BikerRN
05-04-2010, 03:27 AM
I came across this bit of news and frankly I find myself agreeing with the more liberal members of the court on this issue. Tradition and symbolism does have it's place in society.
Supreme Court: Please Use Side DoorUpdated: 12 hours 36 minutes ago
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Michelle Ruiz
Contributor
AOL News (May 3) -- Citing security concerns, the U.S. Supreme Court will close its main entrance to the public beginning Tuesday, directing visitors to a side entryway. The decision has sparked dissent from two justices.
The high court is shuttering its front doors at the recommendation of two independent security studies conducted in 2001 and 2009, according to a statement from the court. The release said the new entrance "provides a secure, reinforced area to screen for weapons, explosives and chemical and biological hazards."
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
The Supreme Court will shutter its front entrance to the public on Tuesday.
Although visitors will still be able to exit through the historic front entrance, Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer expressed their disappointment over the change in a statement entered into the court's journal today. They justices said visitors to the Supreme Court, including parties whose cases are heard there and the attorneys who argue them, will be deprived of the experience of climbing the 44 marble steps to the main entrance.
"To many members of the public, this court's main entrance and front steps are not only a means to, but also a metaphor for, access to the court itself," Breyer wrote in the statement.
Though not a formal dissent, the statement from Breyer and Ginsburg was entered before Chief Justice John Roberts and fellow justices Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Sonia Sotomayor.
Breyer's memorandum said no other Supreme Court in the world has closed its front doors to the public, including those in countries that face serious security threats, like Israel. Breyer acknowledged security threats to the U.S. court, but said he and Ginsburg do not believe closing the main entrance is the solution.
"Potential security threats will exist regardless of which entrance we use," he wrote. "It is important not to undervalue the symbolic and historic importance of allowing visitors to enter the court after walking up ... the famed front steps."
Breyer said he remains hopeful that the "dissipation" of the security risks or a congressional appropriation will allow the main entrance to be reopened in the future.
Biker
Supreme Court: Please Use Side DoorUpdated: 12 hours 36 minutes ago
Print Text Size E-mail More
Michelle Ruiz
Contributor
AOL News (May 3) -- Citing security concerns, the U.S. Supreme Court will close its main entrance to the public beginning Tuesday, directing visitors to a side entryway. The decision has sparked dissent from two justices.
The high court is shuttering its front doors at the recommendation of two independent security studies conducted in 2001 and 2009, according to a statement from the court. The release said the new entrance "provides a secure, reinforced area to screen for weapons, explosives and chemical and biological hazards."
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
The Supreme Court will shutter its front entrance to the public on Tuesday.
Although visitors will still be able to exit through the historic front entrance, Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer expressed their disappointment over the change in a statement entered into the court's journal today. They justices said visitors to the Supreme Court, including parties whose cases are heard there and the attorneys who argue them, will be deprived of the experience of climbing the 44 marble steps to the main entrance.
"To many members of the public, this court's main entrance and front steps are not only a means to, but also a metaphor for, access to the court itself," Breyer wrote in the statement.
Though not a formal dissent, the statement from Breyer and Ginsburg was entered before Chief Justice John Roberts and fellow justices Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Sonia Sotomayor.
Breyer's memorandum said no other Supreme Court in the world has closed its front doors to the public, including those in countries that face serious security threats, like Israel. Breyer acknowledged security threats to the U.S. court, but said he and Ginsburg do not believe closing the main entrance is the solution.
"Potential security threats will exist regardless of which entrance we use," he wrote. "It is important not to undervalue the symbolic and historic importance of allowing visitors to enter the court after walking up ... the famed front steps."
Breyer said he remains hopeful that the "dissipation" of the security risks or a congressional appropriation will allow the main entrance to be reopened in the future.
Biker