[Dumb_Ox]

So's the power to file frivolous lawsuits unchecked.

Given enough sympathetic journalists and judges, all a group needs to do is tie up the diocese's lawyers by filing suit after suit.

If that happens, it'll be a big sign that the worst is en route.

[Verginius Rufus]

I was quoting a line from a famous Supreme Court decision (I think McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819). Back then I don't think frivolous lawsuits were a major problem. I'm not sure if you can pinpoint when they did become a major bane of American society--perhaps a rising tide through the 20th century and especially in the past few decades.