Thursday, October 18, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
NDAA's Indefinate Detention Provision Blocked by Judge
The National Defense Authorization Act was a great disappointment to civil libertarians. However, they must take heart in this news:
Judge Rules Against Law on Indefinite Detention
From the NY Times article:
Judge Rules Against Law on Indefinite Detention
From the NY Times article:
...the debate over the balance between national security and civil liberties is still unfolding 11 years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.I hope the Federal Courts continue to uphold constitutional principles as Judge Forrest has done in this case.
In the detention case, Judge Katherine B. Forrest of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a permanent injunction barring the government from relying on the defense authorization law to hold people in indefinite military detention on suspicion that they “substantially supported” Al Qaeda or its allies — at least if they had no connection to the Sept. 11 attacks.
The United States has been detaining terrorism suspects indefinitely since 2001, relying on an authorization by Congress to use military force against perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks and those who helped them. Last year, Congress decided to create a federal statute that codified authority for such detentions.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
American Ambassador to Libya Killed by Extremists
Protesters had been angered by a U.S. filmmaker's work that was critical of Islam.
With Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by his side, President Obama made a five minute address to reporters outside the White House this morning. Video of that address can be viewed below:
A short video report on the protests yesterday where the American Embassy was under seige:
Monday, September 10, 2012
Friday, September 07, 2012
Bill Clinton's DNC Speech
Clinton got rave reviews for his 50 minute speech making the case for why people should vote for Obama and the Democrats over Romney and the Republicans.
Clinton is seen as one of our generations best political speakers for his ability to combine a mastery of issues and facts, and explain them in a "folksy" southern manner. Some have called him a great "Explainer-in-Chief".
Here is a short segment of his speech:
The article on Clinton as Obama's Chief Defender can be found in the Christian Science Monitor.
Clinton is seen as one of our generations best political speakers for his ability to combine a mastery of issues and facts, and explain them in a "folksy" southern manner. Some have called him a great "Explainer-in-Chief".
Here is a short segment of his speech:
The article on Clinton as Obama's Chief Defender can be found in the Christian Science Monitor.
Monday, September 03, 2012
Barack Obama: The Competitor in Chief
A story in today's New York Times describes the competitive nature of Obama's personality, from politics to sports, to well, reading Green Eggs and Ham to school children. This video accompanied the story: http://nyti.ms/NGNd2K
Thursday, August 30, 2012
The Republican National Convention - Key Speeches
From the New York Times, this page contains all the major speeches, in video and transcript form, of the 2012 Republican National Convention.
Key Speeches From the Republican National Convention - Video Feature - NYTimes.com:
'via Blog this'
Key Speeches From the Republican National Convention - Video Feature - NYTimes.com:
'via Blog this'
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The Health Care Law is upheld by Supreme Court 5-4
The Affordable Care Act (sometimes called ObamaCare) was upheld by the Supreme Court today in a 5-4 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts. The case is known as National Federation of Independent. Business v. Sebelius.
Information about the case and the decision.
The mandate is constitutional: In Plain English : SCOTUSblog:
'via Blog this'
Information about the case and the decision.
The mandate is constitutional: In Plain English : SCOTUSblog:
'via Blog this'
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
High Court Rulings on Campaign Spending, Sentencing of Juveniles
Two other important Supreme Court decisions were announced yesterday. The first upheld the Citizens United decision allowing unlimited corporate campaign donations. (They struck down a Montana law which restricted campaign donations.)
The second decision by the Court said that it was a violation of the 8th Amendment to sentence juveniles to life imprisonment without a chance of parole.
The second decision by the Court said that it was a violation of the 8th Amendment to sentence juveniles to life imprisonment without a chance of parole.
Watch High Court Reaffirms Campaign Finance on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
Supreme Court Ruling on Arizona's Controversial Immigration Law
Three important parts of the law were struck down, another upheld (for now at least). The part that was upheld, sometimes called the "show me your papers" provision is seen by some as the most controversial part of the law. A good explanation from Marcia Coyle on the NewsHour on PBS last night:
Watch Supreme Court Upholds Controversial Part of Immigration Law on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Obama's Drone Program: Author of new book interviewed
The following interview of Dan Klaidman done by Jake Tapper of ABC News:
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Obama Publicly States Support for Gay Marriage
While he claimed his views were "evolving" for the last several years, the president who has done much to support LGBT rights, has never gone further on the issue than saying he supported "civil unions". But yesterday, he made public his support:
And historian Doris Kearns Goodwin thinks history will smile on Obama for his public statements
And historian Doris Kearns Goodwin thinks history will smile on Obama for his public statements
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Chinese Dissident Wants Out of China
A confusing story with a lot of twists and turns took another one yesterday. Chen Guangcheng had been imprisoned by the Chinese government for investigating and publishing information critical of the government's family planning policy, including information about forced abortions. (Below the jump-break is a background video Chen and other issues the Chinese are facing.)
He escaped from jail a week ago and took refuge in the U.S. Embassy. It seemed like there was an agreement for him to stay in China without the government harassing him, but he claims that is not possible.
From last night's NBC Evening News:
He escaped from jail a week ago and took refuge in the U.S. Embassy. It seemed like there was an agreement for him to stay in China without the government harassing him, but he claims that is not possible.
From last night's NBC Evening News:
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Video: Obama signs strategic agreement in Kabul
Video: Obama signs strategic agreement in Kabul:
During an unannounced trip to Afghanistan, President Barack Obama said the U.S. and Afghanistan are now committed to replacing war with peace. The new Strategic Partnership Agreement establishes a framework for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan from 2014 to 2024, and pledges economic and security resources from the U.S. NBC’s Chuck Todd reports. (Nightly News)
During an unannounced trip to Afghanistan, President Barack Obama said the U.S. and Afghanistan are now committed to replacing war with peace. The new Strategic Partnership Agreement establishes a framework for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan from 2014 to 2024, and pledges economic and security resources from the U.S. NBC’s Chuck Todd reports. (Nightly News)
Friday, April 27, 2012
Liberia's Taylor Found Guilty of Aiding, Abetting Sierra Leone War Crimes
Liberia's Taylor Found Guilty of Aiding, Abetting Sierra Leone War Crimes:
Watch Video | Listen to the Audio
JUDY WOODRUFF: For the first time since World War II, a head of state has been convicted of war crimes. The verdict came today at The Hague in the Netherlands against Charles Taylor, former president of Liberia.
Recalling Horrors in Liberia Wrought by Taylor: The soldiers of Charles Taylor, who on Thursday was found guilty of war crimes, ripped apart the lives of a reporter’s family members in the 1990s.
Watch Video | Listen to the Audio
JUDY WOODRUFF: For the first time since World War II, a head of state has been convicted of war crimes. The verdict came today at The Hague in the Netherlands against Charles Taylor, former president of Liberia.
Recalling Horrors in Liberia Wrought by Taylor: The soldiers of Charles Taylor, who on Thursday was found guilty of war crimes, ripped apart the lives of a reporter’s family members in the 1990s.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Zimmerman Out on Bail
The controversy over this case continues - George Zimmerman was released on bail after unexpectedly apologizing to the parents of Trayvon Martin.
Some details from the CBS morning news:
Some details from the CBS morning news:
Friday, April 20, 2012
Are Ted Nugent's comments protected by the 1st Amendment?
So the rock "star" from the 70's, Ted Nugent, has become an active political conservative. Apparently he also has a radio talk show and he made remarks about President Obama that have caught the attention of the Secret Service.
The report from last night's NBC news:
The report from last night's NBC news:
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