I guess the language that Justice Ginsburg used at the closing of the VMI (United States v. Virginia Military Institute) case is an important thing; it resonates with me: 'A prime part of the history of our Constitution is the story of the extension of constitutional rights to people once ignored or excluded.'
Ted OlsonIt happens every once in awhile at the federal level when the solicitor general, on behalf of the U.S., will confess error or decline to defend a law. I don't know what is going through the [Obama] administration's thought process on 'don't ask, don't tell.' It would be appropriate for them to say 'the law has been deemed unconstitutional, we are not going to seek further review of that.'
Ted OlsonNo one aspires as a child to grow up and enter into a domestic partnership. But they do aspire as children to grow up and be married.
Ted OlsonWould you like Fox's right to free press put up to a vote and say well, if five states have approved it, let's wait till the other 45 states do?
Ted OlsonThe very idea of marriage is basic to recognition as equals in our society any status short of that is inferior, unjust, and unconstitutional.
Ted Olson