Archive for July, 2008
H.R. 3221: The Housing Bailout Bill
Saturday, July 26th, 2008Personally, I agree that the American economy is in big trouble. I agree that the government ought to take drastic steps to avert a washout. There are a number of aspects of "The Foreclosure Prevention Act" that I approve of. On the whole, however, it seems to me that this legislation is likely to do [...]
Good News! Software Patents are in Jeopardy
Thursday, July 24th, 2008The Patent and Trademark Office is turning down patent applications from software designers.
The issues presented in these cases are fascinating to anybody with an interest in intellectual property. The PTO case that started all the fuss is called Bilski. Read it here . This case interprets Section 101 of the Patent Act to deny patents [...]
Afghan War: Wrong and Illegal
Sunday, July 20th, 2008Barak Obama and many others who consider themselves to be progressive argue that the “real” front in the War on Terrorism is in Afghanistan. This is dangerous nonsense. Bush, Cheney, and the others lied about the Afghan war, too.
The Afghan war is yet another illegal war of aggression. We’ve already lost. It’s time to bring [...]
Nazi Justice from the 4th Circuit
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008It’s perfectly legal for the President of the United States to order the military to arrest anybody, including a US citizen, anywhere in the world, including US soil, and put that person in military custody forever. At least, that’s the opinion of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The justices who made up the majority could [...]
Strip-Searched Kid Can Sue
Saturday, July 12th, 2008Savannah Redding, a 13 year-old honor student, was strip-searched at school because a girl who already was in trouble said Savannah might be carrying ibuprofen.
The 9th Circuit says Savannah has the right to sue the child molester school administrator who did it. The case raises issues in two different areas: the 4th Amendment’s protection against [...]
WI Criminalizes Same-Sex Marriage
Friday, July 11th, 2008Wisconsin amended it’s state Constitution to bar recognition of same-sex marriages. California has legalized these marriages.
Wisconsin’s has State Statute 765.04[1]. This old law is a criminal statute that prohibits Wisconsin citizens from getting married in another state if it would be illegal in Wisconsin. The punishment includes a $10,000 fine and up [...]
FISA Update: Hillary Clinton Defends the Constitution
Thursday, July 10th, 2008The President signed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This is more dreadful news for those of us who respect the rule of law.
This bill gives the government even more power to collect highly personal data without a warrant or probable cause. It gives immunity the big telecommunications companies that illegally conspired with the Bush Administration [...]
Declaration of War Against Iran?
Sunday, July 6th, 2008The Democrats in Congress are going to help President Bush launch his latest criminal war of aggression in the Middle East.
The House of Representatives is about to pass House Concurrent Resolution 362. The Resolution alleges that Iran poses a threat to the stability and peace of the Middle East. Iran has not attacked anybody. America [...]
DC Circuit Gitmo Case
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008A Chinese Muslim named Huzaifa Parhat has been in American custody for more than six years. He has never been charged with a crime. The DC Court invalidated a finding that Mr. Parhat was an “Enemy Combatant.” This man has been in solitary confinement for years, and now it turns out that [...]