Harvey Weinstein, Sexual Assault, And Prior Bad Acts

One of the biggest pre-trial issues in the criminal case against Harvey Weinstein will be the issue of how many women other than his accuser will be able to testify against him.

politics outrage shouting politics outrage shouting

Outrage Over Minority Rule

There is a frustration and a growing sense that the American political system is illegitimate.

Video Captures Pennsylvania Cop Tasing Unarmed, Compliant African-American Man

Another incident involving what clearly seems to be the inappropriate use of force against an African-American man.

North Korea Increasing Production Of Fuel For Nuclear Weapons

The supposed promises made at the Singapore Summit don’t appear to be working out in the real world.

Polish Parliament Amends Controversial Holocaust Law

The Polish Government has amended a controversial law that sought to punish people for discussing the role that some Poles played in the Holocaust.

Comparative Judiciaries

The current discussion about SCOTUS is a good excuse to look at how other countries handle these things.

Words Matter

Trump uses an array of ugly language about immigrants. He pretends like he is just talking about MS13 but that is not the case.

A Photo for Friday: “Liberty”

Happy Friday.

Science Fiction Great Harlan Ellison Dies At 84

Harlan Ellison, who had a reputation for being as cantankerous as he was a great writer, has died at the age of 84.

Once Again, The House Fails On Immigration Reform

The House of Representatives has left town after once again failing to pass an immigration reform bill,, thus likely ensuring that nothing will be passed before the midterms.

Central African Ebola Outbreak Appears To Be Contained

An Ebola outbreak that started last month in Central Africa appears to be contained. You can thank an aggressive vaccination campaign for that.

Democrats Take First Step Toward Reducing Power Of Superdelegates

Democrats are on the verge of reducing the power of superdelegates to the point where they will essentially become meaningless in the nomination process.

Trump’s Supreme Court Short List

President Trump’s short list of potential Supreme Court nominees consists mostly of conventionally conservative, well-qualified, jurists.

Anthony Kennedy’s Son Loaned Trump One Billlllllion Dollars

A really weird detail buried in a New York Times story about President Trump’s efforts to get the Justice to retire.

White House Plans Supreme Court Pick By July 9th

The White House is hoping for a relatively quick turnaround time to pick a replacement for Justice Anthony Kennedy.

The Annapolis Shooting and the Gun Debate

Jarrod Ramos should have been in jail, let alone allowed to have any weapon more dangerous than a butter knife.

When the Press Becomes the Story

A man with a grudge against the Annapolis Capital Gazette killed five people in the newsroom.

Mike Lee for the Supreme Court?

President Trump is reportedly considering the 47-year-old Utah Senator to replace Anthony Kennedy.

Trump Continues To Help Putin Drive A Wedge Through The Heart Of NATO

President Trump reportedly trashed the NATO alliance in conversations at the G-7 Summit, something that should make Russian President Vladimir Putin quite happy.

Pittsburgh Area Cop Who Killed African-American Teenager Indicted

A Pittsburgh area police officer has been indicted on homicide charges after a video emerged that appears to show him shooting a fleeing suspect in the back

Jeff Flake Just Made It Easier For Trump’s Supreme Court Pick To Be Confirmed

Retiring Arizona Senator Jeff Flake says that he will not seek to block President Trump’s nominee to replace Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.

Trump And Putin To Meet In Helsinki July 16th

The Presidents of the United States and Russia will meet next month and there’s reason to worry about what Trump might give away.

Did The Supreme Court ‘Overrule’ Korematsu? Not Really

Contrary to what many people have claimed, the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Hawaii did not overturn one of the most controversial decisions in its history.

How’s That ‘Living Constitution’ Working Out for You?

Progressive enthusiasm for the notion that our governing framework is dynamic and ought be constantly updated by the judiciary is waning.

The Merrick Garland Precedent and the Kennedy Vacancy

The unconscionable violation of norms in 2016 won’t apply in 2018; it’s a matter of power, not principle.

Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy Announces Retirement

After thirty years on the bench, during which he played a central role in some of the Supreme Court’s most significant rulings, Justice Anthony Kennedy is retiring.

First Post-Primary Poll In Virginia Shows Huge Lead For Tim Kaine

Virginia Republicans nominated arch-Trumpist Corey Stewart for the Senate three weeks ago. His campaign appears to be going about as well as expected.

As Expected, Chelsea Manning Loses Senate Bid In Maryland

Convicted leaker Chelsea Manning lost a bid for the Democratic nomination for Senate in Maryland, to the surprise of nobody.

Supreme Court Strikes A Blow Against Public Sector Unions

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that public sector unions cannot force employees to pay membership fees.

Jonathan Franzen is Not Fine with It

The White Male Great American Literary Novelist for the 21st Century is not a fan of modern realities.

Supreme Court Ends Term With No Retirement Announcements [Update: Kennedy Retires]

It’s been eight years since we’ve seen a Supreme Court retirement, and despite speculation there were none announced today.

Supreme Court Punts Another Political Gerrymandering Case

The Supreme Court term began with hopes that the Justices would shake up the redistricting process with rulings against partisan gerrymandering. It has ended with three whimpers.

Responding to Trump’s Lies: Damned if You Do, Damned if You Don’t

Rebutting the President’s routine prevarications merely spreads them. Is there an alternative?

Mitt Romney Easily Wins Utah Senate Primary

After hitting a stumbling bloc in April, Mitt Romney coasted to a win last night, and has a clear path to Washington and the U.S. Senate.

28-Year-Old Socialist Upsets Veteran Democratic Congressman

Joe Crowley, widely considered in line to replace Nancy Pelosi as party leader in the House, has been defeated.

SCOTUS Strikes Down Law Requiring Crisis Pregnancy Centers To Provide Abortion Information

In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down a California law requiring Crisis Pregnancy Centers to provide information about abortion.

Supreme Court Upholds Final Version Of Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban

In a ruling that largely relies on the authority granted by Congress to the President to regulate immigration on national security grounds, the Supreme Court has upheld the final version of the Administration’s travel ban.

Responding To Trump’s Trade War, Harley-Davidson To Move Manufacturing Overseas

Once touted as an example of his deal-making prowess, Harley-Davidson sent a rebuke to President Trump by announcing it was moving some manufacturing to Europe to counteract the impact of his ongoing trade war.

Supreme Court Upholds Trump Travel Ban

In a 5-4 party-line vote, the High Court declared that the Constitution and Federal Law give the President broad authority over immigration.

Donald Trump Once Again Goes To War Against The Rule Of Law

Donald Trump continues to demonstrate that he has nothing but utter contempt for the Rule of Law. At some point, he will either be called to account for this or our nation’s institutions will suffer as a result.

Supreme Court Largely Rejects Racial Gerrymandering Challenge Against Texas

The Supreme Court has largely rejected a challenge to state and Federal redistricting maps in the State of Texas.

Two Women Leave GOP Over Policy GOP Has Espoused 38 Years

A Republican organization dedicated to abortion rights is shutting down after 30 years, eight fewer than the Party has opposed them.

Sammy Davis Jr., Tokenism, and Moving Targets

Was one of the pioneering African-American entertainers a “house Negro”?

SCOTUS Declines Case Of Florist Who Refused To Provide Services For Same-Sex Wedding

The Supreme Court declined, for now, to hear the appeal of a Washington state florist who declined to provide services for a same-sex wedding. The issues it raises, though, are likely to return to the Court in the future.

Laura Ingall Wilder’s Name Stripped from Children’s Book Award

A pioneer woman born in 1867 depicted American Indians and African-Americans in ways that are cringe-worthy today.

Abolish ICE? If You Do, It’ll Just Be Replaced By Another Agency

Some activists on the left are calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished. While that may be a great sound bite, it doesn’t really accomplish anything.

Canadians Really, Really, Really Don’t Like Donald Trump

Not surprisingly, Canadians aren’t too thrilled with Donald Trump these days.

Erdogan Consolidates and Extends Power

Turkey’s authoritarian leader is going to be around for a long time.

Mattis Out in the Cold?

A thinly-sourced report says Yes.

Who is Crossing?

The president has a skewed view of who is trying to enter the US.