For the second time this year, the Supreme Court has expanded the role of free speech, this time striking down a federal law that banned videos showing graphic violence against animals. The court voted 8-1, with Justice Samuel Alito dissenting, a case involving the criminal conviction of a Virginia man who sold videos of pit bull fights. The 1999 law limited Internet sales … [Read more...] about Court Overturns Ban On Crush Animal Videos
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: The Unraveling
Two weeks ago, in an article “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave…” I wrote about the case of Air Force Lt. Robin Chaurasiya who, after “telling” that she was a lesbian and that she was in a civil union with another woman, was not discharged by the Air Force as required under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy. The Air Force, in my opinion, was … [Read more...] about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: The Unraveling
To Doom Iranian Regime, Let it Pursue The Bomb: Le Monde, France
Since stronger sanctions are likely to cause Iranians to rally around a regime they dislike, would a better approach be to allow Tehran to continue on its present course without sanctions, and trust the Iranian people to topple the unpopular regime? As risky as this sounds, Le Monde columnist Caroline Fourest writes that of all the available options, this is the most likely to … [Read more...] about To Doom Iranian Regime, Let it Pursue The Bomb: Le Monde, France
Seriously, A Domed Stadium For San Diego? Yes, Maybe
I know Nick Canepa and he is no Dan Quail. I knew Nick as a copy kid on the old Evening Tribune in San Diego where he now perches as one of the nation's best sports columnists at the new, revitalized San Diego Union-Tribune. I thought Canepa, a San Diego native, lost his Italian navigation system when his column siren beckoned Tuesday for a new domed stadium for the San … [Read more...] about Seriously, A Domed Stadium For San Diego? Yes, Maybe
Those Who Govern – Mitch McConnell
Republican Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, is coming under increasing attack as financial reform works its way through the Senate. Withering criticism has come personally from both the President and the Senate Majority Leader over McConnell’s recent closed door meeting with leaders of the financial sector. McConnell is the longest serving senator in Kentucky … [Read more...] about Those Who Govern – Mitch McConnell
Not Hating Obama Enough
It was just a shopworn political gesture when you come right down to it. Two popular politicians giving each other a man hug at a time when both were riding sky high in the polls. President Obama's approval rating was still above 60% and Florida Governor Charlie Crist's numbers weren't too far behind when the two men embraced at a town hall meeting to drum up support for the … [Read more...] about Not Hating Obama Enough
Can global warming cause volcanoes to erupt?
A roundup HERE. … [Read more...] about Can global warming cause volcanoes to erupt?
The Slide Down The Slippery Slope Begins
During the debate over health care, some skeptics questioned whether the government's increasing role in paying for health care might lead to increases in the government's control over the minutiae of daily lives. These concerns were generally laughed out of the room. The government, we were assured by most health care reform advocates, would never attempt to regulate … [Read more...] about The Slide Down The Slippery Slope Begins
The Hug That Killed Charlie Crist
Remember that memorable photo-op of President Obama hugging Florida Republican Gov. Charlie Crist? At the time, good old Charlie was an endangered species of moderate Republicans who endorsed Obama's $787 billion stimulus bill so he could sprinkle the candy to needy residents in the Sunshine state. Also at that time he was 31 points ahead in the polls to win Florida's U.S. … [Read more...] about The Hug That Killed Charlie Crist
Cardinal Stokes Arizona Anti-Immigrant Fire
In a stunning display of outrage and shocking words, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony has denounced an Arizona crackdown on illegal immigrants that forces people to turn each other in as the same techniques used by "German Nazi and Russian Communist(s)." "The Arizona legislature just passed the country's most retrogressive, mean-spirited, and useless anti-immigrant law," he … [Read more...] about Cardinal Stokes Arizona Anti-Immigrant Fire
Who needs the Constitution? Seriously.
In honor of my road trip to Philadelphia this weekend, I downloaded the audiobook version of Gordon S. Wood's Empire of Liberty, a history of the United States from 1789 to 1816. Empire is the newest volume in the Oxford History of the United States and Wood has won both the Pulitzer and Bancroft prizes for his earlier work. Incidentally, Wood's son was one of my professors in … [Read more...] about Who needs the Constitution? Seriously.
Yemen needs Al Qaeda
Feeling happy? Upbeat? Optimistic? I can take care of that problem for you. Yesterday evening, I attended a very informative discussion about Yemen and Somalia sponsored by the Foreign Policy Initiative and AEI's Critical Threats Project. The most interesting observation came from former CIA officer (and current Hill staffer) John Kiriakou, who said that Yemeni strongman … [Read more...] about Yemen needs Al Qaeda
Where’s The Dough, Sarah?
Sarah Palin certainly didn't put her money where her mouth is. After targeting 20 Congressional seats with rifle scope bulls eye on her Facebook page last month, she didn't donate a dime to those candidates she favored, according to Politics Daily. Of course, it was only the first quarter filing requirement with the Federal Elections Commission and her SarahPAC arm may … [Read more...] about Where’s The Dough, Sarah?
National Prayer Day and the Establishment Clause
NPR's Frank James urges us to add to our reading lists the recent court decision on National Prayer Day: … [Read more...] about National Prayer Day and the Establishment Clause
How Much Influence Does Salon’s Glenn Greenwald Wield Within the White House? (Guest Voice)
When measuring a media outlet's influence, the idea that the White House reads or listens to what you have to say would be a good indicator that your political sway reaches far beyond mere readership, but Salon blogger Glenn Greenwald has the distinction of being one of the few who can write something that results in the Obama Administration actually dispatching operatives to … [Read more...] about How Much Influence Does Salon’s Glenn Greenwald Wield Within the White House? (Guest Voice)
Gizmodo’s Got Apple’s Next iPhone
They say: It was found lost in a bar in Redwood City, camouflaged to look like an iPhone 3GS. We got it. We disassembled it. It's the real thing, and here are all the details. Whispers have it that Nick Denton paid $10k. [LATER: It turns out it was $5k) And he's not shy, promising the backstory is a corker. The highlights (video): What's new • Front-facing video chat … [Read more...] about Gizmodo’s Got Apple’s Next iPhone
Is Latin America Worth Russia’s Time and Money?: Vedomosti, Russia
For the past few years, Russia has been pursuing a diplomatic offensive into what was once called 'America's backyard.' According to this editorial from Russian newspaper Vedomosti, it's time for some soul searching, because it isn't clear that the policy is worth the money just so Moscow can relive the Cold War and thumb its nose at Washington. The Vedemosti editorial says … [Read more...] about Is Latin America Worth Russia’s Time and Money?: Vedomosti, Russia
Anger at bungling of European air traffic
About one third of the normal fly zone over Europe will be reopened on Tuesday as anger began to boil with over seven million airline passengers stranded around the world. Airline losses are estimated at more than $200 million a day and losses to business may run into billions (there are no reliable estimates yet). Surprisingly it took five days for the ministers to agree on … [Read more...] about Anger at bungling of European air traffic
Word From France: Flights Resume, No Fallen Ashes, Only Bruised Egos
All domestic and most international flights out of Europe are expected to resume Tuesday, some on a limited basis as the worst cinder clouds from the Iceland volcano eruption seem to be scattering. Lee Remmers, my brother who has lived in France for 30 years, said in an email: "There is a beginning of what the French call "polemic", ie., the airlines and others accusing … [Read more...] about Word From France: Flights Resume, No Fallen Ashes, Only Bruised Egos
Independent Voices: NYC Charter Revision, Rev. Sharpton’s National Action Network Conference
Independents Impact: NYC Charter Revision Hearings and Rev. Sharpton's National Action Network Conference Last week was a busy one here in NYC for independents and youth, and independent youth: 2 public hearings for the NYC Charter Revision Commission, one in 'da Bronx on Monday and one on Staten Island on Tuesday, where young independent activists are speaking out in favor … [Read more...] about Independent Voices: NYC Charter Revision, Rev. Sharpton’s National Action Network Conference