[Hoppean]

Are the Supremes gonna institute some strange reinvention of the Constitution ? ONLY IF THE DEMS HOLD EVERY SEAT !

Speaking of the Dems, if this is Scalia's position, then imagine what Ruth Bader-Ginsberg's position must be!

You're right, there have been historical abridgements, but those should never have happened in the first place--the administrations of FDR, Woodrow Wilson, and Lincoln were not known for their restraint. Emergency is always the cloak of the tyrant.

And we don't live in the kind of society that existed under Lincoln and even as far forward as FDR--back then, there were still strong, organic values and self-reliant individuals out in the countryside. Modern Americans, however, have been dumbed-down by 50 years of Hollywood and public schools, and it's more likely that any would-be abusers of power will be able to get away with a lot more, and there will be less resistance. Clinton was returned to office twice, after all....

[nopardons]

Why shouldn't those " abridgements " ( since WHEN are we granted life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness AND silk stockings, nylon, and roastbeef three times a week ? ) have been instituted, during WAR TIME, when the " boys " needed those things ? Did Abigale Adams have a hissy fit, when she couldn't get needles anbd pins ? No, she wasn't happy about it, but she understood. Paper drives, the saving of fats and tinfoil, for the war effort, during WW I, WW II, and Korea, wasn't a hardship and NO abridgement of anyone's " rights "!

You bet the American populace has been " dumbed down "; you're a primary example !