"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss".
First thing Alito does is side with the liberals. How many days has he been a member of the Supreme Court now? One? That didn't take long, now did it?
Have we been snookered again, like with Sandra Day O'Conner?
Just as I won't lament this development, so should the libs NOT celebrate it. One case does not make a 30 year legacy.
In the case of "cruel and unusual", it is not hard to see why this is important. Once this is decided, presumably in the "not cruel and unusual" direction, then EVERY state that has a death penalty will be free to use it when their preferred method (hanging, firing squad, etc.) is challenged. I see it as a way to streamline things ultimately, but I admit I am a bit "closer to the fence" on the question of the death penalty than many.