The fact that the Supreme Court’s ruling against buffer zones around abortion clinics in Massachusetts was unanimous makes it more difficult for people to make a political argument against it. Obviously, many people are outraged or at least frustrated by the decision, but unanimity confers credibility on Supreme Court decisions.
I think it damages the standing of the Supreme Court every single time they issue 5-4 decisions that split along party lines. Unanimous decisions don’t really enhance they Court’s reputation but they take the steam out of debates about their rulings.
In this case, I don’t like the way the Court ruled, although I haven’t had a chance to read their decision. I think it’s very important to protect people’s safety and I’m doubtful that the Justices took that consideration into sufficient account.
