Category: Politics

International, Politics, Society

Obama Aide: “We Don’t Make Decisions . . . Based on Consistency or Precedent”

For those of us who are incredulous at the changing rationales for our intervention in the Libyan civil war, Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough has come to the rescue. He told reporters that “we don’t make decisions about questions like intervention based on consistency or precedent. We make them based on how we can best advance our interests in the region.” Thus, inconsistency is the consistent policy that we are trying to advance?

Continue reading “Obama Aide: “We Don’t Make Decisions . . . Based on Consistency or Precedent”” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Politics

Prosecutor Demands Willie Nelson Sing in Court As Condition For A Plea on Pot Possession

If the simple pot possession case against Willy Nelson is any measure, West Texas justice appears based on some fundamental differences from the rest of the country. While such minor charges are generally handled by mail, Hudspeth County’s judge Becky Dean-Walker has demanded that the star appear before her in her courtroom. Now, County Attorney Kit Bramblett is joining in on the fun with Nelson by offering a plea only if Nelson sings “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” for the court. I hate to be a cold blanket, but find this neither funny nor tolerable for a legal system. Both the judge and the prosecutor appear to be intoxicated by celebrity crime.

Continue reading “Prosecutor Demands Willie Nelson Sing in Court As Condition For A Plea on Pot Possession” →

Bizarre, Courts, Criminal law, Politics

Connecticut Police Seek Arrest of Judge After She Refuses To Sign Warrant

There is a bizarre confrontation in Salisbury, Connecticut where state police have applied for a warrant to arrest Superior Court judge Corinne L. Klatt after refusing to sign a prior arrest warrant. Salisbury Resident Trooper Mark Lauretano charges that Klatt is guilty of coercion and hindering a criminal investigation by refusing to sign the warrant.

Continue reading “Connecticut Police Seek Arrest of Judge After She Refuses To Sign Warrant” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Pencil Prank Leads to Arrest and Criminal Charging of Middle School Student

It is one of the worst pranks played in schools. A friend starts to sit down and a student holds a pencil pointing up on the chair. Millions of kids have either been the culprit or the victim of this prank. However, in Ohio, one such 12-year-old child has been arrested and charged criminally after he played the prank during choir class — leading to the other 12-year-old boy being sent to the hospital.
Continue reading “Pencil Prank Leads to Arrest and Criminal Charging of Middle School Student” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics

Brennan Slams Congress for Encroaching on Obama’s Authority

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

 

John Brennan

 

John O. Brennan is Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, and Assistant to the President. In remarks made at the Brennan Center for Justice, NYU School of Law, Brennan presented a forceful public call for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center and the use of the federal courts to try some of the detainees there. Key word: some.

Continue reading “Brennan Slams Congress for Encroaching on Obama’s Authority” →

Constitutional Law, Politics, Religion

Did Pawlenty Promote Sharia Compliance?

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

in 2004, in an effort to increase minority home ownership, then-Gov. Pawlenty urged the Minnesota Housing Financing Agency (MHFA) to partner with local groups and businesses. The MHFA partnered with the African Development Center (ADC), developing culturally sensitive financial products that would allow Muslims to own homes. Sharia (Islamic law) prohibits the payment or acceptance of interest fees for loans of money. Charging interest on loans is also forbidden according to Jewish law.

Continue reading “Did Pawlenty Promote Sharia Compliance?” →

Politics, Religion

Bryan Fischer – Republican Presidential Hopefuls Go-To Guy

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Bryan Fischer is the director of analysis for government and policy for the American Family Association (designated a hate group by the SPLC), which claims 2 million online supporters and 180,000 subscribers to its AFA Journal. Fischer recently said that the First Amendment doesn’t apply to Muslims, writing: “Islam has no fundamental First Amendment claims, for the simple reason that it was not written to protect the religion of Islam.”

Continue reading “Bryan Fischer – Republican Presidential Hopefuls Go-To Guy” →

Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Politics

Instrument of Domestic Terrorism?

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Liberty Dollar

Bernard von NotHaus, 67, was convicted making coins resembling and similar to United States coins; of issuing, passing, selling and possessing Liberty Dollar coins; of issuing and passing Liberty Dollar coins intended for use as current money; and of conspiracy against the United States.

von NotHaus was charged with violation of 18 U.S.C. § 485, conspiracy to possess and sell coins in resemblance or similitude of any foreign gold or silver coin current in the United States or in actual use and circulation as money within the United States.

Continue reading “Instrument of Domestic Terrorism?” →

International, Politics, Society

Onward To Syria? Government Reportedly Massacres Citizens

The Syrian government has reportedly opened fired on protesters soon after President Bashar al-Assad promised to put an end to protests. The reported massacre occurred in the city of Sanamin near Daraa. Given President Barack Obama’s rationale for going to war in Libya, doesn’t that mean we will soon be bombing Damascus as we have Tripoli? After all, both Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton insisted that they had no choice when it was clear that the government was shooting protesters. Now, Syrian protesters can claim the same right to a U.S. led “time-limited, scope-limited military action.”

Continue reading “Onward To Syria? Government Reportedly Massacres Citizens” →

Bizarre, Politics, Religion, Society

Roughly Four Out of Ten Americans Believe Disasters Like Japanese Earthquake Directed By God

Roughly four out of ten Americans still like that old testament version of God — full of wrath and fury. A poll by Public Religion Research Institute and Religion News Surveshows that forty percent of our citizens still believe that God directs such disasters like the Japanese earthquake for a purpose. It is not clear what God had against the Japanese, but these citizens believe it was for a divine purpose. They are not alone Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara called the earthquake and tsunami in Japan tembatsu — or “divine judgment”
Continue reading “Roughly Four Out of Ten Americans Believe Disasters Like Japanese Earthquake Directed By God” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Under Siege: Steven Seagal Attacks Home in Arizona with Armored Cars and SWAT Members to Arrest Man Accused of Cockfighting

We have previously followed the feudal system created by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona. Arpaio’s insatiable desire for media attention has led him to turn over areas of his office to Hollywood producers. Last week, Arpaio’s unhinged administration gave the public another bizarre scene as Steven Seagal was seen attacking a home with a tank, armored cars, bomb robot, and dozens of SWAT team members. The crime? Suspected involvement in cockfighting.

Continue reading “Under Siege: Steven Seagal Attacks Home in Arizona with Armored Cars and SWAT Members to Arrest Man Accused of Cockfighting” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering, Politics, Society

On the Lam: Indiana Prosecutor Resigns After Suggesting That Wisconsin Governor Fake Attack To Frame Unions

Indiana prosecutor Carlos Lam has resigned in a bizarre scandal where he admitted to sending an email to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker suggesting that he get a supporter to attack him to frame the unions and discredit their cause. While first denying that he sent the email, Lam eventually fessed up and resigned. Indiana prosecutors seem to be a bit obsessed with the union protests in Wisconsin. If you recall, we previously followed the case of Jeffrey Cox, a deputy attorney general, who was fired after reportedly suggesting the use of live ammunition against protesters.
Continue reading “On the Lam: Indiana Prosecutor Resigns After Suggesting That Wisconsin Governor Fake Attack To Frame Unions” →

Constitutional Law, International, Politics, Society

War “Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action” Is Hell

Many citizens are breathing a sense of relief today. When we saw the Obama Administration bomb the capital of a sovereign nation and openly support rebel forces in the field, many jumped to conclusions and asked how Obama could start a war without congressional approval under Article I. White House Spokesman Jay Carney has finally set the record straight. This may look like war but it is really “a time-limited, scope-limited military action.”
Continue reading “War “Time-Limited, Scope-Limited Military Action” Is Hell” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Justice, Lawyering, Politics, Society

Obama Orders Limits on Miranda Rights For Domestic Suspects

President Obama has continued his attack on basic constitutional and legal principles with an astonishing new order that allows investigators to not only hold domestic terror suspects for longer periods but to deny them Miranda rights under a strained interpretation of the public safety exception. Obama had attempted to get this change from Congress but was rebuffed. He has now again adopted a tactic of his predecessor and acted unilaterally to trump recognized constitutional rights.
Continue reading “Obama Orders Limits on Miranda Rights For Domestic Suspects” →