DAVID BOIES

Since the publication of Jo Becker's controversial Forcing the Spring, it's fair to say that the Prop 8 legal team have been on the defensive. A lot of us have wondered what they thought about the book, so last week I interviewed Ted Olson, a lifelong Republican and former solicitor general under George W. Bush, and put these and other questions to him.

As for so many of my friends who were present to listen to the president, all the aspects of my life seemed to have come together to help produce positive change. The education, advocacy, community service and political lobbying and maneuvering all have that one goal: to create a better world for the next generation.

It's hard enough to overcome stigma and discrimination, particularly for minority populations, but when the underlying economic trends are tearing the country apart, the challenge becomes even more difficult.

Some people, and organizations, simply can't help themselves.

In his most recent bestseller, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, Malcolm Gladwell encourages a different understanding of adversity -- to recognize disadvantages as genuine advantages.

AFER is joining a preexisting lawsuit brought by two couples in Virginia. Ted Olson and David Boies will assume the role of lead co-counsel and will put forth the same constitutional arguments that were successful in the Prop 8 case.

I participated in a conference call with the American Foundation for Equal Rights moments after their Supreme Court victory. Speaking on the call are AFER Executive Director Adam Umhoefer; lead co-counsel David Boies; plaintiffs Kris Perry, Sandy Stier, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo; and others.

Ron Reagan and Erick Erickson debate judicial matters after the DOMA and VRA decisions. But there's a larger subtext -- is Obama's center-left country and Roberts's hard-right Court moving toward a collision? Then, Obama tries to cool off the planet and the frenzy over Snowden.

Tweets about "#aspenideas" TIME: 6:15p-8:15p EST For more information and a schedule of events for the 2013 Aspen Ideas Festival

Boies acknowledged that he was surprised that the justices raised concerns about the timing of the case during oral arguments

As the Prop 8 case finally reached the Supreme Court on Tuesday, AFER took a camera crew along to document all the behind-the-scenes excitement. The result: an exclusive inside look as the Prop 8 plaintiffs, attorneys, and board finally reached the Supreme Court.