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August 2017

Posted by William A. Jacobson on August 23, 2017 34 Comments
As detailed extensively in prior posts, Sarah Palin sued the NY Times for defamation based on an Editorial regarding the 2011 shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. James Bennet, Editorial Page Editor, was the primary author of the Editorial, working off a draft prepared by a news staffer. I discussed the suit and the motion to dismiss filed by The Times in a prior post, NY Times defense: Palin Crosshairs Editorial Wasn’t Actually About Sarah Palin. Please read the prior post for background and links to pleadings and motion to dismiss papers.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on August 23, 2017 39 Comments
Phoenix protesters stirring up trouble after President Trump's rally received a less than kind welcome from local police. Gas and pepper balls were lobbed into groups of hooligans in an effort to disband the juvenile chaos. One protester got a little more than he bargained for and is now part of internet lore.

Posted by Mary Chastain on August 23, 2017 9 Comments
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley met with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, to discuss U.S. concerns about the Iran nuclear deal. To make matters worse, Iranian officials have warned the inspectors at the IAEA not to share any information with Haley.

Posted by Mary Chastain on August 23, 2017 6 Comments
Iowa has submitted a request to the federal government to make changes in a last ditch effort to save the state's beleaguered Obamacare market. From Quad-City Times:
This November, the majority of the 72,000 Iowans purchasing plans through the exchange will have only one option — Minnesota-based Medica. Last week, Medica asked the state for an average rate increase of 56.7 percent because of the uncertainty over cost-sharing reductions.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on August 23, 2017 33 Comments
For the second time, a jury refused to convict participants in the Bundy ranch standoff in 2014. Tuesday, not only did a jury find Ricky Lovelien and Steven Stewart not guilty, but they were acquitted of all charges. Scott Drexler and Eric Parker were also found not guilty on most charges. They were accused of threatening and assaulting federal agents in the cattle roundup that turned into a states' rights battle.

Posted by Mary Chastain on August 23, 2017 78 Comments
Last night, President Donald Trump held a rally in Phoenix, AZ, where he trashed the media for its dishonesty about his remarks about Charlottesville. He also railed against the GOP in Congress for not repealing Obamacare. From Fox News:
But Trump was most animated when defending himself against accusations he wasn’t forceful enough in condemning the white supremacists and racists who were protesting in Charlottesville earlier this month. He blamed the media for distorting his comments.

Posted by William A. Jacobson on August 23, 2017 28 Comments
We recently reported how anti-Jihad websites were the subject of attempts to deprive them of funding and internet access as a result of appearing on "hate" lists from the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League. PayPal cut them off after outreach from ProPublica, as discussed in our post, Charlottesville is being exploited to attack freedom of speech and internet freedom.

Posted by Mark Finkelstein on August 23, 2017 32 Comments
Looks like Joe Scarborough might be getting bored with attacking Donald Trump. So now he's turning on the people who put Trump into office. On today's Morning Joe, Scarborough cited comments made by James Clapper after Trump's remarks in Phoenix last night, and by Michael Hayden in 2016, questioning Trump's fitness for office, specifically with regard to the potential use of nuclear weapons. Joe then referenced a statement made by Mika Brzezinksi prior to the election in which she warned Americans against voting for Trump.

Posted by Mary Chastain on August 22, 2017 16 Comments
Only hours before the execution, Missouri Governor Eric Greitans granted a stay of execution for Marcellus Williams due to new DNA evidence that may exonerate him. From CNN:
"A sentence of death is the ultimate, permanent punishment," Greitens said in a statement. "To carry out the death penalty, the people of Missouri must have confidence in the judgment of guilt. In light of new information, I am appointing a Board of Inquiry in this case."

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on August 22, 2017 21 Comments
We've been following the Confederate removal mania since the Charlottesville riot. Maryland is the latest to join the party. In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, a Confederate monument was removed from outside the Circuit Court in Ellicott City and donated to museum.
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