Wow.

They explicitly overturned Bowers. They made the decision turn on privacy, rather than equal protection, grounds. Boys and girls, one of the first thing they tell you in 1L Constitutional Law is how much the Supremes just hate to explicitly overrule prior rulings. And the ruling was 6-3 (I expected 5-4) which means if we lost Sandra Day O'Connor (who might retire), it would still stand. (Rhenquist doesn't matter: even if he does step down, no one he's likely to be replaced with would be farther right.)

I can hardly wait to read the opinion for myself.

In other Supreme Court news....

... Ruled (5-4) that California cannot retroactively change statute of limitations on sex crimes against minors. This also has implications for Patriot Act prosecutions, since part of the Patriot Act retroactively changes some SOLs. The Roman Catholic Church is no doubt also breathing a sigh of relief.

... Decided not to decide in the lawsuit against Nike, meaning said lawsuit can proceed.

... And actually tossed out a death penalty on grounds of inadequare assistance of counsel (7-2!).

A good set of decisions.