It’s Not About Contraceptives, It’s About Privacy

Do the Republican candidates believe that American citizens have a right to privacy? Someone should ask them.

The Fifth Amendment, Privacy, And Computer Passwords

Can the government force a criminal defendant to reveal a computer password? A Federal case in Denver is dealing with that question right now.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Are Obama’s Recess Appointments Unconstitutional? Probably Not

While the President’s recess appointments are bound to set off a political dispute with the Republicans, there does not appear to be a Constitution ban against them.

Ron Paul Versus The Fourteenth Amendment

Ron Paul’s opposition to the Fourteenth Amendment would make a Paul Administration an enemy of civil liberties.

Chief Justice Roberts Defends Kagan, Thomas Recusal Decisions On Health Care Lawsuit

The Chief Justice Of The United States defends his colleagues.

Rick Perry Hates Activist Judges, Except When He Needs Them

For a guy who says he dislikes “activist judges,” Rick Perry sure wants a certain Federal Judge in Virginia to be an activist.

Republican Candidates Love The Imperial Presidency

Not surprisingly, most of the Republican candidates for President aren’t too keen on reducing the excessive growth in Executive Branch power.

Rick Perry Sues Over Virginia Ballot Exclusion

Rick Perry is seeking Court intervention to get on the Virginia ballot. He isn’t likely to get very far.

Newt Gingrich’s Assault On The Judiciary

Newt Gingirch ups the ante in his rhetorical assault on judicial independence.

Wukan Revolt Continues

Newt Gingrich’s Radical, Irresponsible Attack On The Judiciary

Newt Gingrich’s ideas about the role of the judiciary are very dangerous.

Occupy Wukan

Protesters in the Chinese fishing village of Wukan are now in open revolt against the Chinese government. The government is laying siege to the town.

It’s Not Debtor’s Prison, It’s Contempt Of Court

Do American courts throw people in jail for failing to pay their debts? No, they don’t.

Time’s 2011 Person Of The Year: “The Protester”

Time Magazine has chosen “The Protester” as its Person Of The Year. Let the outrage ensue.

Blast from the Past: Newt and Drug War Logic

Back in the late 90s, Newt wanted to execute marjiuana traffickers.

Citizens United And The Foolish Attack On Corporate Personhood

A new set of proposed Constitutional Amendments reveals that many people still don’t understand what Citizens United was about.

Rick Perry Declares War On The First Amendment

In a desperate bid to save a floundering campaign, Rick Perry is willing to sacrifice important freedoms.

Federal Court Legalizes Compensation For Bone Marrow Donors

A new ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals raises a host of questions.

Defense Bill Allows For Indefinite Military Detention of American Citizens

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 authorizes the President the authority to indefinitely detain persons, even American citizens arrested on American soil, without trial because they allegedly support the enemy.

Was Dominique Strauss-Kahn Set Up?

New head-scratching revelations in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case.

Kimberly Webb Joyner, 1970 to 2011

My wife, Kimberly Webb Joyner, died this morning in her sleep from unknown causes. She was 41.

Ezra Klein Isn’t a Reporter

A progressive columnist has been outed as having sympathies for the Democratic Party.

New York City’s Police State

The NYPD is wantonly violating the 1st Amendment.

A Few Observations about Occupy UC Davis

The calendar favors waiting out the occupiers, not confronting them.

Police Violence and Perpetual War

Why we shouldn’t be surprised that police are using tools of violence against protestors.

UC Davis Launches Investigation into Pepper Spray Incident

Further, there was another example of police violence at UCD earlier this week.