MARK SHERMAN
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The lack of transparency at the Supreme Court begins with the heavy red drapes that frame the courtroom on all sides. The court replaced the drapes this summer, but would not reveal the name of the company that did the work.
The Supreme Court's role in a bitterly divided Washington and nation may be more important than ever, yet basic details about how the court operates remain obscured. The court is not subject to the federal Freedom of Information Act and the justices are not bound by most ethics rules that apply to all other federal judges.
Its arguments aren't televised. The justices decide for themselves how much to tell the public about travel plans, speaking engagements or health issues. They typically don't disclose their reaso
