February 15, 2016

Sep. 17, 1986: Justice Antonin Scalia’s Supreme Court Confirmation

On September 17, 1986, Antonin Scalia, facing virtually no opposition, was confirmed 98–0 by the Senate. President Reagan’s uber-conservative nominee was confirmed with lightning speed. Now, you may be wondering what the political party makeup was at that time. In the 99th United States Congress, Republicans had 53 members and Democrats had 47 members. So yes, Republicans did indeed control the Senate, but that ultimately didn’t matter, as Democrats went along with Scalia’s confirmation.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

February 14, 2016

Supreme Court: McConnell Vows No Senate Confirmation For Obama Nominee

Only an hour after news broke of the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, with no time to wait for the body to cool, said, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” Somewhere in that thought process McConnell forgot the people already spoke when they elected Barack Obama to a second term. There is always a potential for a Supreme Court nominee in every presidential term. Of course during the 2012 election, this was not a hot topic, but this is at least in-part why we choose a president, knowing there could be a vacancy on the high court.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

August 28, 2014

Yes Conservatives, The Police Can Be Wrong, Even If It Crushes Your World

Sorry conservatives, but the police are human beings, just like the people they protect and serve. And that means they are fallible just like other members of the community. Yes, the police can harm instead of serve. Yes, the police can commit crimes. And yes, sometimes the police can just be pricks, provoking a community that is grieving the death of an unarmed 18-year-old.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

July 22, 2013

NRA, ALEC, Want You To Stand Your Ground, Wild West Style

The National Rifle Association (NRA) and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) — I just love these names — want you to stand your ground like it’s still the 19th century Wild West — unless your are black of course. I don’t see the NRA saying if Trayvon Martin had a gun he could have defended himself. What was that saying again — “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun.” Was Trayvon Martin the “bad guy” because he didn’t have a gun?

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •

July 14, 2013

Justice Is Not Blind: A Few Thoughts On The George Zimmerman Not Guilty Verdict

Last night a jury of six women found George Zimmerman not guilty of both second degree murder and manslaughter. After the verdict, Zimmerman’s defense attorneys went on television, gloating with glee on the victory they brought for their client, clearly showing no regard for a dead 17-year-old boy. According to Up with Steve Kornacki, defense attorney Don West did not shake hands with the prosecution lawyers. And in his post-verdict television conference, he smiled when provoking a stupid question about his “knock, knock” joke that opened up the court proceedings, telling reporters that “I still think the joke was funny, I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry I didn’t tell it better.” Well thanks for the apology, and I’m not sure if you could be anymore disrespectful to a dead kid, a kid killed by your client.

∼ Continue Reading ∼

• • •