The Courts – Page 4

Equal Rights for All

October 28, 2006March 24, 2008 John civil unions, Marriage

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled this week that same-sex couples and their families are entitled to the “same rights and benefits enjoyed by opposite-sex couples” under the state’s civil marriage laws. In a 4-3 split, the court rejected the claim that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to have their relationships recognized as “marriages.” Instead, it left that decision “to the democratic process,” ruling that the state legislature must now decide whether to “amend its marriage law to include same-sex couples” or provide these equal benefits, protections, and obligations “by some other means such as civil unions.” This decision is a positive step toward equality, and an affirmation of the importance of committed relationships and healthy families.

Congress Constitution Politics Presidency The Courts War

The Keys To The Kingdom

October 3, 2006February 2, 2010 John Detainees, Dictatorship, Due Process, facism, Freedom, Habeas corpus, Leahy, Specter

With the detainee law, the Republican Senators and Congressmen (with the help of 12 Democrats) basically said to Bush, “Here are the tools to be a dictator, go forth and …have fun with it.” It is the worst legislation ever passed in my lifetime, and I am in my late 40s.

Congress Constitution Politics Presidency The Courts

Waiting For The Black Helicopters

September 30, 2006 John cheney, Code of Military Justice, Detainees, First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Geneva conventions, Gonzales, Habeas corpus, Hamdan, Hamdi, Magna Carta, Rumsfeld, supreme court, Terrorism, Terrorists, torture

Buried amongst the untold affronts to the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the very spirit of America, the torture bill contains a definition of “wrongfully aiding the enemy” which labels all American citizens who breach their “allegiance” to President Bush and the actions of his government as terrorists subject to possible arrest, torture and conviction in front of a military tribunal.

Congress Crime Politics Presidency Society The Courts War

Administration Seeks to Narrow War Crimes Act

August 10, 2006March 25, 2008 John Congress, Geneva conventions, Red Cross, War crimes

The Bush administration has drafted amendments to a U.S. war crimes law “passed in the mid-1990s that criminalized violations of the Geneva Conventions.” The changes would mean interrogators would no longer face possible prosecution for committing “outrages upon [the] personal dignity” of prisoners.

Congress Politics The Courts

No Delay for DeLay

August 7, 2006August 7, 2006 John Antonin Scalia, Tom DeLay

As you know, the Fifth Circuit Court ruled that Tom DeLay had to stay on the Texas Congressional Ballot for the Republican party. The Republicans were asking Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia to intervine and stay the ruling.