Meanwhile, in Washington D.C . . .

The US Supreme Court is: 

• saying goodbye to Justice Stevens, who takes the bench for the last time today;
• mourning the loss of Justice Ginsburg's husband, tax law expert Martin Ginsburg;
• keeping an eye on the start of the confirmation hearings for Elena Kagan (watch live here!); and
• issuing notable opinions on free speech, the Second Amendment, separation of powers, and patentability.

That last case gives me a great idea.  Too bad now I can't patent it . . .