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””
Category: Congress
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”
While many of us have been busy pulling out our Night Shift Workers Day decorations from the attic, some may not be aware of the holiday. Congress has also designated this Receptionist Day. The question of the day is the following: if you have a receptionist who works nights, should you bring two bouquets of flowers or pick which aspect of his or her employment you want to celebrate?
Continue reading “Happy Night Shift Workers Day”
Below is today’s column (one of two columns today on the Supreme Court) addressing the troubling exclusion of schools other than Harvard and Yale on the Supreme Court — a type of academic cartel that is damaging to both that institution and our educational and legal systems generally. Click here for the other column in USA Today. Time Magazine also ran a long story on the reliance on graduates from Harvard and Yale, here.
Continue reading “Supreme Monopoly: Kagan’s Nomination Confirms The Lack of Educational Diversity on The Court”
Below is today’s USA Today column on the confirmation process. This is one of two columns today (the other column ran in the L.A. Times) on the Kagan nomination.
Continue reading “The Confirmation Process: No Way To Select The Judicial MVP”
Greg Sargent at the Washington Post is reporting that Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will be proposing a new law that could potentially strip Americans of their citizenship if they’re involved with foreign terrorist organizations. The limited details revealed today are enough to send a chill down the spine of civil libertarians around the country. I will be discussing this issue tonight on Rachel Maddow’s show.
Continue reading “Lieberman to Propose Citizenship-Stripping Law”
In a recent speech before the Heritage Foundation, Senator Orrin Hatch (R, Utah) cited one of my column’s stating that I consider the claim of federal jurisdiction in the health care litigation to be a threat to federalism. That is certainly true (here). However, Senator Hatch then added that I had come to change my views over the course of the debate. That last addition is not accurate so I thought I would offer a brief response.
Continue reading “Federalism and Health Care: A Response to Senator Orrin Hatch”
Because this occurred before this creation of this blog, we have never reviewed this video from 2007. In an outrageous act of religious intolerance, a visiting Hindu priest was stopped twice from offering the opening prayer in the United States Senate.
Continue reading “Video: Christians Stops Hindu Prayer in Senate”
D.C. Democratic Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton made a shocking comment about Associate Justice Clarence Thomas this week, stating that ” We’ve got someone who proposes to be African-American on the court.” It is a shocking insult directed at Thomas and it is unworthy of Norton. It also seems to suggest that someone cannot be a true African-American if they are conservative.
Continue reading “Norton: Justice Thomas Just “Proposes” To Be African-American”
Rep. Duncan Hunter has called for the deportation of the children of illegal aliens born in this country. I discussed this issue last night on Countdown. Jus soli (“law of ground”) or “birthright citizenship” is recognized in some form by nations like France and the United States while rejected by others.
Continue reading “Duncan Hunter: Deport the Children of Illegal Aliens”