Text of Specter's letter to Harriet Miers

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Thursday October 27, 2005 · 2:10 AM PDT

2005/10/27 · 02:10

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Arlen Specter notified Harriet Miers that he would ask numerous quetions concerning executive powers during the hearings. The text of his letter to Ms. Miers is as follows:

In advance of the Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Chief Justice Roberts, I wrote to him by letters dated Aug. 8 and Aug. 23, 2005, to identify some of the issues I intended to ask. In our meeting on Oct. 17, I gave you copies of those letters since I intend to discuss those topics in your hearing and also suggested that you would have, in effect, a "roadmap" as to subjects of inquiry by other senators and myself from the questions posed to Chief Justice Roberts.
I believe it is appropriate and useful to add to the list of prospective issues the subject of executive authority, especially in light of your close relationship with the president and the key positions you have held in the White House.

LawSkoolPunk

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Thursday October 20, 2005 · 2:34 AM PDT

2005/10/20 · 02:34

I perused through Ms. Miers answers to the Congressional questionnaire and am amazed at how under-qualified she is! When asked about the 10 most important cases she's litigated in her career, in almost every identified case, her role was as a Corporate defender. And in every case she identified, she represented corporate interests. Furthermore, she proudly proclaimed that she is qualified to hear Constitutional issues because she had lots of experience with jurisdiction issues for corporations (go figure) and spent 3 years with the Bush administration (who cleeeearly respects the Constitution). She identified no legal experience with issues implicating civil rights, the 1st amendment, federalism, etc.

Beyond her lack of judicial qualifications, I am amazed by the excessive sloppiness of her writing and grammar skills. It doesn't help that Ms. Miers often failed to answer the questions addressed and answering with the lone word "no."

I've provided an example of her response to one of the questions on the flip (warning: it's painful to read.) Read More

TiVo

LawSkoolPunk

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Sunday September 18, 2005 · 9:12 PM PDT

2005/09/18 · 21:12

I wrote this in the open thread, so if people want me to delete this diary just let me know.

Anyway, I had this idea for TiVo users.

It's simple. You should program a season's pass for both The Daily Show and Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Even if you have no intention of watching either show, Nielsen ratings are increasingly incorporating the TIVO top 100 into its ratings calculations (and without TiVo users' knowledge). So, by programming a season's pass for TDS and Countdown, we can game the ratings system and increase the Daily Show and Oberman's ratings. That is good not only for increasing ad revenue for both programs, but also to help create a buzz for them and maybe even increase actual viewership (and change minds). What's the downside? Even if you decide not to watch either show, you can help them!

an idea for housing some refugees

LawSkoolPunk

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Thursday September 01, 2005 · 12:58 PM PDT

2005/09/01 · 12:58

I recall a couple years ago, the federal government sent a decommissioned aircraft carrier to house many of the homeless people in New York City. Sending such carriers/ships now to the New Orleans/Mississippi coastline seems like a good idea.

First, they run on their own generators, which will alleviate some of the power issues which arise from electricity shortages. similarly, they are designed with enough rooms, cots, clean water capacity and facilities to house thousands (if not tens of thousands) of individuals on each ship for periods of months at a time. The expected length of time for rebuilding the area's infrastructure will likely be at least that long. Furthermore, because these ships have been decomissioned, they are not of any pressing military need.

Just an idea by me.

Taft found guilty

LawSkoolPunk

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Thursday August 18, 2005 · 8:30 AM PDT

2005/08/18 · 08:30

I didn't see this posted, so here goes. I just saw on TV that Governor Tact pleaded no contest to charges brought against him. He was found guilty and ordered by the judge to pay the maximum fine of $1000 for each charge brought against him ($4000). The judge is further requiring Taft to write an email, within 7 days, to every citizen of Ohio apologizing for his ethics violations. He must also distribute the email to every media outlet in the state to further ensure every Ohioan hears the apology. The Judge, in his sentencing, noted that the court of public opinion will likely be much more unforgiving of his actions, but, considering Taft's cooperation with the investigation, jail is not the appropriate punishment in the action.

Aside from a criminal investigation,

LawSkoolPunk

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Tuesday July 12, 2005 · 5:05 PM PDT

2005/07/12 · 17:05

I think Wilson and his wife should file a civil suit against Rove. Sue the fucker for all he is worth. I am sure many causes of action are feasible:

Unfair business practices - He, by leaking as he did, caused substantial harm to Ms. Plame's career.
Defamation to Wilson - potentially, if Rove is shown to have made false statements. I imagine it will be easy for Wilson to show actual malice.
Common Law Negligence - even if Rove maintains his outing of Plame was unintentional or unknowing, <snark> His conduct is clearly negligent(if not reckless).
Tortious Interference - for reasons similar to unfair business practices above.
Intentional infliction of emotional distress - for obvious reasons.

I am sure many other causes of action can be added... Why not bring suit, drag it out, and then bankrupt the fucker once the new bankruptcy bill comes into effect?

Why doesn't President Bush Pardon Miller?

LawSkoolPunk

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Tuesday July 12, 2005 · 11:04 AM PDT

2005/07/12 · 11:04

She is charged with contempt of federal court, right? Her decision to not testify before a grand jury effectively shields a high ranking official(s) in the President's administration (presumably Karl Rove). Well isn't the least the President can do, if not make personnel changes within the administration, is give Miller a pardon. How can he sit back and allow her to suffer for the transgressions of individuals in his own administration?

Just random thoughts by me.

Universal Health Care?

LawSkoolPunk

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Saturday July 09, 2005 · 7:07 PM PDT

2005/07/09 · 19:07

According to an article on <ABC's website>, there is a real push going on for universal healthcare. According to the article

A push for universal health coverage is being rekindled in some states by the soaring cost of health care and the lack of political support in Washington for federal changes.
Advocates of a single-payer system where the government would collect taxes and cover everyone, similar to programs in Canada and across Europe have introduced bills in at least 18 state legislatures. Some are symbolic gestures, but heated debate is taking place in California and Vermont.
In Ohio, doctors, union officials and religious leaders are gathering signatures to get a single-payer health system placed on a ballot next year.

LawSkoolPunk

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Thursday June 30, 2005 · 8:44 PM PDT

2005/06/30 · 20:44

I checked the diaries and saw nothing previously written about this. If it has been diaried, let me know and I will delete this one. Anyway, according to yahoo news,

Leaders of the House ethics committee broke through a months-long stalemate over staffing Thursday, making it possible to investigate Majority Leader
Tom DeLay and conduct other business.

Hopefully, this will allow members of the House Ethics Committee to get back to business.

SC 10 Commandments case

LawSkoolPunk

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Monday June 27, 2005 · 11:06 AM PDT

2005/06/27 · 11:06

I just read Scalia's dissent in the 10 commandments opinion. I am really bothered by it and the fact he was joined by 3 other justices (though not surprised). His dissent starts with a story which suggests the United States is more free than Europe becausewe permit our politicians to proclaim "God bless America." Personally, I thought his initial anecdote was a cheap political ploy. He later gives a great summary of his argument:

Nothing stands behind the Court's assertion that governmental affirmation of the society's belief in God is unconstitutional except the Court's own say-so, citing as support only the unsubstantiated say-so of earlier Courts going back no farther than the mid-20th century.

LawSkoolPunk

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Sunday June 26, 2005 · 5:33 PM PDT

2005/06/26 · 17:33

I was perusing through diaries over at our dear friends Red state and found one which really startled me. It starts:

I say again: it is time for a draft. Some days ago, I had this to say about the lessons of the American volunteer Army's first prolonged war:

The volunteer soldiers have proven themselves fine warriors. But the volunteer Army has failed. [The present war in Iraq] is its first war of any meaningful length, and its lessons are clear: it cannot sustain this effort, through no fault of its own, because, in the end, its discrete parts are rational actors. It is impossible to externally incentivize war. The choice is therefore between that Army's continuance and a draft. If the choice is for its continuance, then the subsequent choice will probably be between losing Iraq and losing the Army.

There are actually two postulates above: first, that the volunteer Army as an institution cannot sustain the present effort; second, that the war is not sustainable in the long run without substantial American involvement.

LawSkoolPunk

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Tuesday June 14, 2005 · 12:59 PM PDT

2005/06/14 · 12:59

I feel this diary, posted earlier by Rep Louise Slaughter, is pertinent and substantive. Unfortunately, it quietly fell off the radar. The diary had received a bunch of recommendations and I think it continues to be relevant to the dailykos community.

In general, Rep Slaughter's post discusses her appearance on NPR scheduled for today concerning House Ethics and her call for Doc Hastings to step down as Chair of the Ethics Committee. The diary also offers a link to a petition calling for a Truman Commission in Iraq.

Anyway, I urge you all to view Rep. Slaughter's post and sign her petition.

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Text of Specter's letter to Harriet Miers

Ms. Miers is a complete idiot.

TiVo

an idea for housing some refugees

Taft found guilty

Aside from a criminal investigation,

Why doesn't President Bush Pardon Miller?

Universal Health Care?

ethics committee no longer at impasse

SC 10 Commandments case

Draft?

Rep Louise Slaughter's post