The Constitution

Will the Supreme Court Punt on Same-Sex Marriage?

Will the Supreme Court Punt on Same-Sex Marriage? Will the Supreme Court Punt on Same-Sex Marriage?

Gay rights advocates were hoping that the Court would issue a broad ruling, but the justices seem most concerned with issues of standing.

Apr 3, 2013 / Nan D. Hunter

Anthony Lewis, 1927–2013

Anthony Lewis, 1927–2013 Anthony Lewis, 1927–2013

The late New York Times columnist believed telling critical truths about your country was a higher form of patriotism.

Mar 25, 2013 / Rick Perlstein

‘Gideon v. Wainwright’, Fifty Years Later

‘Gideon v. Wainwright’, Fifty Years Later ‘Gideon v. Wainwright’, Fifty Years Later

In its historic decision, the Supreme Court ruled that poor people have a right to a lawyer. But today, our system of indigent defense is shameful.

Mar 20, 2013 / Stephen B. Bright and Sia M. Sanneh

Supreme Court: Uphold the Voting Rights Act!

Supreme Court: Uphold the Voting Rights Act! Supreme Court: Uphold the Voting Rights Act!

Section 5 is as necessary today as it was in 1965, when Alabama state troopers beat freedom marchers in Selma.

Mar 6, 2013 / Ari Berman

Time for a ‘Right to Vote’ Constitutional Amendment

Time for a ‘Right to Vote’ Constitutional Amendment Time for a ‘Right to Vote’ Constitutional Amendment

How many dysfunctional election cycles are we going to endure before we accept the necessity of this reform?

Mar 5, 2013 / Feature / John Nichols

‘America Doesn’t Torture’—It Kills

‘America Doesn’t Torture’—It Kills ‘America Doesn’t Torture’—It Kills

Even if we like President Obama, do we want him to be a one-man death panel?

Feb 13, 2013 / Column / Katha Pollitt

Will Obama the Constitutional Lawyer Please Stand Up?

Will Obama the Constitutional Lawyer Please Stand Up? Will Obama the Constitutional Lawyer Please Stand Up?

There are many measures the president could take to restore civil liberties—if he wanted to.

Jan 24, 2013 / Feature / David K. Shipler

Will Congress Rein In Illegal Spying?

Will Congress Rein In Illegal Spying? Will Congress Rein In Illegal Spying?

When The New York Times first revealed the NSA was wiretapping Americans without a warrant in 2005, it was a scandal. But the government continues to spy with impunity—and wh...

Dec 19, 2012 / Marcy Wheeler

The Barack Obama Story (Updated)

The Barack Obama Story (Updated) The Barack Obama Story (Updated)

How did a community organizer and a constitutional law professor become an extrajudicial, drone-happy president? 

Dec 4, 2012 / Tom Engelhardt

Checking Big Brother

Checking Big Brother Checking Big Brother

The Nation, with the ACLU and others, is suing the government over a law that allows unchecked surveillance. Will the Supreme Court even allow us to argue our case on the merits?

Nov 2, 2012 / David Cole

x