A Unanimous Court & Mukade

In class, a professor was talking about the "horse trading" that goes on at the Supreme Court to get a majority. One judge may have strong views on one point, but may have to concede the point to sway the other justices and win the day.

My professor compared a unanimous court decision to a three-legged race with 9 people. It reminded me of a Japanese game: Mukade (shown on the left). The students have to stay in synch otherwise the whole line collapses and the students tumble to the ground. If you look carefully, you'll notice that their ankles are bound and tied together.

I wonder if members of The Court ever feel as though their hands are tied together when they agree to form an opinion of 9.