This week, in the words of President Obama, our union became "a little more perfect." On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of Obamacare, preserving health insurance for at least 8 million people. The law, as the president said, is now "woven into the fabric of America." In dissent, Justice Scalia -- whose opinions increasingly read like he's shouting them from the Court's front porch at passersbys -- accused the majority of "jiggery-pokery" and "pure applesauce."
The next day, the Court ruled 5-4 to make marriage legal nationwide for same sex couples. "They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law," Justice Kennedy wrote. "The Constitution grants them that right." (Scalia crankily weighed in, decrying "the hubris reflected in today's judicial Putsch," and bizarrely suggesting people "ask the nearest hippie" if marriage promotes intimacy.) As cheers rang out across the country, the president hailed the courage of those who "slowly made an entire country realize that love is love."
But amid the celebration there was also sadness, as Rev. Clementa Pinckney was laid to rest in Charleston. It ended the week on a grace note -- literally. President Obama eulogized the minister, reflecting on grace:
"Grace is not merited. It's not something we deserve. Rather, grace is the free and benevolent favor of God."
And on the slain minister's considerable example to us all:
"If we can find that grace," he said, "anything is possible." He then led the assembled in a heartfelt chorus of "Amazing Grace." An amazing week, indeed.
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