Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "The Supreme Court has again declined to examine 'reporters' privilege.'
I have the sneaking suspicion that the US Supreme Court is actually afraid to touch these cases for fear that they may rule against the people's right to know, and through conservative support of the security first - liberty last philosophy, bring on an American version of tyranny so famous in dicatorships and communist countries where the press is the first institution to oppress in order to retain power. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CNN: Politics: "In a pair of cases that could reignite disputes over race and public education, the Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide what role affirmative action should play in assigning students to competitive spots in elementary and secondary schools."
This should be good for a lot of political spin around November's elections. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Washington Post: Today's Highlights: "Supreme Court to consider whether race can be a deciding factor in public high school admissions."
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "In papers filed late Friday, Justice Department lawyers said it would be impossible to defend the legality of the spying program without disclosing classified information that could be of value to suspected terrorists.
The truth is in that statement. You just need to delete all words after 'program'. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Reuters: Top News: "DETROIT (Reuters) - The U.S. government has asked a pair of federal judges to dismiss legal challenges to the Bush administration's controversial domestic eavesdropping program, arguing any court action in the cases would jeopardize secrets in the ongoing war on terrorism.
Well, now. There you have it. There is no wrong, no breach of the Constitution which should withstand the Executive defense of national security. Hell, let's just hang a swastika outside the White House, swear alleigance to Mein Fuhrer King George, disband the Congress, (their just in the way of packing the courts to support Mein Fuhrer anyway), and be done with it.
These Americans don't know when they have it so good and secure. Unappreciative dolts who need a strong patriarchal leader to protect us is what we are. Right? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Reuters: Top News: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A judge rejected a request by former White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby on Friday to force ex-New York Times reporter Judith Miller to turn over all her notes, telephone records and appointment calendar."
CNN: Politics: "Read full story for latest details."
The irony is, these judges are likely to constrain the power of the executive when a Democrat is elected. Which would be go along way to correct Bush's excesses of reach. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "The Supreme Court's refusal to weigh in comes amid a patchwork of conflicting state and federal rulings.
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "Stunned that he was sentenced to life in prison rather than execution, Zacarias Moussaoui now believes he could get a fair trial ...
There are many lessons here. Those would kill expect to be killed if caught. So does killing them elevate society or lower it to the level of those we convict for killing? Does not his life sentence elicit greater justice from him than killing him which in his mind martyrs him? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "The state was wrong to deny health care benefits and bereavement leave to the families of two lesbian employees, a judge ruled. ...
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USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "A U.S. appeals panel challenged the Bush administration Friday over new rules making it easier for police and the FBI to wiretap ...
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CBS News: "Lawyers for a woman who was spanked in front of her co-workers as part of what her employer said was a camaraderie-building exercise asked a jury for at least $1.2 million for the humiliation she claimed to have suffered."
Bizarre! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
American Prospect: "Burlington offers the court a chance, once again, to decide what Congress really meant when its 1964 Civil Rights Act Title VII, section 703, declared it %u201Can unlawful employment practice for an employer ... to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual%u2019s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.%u201D In Burlington, the question was about section 704 of Title VII, in which Congress said it was also illegal for an employer to retaliate -- to %u201Cdiscriminate against%u201D -- anyone who had brought a discrimination charge or testified on behalf of someone else%u2019s charge. Otherwise, simply by bringing a discrimination charge, you could get fired."
As is often the case with S.C. rulings, the consequences of interpreting a word or two can have profoundly differing effects. I should think the law was perfectly clear in its intent. But, now we have a more conservative court which may legislate from the bench by giving "retalliation" a whole different meaning giving companies the right of retribution against those who testify for, or any who bring a complaint of discrimination against the company. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
ABC News: Politics: "Supreme Court Will Decide Whether Company Accused of Hiring Illegal Immigrants Can Be Charged Under RICO"
BBC: World: "A Pakistani-American is convicted by a US jury of supporting terrorism by attending an al-Qaeda camp."
Guilt by affiliation! There is something very disturbing about this. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
AP Politics: "AUSTIN - An appeals court Wednesday upheld a judge's ruling throwing out a conspiracy charge against former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay."
AP Politics: "COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Supreme Court gave Gov. Bob Taft a partial victory Thursday in his efforts to withhold documents connected to a corruption scandal, saying he has the right to keep some records secret but must do more to prove that those related to a state investment in rare coins should be sealed."
CNN: Politics: "A divided Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from a U.S. citizen held until recently as an "enemy combatant" without traditional legal rights."
This must be the new dance for the Supreme Court, called the SideStep. Cool, our culture needs a new terpsicore! Just not one called the SideStep which shrugs responsibility in the Supreme Court. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Washington Post: Today's Highlights: "High court rejects appeal from man held until recently as an enemy combatant, sidestepping challenge to President Bush's wartime powers."
ABC News: Politics: "Federal Judge Criticizes FEC for Allowing '527' Groups to Spend Huge Sums of Soft Money in 2004"
The FEC is controlled by Democrats and Republicans. Of course they weren't going to rein in soft money voluntarily. Did anyone expect they would? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CBS News: "Massachusetts' highest court " the same court that made same-sex marriage legal there " ruled that gay couples from other states cannot legally marry in the state. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled on a challenge to a 1913 state law."
This will be the same result if states are allowed to decide for themselves on abortion. Those who allow it, won't allow residents of other states to get abortions where it is legal. Think about it! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "This was Rayco "War" Saunders %u2014 ex-con, pro boxer and walking billboard for a street movement that has sparked a coast-to-coast beef involving everyone from professors to rappers.
Pellegrini, thinking "witness intimidation," told Saunders to lose the hat and reverse the shirt. Saunders, crying "First Amendment," refused. He left the courthouse, shirt in place. Case dismissed. "In almost every one of my homicides, this happens: 'I don't know nothin' about nothin', " the prosecutor says. "There is that attitude, 'Don't be a snitch.' And it's condoned by the community.""
This is but one consequence of the growing disrespect for law in America. When the President and the Congress can circumvent the laws for their personal gains and agendas, the public will be quick to follow. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CBS News: "The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday takes up the case of a former driver for Osama bin Laden who has been held at Guantanamo Bay for four years, says he's not a terrorist, and wants to be tried by a court instead of a military tribunal."
The White House's case rests on Hamdan being deemed a terrorist. When questioned how the government knows he is a terrorist as opposed to just a friend and driver for Osama bin Laden, the White House's response is, because we have him detained as a terrorist. Do you see the circular logic of their case? A military tribunal does not afford the accused any rights whatsoever which the government chooses not to grant them. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "The US Supreme Court is to consider the legality of military trials at Guantanamo Bay prison camp."
This case should be blasted across headlines for days. This is one of the most important cases the Sup. Ct. will hear. At issue is the power of the President to arrest and detain and try any person in the world he chooses by a military commission which does not even afford the same liberties and protections of a military courts martial. If the President has his way, such individuals will have no rights save those that the President decides shall be afforded them. Such is the import of this Hamdan case review. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "A top US judge says inmates at Guantanamo do not have rights under the constitution, Newsweek reports. Newsweek magazine said it had heard a tape of a recent talk given by Antonin Scalia in which he made these comments."
Talk about prejudging a case to come before the court !!! Yikes. Not to mention the fact that we have a sitting justice who defends all manner of inhumane treatment toward potentially innocent victims of broad sweeps of arrests and detentions. Obviously, for this conservative judge, innocent until proven guilty has no meaning whatsoever. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "Presidential power, detainee treatment, and separation of powers in an emergency are all at stake.
Not to mention the credibility of the GOP and President which abandoned safe legal precedent on these issues. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "The ACLU has filed Freedom of Information requests for more than 150 groups and individuals.
AP Politics: "WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court made it harder Tuesday for investors to join forces to file high-stakes fraud lawsuits against companies."
Increasingly, the laws of America focus on protecting corporate interests, while eroding laws protecting the American consumer. This is a very sad day for Americans, whether they know it or not. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
ABC News: Politics: "Consumer Group Files Second Lawsuit Challenging Law Aimed at Cutting Budget Deficit"
Some people are acting as though they lived in a democracy with the people controlling Congress' actions. But, in the end, it is all for nought if the voters do not hold their representatives accountable at election time. And if they don't, democracy will exist in name only. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
ABC News: Politics: "Supreme Court Refuses Consider Tossing Out a $50 Million Damage Award to the Family of Smoker Who Died"
Well, at least the Court got this one right! Power to the people, power to the juries! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "The US Supreme Court rejects a bid to give Puerto Ricans the right to vote in US presidential elections."
Someone forgot to tell the court we are in the business of spreading democracy, not restricting it! Or so the Bush administration would have us believe. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
AP Politics: "WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court considered Monday whether statements made by victims to 911 operators and police officers at crime scenes should be barred as evidence because they were not made under oath or subjected to cross-examination by a defendant."
AP Politics: "WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court turned back an appeal on Monday from a photographer who claimed a federal decency law violated her free-speech rights to post pictures of sadomasochistic sexual behavior on the Web."
ABC News: Politics: "U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Lone Remaining Whitewater Appeal As $70M Investigation Draws to Close"
And what was the amount of money involved in the crime, a few thousand dollars by Arkansas politician. This 70 million dollars was spent to get Clinton. This 70 million dollars of tax payer's dollars was a waste from the beginning, politically motivated, politically pursued, and as with most politics these days, a complete waste of time and effort at tax payer expense. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "A US judge tells Google to turn over search data, including 50,000 web addresses, to the government."
CBS News: "A federal judge said he plans to require Google to turn over some information to the Department of Justice, which wants to revive a law making it harder for children to see online pornography. He did not say if the data will include search requests."
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "The Moussaoui trial has shown that it's too difficult to prosecute terrorism cases in civilian courts, some experts say."
And that is exactly the conclusion the prosecutors for the Bush administration want the people to draw, and explains why the prosecutors acted so egregiously in the courtroom in preparing witnesses. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CNN: Politics: "Read full story for latest details."
National security secrecy: The ultimate 'Cover Your Ass' law for all manner of misdeeds and illegal behavior. If it is allowed to continue, the U.S. is bound to become an authoritarian government where elected officials author their own laws and rules according to THEIR needs, not the nation's, or the public's. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CNN: Politics: "The Supreme Court ruled Monday that universities that accept federal money must allow military recruiters on campus, even if they oppose the Pentagon's policy barring people who are openly homosexual from serving."
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "A new lawsuit may have what other cases don't: official records about those under surveillance."
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "Supreme Court justices offered little support Wednesday for Texas Democrats' claim that the state's Republican-led Legislature violated the Constitution in 2003 by redrawing Texas' congressional map to favor the GOP. ...
Some justices, including Anthony Kennedy, did express concern that Texas legislators might have impermissibly reduced the political strength of minority voters as they split up traditionally Democratic voting districts to boost Republicans' chances in elections."
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "The high court is set to examine the scope of the Clean Water Act - and federal oversight."
Without federal oversight, the people will be left to their own devices to try to determine if their water is drinkable and suitable for household needs. Surely, the court will not want to pave the way for suffering Americans from water toxicity to take the issue of clean water into their own hands. That would breed home grown terrorism right here in our own back yard or at the very least, a whole new backlog of civil suits against municipal authorities and industries suspected of polluting household and recreational water. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CBS News: "In a setback for the Bush administration, a federal judge ordered the Justice Department to promptly release documents about the controversial domestic eavesdropping program or else provide a list of what it is withholding."
ABC News: Politics: "Scalia Says Anyone Who Believes in Constitution That Should Change With the Times Is an 'Idiot'"
I say any Justice who runs around calling folks idiots needs to look in the mirror. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Reuters: Top News: "OVERLAND PARK, Kansas (Reuters) - The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday restricted efforts by Kansas' Attorney General to subpoena the medical records of women who have abortions in the state, requiring that their identities be protected."
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "New Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito cast his first vote on Wednesday, as the court refused to give Missouri permission to ..."
ABC News: Politics: "Federal Appeals Court Upholds Ruling That 2003 Ban on Late-Term Abortion Is Unconstitutional"
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "Samuel Anthony Alito Jr., the son of an Italian immigrant and a longtime lawyer, prosecutor and judge, has become the 110th Supreme ..."
Nothing to do now, but, pray and cross our collective fingers, like we did when we elected G.W. Bush. Not very encouraging is it? Sorry, it's all I have. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Reuters: Top News: "The needed 60 votes were mustered in the 100-member Senate to approve a motion to end debate on President Bush's nominee. A confirmation vote is set for Tuesday. Alito has a commitment from a required simple majority to be approved."
Reuters: Top News: "Alito is virtually certain to be confirmed next week by the full Senate, where Republicans hold 55 of 100 seats, on a largely party-line vote. He could move the country's highest court to the right on abortion and other social issues."
ABC News: Politics: "Republicans Have 60 Votes Needed to End Debate and Confirm Supreme Court Nominee Samuel Alito"
So much for Kerry's filibuster rallying cry. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Reuters: Top News: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said on Friday he and fellow Democrats lack the votes to block President George W. Bush's nomination of conservative appeals judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court."
CNN: Politics: "Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry took to the Senate floor Friday to rally his Democratic colleagues behind a filibuster of Judge Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court."
This appears to be all bark and no bite. While I think it is best to get this filibuster - nuclear option question resolved sooner than later by filibustering Alito's nomination now, it does not appear Democrats are capable of lock stepping the way Republicans are. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CNN: Politics: "The Senate's top Republican says he'll force a showdown on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito early next week, with the two Democratic senators from Massachusetts pushing to block a vote."
Washington Post: Today's Highlights: "Several prominent Democratic senators called for a filibuster of Samuel A. Alito Jr.'s Supreme Court nomination yesterday, exposing a deep divide in the party even as they delighted the party's liberal base."
They should go for it. This issue of the nuclear option to deprive the minority party of the filibuster by Republicans is going to come to a test sooner or later. Sooner would allow us to get passed this issue of whether or not the American people want a one party government with minority parties amounting to little more than window dressing, which is what has already happened to third parties through Fed. Election Commission rules and other laws disadvantaging minority parties and voices in government. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CNN: Politics: "Read full story for latest details."
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "Solidarity against the high court nominee could aid electoral gains, even if he's confirmed."
CBS News: "Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito will move a big step closer to confirmation today. All signs are the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee will cast a party-line vote to forward his nomination to the full Senate."
This one party government of the party, by the party, and for the party, is going to have a price at election time, a gremlin in the back of my mind whispers! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CNN: Politics: "The Supreme Court said Monday that a lower court should take a new look at a challenge to federal restrictions on political advertisements."
ABC News: Politics: "Protesters of Eminent Domain Case Seek to Evict Justice Souter and Erect 'Lost Liberty Hotel'"
ABC News: Politics: "Democrats Work to Delay Vote, as Rove Blasts Their 'Mean-Spirited' Performance During Senate Hearings,"
Washington Post: Today's Highlights: "A Baltimore judge ruled today that same-sex couples should be given the right to marry."
Reuters: Top News: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three top Senate Democrats said on Thursday they will vote against Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito because they fear he would not provide an effective check to what they described as President George W. Bush's bid for expanded power."
CNN: Politics: "Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito has the confirmation vote of at least one Senate Democrat but several other Democrats said Wednesday they had lingering questions about the nominee and will vote against him."
ABC News: Politics: "Away From Supreme Court Spotlight, Crucial Abortion Battles Unfolding State by State"
CNN: Politics: "A quiet milestone passed on Wednesday as Justice Sandra Day O'Connor heard what is likely her final oral argument, after nearly a quarter century as a pioneering role model and powerful force on an ideologically divided Supreme Court."
CNN: Politics: "Read full story for latest details."
Reuters: Top News: "The American Civil Liberties Union said its lawsuit would be filed against the National Security Agency in U.S. district court for eastern Michigan on behalf of journalists, scholars, attorneys and national nonprofit organizations that frequently communicate by telephone and e-mail with people in the Middle East.
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "The Supreme Court upheld Oregon's one-of-a-kind physician-assisted suicide law Tuesday, rejecting a Bush administration attempt to punish doctors who help terminally ill patients die."
For the moment it appears we still have a Supreme Court that believes in a contest between the President and an individual citizen's rights to privacy and personal decisions, the citizen should win. Perhaps such a court will soon fade into memory. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CNN: Politics: "Judge Samuel Alito's nomination to serve on the Supreme Court will be voted on by the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 24, according to Senate leaders. The full Senate is expected to begin debate the following day."
CNN: Politics: "The American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday said it had filed suit against the National Security Agency, alleging that its warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional and that President Bush, in authorizing it, exceeded his constitutional authority."
Now that is the kind of action ACLU card carrying members pay their dues for. There simply has not been a greater assault upon the Bill of Rights or citizen freedoms since WWII internment of Japanese Americans, or the poll taxes of the 1960's. ACLU will be getting their kudos from membership this week. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "A key campaign-finance law is back in the high court, as interest groups challenge a rule on election-season ads."
