The Obama Administration claimed that BCRA allows the federal government to ban a 600-page book if it mentions a candidate’s name only once, a 90-minute movie if it mentions a candidate’s name once, or even a toy action figure of a candidate. If the organization uses a single dime of its general funds to produce, promote or distribute any such materials during the “blackout” periods, it becomes a federal crime.
The key justices in this case seemed astonished at the broad powers the Obama Administration was claiming under BCRA, and seem poised to rule 5-4 in favor of Citizens United. This would continue a steady trend over the past couple years, with moderate Justice Kennedy siding with the four conservative justices on issues of political speech. This will be the third BCRA suit in as many years, and should be decided by the same split as they others.
The issue in these cases is the freedom of individuals to act together to speak out on public matters. As Ted Olson explained in his opening statement, “Participation in the political process is the First Amendment’s most fundamental guarantee. Yet that freedom is being smothered by one of the most complicated, expensive, and incomprehensible regulatory regimes ever invented.”
Raymond Chandler’s novels under the magnifying glass - Telegraph
This paragraph is mistaken as the next one shows. Chandler’s eye for detail didn’t “fail.” He refused to use it that way. The point was always that looking at one case put one in a maze of conflicting criminal activities. You could never hope to sort through the whole mess.
Speaker Pelosi: making the country proud. What a statesman! http://bit.ly/bBYye
The Raw Story | Ron Paul: We killed a million Iraqis and that pleased bin Laden
Unbelievable! They let Ron Paul speak at CPAC, and he lectured them on foreign policy. Too wonderful for words!