KPLU: Supreme Court Bypasses Kent Schools Case (2009-06-29)

KPLU: Supreme Court Bypasses Kent Schools Case (2009-06-29)

Supreme Court - End of the Term

News Analysis - The Roberts Court, Tipped by Kennedy - NYTimes.com

Term Saw High Court Move to The Right - Washington Post
Roberts-Led March Likely to Continue

Supreme Court rules protests at troops' funerals can continue | csmonitor.com

Supreme Court rules protests at troops' funerals can continue | csmonitor.com

The Supremes rule in the firefighter race case

From Newsweek:

Dahlia Lithwick: When Constitutional Worlds Collide

From Christian Science Monitor
Court rules for white firefighters, reversing Sotomayor panel | csmonitor.com

The Waxman-Markey Bill: A Good Start Or A Non-Starter?

On Friday, the House of Representatives passed an energy/environmental bill supported by the Obama administration. The bill was compromised and watered-down from what Obama and major environmental groups had been calling for. Next it moves on to the Senate; but does it do enough to address the problem of global warming. An analysis from some prominent environmentalists:

The Waxman-Markey Bill: A Good Start Or A Non-Starter? by : Yale Environment 360

New York Times report on the successful fight for passage of the bill in the House - click here.

Supreme Court: Strip-search of 13-year-old girl was illegal

Supreme Court: Strip-search of 13-year-old girl was illegal | csmonitor.com

The decision sets the standard for how far school officials can go in conducting searches of students' property.

The case, Safford Unified School District No. 1 v. April Redding, arises from a strip search conducted in October 2003 at Safford Middle School. The girl, Savana Redding, was suspected of bringing high-strength ibuprofen to school to share with other students during lunch period.

Op-Ed Columnist - Who Are We? - NYTimes.com

Commentary on not enough change coming from Obama administration in terror policies and transparency in government from Bob Hebert of the NY Times:

"Policies that were wrong under George W. Bush are no less wrong because Barack Obama is in the White House."

Op-Ed Columnist - Who Are We? - NYTimes.com

Neda Agha-Soltan Becomes a Symbol of Iran Protests Through Video - NYTimes.com

The video of her death has shocked and appalled people around the world.

Neda Agha-Soltan Becomes a Symbol of Iran Protests Through Video - NYTimes.com

Commentary from Roger Cohen in the NY Times:

Martyrdom is a powerful force in the world of Shia Islam. Mourning on the third and seventh and 40th days after a death form a galvanizing cycle. Hers is already another name for the anger smoldering here, whose expression, in my experience, has been bravest and most vivid among women.

WA State's top prisons doctor quit over execution policy | Seattle Times Newspaper

Regarding the debate over the death penalty in WA State

Local News | State's top prisons doctor quit over execution policy | Seattle Times Newspaper

Supreme Court Decisions on Voting Rights Act and Special Education

Listen to the discussion from the Newshour on PBS

Justice Ginsberg looking forward to having another female on the high cout

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg's thoughts on the importance of having a balance of men and women on the Supreme Court were published recently in an article on CNN's website.

"Women belong in all places where decision are being made," she said. "I don't say [the split] should be 50-50. It could be 60 percent men, 40 percent women, or the other way around. It shouldn't be that women are the exception."

Ginsburg noted gender differences are "seldom in the outcome." But then, she said, "it is sometimes in the outcome."

Ginsburg expressed frustration in that interview with how her male colleagues view her role, and how they view certain cases. She said in closed door conferences where all the justices gather to decide cases and pending appeals, her views occasionally are ignored. "When I will say something -- and I don't think I'm a confused speaker -- and it isn't until somebody else says it that everyone will focus on the point."

Is Twitter Furthering the Cause of Freedom and Human Rights

The drama in Iran has been fueled in part by rapid modern communications - social networking sites like Twitter have gotten the word out. Read below and comment on how technology can impact mass political movements.

Twitter Is a Player In Iran's Drama - State Dept. Asked Site to Keep Running

Modern Slavery

I've posted about human trafficking before, but Hillary Rodham Clinton, our Secretary of State, wrote an essay on the subject in today's Washington Post. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Partnering Against Trafficking - By Hillary Rodham Clinton

Government Snooping on E-Mail - Why is it still an issue?

Read the story below to see how this issue continues to cause concern.

E-Mail Surveillance Renews Concerns in Congress

Open Thread - Recent News

In the wake of the Holocaust Museum shooting, and a couple of other recent incidents, Attorney General Eric Holder believes there needs to be a stronger federal hate crimes law. Read the article consider whether the motivation for the crime makes the offense deserve a stiffer penalty
Attorney general urges new hate crimes law - Crime & courts- msnbc.com

North Korea is continuing to send out threatening signals - N. Korea warns of ‘thousand-fold’ retaliation - North Korea- msnbc.com

This applies to federal employees only, but I'm glad to see this: Obama to extend benefits to gay workers - White House- msnbc.com

PBS is, of course, run by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which was created by Congress and sponsored in part by the federal government. So, is this the right move? PBS to ban new religious shows - Washington Post- msnbc.com

Protests Continue in Iran

The protests for an investigation into the presidential election results has continued in the streets of Tehran. The people are courageous and dedicated to see their government become more open and honest. I am hoping that the government does not respond with a harsh crackdown. One good sign is that the Grand Ayatollah (the most powerful person in Iran - even more so than the president) has said he is open to a partial recount.

Thousands rally to support Iranian government

Obama Speaks on Health Care Reform

President Obama spoke to the American Medical Association today - a group that has been critical of some of his ideas. Using the "bully pulpit" to rally support for his agenda, Obama is trying to convince the nation (and Congress) that the cost of healthcare is a "ticking time-bomb" and legislation must be passed this year. Here is a report on what he had to say:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

A Messy Election in Iran

Were the election results in which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected last week rigged? Some Iraqis think so, and they are upset.

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Unrest challenges Iran's republic

Cyberwar - Series - The New York Times

Cyberwar - Series - The New York Times

How can cyberspace become a battlefield between nations? This series from the New York Times explores issues surrounding cyber-security.

Debate Over Healthcare Reform is Heating Up

One of Obama's biggest campaign promises was to reform American healthcare, and make health insurance available to the some 47 million Americans that are not currently insured.

However, he is the President, not the king, and this requires a major piece of legislation from Congress. Competing ideas and bills will be getting a lot of attention in upcoming weeks. Here are a few news articles dealing with the topic:

Background on the Healthcare Debate

Obama Administration Finds Health-Care Model in Green Bay

G.O.P. Senators Question Obama’s Health Reforms - NYTimes.com

Health Plan May Mean Payment Cuts