The brief authoritatively dismantles claims that same-sex marriage harms children and that kids "do better with a mother and a father," and it specifically repudiates the junk-science "study" of gay parenting published last year by researcher Mark Regnerus, an ASA member.

The fact that these conservative politicians and commentators don't even see racism unless they feel it is directed against them is precisely why we need the voices of women of color on the court.

What does it mean to tout democracy as an aspiration for the world if our own government increasingly undermines our democratic credibility?