Gay marriage fight fuels debate over petitioners' rights

Gay marriage fight fuels debate over petitioners' rights -- latimes.com

The Public Option is Back!

Senate healthcare bill revives public option. But can it pass? | csmonitor.com

Hate crimes bill goes to Obama for signature

The Senate passed the bill that the House passed a few weeks ago. It now includes assaults on individuals because of their sexual identity.

Hate crimes bill goes to Obama for signature - CNN.com

Sad saga of Uighurs at Guantanamo goes on

This sad chapter of the United States not living up to it's ideals on the rule of law goes on - even nine months into the Obama administration. Is justice delayed, justice denied?

Justices to hear Uighurs' bid for release - Guantanamo- msnbc.com

Tough 1st Amendment Issue in our State

The Washington State Legislature passed a far reaching gay rights measure last session that provided for benefits for same-sex domestic partnerships (pretty much everything except the word "marriage").

Now let's say you don't think the state should recognize same sex marriages/partnerships/unions.

You sign a petition to put the new law up for a vote by the people of the state in the hope that they will reject it, and nullify the bill passed by the legislature (our State Constitution allows for this).

If those signatures were submitted to the Secretary of State for validation, do you have a right to expect that your name will be kept private? If your name is made public, you could be the object of public criticism. If you sign a petition to the government, do you give up the right to remain an anonymous opponent of gay marriage (or any other issue for that matter)?

That is the question we are in the middle of in our state right now. While we are awaiting a trial to settle this issue, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice stepped in and made a temporary ruling.

Local News | Justice Kennedy blocks release of R-71 names | Seattle Times Newspaper

Young People Should Be Very Concerned About I-1033

Do you want education to get more expensive? Higher tuition, less services from our universities? If you don't, you should get educated about Washington State's I-1033, and make others aware of what is at stake.

Education | I-1033 could hit higher ed especially hard | Seattle Times Newspaper

Public Support Increasing for Active Government Role in Health Care Reform

Many back public option, insurance mandate - Washington Post- msnbc.com

New Medical Marijuana Policy Issued - NYTimes.com

Good example of federalism at work; and executive agencies creating quasi-legislation.

New Medical Marijuana Policy Issued - NYTimes.com

Putting Politics Aside - POTUS 41 & 44

George H.W. Bush invited Barack Obama to an event to celebrate and encourage volunteerism in the United States. With all the screaming and yelling we see in politics today, it is nice to see political opponents come together.

George H.W. Bush, Obama Celebrate Volunteerism - washingtonpost.com

Justice stands by refusal to give interracial couple license to wed

Justice stands by refusal to give interracial couple license to wed - CNN.com

Given the fact that laws against inter-racial marriages were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1967 (Loving v. Virginia) I don't see how this judge thinks this ruling is going to stand. I'm pretty sure he will lose his job as a Louisiana judge within a few days since he is being so defiant and obnoxious about it.

A more detailed article here:

Local News | Gun ban at Seattle parks facilities goes into effect | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Gun ban at Seattle parks facilities goes into effect | Seattle Times Newspaper

At long last, the Senate Finance Committee passes health care reform bill

The bill not the far-reaching reform that I am still hoping for, but it is still progress. One Republican, Senator Olympia Snowe, did vote for the bill drafted by Committee Chairman Baucus. Of course this was just a committee vote, and the full Senate still has to take up the issue. There are still three health care reform bills in the House of Representatives.

It will be very interesting to see what happens at the conference committee that will have to iron out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Update on the Health Care Reform Bill

Congress Is Split on Effort to Tax Costly Health Plans - NYTimes.com

Democrats Call Insurance Industry Report Flawed - NYTimes.com

Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

From the Seattle Times:

Nobel Peace Prize stuns Obama, the world
President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in a stunning decision designed to build momentum behind his initiatives to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim world and stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than unilateralism.

House passes Hate Crimes Bill

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/us/politics/09hate.html?hpw

America's Racial Past & Present

The New York Times did a front page story today that uncovered previously unknown details about Michelle Obama's ancestry. Yes, her ancestors were slaves, but she also had some white relatives dating from the 1850's. I found the story of her family tree very interesting.

In First Lady’s Roots, a Complex Path From Slavery - NYTimes.com

There are many parts of America where Caucasians are overwhelming majorities, and there aren't too many people of color to be found. An African-American author traveled to some of these places in Idaho, Utah, and Georgia to research them for a book that has just been published. He calls these places Whitopias.

A Black Author's Journey Into American 'Whitopia' : NPR

Our Three Bombs - Challenges Facing our World

Sometimes I like Thomas Friedman, and sometimes not so much, but it is hard to disagree that these are three tremendous challenges facing our nation & world.

Op-Ed Columnist - Our Three Bombs - NYTimes.com

Does this cross in the desert conflict with the 1st Amendment?

Another year, another controversy over religion and the 1st Amendment. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

A radio story from NPR, and a print story from the L.A. Times:

World War I Cross Neglects Soldiers Of Other Faiths, Critics Say : NPR

Supreme Court debates legality of Mojave cross -- latimes.com

U.S. plans to overhaul how immigrants are detained -- latimes.com

U.S. plans to overhaul how immigrants are detained -- latimes.com

Panel finds no fault with Obama system of policy 'czars' -- latimes.com

Panel finds no fault with Obama system of policy 'czars' -- latimes.com

Supreme Court refuses Confederate flag T-shirt case | csmonitor.com

So, a bunch of Tennessee high school students thought the school was violating their rights by banning t-shirts displaying the Confederate Flag.

Supreme Court refuses Confederate flag T-shirt case | csmonitor.com

Obama to lawmakers: Many won’t like my Afghanistan decision | csmonitor.com

Obama to lawmakers: Many won’t like my Afghanistan decision | csmonitor.com

Are dog fighting videos protected by the First Amendment?

This was one of the most unusual oral arguments at the Supreme Court I've read about. At issue is whether a federal law banning animal cruelty is overly broad. You have got to read this.

Supreme Court questions animal cruelty law | csmonitor.com

CNN's coverage: High court debates dog fighting videos - CNN.com

Finally, video coverage from The Newshour on PBS

FBI, Police Strive to Get Help From and BuildTrust With American Muslims

FBI, Police Strive to Get Help, Engender Trust From Muslims - washingtonpost.com

Afghanistan: The Road Ahead - CBS News

For the next couple of nights, the CBS Evening News is doing some in-depth reporting on the war in Afghanistan. It is a complicated job, and its going to get messier as more U.S. troops become engaged with Taliban and/or al-Queda fighters. At least 8 more U.S. soldiers were killed over the weekend.

The home page of the CBS story is here.

Afghanistan: The Road Ahead - CBS News

Will Referendum 71 take away gay rights?

Referendum 71 seeks to undo a new law passed by the WA Legislature in it's last term providing for protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It is shaping up to be a divisive and emotional debate.

Politics | Stakes high in fight over gay rights | Seattle Times Newspaper

The Supremes are Back!

The Supreme Court begins its session tomorrow as it does every year on the "First Monday of October". This year, the court will include Sonia Sotomayor, our first Latina Justice.

As usual, the Court will be hearing it's share of controversial cases.

Nation’s high court gets new term, justice - Politics- msnbc.com

Pivotal term for Supreme Court

Tell us what you really think, Mr. President

Would we be better off if Presidents came out and said what they really think? (Obama was caught doing this with regard to Kanye West recently.) Writer Timothy Egan thinks so:
Secret Lives of the Presidents - Timothy Egan Blog - NYTimes.com

What is Socialism in 2009?

What Is Socialism in 2009?

An interesting debate. The following is from the intro to the NY Times article featuring the opinions of eight political commentators.

It seems that whatever President Obama talks about — whether it’s overhauling health care, or regulating Wall Street, or telling schoolchildren to study hard — his opponents have called him a socialist. What does the word mean today, nearly 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall? What role has the label played in American political history?

Have some critics of Obama gone over the top?

There is no 'we' in American politics
Columnist Thomas L. Friedman has no problem with substantive criticism of President Obama, but criticism from the far right has begun tipping over into delegitimation and is creating a climate that poisons attempts to collectively deal with the nation's pressing problems.

A Question of Congressional Power

Part of the health care reform bills making their way through Congress right now have stirred a Constitutional debate: Does Congress have the power to require individuals to buy health insurance? A very good analysis of the issue was done by the non-partisan FactCheck.org. What do you think?

Health Care Overhaul: Constitutional? | FactCheck.org