Why Do The “Supremes” Get 90 Days Off? — And Other Summertime Questions
The Supreme Court of the United States is in recess, returning on the first Monday in October. Some of the Justices will be available for special decisions via phone on appeals and last minute reprieves. DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO GETS 90 DAYS OFF?
The problems of America are too big for the Supremes to get three months off the job. They get more time off than the Congress, and you know how I feel about the productivity of Congress. They get more time off than the President, who lately is looking like he’s already on vacation! These are difficult times. Yes, I know that the Supremes need time to read and study and all that good stuff. But they owe us more time. And if they are too tired to do the job, maybe its time for some of them to go into retirement.
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GAS GOUGERS? Why is it that in the same neigborhood, gasoline prices are so different, sometimes by a dime a gallon? The biggest problems seem to be in the suburbs. Most city-based stations are featuring similar prices at the pump. The Counties all have their weights and measures inspectors. The District Attorneys do not take 90 days off like the Supreme Court. It would be interesting to do some surveillance on a few gas stations to see how many times during a twelve-hour period they change prices. Something is not right, and our governments, at the local and state levels, are hesitate to check out this potential trouble.
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GOOD VIBRATIONS –
After 45 years , and a series of false alarms, Mayor Nutter is taking a determined approach about genuine development on the Philadelphia waterfront. Along with Ed Rendell’s dredging plan, which will super charge the local maritime industry, there is finally some direction. Along with this positive environment, NJ Governor Jon Corzine, he of the higher tolls and increased taxes mold, is threatening to block the dredging operation. Politics always wins out on the wateefront, but Corzine, who has millions to spend on his own re- election, will find that the dredging controversy could impact on his chances for a second term. Powerful forces, some of them Democrat, and pro-union, are not happy with Corzine’s position.
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POLITICAL FORECAST —
Newest hot names on the VP List; For Obama — Former Senator Bill Bradley, Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, and ex Fla. Senator Graham.
Newest “buzzed” names for McCain — Former Health Secretary Tommy Thompson, Condi Rice (again) and Elizabeth Dole.
Don’t take any of these names to the bank.
Well when you consider some recent decisions, such as Kelo (abuse of eminent domain) and giving foreign terrorists apprehended on the field of battle in foreign countries the same rights as US citizens, maybe it would be better if the Supremes had an even longer recess… 90 days is not enough.
Larry, the Supreme Court Justices get three months “off” because that’s tradition. The country has had several bigger problems in the past (try the Civil War, for example). We all know you want FREE AIR, but that’s no reason to harsh on the Justices.
In fact, I do know a lot of other people who get three months off. They’re called TEACHERS.
As for salaries and what the Justices owe us, why don’t you look at the fact that they could make many times what they’re making if they were to go into private practice. You probably made more than they do just for reading the news, a pretty silly job by comparison.
Finally, consider the fact that you are not guaranteed a right of appeal to the Supreme Court in most cases. In most situations, the appeals are discretionary, and the Court has to grant a writ of certiorari. They take up the important cases that need to be resolved. Others, they can leave in the capable hands of the judges of the United States Courts of Appeals for the various circuits.
What an insipid comment. It’s almost as stupid as your continuing suspicion about varying gas prices in the region. There’s an easy explanation for that. Most local stations don’t control the prices. They’re often set by the parent company. And they price by region, etc. It’s not some kind of conspiracy to DEPRIVE YOU OF A DOLLAR when you fill up. I guess we shouldn’t expect much more from someone who follows the local news mantra of sensationalism. If you don’t like it that a station is charging ten cents more a gallon, fill up somewhere else. Your efforts at populism are terribly misguided. I guess that’s why you’re not on Obama’s or McCain’s VP lists.
Ever K-12 teacher you know get 90 days off per year, Larry. They get 2 1/2 months off during the summer, a week at Christmas and a Spring vacation week. Add in sick days, personal days, personal development days, etc. They probably get more time off than 90 days. Don’t begrudge the either, Larry. They work hard for their money.
Larry, count on Obama to pick a female running mate. Someone with a good demographic and executive experience. Kathleen Sebelius or Janet Napolitano fit the bill. Its all about appealing to all of the important demographics at this point. It’s his race to lose.
John McCain is a Dead Man Walking (figuratively). His decision on the VP will only determine the percentage by which he loses. He will likely pick a younger, conservative with economic development experience in a state he needs to win. Because of his huge ego, he’ll want to pick someone he can dominate (so rule out Romney and Huckabee). Charlie Crist, Rick Perry or someone of that ilk. Picking Condi Rice would be confirming a direct link to the failed Bush administration. Elizabeth Dole will be 72 years old next month. She’s older than he is.
Where do you get this “insider info”, Larry?
Let’s address the 90 days off. ( ..and not for the Court) In the interest of full disclosure-I’m married to an educator. Consider the SCHEDULED work year. Start with 365 day minus 104 weekend days = 251. I’m with a good company for some years…20 vacation days=231. 11 paid holidays=220. Teachers are usually scheduled for 190-195 work days/year. 220 minus 190 does NOT equal a 90 day difference. And if you know any teacher who does not put in another 12 hrs at home, they’re not doing their job. Many folks get extra pay or comp time for the expected extra hours on the job. And, I didn’t need a Master’s degree.
I, too, am am married to a K-12 educator. I am not being judgemental nor do not begrudge her time off. She works at home 10-15 extra hours per week on preparation, grades or administrative non-sense all school year. She’s underpaid and overworked.
The fact remains shes off from mid-June through Labor Day. That is 11 weeks. She has a week off at Christmas and another week off in April. That is 13 weeks off or 91 days. My sister is a teacher in NJ has has the same time off.
The Supreme Court goes into session the beginning of October. They adjourn the end of June. That is 13 1/2 weeks off. So if Larry is calling that 90 days, then teachers are off 90 days. Simple math.
I dunno,maybe so Kennedy has enough time to recover from his lobotomy ?
I think McCain & Romney will kiss & make up & then thrash Abu Natasha & whoever he picks.
Wateefront ? Spell check beats even free air.
YBP, go easy on Larry and the spelling errors. After all, he has 365 days off every year. We should expect nothing from him. He fundamentally misunderstands the way that the Supreme Court works. They receive petitions for certiorari nearly all year. They sit for argument and decide cases between October and June, but that doesn’t mean that they’re unavailable for, say, emergency petitions to stay execution in death sentence cases. It’s not really “90 days off.” It’s just 90 days when they’re not hearing argument or issuing opinions. The calendar really has nothing to do with whether it’s an effective institution.
What shocks me is the ageism Larry displays here towards the Justices. What a hypocrite. He’s probably a closeted anti-Semite to boot.
When you consider that a Supreme Court Justice makes less than junior lawyers in New York, maybe the justices deserve “time off” to write, speak or pursue other lucrative opportunities to even their compensation with the lowest rung of their field’s private sector.
Should we have a bake sale for the Supreme Court Judges?
hello Larry,
you’re not kidding about the price of gas changing everyday,last week while i was starting pumping gas into my RX-350 the gas price was $4.01.9 when i finished filling the tank the gas went up to $4.05.9.
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on the vp buzz,colin powell is about the only chance john mccain has,and that will force obama to tap Hillary for vp.
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also the buzz i hear is that Chelsea Clinton will enter the world of politics in the near future,is that the same buzz you hear Larry?.
Colin Powell won’t even allow himself to be in a position to block another black man from being President. He would not align himself with John McCain. It’s a lost cause.
Chelsea entering politics, though on her own is fine, represents everything wrong with American party politics. Name recognition and nepotism reign. The Kennedys have made a laughing stock out of MA (and RI). Wouldn’t Chelsea be better served striking out on her own career?
Leo- You’re getting personal and I don’t allow personal attacks here. I don’t accuse people of being this-or-that because of your views.
If you’ve got some venom, aim it at people who will appreciate your disrespect for other points of view.
On the subject of gas prices: This is very important to people -perhaps not to you Leo.
Bye Leo.
F- the teachers and their stupid easy schdule. The people who go to “teachers” colleges have the lowest SAT scores of anyone who is admitted to college. God bless that these intelluctually challeneged people find work, but if you want to marterized them, bring on the facts and I will eviserate you with the reality that we all know, including Larry- the closet liberal Jew. The Jews love the public school system in Philadelphia, because the least gifted of them milk it and could care less how much black kids learn, its their affirmitive action program- look into it and disprove my assertion. I even have data on Larry’s family , so bring the facts and let’s see what i can expose.
Larry, if you knew what life is like down in the trenches you would understand that a dime or two per gallon really doesn’t mean much when we are already paying over four dollars.
Perhaps your subject matter could be more pertinent. I myself have learned how to access the Internet without a subscription. I’ve also gotten rid of my land phone line and hooked in to my neighbor’s cable connection, thus saving me a lot of moola. This I know is illegal but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Now I can’t even buy a Cheese steak without plopping down over ten dollars. If I want peppers it’s an extra fifty cents if I want onions, it’s an extra fifty cents, if I want extra cheese it’s an extra buck. Why aren’t you up in arms about that? Maybe the government should intervene here.
Sorry to put a ding in your ego, Larry. Maybe you should apply your powerful insight to yourself and your slurs of President Carter, a much much much greater man than you’ll ever be, your quest for FREE AIR notwithstanding. You called him an anti-Semite because of his views and attemps to work for peace. Talk about venom.
Hey Leo, Jimma Carter is hardly someone who should be compared to Larra Kane.
Jimma was a knee jerk reaction of a country to an overbearing and mean spirited former president who inhabited the White House. Larry has every right to pan the former prez. A person can be smart and right yet not be able to accomplish anything. Thus you have the presidency of James Earl Carter.
Ed, you can criticize Carter for his failures as a president, and rightly so. But to call him an “anti-Semite” is beyond the pale, especially when he’s working for peace. That’s just disrespectful.
leo-back off Larry.
George, you’re either off of your meds or you’re a plant to try and stir things up here, right?
I don’t understand the anti-educator rant
(provable nonsense), the race bait (???) or the long running anti Jewish thing ( just plain mean)
Leo face it,Jimmy cares more about the Palestinians than the welfare of the Jews. Isreal is the only nation in the mideast that has a democratic form of government. WE US back that.
Ed, even if that’s true that Carter cares more about the displaced Palestinians than he does about Israel, that doesn’t make him an anti-Semite.
jr, Larry is a public figure. You’ve said a number of completely outrageous things about public figures here. He’s a big boy, and he can handle criticism of some of the silly things he says.
As for gas price disparity, today I bought a quart of blueberries for $2.99. I saw them at another store in my neighborhood yesterday for $3.29. Should we be investigating?
You guys are losing focus of the only critical issue… free air. Let us not lose our focus.
As someone who eats blueberries year round, I can tell you the price fluctuates wildly. It is $3.99 a pint during the winter if you can even find them.
Oh well,so much for the “civil blog”.Kinda went off the rails.
J.R.-Obama’s not tapping Hillary for anything.Sorry to break the news but look at the bright side.She’ll be able to run in 2012 to prevent a second term for President McCain.
I have finally seen the light with regards to Larry’s call for FREE AIR. I have a slow leak in my left rear tire and need to fill er up every other day or two. At 75 cents a pop this is getting expensive. Larry I am now on board. free air! free air!! free air! free Mumia! free Iraq! free Tibet! free beer! free sex! Let freedom ring!!!!!!
YAP, even with Leo hectoring Larry for spelling mistakes and statements that Larry admittedly doesn’t seem to have thought through before making them, this blog comments section is amazingly civil compared to most.
That said:
1) Leo is right that the Supreme Court still gets work done, even when its “term” has expired. Appeals from the federal courts of appeal come in all the time. They usually only hear argument and issue decisions when they are in term, but that does not mean that there isn’t a lot of other work that they have to do to keep the Court running well. Like Leo, I was suprised to see Larry making the somewhat ageist remark about justices being too tired to do the job and needing to go into retirement. I thought Larry was against ageism.
2) The fact that prices vary by a dime or so from gas station to gas station does not mean that anyone is price gouging. Price gouging occurs following a crisis situation, usually a natural disaster, where a business raises prices unreasonably high to maximize profits on sales made where the buyer is under duress. That’s not the situation with gas prices. Global demand is up, and new production hasn’t come on line. That leads to higher prices. If there were a concern, it would be along antitrust lines. That is, we should worry about whether oil companies have agreed not to compete on price — in other words, price fixing. However, variations in price tend to show an absence of such an agreement. Also, as Leo and others have pointed out here before, some of the price depends on what the oil company wants to charge. Some of it is discretionary with independent station owners. Why would the frequency with which a station changes the price of gasoline have anything to do with price gouging? Oil futures change price every day. Are gas stations not allowed to adjust for that and the changes in expected prices of gasoline from the oil companies that supply them?
3) I disagree with Larry’s seemingly gratuitous assessment of Corzine as a politician of the “higher tax” mold. Corzine inherited a budget fiasco in New Jersey, and he’s making the best of it. New Jersey’s government is bigger than ours is, presumably because they’re investigating gas stations all the time when people like Larry call on them to do so. That stuff costs money. His opposition to dredging is based on an express agreement with Rendell’s administration that Rendell is intent on breaching. Larry didn’t mention that important fact. It’s bad politics to make agreements with neighboring governments that you don’t intend to honor. I’d say that would take Rendell of of anyone’s list for VP candidates. Speaking of which . . . .
4) All of those names have been bandied about for several months. Some have even been put forth by Larry before. I don’t see anything at all new about them.
That is all.
Ed, within a few weeks it will end up being cheaper to repair or buy new tire. Thank you for joining the crusade! Don’t forget to Free Willie!
CT, thanks for joining the fray. Where have you been? Out researching other blog options?
BTW, you have not missed much here.
FT!FA!, have you seen the comments on Will Bunch’s Attytood blog? This is like a kiddie park in comparison.
I’ve been on vacation in Western Europe. Talk about high gas prices! People over here drive too much. And drive big gas-wasting cars and SUVs. Over there it’s like $8 a gallon! I drive a small car and mainly use SEPTA. I don’t have much sympathy for the polluters in their SUVs, who increase demand and make gas more expensive for the rest of us!
CT, I’m one of those polluting, gas gussling SUV drivers.
I was stationed in Germany in the late 70’s. It was $4 a gallon then.
FT!FA!, I can see why the free air would make such a big difference to you then. Your fill up and air will be $100 instead of $100.50!
Chiclettooth-I agree,this is usually very civil.No attack mode types & mostly smug FREE.But,of course,that makes sense on a blog dominated by everything free.Attytood is amusing at times.
We don’t generally attack each other here. Just third parties.
This is not a blog for serious bloggers. Even Larry isn’t a serious blogger.
The Lukoil dealer at Black Horse Pike and Kings Hwy in Mt Ephram is offering free air to all Larry Kane bloggers… One small step for mankind…
The nice thing about Attytood is that the topics change. Larry doesn’t feel that changing talking points has any merit. We must and we will get free air!
With all due respect to George’s inability to liven up the dialogue, I doubt Larry will start bringing up subjects which are controversial. It’s a shame that Larry’s input doesn’t generate much of an output. According to Larry we have a Supreme Court full of old people who get too much time off, as boats ply the shallow Delaware River while we comb the roads looking for gas a dime cheaper, thinking about who is going to be the next veep.
Are we expecting the Queen Mary to dock at Penns Landing? Are we expecting cruise ships to start making stops at Easton, Phillipsburg and Delaware Water Gap? Are we searching for Jimmy Hoffa’s body? Why are we dredging the Delaware? Do we hope to find free air among the silt?
FT!FA!, maybe it’s so Carnival Cruise Lines can reenact Washington’s Crossing.
Actually, it’s probably so bigger ships full of liquid natural gas and oil can come further up the river.
I can see a cruise ship docking at New Hope with excursions to 1) local shopping, 2) Washington’s Crossing, 3) Ponocos’ Love Motels, 4) Slippery Rock and of course, 5) ‘The Office’ bus tour of Scranton. Should be a boom for Pennsylvania.
Poconos’
Nevermind what kinds of invasive species might spill out with bilge water from those foreign ships. Look at Michigan and its zebra mussels, which screw up all kinds of water systems by the Detroit River. Or maybe terrorists could use a bigger ship to smuggle a nuclear device into Philadelphia. Bad news.
Maybe it’s so Diana Ross and the Supremes (Court Judges) can entertain on oceanliner cruising out of Philly for the next 90 days.
Boys, boys, the main reason that we need a deeper Delaware is to bring in more stuff from exporting countries. They are also going to change that sign on the bridge over the Delaware River.
Instead of “Trenton makes the world takes” it will say “Trenton takes what the World makes”. Also the Walt Whitman bridge will have a sign erected saying “Nothing’s fina then all those imports from China”. The folks in Philly wanted the sign to say “Our hoods want your goods”. Anyhow with the deeper river maybe the ships will be able to haul the dredge material back to their countries. NJ is already overflowing in toxic waste. If toxic waste was a valuable commodity NJ would be richer than Saudi Arabia.
Ed, do you think any of those ships might be able to carry a hold full of FREE AIR? That could thwart the impending recession and make Larry the fantastic new superhero of our current economic slump.
Formerly Jim, you got me, I was off my Meds! School teachers are over-paid and under-worked, their 180 day work year, 6 hour days that incorporate time for clas prep and grading is insane. Teacher with 15 years and a masters degree make 80-90k, adjust that slaary for the amount of days and hours worked and it about $120k. The majority of teachers are not worth nearly that much.
Larry is the one who labels people anti-semites; Mel Gibson, Jimmy Carter etc. If you call someone “a closet conservative Christian” does that mean you are anti Christian? I think its just a statement of an opnion,I dont see how thats offensive. Calling people anti semites or racists without real evidence is much more offensive in my opnion.
Mr Kane
Two things,I found out about you site through a friend and find it very exciting that there is someone out there in the public eye that actually cares about the common people.I am interested
in what your insite is to the inflated gas prices ? Second what do you think in
your opion where is social security will be in ten years ?
er, Larry is a drive-by participant that checks in periodically. He probably regrets starting the blog.
LB, if a boat is full of free air, do they really need to dredge the river? What would the displacement be?
Ed, you’ve been working overtime on those import slogans. Are you sure you are not free basing the free air?
Leo, the irony is these massive ships WILL be transporting air, however it will be American air shipped overseas. We export recycled material and coal but our trade balance is way off kilter. We
not only manufacture very little but when we do succeed at making a profitable product, China knocks it off cheaper the next day.
er-Ya gotta down your own homework on this site.Kinda like,ya know,no FREE lunch.If ya really want to beat someone to the punch,check out this FREE air rumor
George, glad to see you’re back in balance. Most teachers put in 2000+ hrs/yr, generally equal to the 40hr/50 week work year. Generally speaking in industry, a masters plus 15 years yields $100K +. All those MBAs were taught by teachers.
Parochial school teachers nationally earn under $35K. Most urban teachers earn less than $60K. Most are not Jewish - that ended years and years ago here and wasn’t the case at all most places. $80-90K is usually in the suburbs where there are fewer teachers. My wife was a teacher - easy schedule? - not in my house!
Think education is expensive? Look at what stupidity costs this region - loss of jobs, loss of respect, social ills, etc.
Generally speaking, LK’s anti semite posts are focused on a person/event/time combo. I grant you, they are over the top sometime. You tend to bring the “Jew” thing out of nowhere reflecting the writer’s religion with no particular relevance to the subject. That’s kind of ‘Archie Bunker’
This sure isn’t the most exciting blog out on the wire but you know what you’re getting before you log on. Arguing politics ought to be a little higher on the intellectual food chain than “so’s your old man”
That’s my irrelevant rant for the day
FJ, no one is arguing the relevant merits of teachers/educators. It was strictly meant to show LK that a large portion of the population gets 90 days off. Even if the Supremes don’t.
YAP, do you think er is a plant or just being facetious?
FTFA-I think er is one part of a three headed blogger.Call me a conspiracy nut but that’s my guess & I’m sticking with it.
I’m a big fan of ALl in the Family Formerly Jim- I bet you’re not surprised.
Archie had his flaws, but was a dedicated husband and father, a hard worker and had a heart of gold, so thanks for the compliment.
Your points about teachers are fair, and in the interest of full disclosure my sister is a teacher. She does a good job, but is the firtst to admit the schedule is easy and some of her co-workers are among the laziest people she’s ever met. They make a huge fuss about any extra time or demand no matter how minor, and could care less if the kids learn, always trying to do the least they possibly can. This is an epidemic and is a major reason why kids are underperforming so badly. Your point about Catholic schools is true, they are paid less and have better results because they are a better caliber of teachers who care much more about teaching.
Teachers deserve reasonable pay, but too many poor performers are over paid and its next to impossible to get rid of them. The older higher paid teachers are blocking the path of younger energetic teachers who are in general better educated and and more highly motivated. Many teachers over 50 barely know how to use computers (my sister included) and its pathetic that taxpayers allow this to happen then wonder why kids are not learning skills for 21st century jobs.
George, your comments about older teachers being out of touch may be valid. I don’t know. You are correct that union rules/tenture does lead to some laziness. My wife works with a teacher that is useless, has kids dropping out of her class and is rewarded with smaller classes. Administration doesn’t know what to do so they do nothing… That goes on everywhere to a certain extent, not just in schools…
Problem is that teachers are forced to teach down to the level of the lowest common denominator. Blame it on “No Child Left Behind”. Blame it on parents that have raised kids to think they are empowered and don’t have to work. Blame it on administrators that are more concerned about indices/matrices/statistics than learning.
I think Larry should send a letter to Justice Scalia telling him that he doesn’t work hard enough. I’d be willing to wager that the response would be much more withering than anything that Leo said.
Those that can DO…. Those that can’t, get the whole summer off plus a week at Christmas and a week during spring, Thanksgiving break, Easter Monday, Presidents Day, Dr. Kings day Memorial Day, Columbus day……etc.
BTW when is some woman going to figure out that there is no holiday celebrated in honor of a female? You would think by now that the PC crowd would be up in arms over this obvious lack of representation on the holiday schedule.
For all of you looking for another day off we need a woman’s day to celebrate.
I am sure Nancy Pelosi or Barbara Boxer would push through a legislative act for any viable female heroine or explorer. How about a Molly Pitcher day or a Clara Barton and Dolly Madison long weekend?
How about Rosa Parks,Jackie Kennedy,I think Hillary Clinton will merit a holiday after she is gone.
John, I would sooner celebrate Loraina Bobbit day than give Hillary any consideration, even if it meant a day off.
Larry needs to get a woman to be the figurehead of his movement for free air. Then we could have a federal free air day with her as the eponymous hero. It would give everyone else another day off, bringing the working stiffs like us closer to the teachers and Supreme Court Justices and their numerous days of leisure.
Ed, those who can, do. Those who can’t, get kicked upstairs where they do less harm.
George, sad but true. Our system has been failing to educate for a number of years despite some great efforts by the devoted members of education. That’s why we’re slipping in the world. I’ve worked for two of the largest companies on the planet and can speak from experience that there’s plenty of slugs and non-producers ( even in the executive suite) to match the back sliders in education.
Maybe we should hijack this blog and get to arguing something other than free air or ten cent differences at the gas pump.
Form Jim , let me see…. two of the largest companies on the planet, does that mean you worked for Walmart and McDonalds? Just kidding ……
I do think the “Peter Principal” is out dated . What we have is a corporate climate that walks on egg shells. Don’t fire an incompetent lest you risk the wrath of some lawyer.