“Supreme Inequality”: Author Adam Cohen on the Supreme Court’s 50-Year Battle Against Justice

The makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court has come under intense criticism in recent years after two Trump-nominated justices joined the bench. Senate Republicans confirmed Neil Gorsuch in 2017 after having refused to consider President Barack Obama’s nominee in his final year in office, and they confirmed Brett Kavanaugh a year later despite multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against the judge. During the 2020 Democratic presidential contest, several candidates floated the idea of “packing the court” - appointing more than nine justices - in order to counter the court’s rightward drift. But while the current Supreme Court often earns the ire of progressive lawmakers and activists, our guest Adam Cohen says it has actually been a force for injustice for the last 50 years, despite what Americans are taught about the court’s role in protecting the rights of marginalized people. “The Supreme Court - which is an institution that we think of as the bastion of fairness, the advocate for the underdog - has actually been a major driver of inequality,” says Cohen. His new book is “Supreme Inequality: The Supreme Court’s Fifty-Year Battle for a More Unjust America.”
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[@garysantos7053]

The case for abolishing the Supreme Court A Harvard law professor on whether it’s time to rethink the Nation’s Highest Court. When he was arguing for the ratification of the Constitution, Alexander Hamilton wrote that the judiciary “will always be the least dangerous branch to the political rights of the Constitution,” in part because he believed the federal courts would stand above the political fray and act as a bulwark against tyranny from all directions. But it’s hard to defend the Supreme Court on these grounds today. As my colleague Matthew Yglesias noted last week, the Court is now a blunt political instrument, used repeatedly to undermine outcomes of democratic governance - often on behalf of corporate interests. Vox By Sean Illing Oct 12, 2018, 8:10 am EDT

[@whatwouldmalcolmdo5570]

Gary Santos, it's utterly naive to believe that a system can deliver unto a given society a substantive and tangible representation of justice while at the same time proudly ignoring it's most atrocious and hypocritical criminal handling of its own virtues. (For reference examine the history of Foundational Black America) Not saying you're naive. On the contrary, I can tell by your statement that you understand the nature of my comment quite well.

[@whatwouldmalcolmdo5570]

Gary Santos, it's utterly naive to believe that a system can deliver unto a given society a substantive and tangible representation of justice while at the same time proudly ignoring it's most atrocious and hypocritical criminal handling of its own virtues. (For reference ask any Foundational Black American)

[@garysantos7053]

@@whatwouldmalcolmdo5570 The Supreme Court Case That Enshrined White Supremacy in Law However, to answer the congressman's original question: only after a long struggle. Seventeen states had laws banning interracial marriage, which is pretty much the heart of the doctrine of white supremacy, until 1967, when the Supreme Court declared them unconstitutional. From the Compromise of 1877, which ended Reconstruction, to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, American race relations were largely shaped by states that had seceded from the Union in 1861, and the elected leaders of those states almost all spoke the language of white supremacy. They did not use dog whistles. "White Supremacy" was the motto of the Alabama Democratic Party until 1966. Mississippi did not ratify the Thirteenth Amendment, which outlawed slavery until 1995. The New Yorker How Plessy v. Ferguson shaped the history of racial discrimination in America. By Louis Menand January 28, 2019 The Supreme Court's Bribery- Blessing McDonnell Decision Amy Davidson Sorkin June 27, 2016 As the governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell solicited a fifty-thousand-dollar "loan" from a nutraceutical entrepreneur named Jonnie R. Williams, Sr., and, minutes later, he texted an aide about making sure that Williams got meetings he wanted with Virginia state officials. McDonnell also accepted a Rolex watch and a twenty-thousand-dollar "loan," plus the payment of the catering bill for his daughter's wedding, all the while making calls and arranging meetings on Williams's behalf. McDonnell's wife, who had suggested to Williams that her husband could use a Rolex, also let the businessman pay for about twenty thousand dollars' worth of clothing for her, including designer dresses and (my personal favorite) a full-length white leather coat. The Supreme Court ruled, unanimously, that a Virginia jury was wrong to think that McDonnell's actions obviously counted as official corruption. What's more, in vacating his conviction, the Court set a new standard for official-bribery cases that is so absurdly narrow that it will likely be almost impossible to convict any but the most bumbling politicians of the crime. As Jeffrey Toobin predicted a few weeks ago, "Citizens United let rich people buy candidates; now they may be able to purchase office-holders, too."

[@shiitakestick]

if only describing a problem and decimating it to the public made any difference.

[@oscarhoward6505]

👍👍👍

[@jillgoldman4226]

I’ll say it again. Idiocracy. Voting AGAINST one’s best interests is the definition of STUPID. Which led to the tragedy of the Supreme Court this author discusses.

[@PetaloudesTouYialou]

It feels like it's too late to combat it. 😢

[@netofindra]

@@PetaloudesTouYialou It is. Welcome to the future.

[@xyzsame4081]

The DNC rigged the convention in 1968, riots with casualties ! that got Nison elected. The party did not care - given what had happened that year before (they crushed the protestors with help of the police). Btw that was the year Dr. King and then Robert Kennedy was assassinated.

[@marymonroy8442]

May his soul be in heaven with his loved ones.

[@2727rogers]

And may someone bring a wrongful death case against Alabama and the supreme court and sue them out of existence.

[@Camboge]

We don’t have a constitution any more

[@markg.7865]

The GOP made that clear during the phony impeachment trial.

[@reggiebald2830]

DN should interview Thom Hartman on his new book about the Supreme Court! Good timing!

[@Maxxmentum]

Its like the Supreme Court is out to get us.

[@nancyfahey7518]

Don't let this go. People are playing God and can not get away with this.

[@applepie4970]

Yes absolutely EVIL and HORRIFIC that the DEMOCRATS would BLOCK a bill to PROTECT BABIES who have survived an ABORTION. why is the DESTRUCTION of the UNBORN and NEWBORNS a PRIORITY for the Democrats. THE WRATH OF GOD IS UPON THEM

[@kurtsakslsvideosaks9185]

@@applepie4970 Because you won't adopt them or support food, schools, medical care from them.

[@johngray9861]

Our Heavenly Father is watching is watching ALL THINGS, and He hears the cries of his people. They will continue to kill Black People for there hatred of us this is there country and they control the world and they can have it. The End Times are starting and the truth shall come out of darkness and into the light.

[@sa-iw4dr]

@@applepie4970 Apple Pie, Why can't you just run your own life instead of mine? I'm not religious and don't believe in God! You'd hate that. I don't believe that every sperm and egg are a miracle. Stay out of my life! You and your religious dogma time and time have hurt me not because I deserve it but because I don't believe like you do! If you believe that is fine but its also ok not to believe.

[@sa-iw4dr]

@@applepie4970 Go home apple pie, what your even talking about is so rare and all the other issues are forgotten because your obsession. Get a life. Your the Evil one.

[@Arahansannihilation]

Don't expect justice if you're poor.

[@sa-iw4dr]

Or your the scape goat

[@jamesfiegel9675]

Roberts has been a right winger from day one and it showed in the Senate for Trump’s Impeachment.

[@markg.7865]

In the summer the court is going to rule on Trump's taxes, I bet this court is going to rule in favor of their clown messiah. A court of appeals has already ruled Trump doesn't have honor congressional subpoenas. We have a monarchy now, and Trump is the clown King.

[@rustyshackleford2185]

@midniteryder how can u bitch about the senate trial and ignore the shenanigans the house pulled ...lol why didnt schiff show let chulupa testify ...why didn't he release all dispositions...why didnt he subpoena bolton when he had the chance...why didnt they take their subpoena to court...man i didnt vote for trump butvi dont shitting on the constitution to get him out is good either

[@inferno7156]

This business of allowing non elected persons to have the final say on how we conduct business is troubling.

[@Soonzuh]

You mean "final say", right?

[@inferno7156]

@@Soonzuh Yeah error I will correct.

[@musicman7773]

Yep the Decline will continue!

[@markg.7865]

Trump and McConnell are appointing a record number of right-wing judges.

[@musicman7773]

@@markg.7865 Kaos is all the masses will get as Capitalism eats itself.

[@michaelbartlett6864]

It is ALABAMA after all - what did you expect. ALABAMA is just one rung lower and backwards on the ladder than SOUTH CAROLINA!

[@jensdamm7597]

Support the United Nations moratorium on the death penalty!

[@jensdamm7597]

@Richard Edwards then just support human rights. The pope is against the death penalty. Your argument could be used by any authoritarian regime in the world. Your nationalism is disgusting

[@michaelrowsell1160]

I am slightly to the right of Genghis Khan , but even for me this is an outrage. What has the USA become.

[@protectbodythetans]

Sweet home Alabama, disgusting.

[@protectbodythetans]

KZbin Moderator we are talking about the judiciary system and more specifically the death penalty. Mexico overall is obviously a more corrupt and dangerous country but Mexico does not have the death penalty...

[@victorpate24]

Gotta get this book... Adding this book with Professor Paul Finkelman's 'Supreme Injustice: Slavery in the Nation's Highest Court'

[@irockluculent961]

Excellent segment! Please have Adam Cohen on again! We need to wake up to the long-lasting injustice from Republicans stacking the federal judiciary with right-wing appointees.

[@wilsonlainglaing8739]

With this virus those big businesses will become poor hopefully

[@sa-iw4dr]

I heard people are staying home as much as possible and not spending

[@netofindra]

I've been not spending for years! Nothing new for me. There are far more benefits than you think to embracing your inner taoist. But I've always been a minimalist.☺

[@Labor_Jones]

1 Education for all (Primary System) even for *_Barren Trump_* The Worlds Brightest Economist say that *_American Inequality_* stem from: *_1. Improper Education of the Youth - & - 2. Not having a Progressive Tax for All._*

[@n.r.2258]

Who said, there is justice in the USA ? But that was an outstanding interview.

[@oghyeahoo6165]

"This is America" -Gambino

[@JTuaim]

My heart cries for our children.

[@nuggetji]

I’m so disgusted by the hypocrisy of the right and certainly Justice Roberts. I have little respect for any of them but the women justices.

[@philgwellington6036]

So the justice system is an injustice system. Thank you for your work in writing this book.

[@OriginalBernieBro]

Pack the court!

[@dorianchriste8645]

R.I.P., Mr. Woods. Your execution is a horrible injustice that will long be remembered. Sincere sorrow for the loss of this man to his family, friends, advocates, and others suffering from our corrupt system. God bless all of us, that we and our constitution survives this disregard of equal rights.

[@mahnamahna3252]

Noone can claim to be prolife if they support our judicial system!

[@williethomas6755]

It was uncontituional for congress to not let Obama select the SC JUSTICE. ALL OF CONGRESS SHOULD BE HEALED ACCOUNTABLE. SAD!

[@rhondarose2583]

So...what are our alternatives?actions?ASKING DIVINITY everyday!

[@Eric-ye5yz]

Justice is the bedrock of democracy, if justice does not exist, nothing else can.

[@addyrevolution1745]

Well done! 👍

[@prophetelijahw15white93]

What a shame this is injustice at its highest form God will judge the wicked! No justice no peace whom God will bring in due time!

[@OriginalBernieBro]

Oh please your imaginary sky God advocating slavery, put the magic book down!

[@Q5000]

Ya stop using religion to make yourself feel better about injustice because God will do something about it. Just an excuse not to do something yourself!

[@prophetelijahw15white93]

Q5000 never said I wouldn’t do anything but before judging someone else stand or point of view on a matter first inspect your own discrepancies so your argument can hold validity in truth

[@Q5000]

@@prophetelijahw15white93 What discrepancy? I don't believe in mythologies and fairytales that are used as an excuse to control and mistreat others. No discrepancy there.

[@prophetelijahw15white93]

Q5000 sounds an awful a lot like science with there theology’s and ideals perpetuated as fact but are nothing short of a theory or set of beliefs.

[@kayomholt-montague7661]

"Money equals speech"! The ruling that ensured that rich people would own the government. Then they said that corporations were "people"!. These two rulings ensured that our democracy would turn into a fascist government!

[@bgoodfella7413]

Our government working hard against us.

[@singingway]

Amy, please bring up the Juliana case, where the Supreme Court decided recently that citizens do not have the right to a liveable global atmosphere.

[@gordanaginamihajlovska6125]

Excuting someone who may not have been guilty is barbarity..

[@bgoodfella7413]

Another innocent man murdered by the State............CRICKETS

[@plrrentteam6924]

Wow great video

[@eirvingdiaz7185]

god damn, USA Supreme Court is walking backwards.

[@angelreed3493]

Our God is a God of Justice. All those guilty of killing the born and unborn, the innocent for wickedness will have to stand before our God of Justice, the one true Living God. They will be Judged and Punished. Guaranteed!

[@dorianchriste8645]

This execution is an abomination and a scar on our country's soul. He was innocent, lacked functional representation, and unless the jury was predominantly black, he was not judged by his peers. A confession from the shooter of those police stated the executed man did not have anything to do with the deaths. The confessed killer's evidence was ignored, dismissed. Poor black men's rights are violated by this prison for profits, and laws promoting the wealthy system we suffer still. Can the courts correct a mistaken execution? End the death penalty. Reform the entire system to remove hate and oppression from our law enforcement, judiciary and trials everywhere in our country.

[@dorianchriste8645]

@faddiegirl That depends on how it went down. There are some trained people who can take out numbers of lives and even survive/escape. And a big difference between swatt teams, special military personnel compared to a peace keeper officer. Killing a police officer is not acceptable. But don't forget, the confessed shooter said this man was not part of the murders. And the original hearing and courts wouldn't permit this evidence. It is not okay to execute a potentially innocent person. That is a fast, permanent end to all options. And if you're rich, you won't experience this injustice. Only the poor are expendable in our current nation. This system is set against everyone but the wealthy, with the poor suffering the greatest inequality and harshest sentences.

[@softshell812]

I heard about a motion this legal group is grassrooting- where there's a bigger Supreme Court and their terms last 18 years. I FULLY support. Cause litterally wtf?????????? When have they exacted real justice, ever?

[@myrasmama]

They're bringing this country to its knees... literally!

[@jasonb171]

Glad I live in a Republic on American land and not a so called democracy under the U.S. corporation.

[@Xavier-uknonada]

Right on!

[@sam70000]

down fall starts by justice system (devil's advocate)

[@elaineburnett5230]

So this is why we find ourselves here. We have been hearing this since 1950! So much effort to resist progress!

[@lillieholmes4521]

This is a damn Shame, we are talking about SUPREME INEQUALITY,,, a goddamn shame, I can’t stand looking or listening to how UNFAIR the HiGHEST COURT in the LAND, Detroit school black children got screwed

[@angelakoreth5345]

Amazing! and this is the Supreme Court of the "shining city on the hill"?

[@jaguarprophett]

Excellent broadcast...very informative...thank you!

[@1828tolstoy]

We often forget how important the SC IN OUR LIVES.

[@lambertsaldi1550]

Great work thank you 👍🇺🇸

[@mns8732]

Great report today 👍

[@rcs368]

We need to abolish these life time appointments. We need to move to a four year election cycle as we do with presidents. We need to make it so the elections of these appointees, do not fall on same election cycle as the presidential election.

[@Bugdriver49]

I would still love to know why Kennedy suddenly left the Court......was he blackmailed, and by who??

[@hermeticadept3981]

If many knew what is the result of willful death of a innocent brings the souls of the executors this world would change.

[@ephormfreeman260]

How strange timing of Antonia Scalia murder who killed supreme court justice an why?

[@fireofyah3482]

The crazy thing is no one gets away with anything death is the equalizer hate to see what’s on the other side for the wicked.

[@lamontconyers2728]

Great show on this supreme court.

[@ronaldsmith6871]

That young man Adam Cohen knows a lot about Government and he gave it up because i didn't know half of what he was talking about,but i do Now?? Thanks for the Info..

[@hollydowns2279]

We have no freedom of speech as well as no democracy

[@emilyherman4483]

unbelievable!

[@113zorba]

THIS WAS A TRAVESTY!

[@Jcewazhere]

Until we get rid of the death penalty completely we need to at least switch to nitrogen asphyxiation. Injection is one of the worst ways to go.

[@augurcybernaut4785]

Begrudgingly 👍🏽

[@PetaloudesTouYialou]

This is significant and pertinent to the UK right now. The DWP (Dept. of Work & Pensions) is being constantly taken to tribunal, and today I read, a citizen who has been treated unjustly has taken her case against DWP depriving her of benefits, to the High Court. There is also massive housing injustice under neoliberalist capitalism, and two citizens recently took two landlords and letting agents to court, because there is widespread discrimination against people who get government assistance with their rent. I hope to see laws change on the strength of these cases being won.

[@rogermccollough8787]

if you can always swing with mercy wow

[@Wanderer25]

I bet Clarence Uncle Ruckus Thomas was the first to deny the stay of execution.

[@amandanichole8648]

I'm pretty sure he was actually 😂

[@Wanderer25]

Ok I gotta give Uncle Ruckus credit when it's due. Found out he actually wrote the stay of execution, which was overruled...Even a broke clock is right twice a day.

[@mr.timjohnston546]

WHAT A GREAT TITLE AND SPOT ON WITH THE TWITS THEY HAVE IN THERE AT THE HIGHEST COURT JUST SHAMEFUL!!!

[@mauritiusdunfagel9473]

I’m pretty sure everyone in Alabama is praising “Hallelujah!”

[@almagirimai8931]

So much for the land of the brave and the home of the free. It was a nice idea, the reality is worse than middle-ages Europe.

[@christopherseton-smith7404]

Can Judges,including Supreme Court Judges, police investigators, and state lawyers be sued for malfeasance in public office, at the very least?

[@KhalidAbdullahMaroonSand]

Want to know what's really disheartening? No one gave a shit about this guy until the day of his execution.

[@dans.6525]

All the UNWANTED babies will be adopted by The Members of the Supreme Court. That’s real compassion.

[@spanky7277]

Chuck did it right !!!

[@danintheoutback1]

If money is speech, than obviously people with more money, have more speech. How does that make any sense?

[@jntj3007]

America is doomed.

[@shednut2666]

How long did he stay on death row it's the state court system first then supreme court to rule with state or not supreme court is ruled by the constitution

[@lillieholmes4521]

Why Alabama was in such a hurry to kill Nathan Woods, I know he didn’t get good representation, HE IS A BLACK MAN,, The Supreme Court has been going down hill every since George Herbert Walker Bush,,,, Put Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court,,, Clarence does nothing for anyone, he is just sitting there occupying a chair, just not fair these people have a life time job, they are not protecting the poor people,, Why are they sittings in the highest Court..

[@Henbot]

Leandro Andrade is still in jail now then? Along with others that got caught in the three strikes or did First Step act help them out?

[@charlenethechandlerbeairst1423]

It DID NO HAVE THE US SUPREME COURT THE UNITED STATESSUPREME COURT IN DIRECT OBJECT AND DIRECT OBJECT WHOSE RULING THE SUPREME COURTS INCERSLAY PROPORTION RULING

[@toddhoward1532]

The supreme court needs term limits

[@jamesandrew1117]

I would normally not watch videos with this type of content. But his points are worth considering. 50 years for shoplifting videos is upheld and in the next breath corporate America catches a break.

[@thosethatcan]

Irony . One big ransomware at SCOTUS sys. .and kaput. I mean they had to let defendants go for who knows what bad shyte in FL, Stuart. Head of PD said they went back to paper trail 1980s level after ransomware'd maga crypto currency attack .wagh?! No but really.

[@keithbell6929]

SCOTUS is a joke and deserves no respect. It has become a partisan tool of the Trump administration. Under this administration, every branch of government has joined in supporting the agenda of white male supremacy.

[@oracleofthemosthigh613]

He was a sacrifice. He was innocent blood.

[@muttleycrew]

The Supreme Star Chamber

[@johnson0ajar]

samething is happening in India, SC interfere in matters of equality by passing parliament , so central or federal gov doesn't get blamed and cost elections. There is a pattern here, this is how special interest operate across the globe.

[@johnson0ajar]

@S EE a new brand of Indian nationalism is being promoted based on religion Hinduism. This brand is owned by RSS. BJP mother organisation. This brand of hinduism does include the entire spectrum of hindu beliefs. This brand is popular in the north among upper and middle classes or caste. 100+ life has been lost since 2019. Jammu Kashmir is divided and occupied by force with restriction on freedom.

[@Halloween111]

What's the issue? SCOTUS has the best kangaroos money can buy.

[@Applecorecafe]

Lynching.

[@latisarahman1924]

JUSTICE ROBERT IS A COWARD

[@davinmaki7533]

Not fair because we don't take people's money?

[@TS-00]

America truly is a sespool of evil control innocent and ignorant slaves mislead by media lies and deceptions. Trump represented by paedophile lawyers because....

[@mattrussillo4587]

This is what happens when in breeders in States like Alabama are allowed to make their own separate laws!

[@azzemedui8477]

a philosopher once asked the question who would u rather overseeing a sea voyage u wish to take A a bunch of randomly picked citizens or B experienced ship writes and sailors . Since in a true democracy the will of the majority pick with the best judgment a leader with a certain position and direction, it becomes evident that education of those voters should take a high ranking priority - education should not stop after school

[@nickher7562]

people already know that america has unstable justice, constitution and the rule of law who has power then win win

[@one-seventh]

Even here in darkest Africa we know that. And we laugh at America.

[@nathanscottshoemaker2554]

If money represented initial stake holders before the in-surging over represented interests of leveraged capital investors, it would be proportional to productive/consumer electorate interests, as it is now, it, (money) is distorting of proportional representation.

[@heavensent607]

$$$$$$atan talk

[@rickyrydell]

LOL!

[@vanhughes]

Executed? Murdered, if true!