The Texas redistricting mess, with a Supreme Court ruling moving in the direction of Republicans, could bounce back. The SCOTUS ruled on which interim maps to use while a lawsuit from minority groups against the maps worked out by the legislature made its way through the courts. Now there are indications that Texas attorneys will settle on this issue, in a big win for the minority groups.

The Supreme Court just boosted Republican chances to hold the House of Representatives today by throwing out maps drawn by a panel of judges, and ordering new maps for the state’s reapportionment.

The Supreme Court hears a case today on Texas redistricting maps that could pose a challenge to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which forces states with a history of discrimination to pre-clear their election laws with the Justice Department.

Because the Supreme Court upheld Indiana’s voter ID law in 2008, it would not surprise me to see them uphold South Carolina’s version. And that could be a means to invalidate Section 5, giving Southern states with a history of racial discrimination in voting the chance to do so again.

Much has been said about the protests and whether those involved have valid reasons. Though the protesters have many diverse issues they have come together over, to me at this point the most important reason is to stand up for our right to assemble. In childhood, teachers taught me that the right for the people to speak up and assemble to demand a redress of grievances is one of the most fundamental things that defines being an American citizen. And yet now these 38 peaceful activists — along with a small but notable number of arrests since — are banned from City Hall for one year.

This needs to be thrown in the face of every Republican who spouts “tort reform!” when asked what they’re going to do about health care. For years, they’ve pretended like it’s some kind of magic fairy dust that’s the answer to all our problems. It’s a boon for the medical industrial complex. That’s all.

Immigration will doom the Secessionist’s campaign. Willard is already running attack ads against him on the issue, and now, Texas Teabaggers — who never liked the Secessionist — are piling on, too.

It should be noted, for the record, that the Roberts court is one of the most right-wing Supreme Courts in generations. Buncha activist judges tramplin’ on our states’ rights.

The Supreme Court made the rare decision to step in and order a stay of execution for Duane Edward Buck in Texas, hours before he was to die, because the jury sentencing him to death was told that Buck posed a greater threat to public safety because of his race.

The justices still must determine whether they will review the Buck case, so this stay may not last very long.

The worst wildfires in Texas history are still burning, and so far, have destroyed 1,000 homes and tens of thousands of acres. And the Secessionist, who was last seen begging the feds for help — has some ‘splainin’ to do.