The Supreme Court may announce as early as Monday that it plans to revisit the controversial issue of pleadings standards under Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

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Five justices voted to reverse the Florida Supreme Court on the grounds that the recount procedure it ordered was too uncertain to satisfy equal protection standards, which require all voters be treated equally.

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While many acknowledge that the general benefits of observing an operation should be available to everyone, such as demystifying a procedure or inspiring future doctors, many feel that to ensure the highest standards of patient safety public broadcast of surgery should be pre-recorded and not a 'live' TV event.

BBC: Surgery should not be entertainment

But other doctors, especially oncologists used to the rigorous standards of proof required for big drug trials, note a lack of controlled trial data showing that the procedure extends life.

FORBES: Tumor Zappers

This is rather radical behavior by Senate standards, especially for political conservatives who have championed the filibuster or who tend to be sticklers for rules and procedure.

NPR: In Filibuster Fight, Both Parties Switch Stances