Another view of the high court

Re “The 5-4 court,” editorial, July 1

Your editorial wasn’t well thought out. What makes you think the decision to waste the McCain-Feingold Act by allowing political ads days before elections, ads that can’t be answered before polls open, is a matter of free speech? And doesn’t denying citizens the right to sue for redress of misspent tax money given to certain preferred religions limit their right of free speech?

To say that Justice Anthony M. Kennedy has voted with the majority in 24 5-4 decisions is lazy thinking.

With four conservatives and four liberals on the court, it is a matter of course that Kennedy votes with the majority. Kennedy is a conservative with a conscience. This makes him the swing vote on the court. The other four conservative justices are unencumbered by conscience.

The question is: Why so many 5-4 decisions?

TOM FREEMAN

Pinon Hills, Calif.