[FredZarguna]

But there are cases where obiter dicta has ended up as long-standing precedent.

No, there aren't. Orbiter dicta is not precedent, and no lower court nor USSC is bound by dicta.

A very thoughtful opinion and some links to counterpoints by someone whose opinion I am very proud to say supports mine just came online about 1/2 hour ago (none of these are my blogs) here: http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/06/what-if-that-huge-conservative-doctrinal-achievement-was-mere-dicta/

[BfloGuy]

A very thoughtful opinion and some links to counterpoints by someone whose opinion I am very proud to say supports mine just came online about 1/2 hour ago (none of these are my blogs) here:

I respect Jacobsen's opinion, too. Very interesting. And since I have already far exceeded my meager knowledge of constitutional law [though I always reserve my right to pronounce my constitutional opinions,] I shall withdraw. You have brought up a very interesting point that the entire media ( surprise, surprise) has ignored or is not aware of.

It's fun to learn stuff.