In the wake of the horrific Boston Marathon bombings, certain lawmakers were quick to call for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to be treated as an “enemy combatant." But the idea of deeming Tsarnaev an enemy combatant is not simply without legal basis or practical advantage. It is also dangerous.
The sequester is taking a considerable toll on the courts, the one branch of government not responsible for it. Jurists need to speak out about what the sequester means to the rule of law and to the ability of the courts to dispense justice.
After recent scandals, we need bold action from our state leaders. But reform could be sidetracked by a plan to get rid of "fusion" voting, which limits voter options and has nothing to do with recent events. Instead, Albany leaders must focus on campaign finance reform to empower voters.
Campaign finance reform opponents are complaining about a new proposed rule to require disclosure of corporate political spending. But having the courage of your convictions is as American as Wall Street itself — and one way or another soon could be the law of the land.
In response to a recent New York Times editorial on delays in Bronx courts, Thomas Giovanni urges legislators to invest in public defenders, reclassify petty offenses and to end mass incarceration in a letter to the editor.
Although no system can stop individuals from behaving badly, public financing combined with strong enforcement, disclosure, and reasonable contribution limits can change Albany's "show me the money" culture.
The Senate's dubious vote on gun background checks is a failure from our elected officials, but also from the media, which help Senate obstructionists by trying to appear "objective."
The Brennan Center for Justice, along with 30 additional organizations, sent the following letter to President Obama urging him to establish a steering committee to help rein in the government’s systemic overclassification of information.
The Senate’s failure to respond meaningfully to the Newtown massacre was deplorable, but the real tragedy is that it was utterly predictable. In our "show me the money" political system, special interests and their armies of lobbyists call the tunes.
The vast majority of poor Americans cannot afford attorneys to help them in basic civil cases. Although the Obama administration's latest budget includes increased legal services funding, it is still not nearly enough to do what needs to be done to help low-income families.
Martial Flaw: Why Tsarnaev Is Not an Enemy Combatant
In the wake of the horrific Boston Marathon bombings, certain lawmakers were quick to call for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to be treated as an “enemy combatant." But the idea of deeming Tsarnaev an enemy combatant is not simply without legal basis or practical advantage. It is also dangerous.
Getting the Justice Systems We Deserve
The sequester is taking a considerable toll on the courts, the one branch of government not responsible for it. Jurists need to speak out about what the sequester means to the rule of law and to the ability of the courts to dispense justice.
Why New York Needs Healthy Small Parties
After recent scandals, we need bold action from our state leaders. But reform could be sidetracked by a plan to get rid of "fusion" voting, which limits voter options and has nothing to do with recent events. Instead, Albany leaders must focus on campaign finance reform to empower voters.
Bringing Corporate Political Spending to Light
Campaign finance reform opponents are complaining about a new proposed rule to require disclosure of corporate political spending. But having the courage of your convictions is as American as Wall Street itself — and one way or another soon could be the law of the land.
Letter to the Editor: Broken Justice in the Bronx
In response to a recent New York Times editorial on delays in Bronx courts, Thomas Giovanni urges legislators to invest in public defenders, reclassify petty offenses and to end mass incarceration in a letter to the editor.
Campaign Reform Would Curb Albany Corruption
Although no system can stop individuals from behaving badly, public financing combined with strong enforcement, disclosure, and reasonable contribution limits can change Albany's "show me the money" culture.
On Filibuster, It’s Past Time to End ‘False Equivalence’
The Senate's dubious vote on gun background checks is a failure from our elected officials, but also from the media, which help Senate obstructionists by trying to appear "objective."
Letter to President Obama on Security Classification Reform Steering Committee
The Brennan Center for Justice, along with 30 additional organizations, sent the following letter to President Obama urging him to establish a steering committee to help rein in the government’s systemic overclassification of information.
In Gun Legislation, Blame the Role of Money in U.S. Politics
The Senate’s failure to respond meaningfully to the Newtown massacre was deplorable, but the real tragedy is that it was utterly predictable. In our "show me the money" political system, special interests and their armies of lobbyists call the tunes.
How the Sequester Will Take Its Toll on Access to Justice
The vast majority of poor Americans cannot afford attorneys to help them in basic civil cases. Although the Obama administration's latest budget includes increased legal services funding, it is still not nearly enough to do what needs to be done to help low-income families.
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