Category: Politics

Media, Politics, Society

Poll: 58 Percent Of Voters Considering Someone Other Than Trump or Clinton

495px-Donald_Trump_by_Gage_SkidmoreHillary_Clinton_Testimony_to_House_Select_Committee_on_BenghaziWe have been discussing the bizarre situation of the two major parties nominating the two candidates with not just the highest, but unprecedented, negative numbers with voters. The presumptive nomination of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have renewed calls for reforms to challenge the control of a duopoly of power in the country. This week there are new polls showing not only that Trump and Clinton are roughly equal in the high rejection of the majority of the voters, but 58 percent say that they are considering voting for someone other than Trump and Clinton. That could be a huge boast to the Libertarian and Green candidates this election. It also may reflect the dangerous gamble of the establishment in the Democratic party in securing the nomination for Clinton.

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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Politics, Society

Louisiana Legislator Under Fire For Jokingly Suggesting A Ban On Strippers Above The Age Of 28 Or Weighing More Than 160 Pounds

rep62350px-poledsc325Louisiana State Rep. Kenneth Havard is under fire this week for a measure that would have required strippers in Louisiana to be no older than 28 and weigh no more than 160 pounds. The amendment was . . . well . . . stripped from the bill after objections.

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Media, Politics

Clinton Surrogate Ed Rendell Predicts Landside Of “Ugly Women” Voting For Clinton

Ed_RendellTrump supporters have repeatedly objected to what is viewed as a bias in the media in favor of Hillary Clinton, including the failure to recognize that Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton have previously said things that are now denounced as hateful or extremist. Now a Clinton surrogate has sounded positively Trump like in his criticism of Trump. Ed Rendell, the former Pennsylvania governor and Philadelphia mayor had a curious way of analyzing the impact of statements by Trump about women on voters. I will say it again: this election cannot get more bizarre.

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Congress, Criminal law, Military, Politics, Society

Why Is The Iran Report On The Treatment Of U.S. Sailor’s Still Classified?

160113105251-01-iran-sailors-framegrab-large-169We previously discussed how the government has kept 28 pages classified in the 9-11 Report to protect Saudi Arabia from a public backlash of its alleged involvement (or at least the involvement of Saudi officials) in the attacks. Now, a report on the treatment of U.S. sailors by Iran in seizure of Navy boats earlier this year will reportedly remain classified for some time. That is rather curious since Iran already knows how it treated the sailors. Again, there is a suspicion that the Administration simply does not want the public to know the full details of the mistreatment, which Rep. Randy Forbes (R., Va.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, says are far worse than has been made public. Recently, the Navy fired the commander in the incident.

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Bizarre, Politics, Religion, Society, Torts

The Whole (Food) Truth and Nothing But The Truth: Gay Pastor Admits That Gay Slur Cake Was A Hoax

imrs.phpWe previously discussed the suspicious claims made by a gay Texas pastor, Jordan Brown, who accused a Whole Foods store of changing his order for a cake reading “Love Wins” to “Love Wins Fag.” Various people seeing the cake immediately began raising questions over Brown’s claims and a videotape seemed to contradict his account. Whole Foods countersued Brown. Brown has now fessed up that he did alter the cake and made the whole thing up. After he dropped his lawsuit, Whole Foods has decided to drop the countersuit though a strong case could be made for seeking damages in such a hoax.

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Bizarre, Politics, Society

Tangled Webb: Virginia Congressional Candidate Posts Screenshot Of Computer But Fails To Close Pornography Tabs [UPDATED]

Screen Shot 2016-05-16 at 7.04.00 PM5707_1709211369322741_8312701898792710250_nMike Webb is running for Virginia’s 8th District but has run into a bit of trouble. First, he ran for the Republican nomination but lost. He then ran as an independent but people noticed something a bit odd on this website. A screenshot showed open tabs to what appears to porn sites on his campaign Facebook site. I checked and it was still on the site after various sites reported the sighting. Whatever “Ivone” and “Layla Rivera” are offering, it is not the usual fare for campaign promises. Update: Webb has responded as discussed below.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Politics, Religion

Iran Defends Holocaust Cartoon Competition As Expression Of Free Speech

250px-flag_of_iransvgOne of the most impressive characteristics of religious extremists is the ability to hold facially contrary positions without any sense of contradiction or hypocrisy. Saudi Arabia decries any limitations on Muslims worshipping in other countries while banning churches and public worship of non-Muslims in its own country. Iran is particularly prone to such contradictions like executing homosexuals while denying that there are any homosexuals in Iran or objecting to the treatment of protesters in the West while jailing, beating and killing protesters in Iran. This week Iran offered another such example. In refusing to censor a Holocaust-themed cartoon festival, Iran (which has ordered the killing of authors and cartoonists for insulting Islam) insisted that it had to stand with free speech and would not think of interfering with an author or cartoonist in expressing their views. The same week, Iran has called for the arrest and punishment of models who allow themselves to be photographed without religious scarves.  Likewise, it previously ordered the flogging of a model for a public kiss.

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Academia, Bizarre, Free Speech, Politics, Society

Black Lives Matter Activists Tear Down Statement Supporting Police In The Name Of Not Being Silenced

220px-Dartmouth_College_shield.svgWe previously discussed the protest held by Black Lives Matter at the library of Dartmouth — and the relative lack of any punishment from the college. Now, Black Lives Matter activists have torn down a display honoring police officers and then reportedly stood guard over the board to prevent the College Republicans from re-posting their memorial . . . in the name of not being silenced.

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Constitutional Law, Politics, Society

Alabama Joins Eight Other States In Banning State Contracts For Businesses Who Support The Boycott Of Israeli Products

israel1150px-Flag_of_Alabama.svgThere is a fascinating free speech case developing in Alabama where Gov. Robert Bentley approved a law banning firms that boycott Israel from doing business with Alabama state and local governments. It is a measure pushed hard by pro-Israel activists and is likely to replicated around the country. However, SB81, sponsored by Republican Sen. Arthur Orr, raises core free speech and associational rights. What is ironic is that it is a Republican measure that would seem to deny the type of free speech rights recognized in corporations in cases like Citizens United. If corporations have free speech rights like citizens, could a state bar anyone who was opposed to Israel from state employment or contracts? A court challenge would raise some very difficult and frankly close questions on the right of states to make such a distinction.

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Bizarre, Politics, Society

TSA Meltdown: Thousands of Bags Lost While Long Lines Push Passengers To Near Riot

cd07r8sweaax5er-jpg-largeWe have previously discussed the meltdown at airports due to the latest failure of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Passengers are being asked to show up hours in advance and many are missing their flights due to endless lines. Now, thousands of bags have been lost due to a “technical problems” at TSA. The lack of any accountability for the ongoing failures at TSA is the latest evidence of the disconnect between citizens and their government.

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Academia, Politics, Society

Study: Health Care Costs Would Drop $63 Billion If Only One-Tenth Of Smokers Quit

cigaretteThere is an interesting study out of the University of San Francisco California by James Lightwood (associate professor in the UCSF School of Pharmacy) and his colleagues on the cost of smoking. The team found that if 1 in 10 people in the US quit smoking, health care costs would drop $63 billion in next year.

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Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Media, Politics, Society

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WINS HISTORIC RULING IN CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE UNDER THE ACA

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This afternoon, Judge Rosemary Collyer issued a final ruling in United States House of Representatives v. Burwell, the challenge to unilateral actions taken by the Administration under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Judge Collyer ruled in favor of the House of Representatives and found that the Administration violated the Constitution in committing billions of dollars from the United States Treasury without the approval of Congress. The historic ruling reaffirms the foundational “power of the purse” that was given to the legislative branch by the Framers.
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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Politics, Religion

Iranian Lawyer Barred From Parliament Based On Photos Taken Without A Head Scarf

Politicians being barred from office for misconduct is unfortunately not new, but Iranian politicians Minoo Khaleghi, who won a seat in the city of Isfahan in February, transgressed by allegedly allowing a picture to be taken of her without a head scarf. While Khaleghi insists the photos are fake, Dispute Settlement Committee of Branches ruled that she cannot be sworn into office for violating Islamic values. A religious body previously made clear that they would not allow voters to elect Khaleghi.

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Criminal law, Media, Politics

“We Do Investigations Here At The FBI”: FBI Director Reportedly Contradicts Clinton On Email Investigation

Hillary_Clinton_Testimony_to_House_Select_Committee_on_BenghaziThe FBI and its director James Comey have been careful not to be swept into the political campaign in comments about the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s personal server. The Clinton campaign, and the candidate herself, have repeatedly scoffed at any danger of an indictment and insisted that this is merely a “security review” or “security inquiry.” Indeed, close Clinton confidant Sidney Blumenthal was on CNN this morning stressing that this was nothing more than a security review. Now Comey is being quoted by Fox News chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge as directly refuting this core claim by Clinton and saying that this is a criminal investigation. He would also likely disagree with Bill Clinton’s recent claim that the investigation was just a “game” and nothing more.

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Constitutional Law, International, Politics

New Zealand Prime Minister Thrown Out OF Parliament

LPParliamentaryParties_listingAs many of you know, one of my chief focuses as an academic is the separation of powers and that I hold a robust view of legislative authority under Article I. Indeed, I view the erosion of legislative authority in the United States to be one of the most dangerous trends in our country. That is why I noticed a story out of New Zealand where the Prime Minister John Key was actually tossed out of Parliament for not adhering to the rules of the body. It was an incredible moment at a time where executive powers are being consolidated around the world. For those who still believe in equal legislative power in a tripartite system, it was a rare contemporary assertion of independent authority.

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