As far as I can tell, that's all the Supremes ruled in the Oregon case yesterday. Which means in spite of the big headlines, and the disappointment that a pernicious law wasn't overturned, it wasn't such a terrible ruling. It didn't establish a right to die, and it didn't even preclude the Attorney General from prohibiting doctors from assisting in suicide --he just needs to do so on different grounds. Basically it said before John Ashcroft could say what a medical use of a drug was, he needed to consult doctors. Wesley Smith has more, and I read in WaTi this morning that Austin Ruse of Culture of Life Foundation agrees with his take. (Look at the photo in the Times piece, though. The caption ought to be: "Yippee, we can still kill ourselves!")
In the meanwhile, this morning's unanimous decision from the Court to overturn a lower court ruling which in turn overturned New Hampshire's restrictions on abortion ought to give pro-lifers reason to smile mildly. Especially since this disappointment for pro-abortion groups was penned by their darling, the departing Sandra Day.
Gosh, two decisions confined to narrow application of the law, resisting the urge to touch broader questions. Is the Court possibly already getting the message that we don't like them when they overreach?
Plus, a Democrat has announced he'll vote for Alito.
