

5-4
Prologue Projects
5-4 is a podcast about how much the Supreme Court sucks. Hosted by Peter Shamshiri, Rhiannon Hamam, and Michael Liroff, it's a progressive and occasionally profane take on the ideological battles at the heart of the Court's most important landmark cases and an irreverent tour of all the ways in which the law is shaped by politics.Subscribe to our premium episodes & much more at fivefourpod.com/support5-4 is a production of Prologue Projects.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 13, 2023 • 56min
American Ship Building Company v. National Labor Relations Board
A deep dive into a landmark Supreme Court case reveals how managerial lockouts affect union strength and worker rights. Explore the ongoing conflict between labor and management, and the historical struggles that shaped today's labor laws. The discussion touches on key labor movements and the challenges unions face. Unity and solidarity among diverse groups in the labor force come into focus, alongside a preview of crucial conversations on trans rights and media union challenges. Expect humor and critical insights throughout!

Jun 6, 2023 • 51min
Sierra Club v. Morton
I am Bill Douglas, I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. And I'm asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs - who does have standing?Unless … 👉👈If you're not a 5-4 Premium member, you're not hearing every episode! To get exclusive Premium-only episodes, discounts on merch, access to our Slack community, and more, join at fivefourpod.com/support.5-4 is presented by Prologue Projects. Rachel Ward is our producer. Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons provide editorial support. Our researcher is Jonathan DeBruin, and our website was designed by Peter Murphy. Our artwork is by Teddy Blanks at Chips NY, and our theme song is by Spatial Relations.Follow Peter (@The_Law_Boy), Rhiannon (@AywaRhiannon) and Michael (@_FleerUltra) on Twitter. You can follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @fivefourpod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

May 30, 2023 • 7min
The Fall and Rise of the Death Penalty [TEASER]
The death penalty has a long, ugly, racially-motivated history in the United States. Let's dig into the state's monopoly on violence and see what terrible things it reveals about us as a nation, shall we?The full version of this premium episode is available exclusively to our subscribers. To join, visit https://www.fivefourpod.com/support.5-4 is presented by Prologue Projects. Rachel Ward is our producer. Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons provide editorial support. Our production manager is Percia Verlin. Our researcher is Jonathan DeBruin, and our website was designed by Peter Murphy. Our artwork is by Teddy Blanks at Chips NY, and our theme song is by Spatial Relations.Follow Peter (@The_Law_Boy), Rhiannon (@AywaRhiannon) and Michael (@_FleerUltra) on Twitter. You can follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @fivefourpod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

May 23, 2023 • 41min
United States v. O'Brien
War, huh, yeah. What is it good for? Curtailing the First Amendment!If you're not a 5-4 Premium member, you're not hearing every episode! To get exclusive Premium-only episodes, discounts on merch, access to our Slack community, and more, join at fivefourpod.com/support.5 to 4 is presented by Prologue Projects. Rachel Ward is our producer. Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons provide editorial support. Our production manager is Percia Verlin. Our researcher is Jonathan DeBruin, and our website was designed by Peter Murphy. Our artwork is by Teddy Blanks at Chips NY, and our theme song is by Spatial Relations.Follow Peter (@The_Law_Boy), Rhiannon (@AywaRhiannon) and Michael (@_FleerUltra) on Twitter. You can follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @fivefourpod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

May 9, 2023 • 1h 13min
The Shadow Docket with Steve Vladeck
As the Court has moved right, it's been using the "shadow docket" to execute on more of its agenda. Previously reserved for emergencies, like stays of executions, the process of hearing cases outside of the Court's ordinary calendar is now frequently used to issue unsigned and unexplained decisions that overturn the status quo. We'll dig into it with University of Texas School of Law professor Steve Vladeck, and author of The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic.If you're not a 5-4 Premium member, you're not hearing every episode! To get exclusive Premium-only episodes, discounts on merch, access to our Slack community, and more, join at fivefourpod.com/support.]5 to 4 is presented by Prologue Projects. Rachel Ward is our producer. Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons provide editorial support. Our production manager is Percia Verlin. Our website was designed by Peter Murphy. Our artwork is by Teddy Blanks at Chips NY, and our theme song is by Spatial Relations.Follow Peter (@The_Law_Boy), Rhiannon (@AywaRhiannon) and Michael (@_FleerUltra) on Twitter. You can follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @fivefourpod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

May 2, 2023 • 53min
Palmer v. Thompson
Dive into the intriguing case of Palmer v. Thompson, where Jackson, Mississippi chose to close public pools to dodge integration. Explore the historical fight for desegregation in the South and the troubling consequences of 'leveling down' public services. The discussion digs into the complexities of systemic racism woven into legal decisions, revealing the detrimental legacy of segregation on marginalized communities. It’s an eye-opening look at equality and the subtleties of law amid the backdrop of civil rights struggles.

Apr 25, 2023 • 5min
The Thomas/Crow Affair [TEASER]
Just to refresh your memory - bribery is when you write "bribe in exchange for your vote" on the memo line of a check, OR when you sign a contract saying you are doing bribes and then drop a pillowcase full of cash off at someone's office while multiple DOJ officials are watching. A billionaire ferrying a public official around on his private jet and super yacht, while he sits on the board of multiple organizations that are trying to influence the Court, is NOT bribery. It's just friends bein' friends!The full version of this premium episode is available exclusively to our subscribers. To join, visit https://www.fivefourpod.com/support.5 to 4 is presented by Prologue Projects. Rachel Ward is our producer. Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons provide editorial support. Our production manager is Percia Verlin. Our website was designed by Peter Murphy. Our artwork is by Teddy Blanks at Chips NY, and our theme song is by Spatial Relations.Follow Peter (@The_Law_Boy), Rhiannon (@AywaRhiannon) and Michael (@_FleerUltra) on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Apr 18, 2023 • 59min
Ewing v. California
The tension is palpable with the count tied at 3-2 … the defendant steps up to the plate and … OH! Swing and a miss! That's the third strike for our defendant which means the Court is going home with the win and the defendant is going to jail forever! Tax payers will also move down in the standings; they'll be footing the bill for senseless incarceration for 25 years to life. The 8th Amendment also takes a hit with this loss, moving down from "Constitutional law" to "that's just your opinion, man."If you think this episode description is dumb, wait until you hear the rationale in the decision.If you're not a 5-4 Premium member, you're not hearing every episode! To get exclusive Premium-only episodes, discounts on merch, access to our Slack community, and more, join at fivefourpod.com/support.5 to 4 is presented by Prologue Projects. Rachel Ward is our producer. Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons provide editorial support. Our production manager is Percia Verlin. Our website was designed by Peter Murphy. Our artwork is by Teddy Blanks at Chips NY, and our theme song is by Spatial Relations.Follow Peter (@The_Law_Boy), Rhiannon (@AywaRhiannon) and Michael (@_FleerUltra) on Twitter. You can follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @fivefourpod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Apr 11, 2023 • 5min
Noted Segregationist William Rehnquist [TEASER]
Well if intimidating minority voters, issuing memos in support of school segregation, and moving into a neighborhood that bars Jews from owning homes there makes you a segregationist ……then William Rehnquist was a segregationist. A man who served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Until 2005. The same year Gorillaz released "Feel Good Inc." The year Wedding Crashers came out. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia premiered BEFORE this man left the bench. Please do not let your takeaway here be "man I feel old."If you're not a 5-4 Premium member, you're not hearing every episode! To get exclusive Premium-only episodes, discounts on merch, access to our Slack community, and more, join at fivefourpod.com/support.5 to 4 is presented by Prologue Projects. Rachel Ward is our producer. Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons provide editorial support. Our production manager is Percia Verlin. Our website was designed by Peter Murphy. Our artwork is by Teddy Blanks at Chips NY, and our theme song is by Spatial Relations.Follow Peter (@The_Law_Boy), Rhiannon (@AywaRhiannon) and Michael (@_FleerUltra) on Twitter. You can follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @fivefourpod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Apr 4, 2023 • 57min
Cruzan v. Missouri Department of Health
This episode contains discussions about the right to die, end of life matters, and suicide, which may be uncomfortable for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please seek help immediately. Resources and support for those in need can be found at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988lifeline.org, or by dialing 988. Please take care while listening.If you're not a 5-4 Premium member, you're not hearing every episode! To get exclusive Premium-only episodes, discounts on merch, access to our Slack community, and more, join at fivefourpod.com/support.5 to 4 is presented by Prologue Projects. Rachel Ward is our producer. Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons provide editorial support. Our production manager is Percia Verlin. Our website was designed by Peter Murphy. Our artwork is by Teddy Blanks at Chips NY, and our theme song is by Spatial Relations.Thanks to Erin Hawley, who reviewed this episode and helped us make it better. You can find her online at geekygimp.com.Follow Peter (@The_Law_Boy), Rhiannon (@AywaRhiannon) and Michael (@_FleerUltra) on Twitter. You can follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @fivefourpod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands