WASHINGTON -- We prefer to think of the Supreme Court as an institution apart from politics and above its struggles. In the wake of this week's decision gutting the heart of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, its actions must now be viewed through the prism of the conservative movement's five-decade-long quest for power. Liberals will still win occasional and sometimes partial … [Read more...] about The third political branch
Supreme Court Conservatives Shred a Civil Rights Law (Guest Voice)
Supreme Court Conservatives Shred a Civil Rights Law By Dick Polman John Roberts is a very patient man. Thirty years ago, as a young lawyer in Ronald Reagan's Justice Department, he wrote memos attacking a landmark civil rights law that was enacted to ensure that all Americans, regardless of color, had the right to vote. And on Tuesday morning, as chief justice of the U.S. … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Conservatives Shred a Civil Rights Law (Guest Voice)
After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage
After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage (via The Christian Science Monitor) The Defense of Marriage Act evaporated in the US Congress not with a bang but with a whimper on Wednesday, after the US Supreme Court struck down the core of the law, allowing same-sex couples to access federal benefits in states that recognize gay… … [Read more...] about After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage
Physician Roy Nearly Discharged Dole From Senate In ’74
Historic Quote: "I wouldn't mind if he did a fly over." Bob Dole during the waning days of Watergate on whether he wanted Nixon to campaign for him. In the 1970's, it was rare to find a doctor in the House. For two terms, Kansas had one in Bill Roy. And in 1974, they darned near sent him to the Senate, over none other than Bob Dole. Roy’s resume would make every parent … [Read more...] about Physician Roy Nearly Discharged Dole From Senate In ’74
Is Snowden ‘TheTrueHOOHA’?
In an interesting piece on Monday, Bloomberg.com rightly notes that Snowden’s location and motives shouldn’t distract attention from “what really matters.” “What really matters” being -- according to Bloomberg -- the growing U.S. “security apparatus,” the “unprecedented scale” at which the U.S. government is monitoring its citizens, and other alleged problems with the … [Read more...] about Is Snowden ‘TheTrueHOOHA’?
DOMA’s invalidation created a ‘goosebumps moment’
DOMA's invalidation created a 'goosebumps moment' (via NewsWorks) June 26, 2013 By Emma Jacobs, @ecjacobs As news of DOMA's invalidation by the Supreme Court spread today, LGBT people in the Philadelphia region and elsewhere celebrated, while those who oppose same-sex marriage expressed dismay. The court invalidated… … [Read more...] about DOMA’s invalidation created a ‘goosebumps moment’
(Updated) DOD to Implement Supreme Court Decision on DOMA ‘Immediately’
Now that the Supreme Court has struck down as unconstitutional the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples, meaning that all couples will be equal in the eyes of the federal law, how does this ruling affect military spouses in same-sex marriages? The Department of Defense has wasted no time in welcoming the Supreme Court … [Read more...] about (Updated) DOD to Implement Supreme Court Decision on DOMA ‘Immediately’
DOMA, the Supreme Court and Individual Freedom
As a Republican, who is socially conservative, I have been waiting in interest for today's Supreme Court decision on DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act). The Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional because of states' rights and 5th amendment violations. Social conservatives see this as a defeat of traditional marriage and I agree with their assessment of the court's … [Read more...] about DOMA, the Supreme Court and Individual Freedom
Discussion Or Distraction: Snowden And The Surveillance Disclosures
Well, fine. There was a feeling of personal vindication in reading the Bloomberg editorial during this morning’s perusal of editorial opinions. You see, I have taken the position that the dissing of Edward Snowden, as well as the speculation of his whereabouts, has become a distraction to the central issues that we should be focused on. When the President of the United … [Read more...] about Discussion Or Distraction: Snowden And The Surveillance Disclosures
Supreme Court Votes For Marriage Equality
The United States Supreme Court today voted in favor of marriage equality by striking down two controversial laws. In the case of Hollingsworth v Perry the court voted 5-4 hat the supporters of Proposition 8 lacked standing to defend the law. The decision of the 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals is vacated and the case is remanded to that court with order to dismiss the appeal … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Votes For Marriage Equality
Snowden’s Revelations Reveal Democratic and Republican Splits
When House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke before progressive activists at the Netroots Nation recently, she became a symbol of a split lurking within the Democratic and Republican parties that could undercut impact the 2016 Presidential race. The reason: Pelosi was booed in a seeming throwback to the 1960s, when the Democratic Party's left wing perceived the government … [Read more...] about Snowden’s Revelations Reveal Democratic and Republican Splits
U.S. Supreme Court Rules Portion of Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional
BREAKING: The U.S. Supreme Court rules a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. Stirkes down DOMA. The court said the federal government cannot disparage marriages recognized by the states. It was a 5-4 decision. "DOMA singles out a class of persons deemed by a State entitled ot recognition and protection to enhance their own liberty."Justice Kennedy: … [Read more...] about U.S. Supreme Court Rules Portion of Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional
SCOTUS Voting Rights (Cartoon)
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about SCOTUS Voting Rights (Cartoon)
Court Rules on Race But Obama Hatred Tells More
Skin color in America is still destiny, as the Supreme Court and the George Zimmerman trial remind us this week, but how far have we come in a lifetime and how far do we still have to go? Below these visible eruptions over race and even more important for the future is the double-edged story of Barack Obama. Yes, we have elected and reelected an African-American president, … [Read more...] about Court Rules on Race But Obama Hatred Tells More
Texas Legislature Changes Timestamps on SB5 Votes
UPDATE 12.32 am 2.51 am 11.50 pm Pacific SB5 did not pass. Later on Wednesday, Gov. Perry called a special session for July 1. And thus marked the first time in #Texas history that a bunch of rich, old white men couldn't bend the rules to get their way. #SB5— Arturas Rosenbacher (@Arturas_) June 26, 2013 There was drama afoot in Austin today as … [Read more...] about Texas Legislature Changes Timestamps on SB5 Votes
Rep. Edward Markey Projected to Win Massachusetts Senate Race
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D) is projected to win the Massachusetts Senate race, defeating Republican Gabriel Gomez. With most precincts reporting Tuesday night, Markey led Gomez 53 percent to 46 percent, according to the Associated Press, which called the race about an hour after polls closed. Read more at the Washington Post. … [Read more...] about Rep. Edward Markey Projected to Win Massachusetts Senate Race
Snooping could cripple trust in US
President Barack Obama’s efforts in foreign affairs could suffer body blows if NSA snooping on America and the world continues unchanged. The US may find fewer sympathizers of its foreign policies, almost none of which can be implemented without the support of friends and allies. US leadership of the international community stems from the trust of the majority of nations … [Read more...] about Snooping could cripple trust in US
A blow for bigotry: The Supreme Court demolishes the Voting Rights Act
As you may have heard by now, the Supreme Court -- or, rather, the Supreme Court's right-wing majority, issued a ruling today that significantly undermines the efficacy of the Voting Rights Act: The Supreme Court on Tuesday effectively struck down the heart of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by a 5-to-4 vote, ruling that Congress had not provided adequate justification for … [Read more...] about A blow for bigotry: The Supreme Court demolishes the Voting Rights Act
The Hypocrisy of the Transparency Messiahs
In this era, Americans have been “blessed” by having a number of men who have taken it upon themselves to save the citizens of the United States from their intrusive government. One of them, Bradley Manning, is incarcerated and being tried by the American military. He was a soldier when he transmitted classified information to Wikileaks, disregarding its effect on the nation’s … [Read more...] about The Hypocrisy of the Transparency Messiahs
President Vladimir Putin: Russia Will Not Extradite Edward Snowden to U.S.
Vladimir Putin to Barack Obama --Russia will not extradite Edward Snowden BREAKING: Well, President Obama just got another kick in the gut from Russia. President Vladimir Putin says NSA leaker Edward Snowden won't be turned over to the U.S. government since he didn't break any laws in Russia. He said Snowden was in the transit area at a Moscow airport. He also said … [Read more...] about President Vladimir Putin: Russia Will Not Extradite Edward Snowden to U.S.