Well, it’s good to be back. I apologize for my lack of blogging this past month, but the law really is a jealous mistress. With that said, there’s a lot of jurisprudential ground to cover, so let’s get to it.
First and foremost, and contrary to the rumors on the “Internets,” Chief Justice John Roberts is not going anywhere (“JGR would sooner die—literally—than give Obama the chance to appoint his successor”). Suffice it to say, I heart the Chief. Indeed, every day I strive to write in a manner worthy of being characterized as Robertsesque .
And from the “elections have consequences” file, President Obama nominates penumbra-loving Professor Goodwin Liu to serve as a judge on the Ninth Circuit . Ed Whelan is on the case (see, here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , and here ), and Kyle of People for the American way is less than pleased .
President Obama has also nominated Dawn Johnsen , a proabortion extremist , to be the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel . Thankfully, her nomination appears to be in jeopardy .
For my Second Amendment peeps, you can read the oral argument in McDonald v. Chicago here . SCOTUS Blog kindly rounds up commentary on the McDonald argument here . Howard Bashman provides links to additional commentary here .
It looks like President Obama intends to reverse his decision to prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a civilian court (more here ).
And on a separate, but perhaps somewhat related note, Liz Cheney claims that there are terrorist sympathizers inside the Department of Justice . Suffice it to say, not everyone agrees with this assertion .
Three of the judges from the Seventh Circuit, where I clerked, testified this past week in the criminal trial of a blogger who encouraged his readers to murder them over a judicial opinion (i.e., the McDonald case noted supra).
At least one liberal agrees that tort reform should be part of any health-care reform bill enacted by Congress .
Judge Kevin Fine: Poster boy for judicial activism .
So, you want to attend law school? Here’s some sound advice on choosing the right school (with more to follow).
On a lighter note, here are the ” 10 most interesting Oscar-related lawsuits ever ” ( LvATL )
While I have you, can I ask you something? I’ll be quick.
Twenty-five thousand people subscribe to First Things. Why can’t that be fifty thousand? Three million people read First Things online like you are right now. Why can’t that be four million?
Let’s stop saying “can’t.” Because it can. And your year-end gift of just $50, $100, or even $250 or more will make it possible.
How much would you give to introduce just one new person to First Things? What about ten people, or even a hundred? That’s the power of your charitable support.
Make your year-end gift now using this secure link or the button below.
