In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court has effectively struck down Chicago’s gun law and extended its earlier ruling on the Second Amendment to all states as a fundamental right. It is the decision that some of us anticipated as consistent with past rulings on fundamental rights. The impact will be considerable as all states will now have to respect the individual right of gun ownership under the Second Amendment.
Continue reading “Supreme Court Extends Second Amendment to the States”
Category: Congress
Today the Senate will begin one of the longest running Kabuki shows in history. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearings — a process long ridiculed for its ritualized and exaggerated content. The big question is whether Kagan will abandon her previously stated position that nominees should have to answer substantive questions on their views — a rejection of the so-called “Ginsburg Rule.” I will be commenting on the confirmation process at noon on MSNBC and later on Countdown.
Continue reading “Show Time: Kagan Hearings Begin Today”
A New Orleans federal judge lifted the six-month moratorium imposed on deepwater drilling by President Barack Obama after the BP spill. In New Orleans, U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman found that the administration had failed to satisfy requirements for notice and comment from industry. The case is Hornbeck Offshore Services LLC v. Salazar, 2:10-cv-01663(E.D. La.).
Continue reading “Drill, Baby, Drill: Obama’s Deep-Drilling Moratorium Lifted By Federal Court”
Tony Hayward, the chief executive of BP, appeared in the House of Representatives to apologize again for the destruction caused by his company. In the meantime, Rep. Joe Barton , R-Arlington, apologized for apologizing earlier to Hayward.
Below is today’s column exploring the growing anger of voters and the possible linkage of controversies ranging from the bank bailouts to immigration to the BP oil spill.
In the past, I have disclosed my involvement in high-profile cases to avoid any conflict with this blog or questions why I am not posting on a particular subject. Accordingly, I wanted to confirm that I have agreed to serve as co-lead counsel in the Senate impeachment trial of Judge G. Thomas Porteous.
Continue reading “Turley Joins Porteous Defense as Co-Lead Counsel”
Economists continue to line up warning of an economic meltdown as the U.S. moves toward 2012 when our debt will exceed our gross domestic product. The White House and Congress, however, continue to spend wildly on Iraq, Afghanistan, and other programs.
Continue reading “Super Debt Cycle: U.S. Debt Set to Surpass Gross Domestic Product”
With the BP spill destroying large areas of our coast and expected to move up the East Coast, lawmakers are pushing President Barack Obama to honor his earlier pledge to lift the moratorium on new drilling along our coasts. The oil lobby is pushing for expanded drilling even as the disaster mounts in the Gulf — many are calling the moratorium an “overreaction.”
Continue reading “Drill, Baby, Drill: Lawmakers Demand More Drilling and an End to Moratorium”
Former President George W. Bush proudly proclaimed this week “Yeah, we water-boarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed . . I’d do it again to save lives.” Fortunately, he will not be given another chance but, due to the actions of President Obama and Attorney General Holder to bar any investigation or prosecution of torture, future presidents may well indeed to do it again.
Continue reading “Bush: “I’d Do It Again””
With ongoing corruption in Washington and years of congressional scandals over free trips, gifts, and special dealing, many of us (here) have criticized the Senate and House Ethics rules as primarily serving to protect rather than prosecute members for wrongdoing. Yet, this week nearly half of the Congressional Black Caucus has moved to rollback on recent ethics changes after a number of its members, including high-ranking Charlie Rangel (D., NY) were investigated for violations. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, and 19 fellow caucus members have submitted a resolution reducing the powers of the new independent Office of Congressional Ethics.
There is an interesting economics column in the Wall Street Journal on the similarities between the Greek meltdown and our own fiscal policies. I have long been a critic of the wild spending of both Congress and President Obama, including the recent proposal to simply pay for an over $200 million short-range missile program for Israel (here). This article discusses the possible disaster awaiting the United States as our leaders blissfully assume that a recovering economy will pay for their various programs and pet projects.
Continue reading “Are We Heading Into an Economic Meltdown?”
I have written previously (here) on how both Republicans and Democrats, including President Obama (here), have continued to embrace faith-based politics. This week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) added her own promise of pious policies -stating that she actively tries to legislate public policies “in keeping with the values [of Jesus Christ] . . . “The Word made Flesh.”
Continue reading “Word To Your Speaker: Pelosi Proclaims Her Commitment to Faith-Based Politics”
While Congress continues to gush money in Iraq and Afghanistan (and offers to pay for an over $200 million missile system for Israel), U.S. debt is now over $13,000,000,000,000. That is roughly $118,000 per taxpayer.
Continue reading “U.S. Debt: Now Over $13,000,000,000,000”
The Washington Post has an interesting article today on the stock trades of Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.). I have been a long critic of members playing the stock market (here) given the dangers posed by insider information and advantage. With considerable resources tied up in particular areas, members can influence the markets through legislation or anticipate market shifts due to forthcoming changes.
Continue reading “Washington Post Details Stock Holdings and Trades of Moran”
Connecticut Senatorial candidate and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is now the focus of a potentially disastrous scandal after journalists alleged that he has lied about his service in Vietnam. It appears that Blumenthal never served in Vietnam despite repeated references to such service and his difficulties in “coming home” from the war.
Continue reading “We Band of (Harvard) Brothers: Connecticut Attorney General (and Senatorial Candidate) Richard Blumenthal Accused of Lying About Service in Vietnam”