This is one of those years in which the holidays of Christmas and Chanukah overlap. Merry Christmas and/or happy Chanukah to those who are celebrating.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a holiday that (despite other differences) virtually everyone observes and can appreciate. A very Happy Thanksgiving to all the readers of this blog. For myself, as Henry David Thoreau said, “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”

Today marks the ninth anniversary of this blog. As in past years, my thanks go out to all those who read, comment on, cite, forward, or otherwise make use of this blog. That includes judges, attorneys, law professors and students, and laypeople, all of whom I hope have benefited and will continue to benefit from this blog. Our Supreme Court continues to be one of the best in the nation, and the Appellate Division remains the busiest undivided appellate court in the country. The Third Circuit too is a body of distinction. It is a pleasure to cover the output of these courts, and to receive...