Deep Something

Equal Rights for All

October 28, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 184 Views 0 Comments civil unions, Marriage

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled this week that same-sex couples and their families are entitled to the “same rights and benefits enjoyed by opposite-sex couples” under the state’s civil marriage laws. In a 4-3 split, the court rejected the claim that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to have their relationships recognized as “marriages.” Instead, it left that decision “to the democratic process,” ruling that the state legislature must now decide whether to “amend its marriage law to include same-sex couples” or provide these equal benefits, protections, and obligations “by some other means such as civil unions.” This decision is a positive step toward equality, and an affirmation of the importance of committed relationships and healthy families.

Congress Constitution Courts Politics Presidency War

The Keys To The Kingdom

October 3, 2006September 29, 2018 239 Views 0 Comments Detainees, Dictatorship, Due Process, facism, Freedom, Habeas corpus, Leahy, Specter

With the detainee law, the Republican Senators and Congressmen (with the help of 12 Democrats) basically said to Bush, “Here are the tools to be a dictator, go forth and …have fun with it.” It is the worst legislation ever passed in my lifetime, and I am in my late 40s.

Congress Constitution Courts Politics Presidency

Waiting For The Black Helicopters

September 30, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 493 Views cheney, Code of Military Justice, Detainees, First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Geneva conventions, Gonzales, Habeas corpus, Hamdan, Hamdi, Magna Carta, Rumsfeld, supreme court, Terrorism, Terrorists, torture

Buried amongst the untold affronts to the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the very spirit of America, the torture bill contains a definition of “wrongfully aiding the enemy” which labels all American citizens who breach their “allegiance” to President Bush and the actions of his government as terrorists subject to possible arrest, torture and conviction in front of a military tribunal.

Congress Courts Crime Politics Presidency Society War

Administration Seeks to Narrow War Crimes Act

August 10, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 200 Views Congress, Geneva conventions, Red Cross, War crimes

The Bush administration has drafted amendments to a U.S. war crimes law “passed in the mid-1990s that criminalized violations of the Geneva Conventions.” The changes would mean interrogators would no longer face possible prosecution for committing “outrages upon [the] personal dignity” of prisoners.

Congress Courts Politics

No Delay for DeLay

August 7, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 192 Views Antonin Scalia, Tom DeLay

As you know, the Fifth Circuit Court ruled that Tom DeLay had to stay on the Texas Congressional Ballot for the Republican party. The Republicans were asking Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia to intervine and stay the ruling.

Constitution Corruption Courts Politics Presidency Technology

NSA Might Have Tapped Phones Pre-9/11

July 5, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 228 Views ATT, Intercepts, NSA, Wiretaps

Bloomberg is reporting that evidence seems to indicate the NSA approached AT&T months prior to 9/11 seeking to intercept telephone calls.

Constitution Courts Politics

Oops, Patriot Act Was Used to Access Library Records

May 31, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 213 Views Librarians, Library Records, National Security Letter, PATRIOT Act

Remember when John Ashcroft assured us that the Patriot Act wouldn’t be used to access library records? Raw Story has a nice piece that explains how the government kept the truth quiet until the Patriot Act was reauthorized.

Courts Politics Religion

Supreme Court Justice Scalia Flips Finger in Church

March 27, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 152 Views Antonin Scalia, Church, Obscene Gesture, supreme court

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia startled reporters in Boston just minutes after attending a mass, by flipping a middle finger to his critics. There is a photo.

Constitution Courts Politics

NYPD Goal…Prevent Citizen Protests With Pre-emptive Arrests

March 17, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 159 Views Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Police Misconduct, Probably Cause, Totalitarian State, Totalitarianism

Unbelievable, and yet true: The explicit goal of the police is to prevent law-abiding citizens from protesting. If this isn’t a totalitarian state, I don’t know what is.

Congress Constitution Courts Politics Presidency

Congressional Lapdogs Prepare to Gut FISA-Give President Imperial Power

March 9, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 160 Views Domestic Spying, FISA, Illegal Spying, NY Times, republicans, senate

Republicans are packaging as “reform” a plan that would gut FISA, leaving the president free to spy on Americans without obtaining a warrant. A NY Times editorial expresses appropriate outrage at this cynical ploy to shield the president’s lawless behavior:

Congress Constitution Corruption Courts Politics Presidency

Legal Scholars Dispute Bush's Defense of Domestic Spying

February 3, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 151 Views

Bush’s defense of his illegal domestic spying program in the State of the Union was almost entirely disputed yesterday by legal specialists across the ideological spectrum. “Bush’s assertion that his program was legal prompted a group of 14 prominent law professors, including both liberals and conservatives, to pen a joint letter objecting to his arguments.” Legal scholars disputed three false claims made by Bush.