Supreme Court
Podcast: Jim Bunning, 2nd Amendment, Health Care Reform, Reconciliation, Extremism, Puppycide,Guests: Doug Deal & Mike Hassinger
This week, Jason and Brett talk with United Liberty contributors Doug Deal and Mike Hassinger.
Their discussion covered:
Podcast: Scott Brown, SCOTUS, Citizens United, Air America, “Birther” Bill, Guests: Eric von Haessler & Mike Hassinger
Jason and Brett were joined by Eric Von Haessler and Mike Hassinger this week, returning to the “normal” format after two consecutive shows that were a little out of the ordinary.
Their discussion covered:
Podcast: Senate Retirement, Air Marshals, Full Body Scanners, Michael Yon, ObamaCare, Pottawattamie vs. McGhee, & More
Jason and Brett traveled to Birmingham, Alabama this weekend, gathering quite a panel to discuss the political news of the week. They were joined by Charles Kennedy, Austin Wilkes, Shana Kluck, Stephen Gordon, and Brooklyn Roberts.
The discussion covered:
You Have No Constitutional Right To Not Be Framed
Did that title catch you off guard? When I read that those words came from U.S. Deputy Solicitor General Neal Katyal, I was surprised as well.
Last week, I was party to a political conversation with several others that included the subject of the death penalty and stricter mandatory sentencing for first offense felonies. When I was among the few dissenters as those issues made their way through our conversation, some of the others questioned why I was “being soft on crime.” After explaining that I think that there are far too many instances of police and prosecutorial misconduct in investigations and trials where new evidence, recanted testimony, or the introduction of DNA evidence exonerates an innocent man or women, I was no longer seen as “soft on crime.” I am sure that my explanation did not sway a complete shift in the positions of the others conversing, they now have another perspective on the American criminal justice system.
This story further solidifies my stance that today’s justice system is one that seems to have a growing trend of police and prosecutors closing cases and padding statistics rather than ensuring the person jailed is the right person. In a case before the Supreme Court of the United States, Council Bluffs, Iowa prosecutors contend that their misconduct, which includes knowingly withholding evidence that pointed to a different (and white) suspect and relying on a known “liar and perjurer” in a case against two young black men over thirty years ago, should be immune from civil liability. The official position of these Iowa prosecutors, backed by the federal government and other prosecutors nationwide, is that citizens have no expectation not to be framed by them.
New Year Predictions by the UL Staff
John Killian
National
* Barack Obama will realize that Congress is not ready to go along with his progressive agenda. Many Southern and rural Midwestern Democrats were elected as pro-life conservative Democrats. Hence, his Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) will never see the light of day.
* With nervousness on the economy, Obama will not push for Nationalized Health Care. You will see some adding around the edges, but no major increases in federal programs. Obama’s advisers will warn him about the effect of more spending and especially, more taxes on our fragile economy.
SCOTUS rules on Voting Rights Act
As expected, the Supreme Court issued a ruling on the challenge to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which deals with federal pre-clearence of election laws in nine states and parts of several others. In an 8 to 1 decision, the law will remain intact:
With only one Justice voting to strike down Congress’s 25-year extension of the Voting Rights Act’s controversial Section 5, the Supreme Court on Monday interpreted the law in a way that saves it. The Court said that all local units of government must be given the option to bail out of the requirement that they get Washington approval for any changes in their election laws or methods.
BREAKING: Souter to retire from SCOTUS
Supreme Court Justice David Souter has announced his retirement:
Souter is expected to remain on the bench until a successor has been chosen and confirmed, which may or may not be accomplished before the court reconvenes in October.At 69, Souter is nowhere near the oldest member of the court, but he has made clear to friends for some time now that he wanted to leave Washington, a city he has never liked, and return to his native New Hampshire.
Now, according to reliable sources, he has decided to take the plunge and has informed the White House of his decision.
Souter’s retirement would give President Obama his first appointment to the high court, and most observers expect that he will appoint a woman.
A Look Back At FDR’s Court Packing Plan
60% of Voters Say Supreme Court Should Base Rulings “Off of Constitution”
The latest Rasmussen Reports survey on the topic of the United States Supreme Court reveals some interesting statistics. It shows a majority of Americans believe decisions should be aligned with the written document as opposed to the primary other methodology of decisions, i.e. fairness & equality. While I am glad that a majority of Americans do agree in theory with libertarians & conservatives on this issue it is unfortunate that the percentage is not higher. With many polls showing “liberals” making up less than 15% of the electorate, one has to ask the question - where do the remaining 15% of the 30% of voters who think the nation’s top court should make decisions based upon fairness and equity come from?

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