This Oct. 8, 2010 file photo shows the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court in a group portrait at the Supreme Court Building in Washington. The Supreme Court is embarking on a new term beginning Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, that could be as consequential as the last one with the prospect for major rulings about affirmative action, gay marriage and voting rights. Seated from left to right are: Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Standing, from left are: Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, Associate Justice Samuel Alito Jr., and Associate Justice Elena Kagan. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)