News And Views You Can Use
MEMBERS OF THE WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH
Margie Phelps (pictured on the right), daughter of Defendant Fred Phelps, argued Snyder vs. Phelps before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case will decide whether individuals who are not public figures can sue for damages when they suffer emotional harm from speech that might otherwise be protected under the First Amendment.
[Click play button for audio report] 11.23.10GodHatesTheWorld.mp3
PRESUMPTIVE SPEAKER ELECT JOHN BOEHNER AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL
Republicans seem determined to prevent the implementation of the health care reform bill, whether through outright repeal or by obstructing its implementation.
[Click play button for audio report] Health Care Round Two
If passed, Proposition 19 will legalize the cultivation, sale and possession of small amounts of marijuana for non-medical purposes. However, Californians poised to vote on the measure face the threat from federal authorities that they will continue to enforce the Controlled Substances Act irrespective of the outcome.
[Click on play button for audio report] Legal Marijuana
People in default on their underwater mortgage are not the only ones who need to be concerned about the home foreclosure problem.
[Click on play button for audio report] EconomicCancer10.22.10.mp3
JUDGE VIRGINIA A. PHILLIPS
District Court Judge Virginia Phillips has followed up her earlier ruling against “don’t ask, don’t tell” with an injunction prohibiting the enforcement of the policy anywhere in the U.S. armed forces. Could this be the end of the controversial policy?
[Click on play button for audio report] DontAskEnjoined10.15.10.mp3
FORMER HOUSEKEEPER NICKY SANTILLAN IS COMFORTED BY HER ATTORNEY AS SHE TALKS TO REPORTERS
In yet another demonstration of the principle that “what goes around, comes around,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman and conservative commentator Lou Dobbs now face the same kind of accusations, related to their employment of illegal immigrants, that scuttled Attorney General nominees during the Clinton administration.
[Click on play button for audio report] HonestMistakes10.8.10.mp3
Now its the Democrats turn to complain that the judicial nominees of their President can’t get an “up or down” vote. This week’s report examines the question of whether the Senate is a broken institution.
[Click on play button for audio report] NeitherUpNorDown10.1.10.mp3
SOLDIERS DISCHARGED FOR BEING GAY HANDCUFF THEMSELVES TO WHITE HOUSE FENCE IN PROTEST
The Senate adjourned without considering the defense appropriations bill that would have also ended the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy concerning gay service members. However, a California judge may be about to order an end to the policy and thereby obviate any need for congressional action.
[Click on play button for audio report] DontHavetoAsk9.24.10.mp3
VOLUNTEERS URGING NO VOTE ON RETENTION OF JUDGES
An overwhelming majority of the states that have entered the Union since its inception require their judges to face the electorate, either for retention or in reelection contests against other candidates. In this week’s report, we examine the effort to unseat three Iowa Supreme Court justices who participated in the decision that legalized same sex marriage in that state.
[Click on play button for audio report] JudicialAccountability9.10.10.mp3
Despite all the difficulties presented by their controversial mission, American soldiers persevered to the official conclusion of combat operations in Iraq. Law and Politics presents this special report.
[Click on play button for audio report] TheyFightOn8.20.10.mp3