In a matter of a few hours, debate was conducted on a range of fairly fundamental proposed amendments, from planning (including sites for Gypsies and Travellers) to the issues around social housing.
In the last month alone, majorities on the court said gun ownership was a fundamental Second Amendment right that applies to states and cities, while reducing the First Amendment rights of those who try to pacify terrorist groups.
I can't think of a more fundamental First Amendment issue".
"The decision below represents a startling and dangerous departure from fundamental First Amendment doctrine," the brief said.
The decision severely undermines fundamental Fourth Amendment principles that protect individuals against unjustified searches and incursions on privacy by law enforcement.
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, writing for the majority, said the case presented fundamental First Amendment issues because it restricted the use of truthful information in private hands based on the identity of the speaker and the content of its speech.
The Supreme Court, in an important case last week, reaffirmed the fundamental Fourth Amendment principle that searches and seizures must be based on suspicion that a particular individual is engaged in wrongdoing.
"I did not see any explanation or justification for an official Senate committee inquiry into activities protected by the first amendment," he wrote, concluding, "we decline to participate in this endeavor and object to your apparent efforts to infringe upon and potentially stifle fundamental first amendment activities".
WASHINGTON — A somewhat esoteric Supreme Court case on Tuesday about data mining by drug companies turned into a debate over a fundamental First Amendment principle that has much engaged the justices lately: What role may the government play in regulating the marketplace of ideas?
The Court ended up deciding that the law violated the fundamental First Amendment principle that "all persons have access to places where they can speak and listen," noting that social media has become one of the most important forums for expression of our day.
