The constitutional divide; justices venture into thicket of controversial social issues

Article Abstract:

Some of the social issues in Supreme Court rulings duriing the 1999-2000 term are discussed, including the legality of partial-birth abortions, Stenberg v. Carhart, and whether the Boy Scouts can exclude gays from membership, Boy Scouts v. Dale. These cases are likely to influence the presidential races of 2000 and make the Court an election issue.

Membership, Boy Scouts of America

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Bitter decisions; justices end term angrily in abortion rulings on procedure, protests

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court's ruling in Stenberg v. Carhart handed down during the 1999-2000 term is discussed, and ruled that states could not endanger a woman's health by forbidding a midterm abortion. The case was brought as a challenge to a Nebraska law outlawing partial-birth abortions.

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A difficult issue returns: the court gets set to hear arguments over gay rights in Colorado case

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court will soon hear oral arguments in a case concerning whether the the 14th Amendment bars discrimination against homosexuals. Romer v Evans concerns Amendment 2 to the Colorado Constitution, a voter- approved amendment prohibiting ordinances that outlaw discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. The CO Supreme Court struck it down, 6-1, as violating the US Constitution's guarantees of the right to equal participation in the political process.

Colorado

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