In a decision that could have a dramatic effect on the upcoming elections, the Supreme Court has ruled 5-4 in favor of a group of conservative filmmakers in the “Hillary: The Movie” Case. The result of the decision could increase spending for corporations, unions, and nonprofits in the election. I previously discussed the case and the likelihood of this 5-4 ruling. I discussed the case on this segment of Countdown. Other commentators like Glenn Greenwald have also weighed in on the case with similar views, here.
Search Results for 'civil unions'
Supreme Court Rules 5-4 Against Campaign Limitations in The Hillary The Movie Case
Published 1, January 21, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Justice , Politics , Society 248 CommentsSame-Sex- Marriage Trial Begins in San Francisco
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Religion , Society 19 Comments
The ultimate odd couple David Boies and Theodore B. Olson have opened up their case against Proposition 8 in California to fight for the right of same-sex couples to marry. The opening arguments occurred this morning in the United States District Court in San Francisco. I will be discussing the case on the BBC tonight.
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Maine Voters Repeal Law Allowing Gays to Marry
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Religion , Society 30 Comments
The gay-rights movement has suffered a harsh defeat at the hands of voters in Maine. The voters repealed a law that allowed for same-sex marriage — reducing the states allowing same-sex marriage or civil unions. Maine is now the 31st state to reject same-sex marriage. [The two men on the state seal are now strictly prohibited from marrying each other in the State of Maine].
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Texas Judge Rules Gay Men Can Secure Divorce in Texas — Rules Texas Same-Sex Marriage Unconstitutional
Published 1, October 2, 2009 Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 42 Comments
In what could be an important challenge to same-sex marriage laws, District Judge Tena Callahan has ruled that two gay men married in Massachusetts may divorce in Texas. In so doing, Judge Callahan ruled the state same-sex marriage law to be unconstitutional.
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Rhode Island to Shutdown for Twelve Days
Published 1, August 25, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 13 Comments
Rhode Island is the latest state government to discover that the public simply cannot afford a government — at least for twelve days. With hundreds of billions spent on Iraq and Afghanistan (with new calls for an increase in Afghanistan), it is understandably confusing for many citizens as states sell off government buildings and cities shutdown to avoid bankruptcy.
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Live Free or Die: New Hampshire Becomes Sixth State To Recognize Same-Sex Marriages
Published 1, June 4, 2009 Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 12 Comments
And then there were six. The New Hampshire legislature has voted to recognize same-sex marriage joining five other states with such recognition in a continuing and encouraging trend among the states. Gov. John Lynch signed the bill soon after it was passed by the legislature. The question now is whether religious conservatives will try to stop states from determining their own matrimonial laws by passing a federal constitutional amendment.
Cheney: Gays Should Be Able To Marry
Published 1, June 2, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 28 Comments
Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday that he supports same-sex unions and believes that the question should be left to the states — as opposed to a federal prohibition or constitutional amendment. Cheney, who has a lesbian daughter, insisted “I think, you know, freedom means freedom for everyone. I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish.”
California Supreme Court Votes 6-1 To Uphold Proposition 8 and Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
Published 1, May 27, 2009 Constitutional Law , Society , Supreme Court 55 Comments
While buried by the news of the Sotomayor nomination, yesterday was a disappointing day for many of us who favor same-sex marriage. The California Supreme Court voted 6-1 to uphold Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. The only good news for couples is that the Court ruled that the 18,000 unions licensed before the proposition would not be invalidated.
Republic of Texas: Governor Raises the Prospect of Secession From the Union
Published 1, April 16, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 79 Comments
Facing a tough challenge in his primary for reelection, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has taken up a curious new campaign slogan: Secession. In the audio tape below, Perry threatened that Texas reserved the right to secede from the Union in when it became a state in 1845. While Perry’s call for secession is likely to be echoed by many liberals across the country who have long criticized the state’s politics and politicians like George W. Bush, it may be a bit early to buy those Republic of Texas license plates and exchange your currency.
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Faith-Based Part II: Obama’s Expansion of the Bush’s Faith-Based Programs
Published 1, January 26, 2009 Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court , USA Today 90 Comments
As we approach the one-week anniversary of the Obama administration, it is a bit early to judge the level of true change brought by the 44th president. However, it is becoming increasingly clear what is not going to change (at least for the better) in the Obama administration. With all of the euphoria of the inauguration, many supporters fought back a strange and long-lingering sensation: doubt. There was little room for doubt in the collective celebration of our first African-American president and a new course after a ruinous eight years under George W. Bush.
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Kissing Cousins: A New Question of Discrimination In the Wake of New Studies
Published 1, December 24, 2008 Constitutional Law , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 22 Comments
As states grapple with limitations on same sex marriage, polygamy, and other moral legislation controversies, scientists may have introduced another areas of potential challenge: the ban on first cousins. The premise for barring first cousins was always based on rather shaky science. Now, scientists are challenging any medical or public policy basis for the prohibition — raising constitutional questions of why consenting adults can be barred from such marriages.
Continue reading ‘Kissing Cousins: A New Question of Discrimination In the Wake of New Studies’
French Court Rules That Muslim Man Cannot Divorce Wife For Faking Virginity
Published 1, November 19, 2008 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Religion , Society 1 Comment
A French appeals court has reinstated the marriage of a Muslim man who sought an annulment because his bride lied about being a virgin. A lower court granted the annulment but the appellate court has declared that they are still unhappily married.
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Connecticut Court Declares Same Sex Marriage Legal
Published 1, November 12, 2008 Constitutional Law , Justice , Politics , Society 15 CommentsOn the heels of a major political defeat in California with the passage of Proposition 8, Connecticut Judge Johnathan Silbert has handed the movement a victory in kind: declaring same-sex or “gay marriage” legal in the state. Couples are reportedly rushing to the courthouse to take advantage of the ruling. This makes Connecticut the only other state (with Massachusetts) to recognize same-sex marriage.
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Connecticut Rules In Favor of Same-Sex Marriage
Published 1, October 11, 2008 Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 15 Comments
In a major civil liberties ruling, the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that gay and lesbian couples have the right to get married. While conservatives like Sarah Palin have insisted that we should leave questions like abortion to the states, this ruling is likely to increase calls for a federal constitutional amendment to prevent states from deciding the question as a matter of federalism.
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Senators Craig and Vitter Team Up to Save Marriage
Published 1, June 28, 2008 Uncategorized 15 Comments
The cherished institution of marriage in the United States is about to be saved. Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), fresh from his bathroom arrest, and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), fresh from his call-girl scandal, have co-sponsored S. J. RES. 43, dubbed the Marriage Protection Amendment, to bar same-sex marriage. They have joined their colleagues to amend the United States Constitution to state that marriage “shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman.” Now, that is a wide constitutional stance.
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California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban
Published 1, May 15, 2008 Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 68 Comments The California Supreme Court has overturned a law banning same-sex marriages. It is a seismic decision that is likely to add the issue to the presidential campaigns and trigger additional state constitutional amendments — and perhaps a federal constitutional amendment. The opinion is below. Continue reading ‘California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban’
Fifth Circuit Strikes Down Texas Prohibition on Promotion and Sale of Sex Toys
Published 1, February 14, 2008 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 3 CommentsIt is doubtful that the Fifth Circuit timed the opinion to coincide with Valentine’s Day, but the court has issued a very interesting opinion striking down a Texas law prohibiting the promotion and sale of sex toys. It represents an extension of the precedent in Lawrence v. Texas, striking down a criminal prohibition on homosexual relations. Continue reading ‘Fifth Circuit Strikes Down Texas Prohibition on Promotion and Sale of Sex Toys’
England Approves Benefits for Polygamists
Published 1, February 4, 2008 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society Leave a CommentIn a surprising development with significance to the on-going debate over polygamy in the United States, the British government has decided that polygamist citizens are entitled public welfare despite the fact the polygamy is illegal in Britain. Continue reading ‘England Approves Benefits for Polygamists’
The American Gothic Amendment: Federalism and the Same-Sex Marriage Debate
Published 1, February 1, 2008 Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Lawyering , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 4 CommentsIn light of today’s debate over Congress and its shaky federalism principles, this prior column on the marriage amendment may be of interest. Continue reading ‘The American Gothic Amendment: Federalism and the Same-Sex Marriage Debate’
Lesbian Couple Loses Effort to Divorce in Rhode Island
Published 1, December 8, 2007 Constitutional Law , Politics Leave a CommentA lesbian couple has been denied the right to divorce in Rhode Island — seeking to dissolve a license from Massachusetts. While some could claim that anti-gay marriage advocates are now preserving such a union, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has ruled that there is no marriage to dissolve since in that state only men and women can marry. Continue reading ‘Lesbian Couple Loses Effort to Divorce in Rhode Island’
Iowa Court Rules In Favor of Same Sex Marriage
Published 1, August 30, 2007 Constitutional Law , Politics Leave a CommentThe Iowa District Court for Polk County has ruled that the state constitution requires recognition of same-sex marriage. The decision will likely serve to fuel the presidential debates on the subject and force some candidates to embrace the constitutional marriage amendment. Continue reading ‘Iowa Court Rules In Favor of Same Sex Marriage’
Here are the latest columns.
How to End the Gay Marriage Debate: Civil Unions and You
Published 1, August 20, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , USA Today 5 CommentsPublished 4/2/2006
With mid-term elections approaching, politicians are once again returning to one of their favorite themes: protecting the sanctity of marriage. When same-sex marriage is raised, citizens quickly forget about rampant corruption in Congress, towering budget deficits, or even the Iraq war. Not surprisingly, therefore, a constitutional amendment has been cited as a legislative priority by both President Bush and Republican leadership. The message is clear: What politics and religion have joined, let no one pull apart.
The fact is that the same-sex marriage fight is one that advocates on both sides would hate to end. Money is pouring in, membership rolls are expanding, and advocates have an issue that borders on obsession for many Americans. Continue reading ‘How to End the Gay Marriage Debate: Civil Unions and You’
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