Category Archives: Law

The Lethal Details Left out of “Oppenheimer”

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Jim deMaine

By Dan Chasan in the Post Alley Newsletter – (Independent Writing and Editing Professional. Harvard University. Vashon, Washington) The blockbuster release of the popular film Oppenheimer gives Americans a chance to re-visit the complicated history of this nation‘s development, testing, and use … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Essays, Government, Law, Military, Morality, Movies, War | 2 Comments

Being disqualified from holding office under the Fourteenth Amendment

Posted on August 20, 2023 by Jim deMaine

by Heather Cox Richardson

Posted in Government, Law | Comments Off on Being disqualified from holding office under the Fourteenth Amendment

Clarence Thomas hikes the price of Supreme Court decisions to keep pace with inflation

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. (from the Borowitz Report)   Clarence Thomas Hikes Price of Supreme Court Decisions to Keep Pace with Inflation   “Sadly, the days of shredding civil rights in exchange for ten private-jet flights are over,” the Justice … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Government, Law | Comments Off on Clarence Thomas hikes the price of Supreme Court decisions to keep pace with inflation

Here’s Why AI May Be Extremely Dangerous—Whether It’s Conscious or Not

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Here’s Why AI May Be Extremely Dangerous—Whether It’s Conscious or Not By Tamlyn Hunt in the Scientific American (thanks to Ed M.) “The idea that this stuff could actually get smarter than people…. I thought it was way off…. Obviously, I no … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Law, Science and Technology | Comments Off on Here’s Why AI May Be Extremely Dangerous—Whether It’s Conscious or Not

Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren: When It Comes to Big Tech, Enough Is Enough

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Jim deMaine

By Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren Mr. Graham, a Republican, is the senior senator from South Carolina. Ms. Warren, a Democrat, is the senior senator from Massachusetts. The digital revolution promised amazing new opportunities — and it delivered. Digital platforms promoted social interaction, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Business, Communication, Essays, Government, Law | Comments Off on Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren: When It Comes to Big Tech, Enough Is Enough

This July Fourth, reflect on immigrants’ contributions and urge reform

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Marilyn W. By Tahmina Watson – Special to The Seattle Times As a naturalized U.S. citizen and an immigration lawyer, I’m struck by the throughline of immigrant entrepreneurship throughout America’s history. This Independence Day, I hope we take a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Economics, History, Law | Comments Off on This July Fourth, reflect on immigrants’ contributions and urge reform

Report: Voting rights in Washington State

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary Jane C.

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Law | Comments Off on Report: Voting rights in Washington State

France Is on Fire

Posted on July 2, 2023 by Jim deMaine

By Harrison Stetler – opinion in the NYT Mr. Stetler is a journalist who writes about French politics and culture. Sign up for the Opinion Today newsletter  Get expert analysis of the news and a guide to the big ideas shaping the … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Government, Guns, Law, Race | 1 Comment

Amsterdam shows why the U.S. criminal justice system is a failure

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Marilyn W. Opinion by Jennifer Rubin. Jennifer Rubin writes reported opinion for The Washington Post. She is the author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy from Donald Trump.” Twitter I recently traveled to the Netherlandswith family. One evening, after an … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Law | Comments Off on Amsterdam shows why the U.S. criminal justice system is a failure

Illinois becomes first state to pass law curtailing book bans

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. llinois Governor J.B. Pritzker delivers remarks at the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) 2019 legislative conference in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo CHICAGO, June 13 (Reuters) – Illinois has become the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Communication, Government, Law | 1 Comment

Supreme Court rules for nursing home patient’s family, declines to limit civil rights lawsuits

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Jim deMaine

BY JESSICA GRESKO, ASSOCIATED PRESS – 06/08/23 3:08 PM ET from The Hill Thanks to Sylvia P. WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled for the family of a nursing home resident with dementia that had sued over … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Aging Sites, Dementia, Justice, Law, Safety, Social justice | Comments Off on Supreme Court rules for nursing home patient’s family, declines to limit civil rights lawsuits

WA lawmakers vote to ban single-use plastic in hotels, but fail to reform recycling

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Diana C. By Vonnai Phair and Isabella Breda Legislation intended to reduce the use of plastics and boost recycling is seeing mixed results as this year’s legislative session enters its final week. Democratic lawmakers failed to pass ambitious recycling proposals, but … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Health, Law | Comments Off on WA lawmakers vote to ban single-use plastic in hotels, but fail to reform recycling

DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY RENOUNCED

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Jim deMaine

From Ed Marcuse – April 4, 2023 Last week,3 under history’s first Latin American pontiff, the Vatican development and education offices renounced the Doctrine of Discovery1.  This papal doctrine was used to justify colonization in the name of Christianity and came to be part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, History, Justice, Law, Religion, Social justice | 1 Comment

Voter turnout in Wisconsin Supreme Court race breaks record

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. from the Associated Press MADISON, Wis. – Turnout in Wisconsin’s hotly contest Supreme Court race broke the previous record high set for spring elections that don’t coincide with a presidential primary. Turnout had already surpassed 36% of … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Politics | Comments Off on Voter turnout in Wisconsin Supreme Court race breaks record

A president has faced arrest before Trump — for carriage speeding, 150 years ago

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Bob P. Former President Donald Trump was indicted Thursday on charges related to hush money payments to cover up affairs. While the nature of Trump’s indictment is unprecedented, he’s actually the second to face arrest. The first was … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Law | Comments Off on A president has faced arrest before Trump — for carriage speeding, 150 years ago

Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro blocks death penalty, calls for repeal

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday he will not allow Pennsylvania to execute any inmates while he is in office and called for the state’s lawmakers to repeal the death penalty. Shapiro, inaugurated last … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Crime, Government, Law | Comments Off on Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro blocks death penalty, calls for repeal

Pro or Con – make your opinion known

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Jim deMaine

EOL Washington has proposed legislation to improve Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) care and access. See below.

Posted in end of life, Health, Law | Comments Off on Pro or Con – make your opinion known

Gun violence being addressed in Washington State

Posted on December 26, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary Jane F. Legislature and gun violence from Gov’s office More than 117,000 Americans are shot each year, including 6,000 children and youth. Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for kids. Hundreds of police officers … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Crime, Guns, Law | Comments Off on Gun violence being addressed in Washington State

U.S. Postal Service honors the late civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis with a stamp

Posted on December 16, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. Civil rights giant and former U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who spent decades fighting for racial justice, will be honored with a postage stamp next year. In a Tuesday announcement, the U.S. Postal Service said the stamp … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Law, Race | Comments Off on U.S. Postal Service honors the late civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis with a stamp

Notes from historian Heather Cox Richardson – 12/12/22

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Government, Justice, Law, Politics | Comments Off on Notes from historian Heather Cox Richardson – 12/12/22

WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED TO THE SUPREME COURT?

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Jim deMaine

The conservative movement’s decades-long pursuit of the judiciary is now paying off. By Linda Greenhouse Click here to read this article in The Atlantic.

Posted in Government, Law | Comments Off on WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED TO THE SUPREME COURT?

They Were Entitled to Free Care. Providence Hounded Them to Pay.

Posted on September 25, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: This article raises the question about the blurred lines between a non-profit and for-profit organization. Some non-profits, like the Providence system, enjoy huge tax brakes and may not living up to their mission, moral or legal responsibilities. On … Continue reading →

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Thanks to civics teacher’s efforts, last convicted witch in Massachusetts is exonerated

Posted on August 5, 2022 by Jim deMaine

From the ABA Journal. Thanks to Bob P. An eighth grade civics teacher, working with her students, helped win the exoneration of the last convicted witch in Massachusetts. Teacher Carrie LaPierre of the North Andover Middle School in Massachusetts used … Continue reading →

Posted in Justice, Law | Comments Off on Thanks to civics teacher’s efforts, last convicted witch in Massachusetts is exonerated

Dutch House Approves to Make Work From Home a Legal Right

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. By Diederik Baazil and Pablo Fernandez Cras in Bloomberg News The Dutch parliament approved legislation to establish work-from-home as a legal right, making the Netherlands one of the first countries to grant remote working flexibility by … Continue reading →

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Women Declare Themselves Corporations to Force Supreme Court to Grant Them Rights as People

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. By Andy Borowitz June 27, 2022 WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Millions of American women and girls have declared themselves corporations in order to force the United States Supreme Court to grant them rights as people, legal observers have … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Law | Comments Off on Women Declare Themselves Corporations to Force Supreme Court to Grant Them Rights as People