SAR #14182

While the Republicans are celebrating, Justice Ginsberg would like to know “where is the stopping point to the 'let the government pay' alternative?" 

 
A Thirty Year War: The Court's ruling in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby – despite the majority's attempt to play down its breadth of application – will open the door a flurry of legal challenges not only to the ACA but to an as yet unimaginable number of other laws that the plaintifs will allege impinge on their 'deeply held religious beliefs'. The ruling addresses the very essence of a religious claim and the very essence of a corporate entity. Closely-held corporations are not as limited as it might seem and the possible damage this will do to the nation is incalculable. Millions of family businesses may now discover that their religious beliefs support their strongly held prejudices against making wedding cakes for gays or serving suspected Muslims and all the rest of the things they wold like to do to those who are different.

Keeping Up: For at least the last 18 months computer systems controlling US energy and utility companies have been under attack by a “vicious” Stuxnet-like malware pogram which “almost certainly” originated in Russia. Or Iran? Wouldn't that be cute. Symantec claims that it has put fixes in place to protect the affected computers.

Slow Learners: In the midst of recalling nearly every vehicle they've made since 2000, GM reports the best June sales since 2007. Go figure.

Different Drummer: A survey shows that 53% of Americans think the Supremes got it wrong and believe that employers should be required to cover birth control regardless of whether it violates the owners’ religious beliefs. And only 30% of those polled said they had a lot of confidence in those guys.

Open Season: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court – on its own authority and wisdom – told the NSA it was all right for the agency to spy on all but four of the world's nations as well as the World Bank, the IMF, the EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Spying on the International Chess Federation is a gray area.

To Love And Be Loved In Return: U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II, ruled KY's ban on same-sex mariage to be unconstitutional, noting that “In America, even sincere and long-hold religious beliefs do not trump the constitutional rights of those who happen to have been out-voted.” He also rejected the state's argument for the ban – that gay marriage would cut down on the number of pregnancies – to be less than credible. The state, of course, is going to go through the motions and appeal. 
 
Going Through The Motions: The American College of Physicians has now added routine pelvic exams for non-pregnant women to the lengthening list of useless medicl procedures we've been made to pay for and suffer through for decades.

Location, Location, Location: Las Vegas is going to run out of water. Relatively soon. Lake Mead is less than two years from dropping below the 'upper' pipe sending water to the city, and in another two to three years the lower outlet will also be dry unless the 16 year drought ends and the rains return. Which, climate scientists say, is most unlikely. Plus the hydroelectric power generation from the dam will cease when the water level drops below the intakes, so LV will be dying of thirst in the dark

The Parting Shot: