US Supreme Court issues stay in execution of Texas inmate

» What happened: In 1995, Buck was convicted of double-murder in Houston, Texas, and sentenced to death. Buck’s guilt is not being disputed; however, during the sentencing phase, a psychologist testified that black criminals are more likely than other races to pose a threat to the public if released. Buck’s lawyers contest that this testimony–which was denounced in 2000 by then-Texas Attorney General John Cornyn–played a role in Buck’s sentence, and asked Governor Rick Perry and the district attorney to grant Buck a retrial. Perry and the DA refused the request, but the US Supreme Court intervened today, issuing a stay in his execution just four hours before his execution was set to take place. The court has yet to rule on a request for a resentencing.

Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

I think it’s clear that the Republicans are opposed to any tax hikes, particularly during a fragile economic recovery. Now, do we believe tax reform is necessary? I would say absolutely.
Sen. John Cornyn • Opening the door for the possibility of raising revenue … very slightly. See, Cornyn is OK with changing the tax code so as to fix loopholes in it. But he won’t willingly offer to raise taxes, no ifs, ands or buts. Sen. John McCain is in the same boat, willing to consider “revenue raisers” — without offering details. Now, this all seems like “whatever,” until you realize that this is the closest any members of the GOP have gotten to the idea of raising taxes — or any revenue at all, that is. How pathetic is it that this as far as the GOP has been willing to compromise on this issue? Why should Democrats have to do all the compromising? This isn’t even a step forward. This is like kicking your foot forward a quarter-inch by accident. This redefines movement. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

Wait, wait! Before you upload that episode of “Lil’ Bush” to YouTube, stop and ask yourself: Would I like to be a felon? Because if a new bill sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX) passes, you could be. Under current law, streaming copyrighted content is considered an unauthorized public performance, which isn’t a felony. The new law would change this classification, meaning that the seemingly-benevolent act of sharing “Freddie Got Fingered” with the world could land you in prison for five years. The law wouldn’t apply to viewers of illegal streaming, only providers, but still. Five years? source

Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

Blaming Glenn Beck Former Fox News pundit Jane Hall, now a professor at American University, claims that the lessening debate on Fox News convinced her to leave. Oh, and also Glenn Beck, who she says is “way over-the-top” in his rhetoric.
Gangsta gangsta“You gotta love Sean Connery in that!” We can all agree that the clip Fox News played was pretty funny, but we don’t agree with the way that they’re trying to paint the White House like a group of Al Capones. Seems unbecoming of Fox.
Is it punishment?On “Meet the Press,” Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer goes on for a bit about how the executive pay cuts aren’t punishing corporate execs. Immediately afterwards, Republican Sen. John Cornyn calls the cuts “punishment.”

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Sep 2011 22:33