The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Jeffrey Skilling (yes, THE Jeffrey Skilling of Enron infamy) and Conrad Black.
Skilling going to the Pokey
Conrad Black
Both currently in prison for fraud. This decision may also help embattled former Illinois Governor Rod "Helmet Hair" Blogojevich, whose trial is going on right now.
Blago
Justice Ginsberg wrote the majority opinion and stated that the law must be limited to bribes or kickbacks. Justices Thomas, Scalia and Kennedy wanted to strike down the law altogether.
It was Mark Twain's wish that his autobiography not be published for 100 years following his death. Well, folks, time is up! Mr. Twain died April 21, 1910. The University of California, Berkley has the manuscript locked in a vault and will release the document in three volumes with the first due out in November. I can't wait to roll my eyes over this baby! I have always been a huge Twain fan-both his fiction and dry, stinging wit have brought a smile to my face numerous times over the years.
Be warned, if you have thin skin about religion or don't want to tarnish your view of Twain as a stately Victorian figure stuffed to the collar with manners and gentlemanly behavior, this may not be a fun read for you. Apparently, he uncorks on both politics and religion in his memoirs. I predict he will make Bill Maher and Dennis Miller look like rank amateurs...hopefully.
The elder statesman
"There is a perception that Twain spent his final years basking in the adoration of fans. The autobiography will perhaps show that it wasn't such a happy time. He spent six months of the last year of his life writing a manuscript full of vitriol, saying things that he'd never said about anyone in print before. It really is 400 pages of bile." historian Laura Trombley is quoted as saying. (According to Hindustan Times)
Where it got ugly?
Regardless of what these pages hold he will still be one of literature's greatest treasures. In any event, I doubt Tina Fey will be returning that award she received the other day.
The 14th Amendment is in danger of being cancelled due to lack of funds for social services. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R) of San Diego has stated clearly he supports the deportation of American born children if their parents are here illegally.
This may sound like a great idea to isolationists, certain border states or folks who believe immigrants are stealing American jobs. Some of their positions have merit, however, fundamentally stomping on the constitution hardly seems like the answer. Many of the people who support this action would go into convulsions if you were to apply this convenient, soft logic, and heavy hand to their Second Amendment rights.
Duncan's further mumbling's go on to state that it's what in your soul that makes you an American. Soul? Ah, sure. that arbitrary thing that may or may not exist and may not be measured by anyone other than ourselves (or your God, if you are so inclined to believe). That sounds a lot like "Let's throw her in the lake! If she does not drown she's a witch! If she does drown...oops."
Duncan is wrong. The Constitution clearly lays out the criteria for citizenship. I may not agree with people hopping the border to birth an Anchor or Jackpot baby and then try to ride the coat tails of that LEGAL UNITED STATES CITIZEN, but border control seems like a better answer than getting in the habit of striping citizens of their rights based on fiscal motivators.
Of course, Rep. Hunter's spin doctor quickly tried to "clarify" his boss' position. "That's not really what he meant to say...his actual position is much more compassionate and in line with American values and Constitutional Rights" I'm paraphrasing here, but you get the gist of the back pedaling.
We all know the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 to protect recently freed slaves and grant them full rights of U.S Citizenship.
In part the 14th reads:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside."
Sounds simple enough, right? Maybe not.
To be fair, there is precedence for Hunter's stated opinion on the matter and some of the following make some interesting reading on the subject.
In 1866, Senator Jacob Howard clearly spelled out the intent of the 14th Amendment by writing:
"Every person born within the limits of the United States, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States. This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the Government of the United States, but will include every other class of persons. It settles the great question of citizenship and removes all doubt as to what persons are or are not citizens of the United States. This has long been a great desideratum in the jurisprudence and legislation of this country."
Senator Howard's opinion may indeed reflect the true intent of the 14th Amendment. Perhaps he should have gone beyond penning an opinion and enacted legislation reflecting this interpretation. That's sort of what our lawmakers are intended to do.
The Supreme Court further made a ruling similar to Howard's opinion, over a century ago, in what is known as the so-called "Slaughter-House cases" [83 US 36 (1873)] and in [112 US 94 (1884)]. In Elk v.Wilkins, the phrase 'subject to its jurisdiction' excluded from its operation 'children of ministers, consuls, and citizens of foreign states born within the United States.' In Elk, the American Indian claimant was considered not an American citizen because the law required him to be 'not merely subject in some respect or degree to the jurisdiction of the United States, but completely subject to their political jurisdiction and owing them direct and immediate allegiance.'
Congress subsequently passed a special act to grant full citizenship to American Indians, who were not citizens even through they were born within the borders of the United States. The Citizens Act of 1924, provides that:
The following shall be nationals and citizens of the United States at birth:
(a) a person born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof;
(b) a person born in the United States to a member of an Indian, Eskimo, Aleutian, or other aboriginal tribe.
It's a complex matter, to be sure. It quickly gets clouded with words like "intent" "allegiance", "Soul"(?), etc. The bottom line is this: If you are born on American Soil, you are an American Citizen and guaranteed all the rights and protections thereof. If we don't think this best serves our countries interest any longer perhaps a Constitutional Amendment is in order. Write your Congresspersons if you are so inclined.
Really? How many soft drink themed political action groups do we need holding rallies and making signs? The nation could face a serious poster board shortage if this trend continues.
I think I'll make a sign protesting all the protesters. I'll be the founding member of The Milk Party. Because milk is awesome. Don't argue, you know it's true. Here's proof:
After putting away the strong negative emotional responses this "Church" has inspired in me with their hate mongering aimed at America in general, and certain victims in particular, I am still unable to see any logic to their messages. While I advocate their right to free speech, I wish they had the sense not to exercise it so often or with the amount of hatred they so often employ. Here's a sampling of their idiocy: WBC Hate Machine
Welcome to the P³ Blog. Please don't hesitate to offer your opinions, whether in agreement or fierce opposition. All relevant and thoughtful comments are welcome!
Israel's explanation will not be one that justifies what has happened, but that won't matter. We won't utter a peep against them. At least not anything of any substance. We never do. The U.N. called an Emergency Session. They may have the stones to speak up. That will fall on deaf ears, however. Israel does what Israel wants. Its been that way ever since they reclaimed their land and we gave them all the guns and war planes-and who knows what else-they would need to defend it.
Nope, nothing from us aside from some lackluster finger wagging in their general direction...lest we all be labeled anti-semites.
The blockade is a monumental failure. It has achieved no objective other than to further impoverish the Gaza citizenry and make Israel look like bullies. If this tactic actually culled the violence between the two sides I wouldn't be so critical but, who in the civilized world intentionally kills aid workers? That's inexcusable.
Didn't Google recently "Make a stand" against China in an effort not to be censored? Then the giant points its rather large crooked finger at your blog? You have to appreciate the irony and hypocrisy in that move.
I was happy to see BP commit to paying for the clean up, however, I was sick to hear them commended for doing so. I don't think they should get any sort of heroic credit or tax breaks or environmental accolades for doing so. It's their corporate responsibility to clean up the mess their drilling operations produced. Besides, they may write the initial check but we will ultimately foot the bill anyway.
@S.L. I agree with you. You may be grouchy and suspicious. I fail to see a link between BO and the timing of this event. It makes no sense for either the administration or BP to advocate, even in secrecy, this oil spill. There is no political or financial gain to be had by anyone in this mess. It will likely lead to increases sea floor drilling controls and protocols but will stop well short of endangering newly authorized drilling operations. Cap & Trade will be coming regardless of this incident as it's not only meant to spur a reduction in carbon emissions, it's also meant as a cattle prod for the power generation industry and the NRC to jump start plans and production of more nuclear power plants.
This just in: I stubbed my toe in the garage while rearranging the clutter. Perhaps WBC will erect a website titled "God Hates Chis' Big Toe". Clearly my toe was deserving of the righteous and painful stubbing commanded by a wrathful GOD because I...um...had just finished pruning my trees. And as clearly stated in Leviticus 25:4
"But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards."
Perhaps this is the seventh year, and while not technically a vineyard, I do have quite a tree collection.
I shall bake some cookies for the protesters whom I suspect will arrive shortly to damn my blasphemous toe and rejoice in my newly acquired limp.
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Comment by Chris Chadwick
on OV Newsflash II (5/31/2010): Israel's Attack (cont'd)
Primitive Poly Pontifications
Nope, nothing from us aside from some lackluster finger wagging in their general direction...lest we all be labeled anti-semites.
The blockade is a monumental failure. It has achieved no objective other than to further impoverish the Gaza citizenry and make Israel look like bullies. If this tactic actually culled the violence between the two sides I wouldn't be so critical but, who in the civilized world intentionally kills aid workers? That's inexcusable.