Category Archives: Law
Scorched Earth Response to Filibuster Nuclear Option
Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell gave a “scorched earth” speech last week. Democrats have been threatening to end the filibuster which requires 60 votes to pass legislation. But McConnell said if they do that they’ll turn the Senate into a “100 car pile-up.” And nothing will get done:
Let me say this very clearly for all 99 of my colleagues: Nobody serving in this chamber can even begin — can even begin to imagine — what a completely scorched earth Senate would look like.
Mitch McConnell on the U.S. Senate floor
Senate rules require the consent of all its members to conduct business. So Republicans could easily grind the place to a halt. For example they could withhold consent to minor votes without quorum calls.
Harry Reid invoked the “nuclear option” in 2013 to kill the filibuster for approving most presidential appointments. But when the worm turned McConnell added Supreme Court nominees to Reid’s list and Trump landed three new justices.
Don’t Shout Fire in a Crowded Theater Book Burning
Until recently restrictions on free speech seemed pretty straight forward – don’t shout “fire” in a crowded theater. But times have changed. Now you must not offend anyone in the theater either.
Dr. Marty Markay of Johns Hopkins wrote an op-ed in the WSJ explaining why we might reach herd immunity in April. Facebook apparently knows better and flagged the article as “misleading.”
Last summer the NYT booted its opinion page editor for publishing an op-ed by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton. Cotton wanted troops to put down rioting brought on by George Floyd’s death in police custody last summer. Since then armed troops and razor wire have become the preferred approach around our nation’s capitol.
Then there’s the Times treatment of Don McNeil, Amazon’s censorship of Ryan T. Anderson’s When Harry Became Sally, Dr. Seuss, Mr. Potato Head, Pepe Le Pew and you know the rest.
There’s not much that’s written or drawn that someone won’t find offensive, so we’re burning it all. But don’t shout “fire.”
Trump will Leave White House One Way or Another
President Trump will leave the White House within 7 days one way or another. Passions run high about his remaining options.
The WSJ editorial page wants him to resign. Nancy Pelosi demanded that Mike Pence invoke the 25th amendment. But Pence said no – the same answer he gave when Trump pressured him to overturn the election. Now Pelosi wants a second Trump impeachment.
A Monday Quinnipiac survey found that 89% of Democrats want Trump frogmarched now. But 87% of Republicans are opposed. And 73% of Republican still believe there was “widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.”
If a big chunk of the population thinks the election was illegitimate what will they think of impeachment?
But if he’s not impeached does that mean loser presidents get a free pass from election day to inauguration day?
Lockdown Drags Down Economy
Even Houdini couldn’t escape the never ending coronavirus lockdowns. But your governor can. Don’t forget to wear your mask.
Exponential Growth Supreme Court Packing
Exponential growth is great for your 401k but not so much for the U.S. Supreme Court. But that’s what we might expect if Joe Biden packs the court. Follow the link to Real Clear Politics for a real clear example.
