Sen. Larry Craig filed an appeal Monday ater the court refused to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea. The chances are slim. The best case to challenge the charges was always the constitutionality of the underlying law. Effectively, the police are charging consenting adults with communicating an interest in sex as opposed to engaging in sex in a public place. The latter is clearly a justified criminal act. However, adults are allowed to discuss consensual sex and even signal such interest. For the full story on the appeal, click here
Category: Congress
Today, Turkey added pressure on the Administration by recalling its ambassador in Washington after a congressional committee’s decision to approve a bill describing the World War I-era killings of Armenians as genocide. Continue reading “Turkey Recalls Ambassador Over Genocide Bill”
It appears that genocide is a term that is simply not used among friends. Continue reading “President Opposes Genocide Resolution as an Inconvenient Truth”
The same week that the democrats have indicated that they will largely cave into the demands over the domestic surveillance program, it now appears that the democratic leadership has decided to pull back efforts to force a troop withdrawal from Iraq. Continue reading “Democrats Reportedly To Back Off of Iraq Troop Withdrawal Legislation”
The Senate appears ready to again yield to the President on the surveillance bill after democrats promised voters to fight on such issues. Continue reading “Senate to Give Into Demands From White House and Telecommunications Companies”
The Supreme Court has refused to hear the case of Khaled el-Masri, 44 who alleged that he was kidnapped by CIA agents in Europe, held in an Afghan prison for four months, and tortured. Continue reading “Supreme Court Refuses to Hear El-Masri Case”
In Detroit, a terrorism prosecutor is facing criminal charges for allegedly lying and obstructing justice. Continue reading “Former Prosecutor Faces Trial Stemming From Terrorism Case”
January 20, 2006
This is the opening statement from the hearing immediately after the disclosure of the NSA program. Continue reading “Prior Testimony on the NSA Program”
The Democrats unveiled their new proposal for a surveillance bill today. It is a document that is far more about contemporary politics than constitutional principle. Continue reading “Some Dems Appear Ready to Cave on Surveillance Law — Again”
A jury finally as the case of Priscilla Slade, former president of Texas Southern University, a small predominantly black institution. Slade is accused of spending more than half a million dollars on decorations and high lifestyle at a school with fewer than 10,000 students – 85% of whom are on financial aide. Continue reading “Former University President’s Case Goes to the Jury”
It appears that allegedly soliciting sex in a public bathroom is not a barrier to entry in the Idaho Hall of Fame, which has announced the induction of Sen. Larry Craig. Continue reading “Sen. Craig Chosen for Idaho Hall of Fame”
For years, experts have complained with passengers that the ridiculously little legroom offered by airlines is not just uncomfortable but unhealthy. Now, a tort case could force airlines to give passengers more space. Continue reading “Airlines May Be Liable for Reduction of Legroom on Flights”
In a 5-4 decision, the Washington Supreme Court struck down a state law prohibiting political candidates from deliberately lying in campaign ads. Continue reading “Washington Supreme Court Strikes Down Prohibition on Lying by Politicians”
President Bush came out today to address the latest controversy over torture involving secret memos that appear to endorse the use of methods considered torture under international law. The President, however, simply repeated his statement that “we don’t torture.” Continue reading “President Bush Defends Administration on Latest Torture Flap”
In the most predictable ruling of the year, a court denied the effort of Idaho Sen. Larry Craig to withdraw his guilty plea after his arrest in a Minnesota public restroom. Craig, however, got the last word and, once again, reversed an earlier decision. He now insists that he will serve out his term in office. Continue reading “Craig Loses Motion on Plea; Pledges to Stay in Senate”