(We asked the Art Department for a snazzy graphic to top the story this morning. She took a picture of the book she had been assigned for her course on student preparation in California. It is from the staff of the Chief Justice of their Supreme Court, not ours. The ‘activities for kids’ has apparently replaced “Civics” in the modern California Curriculum. We like the adaptation of the state symbol as the benevolent shepherd).

We’ve talked about this before, so if you understand the maelstrom of judicial activity you are one up on us. A frenetic month lies ahead for us, and we thought a brief recap would be useful. We were caught in the New York Trump trial events and the brink of the Supreme Court Decision Season announcements. Both streams have a variety of issues. Some are due today to start the parade, and that what shaped the morning Production Meeting at Socotra House.

Some drank coffee at the picnic table and others were still finishing something from last night originally consumed under the stars,

Rocket laughed and glanced at the tattered green notebook he produced from a rear pocket as he did on active duty to keep track of aircraft parts, flight schedules and grocery and beverage lists. “Here is what I have been trying to keep track of. I don’t try to write down the web links, just the topic titles, since I don’t understand most of them. Any hints would be useful, since they will direct our collective future.” He raised the notebook, peered down at the smudged ink and began a brief recitation:

“Federal rules on social media content moderation.
Judicial deference to federal agency decisions.
Can cities punish homeless people for sleeping outdoors?
Access to Mifepristone, a medication used in abortion?
Emergency bans on abortion?
Two gun cases: “bump stocks” and restraining orders for accused domestic violators?”

He paused to catch his breath. “Then, there are the thirty or forty cases pending between Administrations, the ones in and out of power.” He sighed and put the notebook down. “I could do the individual trail highlights from New York, but was waiting to see if there would be a verdict before lunch yesterday. There might be something today.” He waved the notebook before sliding it back in his pocket. “It is about as long as the other one.”

We agreed the spectrum is a bit dizzying. Previously, we had thought there were thirteen cases of particular note, but the tally this morning was significantly higher by Rocket’s reckoning. Unresolved cases might amount to three dozen opinions to be issued. These could include the ones we noted previously in the preparation of the legal landscape. Some were not specifically legal, but rather personal attacks on three of the Justices, either on spouses or retirements and recommended recusals on specific cases of interest to people outside the court.

These are somewhat new strategies to influence one of the three branches of our government, but they reflect our new form of government in which there are not three branches, but perhaps five. The two not mentioned in the Constitution have grown all by themselves. That includes the Administrative apparatus theoretically under the Executive, but which have no specified electoral time limits and maintains the vast system of regulations by which we are all expected to live under force of law. Whatever that happens to be on any given day by whoever is empowered to interpret it.

The system has traditionally been a bit ponderous by intent to make the wheels of justice grind slowly. The explosion of issues has resulted in a cascade of rules by which a single agency like the EPA can direct the transformation of something as enormous as the nation’s power grid in just sixteen years. That effort is vastly expensive and physically impossible under current terms of reference.

If there was to be a discussion about how such extravagance and inconvenience was going to save the planet, Mother Gaia, we are open to being convinced. Instead, we appear to be well beyond that point in policy circles and are committed to a path leading to bankruptcy and righteous ruin. It might have been worth some discussion when the policies were being implemented, but that is no longer how things work.

That led to a discussion about the Messaging about all this. It started on what we used to call in our old trade as “current intelligence.” Then, with laughter at the antics, we drifted into a conversation about who is going to be empowered to drag others into court and successfully destroy them. Then we talked about what might be a good set of options for lunch.

So, where are we this morning? We dunno. It might be worth talking about, but we now only speak with people with whom we agree, you know?

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