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23 May 2011 15:42

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U.S.: SCOTUS rules CA prisons unconstitutionally overcrowded

  • “Incompatible with the concept of human dignity”: So said Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the 5-4 Supreme Court majority that ruled California’s state prison system is so overcrowded that they say it violates constitutional rights (the level of health services available to inmates who sorely need them has been a relevant issue of late). As such, the ruling may force the state to release nearly 40,000 prisoners. “The release of prisoners in large numbers … is a matter of undoubted, grave concern, yet so too is the continuing injury and harm resulting from these serious constitutional violations,” said Kennedy. source

24 Mar 2011 15:02

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Politics: Prop. 8: Plea to lift stay on California gay marriage rejected

  • It is decidedly unjust and unreasonable to expect California’s gay and lesbian couples to put their lives on hold and suffer daily discrimination as second-class citizens while their U.S. District Court victory comes to its final conclusion.
  • Chad Griffin, chairman of The American Foundation For Civil Rights • Speaking on the rejected plea to lift the stay on the Proposition 8 ruling. The proposition, which was approved by voters in the 2008 election, was ruled unconstitutional by Judge Vaughn Walker last year, but a stay was put on his ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. This was broadly thought to be a delay on the resumption of gay marriage in the state so that if/when a higher court examined the issue, the marriages wouldn’t again have to be halted if Walker’s verdict was overturned. Gay rights advocates are understandably unhappy, as the stay could conceivably last a year, and if civil rights are infringed, we suspect that’s not the expedient remedy most people would feel entitled to. source

03 Mar 2011 21:30

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Politics: Health Care-blocking Judge Roger Vinson: Supreme Court or bust

  • Almost everyone agrees that the constitutionality of the act is an issue that will ultimately have to be decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. It is very important to everyone in this country that this case move forward as soon as practically possible.
  • Senior US District Judge Roger Vinson • In offering a deal to the Obama administration –  he’ll put a stay on his health-care decision – but only if he appeals it, possibly directly to the Supreme Court. Vinson’s decision is notable in that he said the entire law was unconstitutional in his decision, which was the result of a 26-state class-action lawsuit. So, how do you guys think that the Supreme Court will decide? source

14 Dec 2010 08:49

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U.S.: Three reasons the health-care ruling isn’t a very big deal

  • first Two other courts have already ruled that it’s constitutional. The difference here? The judge this time was a Bush appointee and partly owns a campaign consulting firm that fought against the bill. (Conflict of interest?)
  • second The only part of the law that Judge Henry E. Hudson overturned? The individual mandate, which forces people to buy insurance. He turned over nothing else in the bill, even though that’s what opponents wanted.
  • third And, the most alarming part for those against the bill? He wrote his decision very narrowly, ensuring that only the one section would be affected. And he didn’t stop the health care bill from being enacted, either. source

01 Dec 2010 20:05

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Politics: Senate Democrats make moronic mistake with food-safety bill

  • The Senate knows the rule and should follow the rule and they should be cognizant of the rule. Nobody ought to be surprised by the rule. It is in the Constitution, and you have all been lectured and we have as well about reading the Constitution.
  • House Majority Whip (for the next month or so) Steny Hoyer • Scolding Senate Democrats for doing something really moronic. See, any revenue-raising bill has to originate in the House. Usually, the Senate gets around this by using a discarded, recombobulated House bill as a shell. But they didn’t do that this time with the food-safety bill they just passed, because they’re inept and want to let the GOP walk all over them like they’ve been doing the last two years. Heckuva job. (thanks fuckyeahcoolquotessource

02 Jul 2010 21:55

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U.S.: Chicago’s new gun law: As much like the old one as possible

  • four number of days ago that the Supreme Court struck down the city’s ban on firearms
  • one number of operable guns a new law allows residents to own (inoperable ones are OK)
  • zero number of city council members who voted against the new law, passed today source