ObamaCare At The Supreme Court, Day One: Is The Mandate A Tax, Or Not?

By the end of today’s first day of hearings on the Affordable Care Act, the Justices seem eager to take the consider the case on the merits.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

ObamaCare Goes Before The Supreme Court: A Preview

Starting tomorrow morning, the Supreme Court dives into the most significant case that has been before it in many years.

Controversy Erupts Over Employer Requests For Facebook Passwords

Like it or not, what you do online will be of interest to someone looking to hire you.

Jeb Bush on the “Stand Your Ground” Self-Defense Law

Looking also at Zimmerman’s 911 call and who pursued whom.

Newt, the Trayvon Martin Shooting, and Race

Solutions come from understanding, not denial or political posturing

Message from Samuel L. Jackson to George Zimmerman

Roger Ebert and I don’t agree on much, from politics to movies. But share a fondness for Samuel L. Jackson and a contempt for George Zimmerman.

Trayvon Martin Shooter George Zimmerman Dreamed of Being a Cop

My armchair pop psychology on George Zimmerman, the man who gunned down innocent black teenager Trayvon Martin, appears on target.

Law Firm Fires 14 For Wearing Orange

When I saw the YahooNews headline “Law firm fires 14 employees for wearing orange shirts,” I naturally presumed it had something to do with St. Patrick’s Day. As it turns out, it’s even dumber than that.

Murder or Self-Defense: Florida Case Raises Questions

George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin met on the night of February 27th. Martin died, and a firestorm has erupted.

Hate Crimes And The Rutgers SpyCam Case

Dharun Ravi was convicted of bias intimidation toward Tyler Clementi. It’s not at all clear that he should have been.

What Can’t The Government Mandate?

What are the limits on government power?

American Soldier Kills At Least 15 Afghan Civilians

A tragic incident in Afghanistan that’s likely to have tragic consequences.

They’re Making Me Defend Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh may be a jerk, but he has a right to be a jerk.

Eric Holder: Yes, We Can Kill American Citizens Without Trial

Attorney General Eric Holder offered a somewhat alarming defense of the Administration’s policy on targeted killings.

The Junior Mints Are Too Damn High!

Movie theater snacks are expensive. This is not cause for a lawsuit.

Santorum Would Try To Nullify All Existing Gay Marriages

Rick Santorum wants to nullify nearly 200,000 marriages.

Citizens United Not The Problem

Billionaires have been free to donate as much money as they want to activist groups since the dawn of the Republic.

Federal Judge Forwards Racist Joke about the President to Friends, Press Eventually Gets a Copy

E-mail forward raises serious questions about judge’s judgment .

Federal Appeals Court: Fifth Amendment Protects Suspect From Having To Decrypt Hard Drive

An important vindication of the right against self-incrimination.

Another Step In The Right Direction On Marriage Equality

Another Federal Court rules in favor of marriage equality, and the biggest news is how unsurprising the outcome of the case is.

Stolen Valor Act and the Supreme Court

Why should lying about having served in combat or been awarded a medal for valor should be legally different from lying about athletic prowess in high school, the number of sexual partners you’ve had, or the size of one’s sex organs?

Virginia’s Foolish Personhood Law

Virginia has become the latest battleground for advocates of laws that define life as being at conception.

How Conservatives Have Moved The Goalposts On Same-Sex Marriage

When it comes to same-sex marriage, the right is fighting a losing battle.

Proposed Virginia Law Will Force Women To Undergo Invasive Ultrasound Examinations

A bill likely to become law in Virginia will require all women seeking abortions to undergo an invasive ultrasound examination.

Federal Appeals Court Holds California Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

A victory for proponents of same-sex marriage today in the Ninth Circuit.

Georgia Judge: “Barack Obama Is A Natural Born Citizen”

The Birthers have suffered yet another totally predictable loss in Court.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg To Egypt: Don’t Use Our Constitution As A Guide

Ruth Bader Ginsburg had some advice on Constitution drafting for Egyptians

Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC Joke’s On Him

Virtually everything Stephen Colbert is doing was legal before Citizens United.

Haditha Massacre Sentence Outrageous But Correct

My latest for The Atlantic explains, “Why We Should Be Glad the Haditha Massacre Marine Got No Jail Time.”

Egypt’s Unfinished Revolution

One year later, Egypt’s revolution remains unfinished.

Federal Judge Orders Defendant To Reveal PGP Password To Law Enforcement

A Federal Judge deals with the clash between individual rights, law enforcement, and technology.

Supreme Court Rules That GPS Tracking Is A Search, But That’s About All

The Supreme Court issued a somewhat muddled ruling on GPS tracking today.

Citizens United And The SOPA/PIPA Blackout: Why The First Amendment Matters

Some questions for opponents of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United.

Time For Real Campaign Finance Reform

Mitt Romney made a suggestion about how to fix our campaign finance system. It’s a good idea.

First Legal Challenge Filed To Obama’s Recess Appointments

The first shot in a Constitutional showdown has been fired.