Our name, Play in the Joints, comes from a famous Supreme Court line about the interplay of seeming opposites–there, the Free Exercise Clause (“FEC”) and the Establishment Clause (“EC”) in the First Amendment. Walz v. Tax Comm’n of New York, 397 U.S. 664, 669 (1970). Although these clauses seem to cancel each other out–too much accommodation for free exercise can amount to an establishment, and too little (or too much) establishment can hamper free exercise–the Courts have decided there is some “play in the joints” between them. This is a happy middle ground where opposing concepts can peacefully (if not lovingly) coexist.
This site explores this middle ground between extremes, particularly in modern public policy. There is almost always a compromise to be had if two sides can come together, and we’d like to approach that discussion with some playfulness. Opinions and feelings run deep, so it helps not to take things too seriously. Frankly, we can all use a reminder from time to time.
Current management runs left of the middle. We could use a moderate conservative voice or two to balance things out–but no MAGA nitwits, please (no commies either 😉 ).