In Alito, G.O.P. Reaps Harvest Planted in '82 (David D. Kirkpatrick/New York ...

"In Alito, G.O.P. Reaps Harvest Planted in '82  —  Last February, as rumors swirled about the failing health of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, a team of conservative grass-roots organizers, public relations specialists and legal strategists met to prepare...

Supreme Court Affirms N.H. Abortion Limits (AP)

AP - The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that a lower court was wrong to strike down New Hampshire abortion restrictions, but steered clear of a major ruling on the volatile issue.

Supreme Court Upholds Oregon Suicide Law (AP)

AP - The Supreme Court upheld Oregon's one-of-a-kind physician-assisted suicide law Tuesday, rejecting a Bush administration attempt to punish doctors who help terminally ill patients die.

The brainbox and the blowhards - Samuel Alito, George Bush's ... (Economist)

The brainbox and the blowhards  —  Samuel Alito, George Bush's latest pick for the Supreme Court, faces a tough and dirty battle for confirmation.  But he looks as though he'll win  —  Getty Images  —  TED KENNEDY is deeply...

Pesticide Buffers Up-Held

SEATTLE -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear an appeal of a ruling that banned the use of pesticides around Western salmon streams. "We're very happy," said Patti Goldman, an attorney with the environmental law firm Earthjustice. "There have...

Right to Life With Father? I Don't Think So!

In Margaret Atwood's 1985 book, The Handmaid's Tale, reproduction is under the control of the ruling patriarchs, women are forced to bear children, and abortion is punishable by death. When the novel was first published, during the Reagan era, we thought of it as cautionary...

Seth Rosenthal/The Nation: Pro-Alito Buzz Cloaks a Draconian Agenda

Pro-Alito Buzz Cloaks a Draconian Agenda  —  How often, in the past month alone, have you heard President Bush and his supporters claim they want judges who "won't legislate from the bench," believe in "judicial restraint" and "understand the limited role of...

Charles Babington/Washington Post: Newly Released Papers Energize Alito's Cri...

Newly Released Papers Energize Alito's Critics  —  Newly released documents by Samuel A. Alito Jr. touching on abortion and other issues have pumped new life into efforts to sharply challenge his nomination to the Supreme Court, liberal activists said...

Justices Step Into Abortion Rights Case (AP)

AP - The Supreme Court is considering its first abortion rights case under the leadership of Chief Justice John Roberts, with an unpredictable outcome because of the court's changing makeup.