Right to Vote legislation should contain several provisions. An advocate reviewing a state’s law on the restoration of voting rights to people with criminal convictions should look for the each of the components listed below. Piecemeal improvements may be possible in states where more comprehensive legislation is impossible or unnecessary.
The rule of law is a fragile, tenuous thing. It depends on the willingness of judges to stand fast to core principles. It needs legislators to eschew feverish panic and cheap partisan gain, especially in times of crisis. And it demands that officials of the executive branch respect the will of the people, embodied in laws enacted each day on Capitol Hill. We've not been doing this so well recently, as the president repeatedly indicates his willingness to cast aside law and Congress stands aside heedlessly. But yesterday, the Supreme Court put the other two branches to shame when it confirmed that "the executive is bound to comply with the rule of law that prevails in this jurisdiction." Now it's up to the other two branches to follow its wise lead.
Death is typically a moment of truth. But the occasion of three suicides at the Guantánamo Bay-where almost 500 men and boys have been held without trial for up to four years now-have only proved how poorly the Administration grasps the facts of today's terrorism challenge. And it only showed how deeply ineffectual and counterproductive U.S. counter-terrorism policy becomes when based on flawed assumptions.
Politics makes strange bedfellows. Last week saw an almost unheard of scrambling of allegiances after the FBI searched the congressional office of Rep. William Jefferson, D-La. While the Constitution's Separation of Powers figured prominently in news of the executive branch decisions to bypass laws against torture and domestic spying, this seemed a wholly unexpected front for the White House's push for executive power.
Here in New York, we are used to seeing politicians spend campaign contributions on everything from pool covers to trips to Europe. It’s as familiar a part of the state landscape as the change in seasons.
There is no "drift-net." There is only a "very specific and very targeted" collection of data. So said General Michael V. Hayden, former chief of the National Security Agency on Feb. 5 this year about the NSA's domestic activities. Without doubt, senators of both stripes stand ready to grill Gen. Hayden about these statements in light of USA Today's startling revelation that the NSA has been assembling a mammoth database detailing the source, destination and timing information on almost every telephone call made in the United States.
New York’s system of selecting trial court judges rewards influence, insiders and cronyism. Predictably, that system fails to produce a bench with racial and gender diversity, which are the prerequisites for fair decision-making and equal opportunity.
In an Alexandria, Virginia, courtroom, Zacarias Moussaoui and the federal government are acting out for the nation and the world a small drama about revenge. It is hardly clear who will savor revenge more: the defendant who seems likely to be strapped to the executioner’s gurney soon, or the state that injects the lethal combination of fluids.
Components of a Right to Vote Bill (July 2006)
Right to Vote legislation should contain several provisions. An advocate reviewing a state’s law on the restoration of voting rights to people with criminal convictions should look for the each of the components listed below. Piecemeal improvements may be possible in states where more comprehensive legislation is impossible or unnecessary.
Hamdan: Not Over Yet
The rule of law is a fragile, tenuous thing. It depends on the willingness of judges to stand fast to core principles. It needs legislators to eschew feverish panic and cheap partisan gain, especially in times of crisis. And it demands that officials of the executive branch respect the will of the people, embodied in laws enacted each day on Capitol Hill. We've not been doing this so well recently, as the president repeatedly indicates his willingness to cast aside law and Congress stands aside heedlessly. But yesterday, the Supreme Court put the other two branches to shame when it confirmed that "the executive is bound to comply with the rule of law that prevails in this jurisdiction." Now it's up to the other two branches to follow its wise lead.
Re-Redrawing the Lines
This op-ed in surveys the landscape after the Supreme Court's decision in LULAC v. Perry.
The Guantanamo Peril
Death is typically a moment of truth. But the occasion of three suicides at the Guantánamo Bay-where almost 500 men and boys have been held without trial for up to four years now-have only proved how poorly the Administration grasps the facts of today's terrorism challenge. And it only showed how deeply ineffectual and counterproductive U.S. counter-terrorism policy becomes when based on flawed assumptions.
Missouri Bill Goes a Long Way -- in the Wrong Direction
A bill to repeal contribution limits in Missouri would be a step backwards for campaign finance reform.
Constitution Kerfuffle
Politics makes strange bedfellows. Last week saw an almost unheard of scrambling of allegiances after the FBI searched the congressional office of Rep. William Jefferson, D-La. While the Constitution's Separation of Powers figured prominently in news of the executive branch decisions to bypass laws against torture and domestic spying, this seemed a wholly unexpected front for the White House's push for executive power.
Stop the Abuse of Campaign Contributions
Here in New York, we are used to seeing politicians spend campaign contributions on everything from pool covers to trips to Europe. It’s as familiar a part of the state landscape as the change in seasons.
Derelict on Domestic Spying
There is no "drift-net." There is only a "very specific and very targeted" collection of data. So said General Michael V. Hayden, former chief of the National Security Agency on Feb. 5 this year about the NSA's domestic activities. Without doubt, senators of both stripes stand ready to grill Gen. Hayden about these statements in light of USA Today's startling revelation that the NSA has been assembling a mammoth database detailing the source, destination and timing information on almost every telephone call made in the United States.
Bench Unfair Judge Picking Process Now
New York Daily News
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Bench Unfair Judge Picking Process Now
By James E. Johnson and Cristina Rodrguez
New York’s system of selecting trial court judges rewards influence, insiders and cronyism. Predictably, that system fails to produce a bench with racial and gender diversity, which are the prerequisites for fair decision-making and equal opportunity.
Distracted by Moussaoui
In an Alexandria, Virginia, courtroom, Zacarias Moussaoui and the federal government are acting out for the nation and the world a small drama about revenge. It is hardly clear who will savor revenge more: the defendant who seems likely to be strapped to the executioner’s gurney soon, or the state that injects the lethal combination of fluids.
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