Category: Politics

Academia, Columns, Constitutional Law, Courts, Politics, Society, Supreme Court

The Supremes: Picking the Top Nine Justices of All Time

court_front_medLast night I discussed the growing speculation that Justice John Paul Stevens, an icon of the Court with over three decades of service, may be preparing to retire (here). On both a personal and jurisprudential level, Stevens remains one of my favorite judicial figures. He is a man who had a transformative impact on his country. His place in history will likely be discussed for years to come. With this news and the justices returning to the city for the new term, this story may be of interest. Below is my cover article in the American History Magazine on my choices for the top nine justices — as well as my list of the Supreme failures on the Court.

Continue reading “The Supremes: Picking the Top Nine Justices of All Time” →

Academia, Bizarre, Politics, Society

Maryland College President Under Fire For Lavish Spending

drjohnsonPublic schools are cutting back deeply during this economic downturn but you would not know it from reading the credit card bill for Brian Keith Johnson, the Montgomery College president. Johnson appears to have personally taken on the cause of stimulating the economy with his state-funded spending. Unfortunately, he has a global reach, including a $4,051 hotel bill in Delhi. To make matters worse, last year an Arizona court issued a warrant for Johnson for failure to pay $12,000 in unpaid child support.

Continue reading “Maryland College President Under Fire For Lavish Spending” →

Courts, Justice, Media, Politics, Society, Supreme Court

Stevens: Speculation Grows Over Stevens Resignation

250px-John_Paul_Stevens,_SCOTUS_photo_portraitDue to its cultural insularity and secrecy, legal commentators often have to act like old Sovietologists who would predict shifts in power by who in the Politburo was standing where on top of Lenin’s tomb. For Supremologists, there are other common indicators: the most prominent is the reduction of judicial clerks. Speculation over Stevens’ retirement is now at its peak with news that he has selected only one clerk for next year. I will be discussing this story on tonight’s Rachel Maddow.

Continue reading “Stevens: Speculation Grows Over Stevens Resignation” →

Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Media, Politics, Society

New York Settles Mass Arrest Case — Drops Charges

232px-NYPD_BadgeThere is a mass arrest story. As has been discussed earlier, we have an ongoing arrest case in Washington, D.C., here. In May 2007 police arrested dozens of young people who police alleged were basically rioting through the streets. The students insisted that they were on their way to a funeral for a murdered friend. Now, there has been a settlement of the case with all charges dropped and the payment of damages.

Continue reading “New York Settles Mass Arrest Case — Drops Charges” →

Media, Politics, Religion, Society, Torts

Miss California Superior Court: Carrier Prejean Sues Pageant Over Termination

150px-CarriePrejeanByPhilKonstantinFormer Miss California Carrie Prejean, 22, has sued Miss California USA for libel, public disclosure of private facts, religious discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress stemming from the controversy over her position on gay marriage. She was stripped of her title earlier this year, but the officials insist it was due to her breaking her contract and failing to perform her duties as Miss California, including the missing of appearances. The complaint also named Miss California USA officials Keith Lewis and Shanna Moakler and publicist Roger Neal.
Continue reading “Miss California Superior Court: Carrier Prejean Sues Pageant Over Termination” →

Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Shock Video: Officers Beat DUI Suspect in Cell — and Later Cleared in Internal Investigation

An Illinois sheriff this week is seeking to reverse a board decision reinstating three officers in Tazewell county, Illinois despite this shocking video tape. On the video, Sergeant Richard Johnston, and correctional officers Jeffery Bieber and Justin Piro are shown beating Becky Behm after she was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol October 17, 2008.

Continue reading “Shock Video: Officers Beat DUI Suspect in Cell — and Later Cleared in Internal Investigation” →

Academia, Bizarre, Politics, Religion, Society

De-Evolution: Missouri School Officials Order Return of Band T-Shirts Showing Picture of Evolution

320px-Ape_skeletons300px-TTUbandEvolution in Sedalia, Missouri appears to be moving in reverse. The band leaders of the Smith-Cotton High School Tiger Pride Marching Band thought that they had a cute idea in showing the images of monkeys evolving into band members under the words “Brass Evolutions 2009.” Parents and teachers objected that evolution (a scientific theory) was advancing a “religious” viewpoint. Amazingly, the school agreed and ordered the t-shirts turned in by the students.

Continue reading “De-Evolution: Missouri School Officials Order Return of Band T-Shirts Showing Picture of Evolution” →

Bizarre, Courts, Criminal law, Lawyering, Politics, Society

You Had Me At “Hello, Your Honor”: Houston Judge Indicted After Allegedly Offering to Help Woman in Exchange for a Sexual Relationship

260xStoryHarris County Criminal Court-at-Law judge Donald W. Jackson, 59, has been indicted on a misdemeanor charge of official oppression – allegedly offering to get a DWI defendant help in dismissing her case in exchange for a sexual relationship. Notably, he allegedly insisted that he was not interested in “a one-night stand” in seeking to secure counsel for Ariana M. Venegas. If so, it is a new variation on past judicial pick-up lines that simply offer to trade sex for rulings.

Continue reading “You Had Me At “Hello, Your Honor”: Houston Judge Indicted After Allegedly Offering to Help Woman in Exchange for a Sexual Relationship” →

Bizarre, Politics, Society

Who Would You Want to Drive You to the Governor’s Mansion? Corzine Spokesperson Raises Driving Skills As Criteria for Office

225px-SenatorJonCorzine225px-US_Attorney_Chris_ChristieIn an interesting twist to the usual negative political traditions in New Jersey, a spokeswoman for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine has attacked Republican challenger Chris Christie’s driving record, denouncing him as “a complete menace to society on the highways of New Jersey” with 13 moving violations over the last two and a half decades. If you recall, Corzine had two speeding tickets going back to 1992, and most importantly a third ticket for failing to wear a seat belt in the car accident that nearly killed him in 2007.
Continue reading “Who Would You Want to Drive You to the Governor’s Mansion? Corzine Spokesperson Raises Driving Skills As Criteria for Office” →

Congress, Criminal law, Media, Politics, Society

Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel “Amends” Financial Disclosure Form to More Than Double His Reported Income

225px-Charlie_Rangel,_official_109th_Congress_photoWays and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel has played a large role in tax policy — and advocated increasing taxes to pay for the massive spending of this Congress. He is now accused of underreporting his own income by a shocking degree. Republicans have complained that the media and blogs have been relatively muted in covering the story.

Continue reading “Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel “Amends” Financial Disclosure Form to More Than Double His Reported Income” →

Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Pastor Prays for President Obama’s Death on Eve of His Visit to Arizona

steve.htmlPastor Steven Anderson has used his position at Faithful World Baptist Church, in Tempe, Arizona to bring just a little more hate into the world. Pastor Anderson is praying for the death of President Obama and an eternity in hell.

Continue reading “Pastor Prays for President Obama’s Death on Eve of His Visit to Arizona” →

Academia, Bizarre, Politics, Society

Good Citizens Don’t Wear Plaid: Richmond Schools Ban Stripes and Plaids as Key to Success

200px-DeadmenplaidposterWhile other school officials are struggling against the scourges of drugs and violence, officials at the Richmond Community Schools in Indiana have started a campaign against the ravages of stripes and plaids. Officials have prohibited clothing other than solid colors and have parents seeing solid red.
Continue reading “Good Citizens Don’t Wear Plaid: Richmond Schools Ban Stripes and Plaids as Key to Success” →

Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Cincinnati Police Officer Suspended After Tasering Woman on Her Knees With Her Hands in the Air

20540935_480X200Cincinnati Police Officer Anthony Plummer is accused of tasering the wrong person in the wrong way. First, he allegedly tasered a woman who was on her knees with her hands in the air. Second, it turned out to be Celeste Thomas, 26, daughter of City Councilman Cecil Thomas, a former police officer who heads the council’s law and safety committee.
Continue reading “Cincinnati Police Officer Suspended After Tasering Woman on Her Knees With Her Hands in the Air” →

Bizarre, Politics, Society

Video: Rep. Lynn Jenkins Announces that Republicans Are Looking for “Great White Hope”

225px-LynnJenkinsofficialpic200px-James_J_JeffriesThe Topeka Capitol-Journal is reporting that Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) told a town hall meeting that Republicans are searching for the “great white hope.” In the videotape, the newspaper reports that Jenkins says “Republicans are struggling right now to find the great white hope. I suggest to any of you who are concerned about that, who are Republican, there are some great young Republican minds in Washington.”
Continue reading “Video: Rep. Lynn Jenkins Announces that Republicans Are Looking for “Great White Hope”” →