Artist's rendering of the proposed new entrance

Someone had been telling lies about Joseph K....

[usregimechange]

19. pretty much it

[zipplewrath]

16. I'm old enough.

I've entered many of the buildings there through the "front" doors, White House being an obvious exception. It's just gotten down right stupid. You can't even go UP the steps in front of many of them, much less through the doors. I do wonder if they've noticed that in the original constitution, even before the Bill of Rights, it mentions the peoples RIGHT to petition their government for redress of grievences. It's practically the purpose of government. You'd be hard pressed to find a cabinet level officer, or equivalent in other branches that EVERY has to directly "hear" such a petition from the people.

[followthemoney]

17. Just an update to reflect the new realities of the...

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision.

Who owns ya, baby?

[damntexdem]

21. A metaphorical act that accurately reflects the Roberts Court.

In fact, the "front door" has already been closed to the American people by the RW SCOTUS majority.

[Dogtown]

23. What do they fear?

:patriot:

[ChickMagic]

24. Not fear itself, apparently.

This is dastardly. One should be able to enter the court, look up and see "Equal Justice Under the Law". That is a powerful statement and I'm surprised Roberts hasn't had it sandblasted off.

[Dogtown]

25. Metaphorically,

this accomplishes exactly that.

:cry:

[Supersedeas]

26. access to justice was redefined by Alito, Roberts and gang in Citizens United

[greencharlie]

27. for preservation sake... I guess it's OK. nt