Silly Errors

Looking at the MSNBC story again, I note this rather blatant error in their sub-heading:

Justices say it violates Constitution’s equal protection clause

Well, no. O'Connor said that. The majority said it violates the Constitution's Due Process Clause. Though both located in the 14th Amendment, they are quite different. Just for the record:

Due Process Clause (This is where we get the right to privacy that protects abortion rights and now the right to sodomy, and where the old Lochner line of cases protected economic contract/property rights):

[No state shall] deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law

Equal Protection Clause (This is where we get the bans on racial/gender classifications):

nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws

OK, now I feel better.