COMMENTARY AND OP-EDS
Horace Cooper: Dangerous overreach
On Thursday June 12, 2008, a narrow five-member majority struck down the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005, the so-called military tribunals' law.This law was passed by Congress to set up procedures for the legal treatment of unlawful enemy combatants in order to prevent terrorists from flooding our federal courts.Not only does the decision in the case, Boumediene v. Bush, run contrary to precedent and the Constitution, but it is yet another dangerous example of the judiciary usurping the constitutional authority of the political branches of government.
Miniter on The Steve Gill Show
Richard Miniter will be talking about his terrorism whitepaper on The Steve Gill Show Friday, June 13 at 9:32am ET. You can listen to his broadcast live by going here.
Richard Miniter on Candian TV
On June 12, Richard Miniter will be on CTV for a 3-5 minute interview sometime between 2:00-3:00pm ET. He will be talking about the newly released white paper on the War on Terror and the Supreme Court decision on Guantanamo.
ACRU Releases White Paper on The War on Terror
On June 12, The American Civil Rights Union released a white paper written by Richard Miniter about the US War on Terror. Quite simply, Miniter concludes the US is losing the War on Terror in the courts. To view the white paper, click here.
Terrorists Using 1960s Legal Precedent
Terrorists Using 1960s Legal Precedent to Escape PunishmentNew Study Exposes the "Terrorist Get Out of Jail Free Card"In a report released today by the American Civil Rights Union, best-selling author and terrorism expert Richard Miniter demonstrates how a 1969 Supreme Court ruling is being used to get terrorists off scot-free--an [...]
Religous Freedom Case Heard in California
On May 27th, the California Supreme Court heard a case which could have a drastic effect on religious freedom in that state.From the San Diego Union Tribune:The issue is whether fertility physicians at North Coast Women's Care in Vista discriminated against a lesbian couple from Oceanside when they cited religious [...]
In Re Rachel, L.
The ACRU joins other organizations supporting homeschooling to file this brief in a California state appellate court arguing for a constitutional right for parents to choose homeschooling for their children. The argument is based on Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech, relying in particular on precedents holding that parents [...]
Congressional Research Service Report for Congress: Presidential Claims of Executive Authority: History, Law, Practice and Recent Developments
“Presidential claims of a right to preserve the confidentiality of information and documents in the face of legislative demands have figured prominently, though intermittently, in executive-congressional relations since at least 1792. Few such interbranch disputes over access to information have reached the courts for substantive resolution, the vast majority achieving [...]
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS INDIANA VOTER ID LAW
The Supreme Court ruled today 6-3 in favor of the Indiana Voter ID law which requires registered voters to present a valid form of identification when they go to the polls.
Horace Cooper: Child Rapists
The United States Supreme Court last week heard oral arguments about an issue which for many Americans shouldn't be too complicated. The question is: who should decide the punishment for a crime, the legislature or the courts? In particular, when determining what crimes merit the death penalty, should state governments have a say or should this power be left to judges? According to the Death Penalty Information Center (as of February of this year) there are more than 3,200 persons on death row. As the result of the execrable actions of Louisiana resident Patrick Kennedy (one of only two on death row awaiting execution for crimes that don't involve murder), the court will issue a ruling this summer in a case called Kennedy v. Louisiana.
Ken Blackwell: You Don't Have a Prayer
One issue that is not being discussed much at the moment is what's at stake with our federal courts. Some federal judges are now telling pastors and priests what they can and cannot say during prayers. And some of it is happening in Indiana -- the May 6 primary state.
ACLU Aiding America's Enemies, Again
The ACLU, the Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Janet Reno (former Clinton Attorney General) have joined forces to turn the military trials of some of America's most dedicated enemies, into media circuses with a maximum of delays.The facts for this article, but not the legal conclusions, come from an article published [...]
ACRU Gets 2 great write-ups.
March 31st, the ACRU had two great write-ups online.The first being on America Family Association's OneNewsNow.com. Hans Zeiger talked to Chad Groening about the problems the Cradle of Liberty Council in Philadelphia is facing. You can read that story here.The second was on Human Events Online. Chris Fields, the managing [...]
"Nearly all House GOPers back Pence's discharge petition on Fairness Doctrine", by Jackie Kucinich for The Hill
“One hundred ninety-four out of 200 House Republicans are backing the effort to block the anticipated revival of the Fairness Doctrine, which they believe is a tool Democrats will use to cut down on the number of conservative radio talk shows. The Fairness Doctrine was discarded by the Federal Communications [...]
Opposing view: Press has enough protection, by John Armor
“Reporters who choose to be martyrs don’t warrant a federal law. Read more in USA Today here…” […]
Religious Rights of Students Affirmed in NJ & TX from Citizenlink.com
“A New Jersey school’s decision to allow Christian students to enjoy the same free speech rights as other students could be the beginning of a nationwide trend to protect students’ rights. Northern Highlands Regional High School had blocked a Christian club from participating in the Day of Truth, a day [...]
The Supreme Court Giveth, the Supreme Court Taketh Away by Ken Blackwell for Townhall.com
“The Supreme Court teeters on a knife’s edge regarding lawsuits against faith expression in the public square. So, conservatives better redouble their efforts to restore a court faithful to our Founders’ vision, or lose all that has been gained in recent decisions after the 2008 presidential sweepstakes…” […]
Department of Justice Web site: FISA 101: Why FISA Modernization Amendments Must Be Made Permanent
“FISA Amendments In The Protect America Act Of 2007 Remain Necessary To Keep Our Nation Safe: The Protect America Act modernized the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to provide our intelligence community essential tools to acquire important information about terrorists who want to harm America. The Act, which passed with [...]
Department of Justice Memorandum Opinion For The Attorney General (August 24, 2004): Whether the Second Amendment secures a right of individuals generally, not a right of States or a right restricted to persons serving in militias.
“The Second Amendment of the Constitution provides: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” You have asked for the opinion of this Office on one aspect of the right secured [...]
Congressman Mike Pence's (R-IN) Discharge Petition
“Following calls from many in Congress to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, House Republicans have responded in force. As of today, every Republican in Congress has cosponsored the Broadcaster Freedom Act and millions who cherish the dynamic forum of American talk radio should be thankful. House Republicans know that bringing back [...]