Below is my column in The Hill newspaper on the recent Senate hearing (in which I testified) on the proposed new AUMF legislation. In the last couple days, an open battle erupted between Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., South Carolina) and Sen. Rand Paul (R., Kentucky) after Graham called for the addition of North Korea among the ever changing list of countries. Paul called him “a danger to the country.”
Here is the column: Continue reading “Congress Is Again AWOL On War Powers”
University of Southern California Associate Professor of Communication Stacy L. Smith has written a report entitled “Critic’s Choice?” with USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative which discussed the problem that film critics are “largely white and male.” The solution appears to be the selection of critics based on their race and gender — as opposed to simply their talent and writing — to achieve “inclusion among film reviewers.” We previously discussed a Canadian gender quota for directors.
As we discussed yesterday, the West Midlands Police just released a collection of early mugshots from their archives this month, including what is believed to be the oldest mugshot in British history. We previously discussed Isaac Ellery, who was convicted in March 1853 of stealing “gig’ cushions. Today’s Victorian convict is Sarah Ann Cooper, who was charged with stealing bells and door knobs in September 1861.
Continue reading “Early Mugshot: Sarah Ann Cooper, Door Knob Thief”
It appears that things got ugly in a recent meeting between Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and House oversight staff. Rosenstein reportedly threatened to “subpoena” House committee members if they went after him with a contempt sanction for failing to turn over material on the FBI’s investigation of Trump campaign officials. If the account is true, it was a mistake by Rosenstein. To quote The Godfather, oversight is not personal, its oversight business. Continue reading “It’s Not Personal, Mr. Rosenstein, Its Strictly Government Business”
It may be the ultimate expression of our overheated politics. Longtime DNC member Bob Mulholland accused a Sanders supporter of being a possible Russian stooge after she attended a meeting of the Democratic National Committee to discuss rules and bylaws. It appears that anyone can now be denounced as Russian collaborators in an environment that is increasingly picking up McCarthyite elements. The bizarre allegation from Mulholland comes after the DNC moved to effectively block Sanders from the next presidential primary unless he registers as a Democrat. The effort was later abandoned, but left bad memories of the last primary where the DNC was shown to have secretly rigged the process for Hillary Clinton.
I periodically post old mugshots which offer a gritty insight into criminal history. The West Midlands Police just released some gems from their archives including what is believed to be the oldest mugshot in British history. That distinction rests with Isaac Ellery who was convicted in March 1853 and sentenced to seven years transportation for stealing four ‘gig’ cushions.
Continue reading “First Ever Mugshot In Britain Released: Isaac Ellery, Cushion Thief”
In torts, there is a doctrine called the “egg shell thin skull rule” where a defendant can be sued for the full damages of a tort even though the victim was especially susceptible to injury. It is the concept that “you take your victim as you find him.” Blaine Manalle, 20, is now personally familiar with the criminal counterpart to that rule. She is facing a second-degree murder charge after allegedly hitting Jeffery Howell in the head. Howell just had brain surgery and the blow fell on the still healing surgery incision behind his ear.
Rachel Camille Calhoun, 24, in Forestdale, Alabama allegedly had a novel way to to rob the Regions Bank in Forestdale. Police say that she gave the bank manager a stark choice: Given her $6,000 and accept sex in return or she would accuse him of sexual assault. He opted for the third option and called police.
Democrats and media figures continue to struggle with the truth of the abuses of former President Bill Clinton who has been accused by multiple women of everything from sexual harassment to rape. Dozens of reporters have interviewed Clinton without seriousness questioning him on these past allegations until recently. Even after a year of “MeToo” stories, only this month did an interviewer risk the ire of Clinton supporters to press the former president. Clinton became immediately condescending and dismissive. The continued muted response to Clinton’s past is evident after a rather shocking claim in a new interview with PBS NewsHour where Clinton explained that “what you can do to someone against their will” has simply changed. Continue reading “Clinton: Standards Have Changed Over “What You Can Do To Someone Against Their Will””
We have been discussing the growing number of idiots who are leaving graffiti and destroying national and state parks (here and here and here and here and here). Now some teenager has defaced the incredible Colorado National Monument with juvenile graffiti meant to convince a girl to go to the prom. The stunt could cost the culprit six months in jail. Indeed, until judges hand down some serious jail time, people like this will continue to deface our national parks. Continue reading “High-School Student Defaces the Colorado National Monument With Graffiti”
People around the world are outraged this week by a photos of Prince George playing with a toy gun. The four-year-old was simply outside with a plastic gun in play with his sister Princess Charlotte and friends. However, many people were appalled by the pseudo-violent scene. I have written about the desire of children, particularly boys, to play with toy weapons (here and here). I faced the same type of anger for my columns on why I let my children play with such toys as well as other fantasy items. (Two are shown above from one of my columns). Continue reading “Royal Mess: People Are Up In Arms After Prince George Is Shown Playing With Toy Gun”
There is an interesting new story about a bizarre practice by President Donald Trump who reportedly rips up material given to him despite the duty to preserve the documents under the Presidential Records Act. Two staffers have recounted how they were required to spend considerable time taping the documents back together to stay in compliance with the PRA. They reportedly complained about the duty for people making $60,000 a year. They were suddenly fired. This Humpy Dumpty duty raises some serious questions of federal violations. Continue reading “Humpy Dumpty Duty: Trump Regularly Rips Up Documents, Requiring Staff To Tape Them Back Together To Comply With Federal Law”
Below is my column in The Hill newspaper on the implications of the indictment of James Wolfe for lying to federal investigators. I have very serious concerns over the targeting of a journalist for surveillance in this case, particularly because there seems ample alternatives to the intrusion into confidential communications of a reporter. However, the most obvious threat may be to Andrew McCabe who is still awaiting word on whether he will be criminally charged and recently sought immunity from Congress. Continue reading “The Wolfe Indictment: Is Andrew McCabe Next In Line For Prosecution?”
Constance Koulmey has been awarded over $100,000 after she was hit by a bowl of pasta thrown by lawyer James Sweeney. She alleged that she received a head injury from the bowl that Sweeney threw at another restaurant customer. That left an al dente on her head that was enough for the Waterbury, Connecticut jury to find in favor of her battery claim.
West Point graduate and Army infantry officer Spenser Rapone has been drummed out of the military after receiving an “other than honorable discharge” from the military. He caused a stir with a posted photo of his West Point cap with the words “Communism will win” written inside. He also displayed a Che Guevara T-shirt underneath his uniform jacket. Rapone is clearly a dedicated socialist, but the action raises the issue of whether being a communist or socialist is disqualifying. His removal is widely tied to a letter sent by Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fl.). Rapone is scheduled to be a featured speaker at the conference “Socialism 2018” in Chicago this year.
Continue reading “Controversial Socialist Army Officer Given “Other Than Honorable” Discharge”