Justice Dept. Cites Race in Halting Law Over Voter ID
By CHARLIE SAVAGE
The department said a new South Carolina law that would require voters to present photo identification would disproportionately suppress turnout among eligible minority voters.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
News of Interest from Dec 24
Some news stories that caught my attention:
When President Obama signed a budget bill on Friday, he issued a signing statement claiming a right to bypass dozens of provisions that placed requirements or restrictions on the executive branch, saying he had “well-founded constitutional objections” to the new statutes.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Death of a Tyrant - Kim Jung-il
Only the second leader of communist North Korea, Kim Jung-il died yesterday at age 69. Most believe he will be succeeded by his son, Kim Jung-un. The first leader of communist North Korea was Kim Jung-il's father.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
University of Arizona to Open Civility Institute - NYTimes.com
University of Arizona to Open Civility Institute - NYTimes.com
http://nicd.arizona.edu/
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june11/publicmedia_01-13.html?print=
Notice here, one simple example. Republican Senator Lindsay Graham refers to Obama's new regulatory agency as "something out of the Stalin era":
http://nicd.arizona.edu/
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june11/publicmedia_01-13.html?print=
Notice here, one simple example. Republican Senator Lindsay Graham refers to Obama's new regulatory agency as "something out of the Stalin era":
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Michael Jackson's doctor sentenced
From NBC news:
He was convicted of manslaughter defined as: the unlawful killing of a human being without malice.
Was justice done in this case?
He was convicted of manslaughter defined as: the unlawful killing of a human being without malice.
Was justice done in this case?
WA Legislature Special Session Begins With Turmoil
Monday, the State Legislature was back for a "special session" that was called by Governor Christine Gregoire to deal with the $2 billion dollar budget shortfall.
That is $2 billion more than they expected when they passed the budget in the spring, which already made deep cuts in state government programs such as K-12 education, state universities, and health care services for the state's poorest residents.
So, lots of people showed up to protest the state making any more cuts. Here was the scene at the State Capitol on Monday:
Last week, Governor Gregoire gave a forceful, and passionate speech urging the legislature to increase the state sales tax by 1/2 cent to cover some of the shortfall. The legislature can't do that with a simple majority however, so Gregoire has asked them to put it on the ballot as a referendum to be voted on by the people of WA in March.
I'm with the Gregoire on this one, except in my perfect world, the solution would be to institute a state income tax, which would fall most heavily on those able to pay. A sales tax hurts the poor, unemployed, and lower middle classes much more.
What do you think the government should do? Do you think the legislature will raise taxes, or make deeper cuts?
That is $2 billion more than they expected when they passed the budget in the spring, which already made deep cuts in state government programs such as K-12 education, state universities, and health care services for the state's poorest residents.
So, lots of people showed up to protest the state making any more cuts. Here was the scene at the State Capitol on Monday:
Last week, Governor Gregoire gave a forceful, and passionate speech urging the legislature to increase the state sales tax by 1/2 cent to cover some of the shortfall. The legislature can't do that with a simple majority however, so Gregoire has asked them to put it on the ballot as a referendum to be voted on by the people of WA in March.
I'm with the Gregoire on this one, except in my perfect world, the solution would be to institute a state income tax, which would fall most heavily on those able to pay. A sales tax hurts the poor, unemployed, and lower middle classes much more.
What do you think the government should do? Do you think the legislature will raise taxes, or make deeper cuts?
Monday, November 21, 2011
No Deal from the Super Committee
Thanks for nothing Congress. Of course this isn't over because new legislation can replace the legislation calling for the automatic spending cuts triggered by the committee's failure. The cuts don't begin to take effect until 2013, and cooperation may be easier after the election.
From the USA Today: Panel's inability to cut debt deal reflects divide
From the NBC Nightly News:
From the USA Today: Panel's inability to cut debt deal reflects divide
From the NBC Nightly News:
Super Committee Standoff?
Prospects look dim for a budget deal to be reached by the November 23rd deadline:
Saturday, November 19, 2011
UC Davis - Police Use Pepper Spray on Passive, Non-Violent student protesters
The video of seemingly indefensible police action:
The police claim they were surrounded and the protesters would not move. From the CBS news article:
"according to Annette Spicuzza, UC Davis police chief...police used the pepper spray after they were surrounded. Protesters were warned repeatedly beforehand that force would be used if they didn't move, she said.
An 84-year-old woman who was pepper sprayed this week at an Occupy Seattle protest said the national attention she received can help the movement's cause.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Supreme Court to Hear Legal Challenge to Health Care Law
Note: I will try to get a brief summary of the law and the controversy surrounding it posted here soon.
The signing of the law was a high moment for the Obama Administration, which promised to solve many of the problems plaguing the American health care system, including estimates that 47 million Americans don't have health care insurance.
The signing of the law was a high moment for the Obama Administration, which promised to solve many of the problems plaguing the American health care system, including estimates that 47 million Americans don't have health care insurance.
However, many conservatives, especially "Tea Party" activists thought the law went too far and challenged the constitutionality of it in court. Those challenges have quickly worked their way through the system and Monday, the Supreme Court, announced its decision to hear the case in March of 2012.
The NBC Evening News report:
You can also read more detailed coverage from the New York Times:
Justices to Hear Health Care Case as Race Heats Up
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Supreme Court Hears Arguments in GPS Tracking Case
One of the more controversial cases of the Supreme Court term was heard this past week.
Below NBC has a short report on the case, and the oral arguments made before the Court.
Two more detailed sources on the case:
From the NY Times:
Below NBC has a short report on the case, and the oral arguments made before the Court.
Two more detailed sources on the case:
From the NY Times:
In an argument studded with references to George Orwell’s “1984” and the possibility that rapid advances in technology would soon allow the government to monitor everyone’s movements, the Supreme Court on Tuesday struggled to articulate how the Fourth Amendment’s ban on unreasonable searches and seizures should apply to the tracking of cars using GPS devices. The fit between 18th-century principles and 21st-century surveillance seemed to leave several justices frustrated.
From the NewsHour on PBS:
Monday, October 24, 2011
Americans Coming Home from Iraq - What will be the legacy?
This question is posed by the following report from NBC news:
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Gadhafi Killed in Libya - War is Over
Now the nation of Libya must work to unify under new leadership, after the end of 42 years of authoritarian rule by Gadhafi. A look back at his reign by PBS:
Watch Looking Back at Gadhafi's Brutal, Sometimes Bizarre 42-Year Reign on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
E-Verify bill opens new front in debateTimes Newspaper
Good idea or a way to hassle immigrants?
Opinions vary on this law enacted by Congress, but the Governor of Washington thinks proposed changes would hurt the farming business in our state.
E-Verify bill opens new front in debate over immigration | Seattle Times Newspaper
Opinions vary on this law enacted by Congress, but the Governor of Washington thinks proposed changes would hurt the farming business in our state.
E-Verify bill opens new front in debate over immigration | Seattle Times Newspaper
Costco's $22 million sets record for initiative spending
What does it say that Costco is willing to spend this much money to pass this initiative?
Politics Northwest | Costco's $22 million sets record for initiative spending | Seattle Times Newspaper
Politics Northwest | Costco's $22 million sets record for initiative spending | Seattle Times Newspaper
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
MLK Memorial Finally Dedicated
A summary of the dedication ceremony from the NewsHour on PBS:
Watch Obama, Civil Rights Leaders Formally Dedicate MLK Memorial on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
More complete remarks from Civil Rights icon John Lewis - Freedom Rider and now Congressman from Georgia:Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Interesting Article on Romney
An interesting portrait of
Mitt Romney's faith and how it has influenced his life and work. I found it to
be generally positive, portraying Governor Romney as a caring and dedicated
person. From today's N.Y. Times:
From 1981 through 1994, Mitt Romney operated as clergyman, organization man
and defender of the Mormon faith.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Global protests
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, people all over the world are demanding more from their governments. A look at some of the protests posted at the end of September in a great blog called "The Big Picture Blog" of Boston.com.
Global protests:
Global protests:
There are many forms of protest, many ways to express an objection to particular events, situations, policies, and even people. Protests can also take many forms - from individual statements to mass demonstrations - both peaceful and violent. In the last 30 days, there have been numerous protests across the globe in many countries. The following post is a collection of only some of those protests, but the images convey a gamut of emotions as citizens stand up for their political, economic, religious and lifestyle rights. -- Paula Nelson (51 photos total)
As protesters sleep in Zuccotti Park, N.Y. police officers receive instructions. A group of activists calling themselves Occupy Wall Street targeted the Financial District for more than a week of demonstrations in late September. The group said they sought to bring attention to corporate malfeasance, social inequality, and the yawning gap in income between America's rich and poor. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
Local Freedom of Religion Issue
 |
| 20 year-old shuttle driver, Zainab Aweis, suspended by Hertz for praying while on the clock. |
Friday, September 30, 2011
Was the Killing of al-Alawaki Legal?
Some analysis and opinions:
A slide show about his life from the Washington Post
Analysis from the Washington Post
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