The Bright Side of RFRA

We’re down to debating whether bigots should have to sell cakes to gay people.

RFRA Battle Moves Beyond Indiana

Arkansas, North Carolina, and Virginia may soon see the same battle over RFRA laws that is playing itself out in Indiana

Indiana Governor Calls For Changes To State’s ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill

The devil is in the details of what the legislature passes, but Indiana’s Governor has essentially conceded defeat in the battle over his state’s controversial new “religious freedom” law.

Indiana To Give Religious Business Owners The Right To Discriminate Against Gays

Indiana is about to become the latest state to grants special rights to religious business owners.

Putting the Civil Rights Movement into Historical Perspective

Thinking about comparative American struggles against tyranny.

Republican Congressional Leaders Skipping Selma Anniversary

Another tone deaf action from leading Republicans.

Justice Department Finds Widespread Racial Bias In Ferguson Police Department

A new Justice Department report has found widespread racial bias in the Ferguson Police Department, but it’s a problem that goes far beyond one Missouri suburb.

Justice Department Will Not Charge Darren Wilson In Connection With Michael Brown Shooting

Unsurprisingly, Darren Wilson will not face federal charges in connection with the shooting of Michael Brown.

Justice Department Announces There Will Be No Federal Charges Against George Zimmerman

Nearly three years to the day after it started, the George Zimmerman case is essentially over.

The Supreme Court Sends More Signals That It’s Ready To Strike Down Same-Sex Marriage Bans

By refusing to stay the legalization of same-sex marriage in Alabama, the Supreme Court has sent the strongest signal yet that it is ready to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide.

Today in Grand Irony

The same-sex marriage battle is on in Alabama

Federal Civil Rights Charges Unlikely Against Darren Wilson In Michael Brown Shooting

Not surprisingly, the Federal investigation of the Michael Brown shooting is ending much like the state investigation did.

Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Same-Sex Marriage Cases

The two decade long argument over same-sex marriage appears headed for its final legal showdown.

Edward Brooke, First African-American Elected To Senate, Dies At 95

The first popularly elected African-American Senator, and the first African-American Senator to serve since the end of Reconstruction ended, has passed away.

Bill Cosby vs. Ben Roethlisberger

Chris Rock wants us to remember that Bill Cosby isn’t the only celebrity accused of rape.

Mississippi 1964? No, Missouri 2014

But, hey, don’t worry, there’s nothing racial going on here. Nothing at all.

Navy Strips Bill Cosby of Honorary Rank

The Navy has stripped Navy veteran Bill Cosby of an honorary promotion in the wake of unproven sexual misconduct accusations.

Staten Island Grand Jury Refuses To Indict NYPD Officer In Chokehold Death

A New York City Grand Jury refuses to indict a cop who appears from all available evidence to choked a guy to death for no good reason.

Will The Supreme Court Be The Most Important Issue Of The 2016 Elections? Probably Not

The next President will have a profound ability to shape the future of the Supreme Court, but that is unlikely to be the most important issue on voters minds in 2016.

Darren Wilson Resigns From Ferguson Police Department, But That’s Unlikely To Quell Protests

The man who shot and killed Michael Brown has resigned, but that’s unlikely to satisfy protesters who still seem to be demanding criminal charges that are never going to come.

Regardless Of The Grand Jury Decision, Ferguson Raises Issues Americans Need To Address

Regardless of the outcome of the Michael Brown investigation, there are legitimate problems that need to be addressed.

Ferguson Grand Jury Returns No Indictment In Michael Brown Shooting

A not unexpected decision from the Grand Jury that investigated the Michael Brown shooting.

Marion Barry, Four-Term Mayor Of Washington, D.C., Dies At 78

For better or worse, Marion Barry was a fixture in D.C. politics for much of the 40 year period of home rule that began in 1975.

Ferguson, Missouri Braces For Probability Of No Indictment In Michael Brown Shooting Case

We appear to be just days away from an announcement from the Grand Jury investigating the Michael Brown shooting, and the consensus seems to be that there will be no indictment at all.

Stealing Isn’t a Crime When Police Do It

Civil asset forfeiture gives “highway robbery” a whole new meaning.

Voters In Washington, D.C. And Oregon, And Probably Alaska, Approve Marijuana Legalization

Big victories for advocates of marijuana legalization.

Report: Federal Civil Rights Charges Unlikely In Michael Brown Shooting Case

Reports from the Justice Department seem to be laying the groundwork for more disappointment for those hoping for charges against Officer Darren Wilson.

Kaci Hickcox Threatens To Sue Maine Authorities Over Ebola Quarantine Order

We may have our first legal challenge to an Ebola quarantine order by tomorrow

Evidence Presented To Michael Brown Grand Jury Appears To Support Officer’s Version Of Events

What if the Grand Jury investigating the Michael Brown shooting fails to indict Officer Darren Wilson? We may find out if newly leaked evidence is accurate.

Legendary Washington Post Editor Ben Bradlee Dies At 93

The passing of a true legend in American journalism.

Idaho Ministers Threatened With Jail For Refusing To Perform Same-Sex Wedding Ceremonies

A collision between marriage equality and religious liberty, but it seems clear that religious liberty should win this one.

Supreme Court Allows Texas Voter ID Law To Remain In Effect Pending Appeal

Another pre-election stay ruling from the Supreme Court.

Houston Seeks To Subpoena Sermons Of Pastors Opposing Gay Rights Law

Someone needs to remind the City of Houston that the First Amendment applies to them.

SCOTUS Gives The GOP A Way Out Of The Same-Sex Marriage Battle

The Supreme Court has given the GOP a way out of a battle that they are going to lose anyway.

Federal Civil Rights Charges Against George Zimmerman Said To Be Off The Table

It appears that there will be no Federal charges against George Zimmerman for shooting Trayvon Martin. This is not a surprise.

Supreme Court Allows Changes In Ohio Early Voting To Remain In Effect

The Supreme Court has issued a stay that will allow changes to Ohio’s early voting law to remain in effect for this year’s election. That was the correct decision.

Tony Bennett’s Amazing Life

Only one man can say that he has both recorded a jazz album with Lady Gaga and liberated a Nazi death camp.

Attorney General Eric Holder To Resign

One of last members of President Obama’s original cabinet is stepping aside.

Does The Army Still Have a Race Problem?

The Army brass is worried about its diversity in critical mid-level posts.

Federal Judge Voids Changes In Ohio Early Voting Law In A Troubling Decision

A Federal Judge in Ohio has issued a very troubling ruling on that state’s early voting law.

Has Obama Institutionalized Bush’s Worst?

Dan Froomkin says Obama is as bad as Bush, if not worse.

What If “Justice” In The Mike Brown Case Doesn’t End In A Conviction?

There is a good possibility that Darren Wilson could be acquitted in the shooting of Michael Brown.. Are the protesters ready to accept that reality?

Public Opinion On Ferguson Shows Deep Racial Divisions

What you think about the events in Ferguson depends quite a lot on whether you’re black or white.

Professor-Cop Blames Victims of Police Violence

17-year veteran of the LAPD says, “If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t challenge me.”

Doctor’s Office Baby Pictures Barred By HIPAA

A good law has one rather silly unintended consequence.