Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

Argument of Girls Sports "Trans" Cases at SCOTUS was "Otherworldly"

Hawley Stumps Doctor With Simple Question: 'Can Men Get Pregnant?'

Mamdani Housing Czar: ‘White, Middle-Class Homeowners are a Huge Problem’

Sandy Disaster Relief Disaster

Posted by William A. Jacobson on January 02, 2013 19 Comments

The Senate passed a pork-laden Sandy Relief bill: Hurricane Sandy relief bill “pork” complaints is reportedly a sticking point fiscally conservative lawmakers. The $27 billion relief legislation crafted to offer Super Storm Sandy disaster aid will reportedly be stalled until after the Congressional session, which ends...

Egypt’s new rulers not hip on comedy making fun of Morsi

Posted by Bryan Jacoutot on January 02, 2013 6 Comments

Comedian Bassem Youssef has been called Egypt's Jon Stewart. While Stewart doesn't always endear himself to those he aims his political satire at, there aren't many who would seek to put him in jail for his jokes. Yet as the world embarks on the first days of...

To say that Republicans in Congress folded like a cheap suit is an insult to cheap suits

Posted by William A. Jacobson on January 02, 2013 63 Comments

What an embarrassment. To say that Republicans in Congress folded like a cheap suit is an insult to cheap suits. The "fiscal cliff" was mishandled from day one. There was a lack of strategy and the tactics could not make up for that. To borrow Kurt Schlichter's phrase: a...

House Vote (Update – Passes 257-167)

Posted by William A. Jacobson on January 01, 2013 35 Comments

Coming up very soon. Doesn't seem like much doubt will pass. The bill passed 257-167. Boehner and Ryan voted for it. Cantor and McCarthy against. John Boehner is a yes vote for the deal.— Jim Antle (@jimantle) January 2, 2013 The Bush tax cuts lapsed at...

Group claims hacked subscriber database of NY newspaper which published gun permit map

Posted by William A. Jacobson on January 01, 2013 57 Comments

The Lower Hudson Journal News, a Gannett newspaper, caused controversy when it published a map of names and addresses of gun permit holders, and announced that it planned to do so again. The plan for further publication may be in doubt as a neighboring county just...

Indiana Lawmakers Cutting Funds From Some Public Colleges, Redirecting to Trade Schools

Report Claims ‘Feminist Collective’ Took Over Political Science Journal and Prioritized DEI

Colorado Sees Big Drop in Public School Enrollment as More Parents Choose Homeschooling

Northwestern U. LGBT Community Freaks Out Over Obscure Flag Painted on a Rock

Radical Leftist NYC Teachers’ Group Planning ‘Teach-In for Palestine’ on MLK Day

Amherst College Laying Off Administrators Behind Sexually Explicit Programming

House “fiscal cliff” updates

Posted by William A. Jacobson on January 01, 2013 29 Comments

No one can type as fast as Twitter, so I'm embedding my Twitter "fiscal cliff" feed below. The big news this afternoon is that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor apparently is opposing the Senate bill in its current form. Senate Democrats are saying they will not take up...

A Catholic, Randian Objectivist, and vegan Libertarian walk into a Tea Party

Posted by Leslie Eastman on January 01, 2013 15 Comments

One of the best aspects about the SoCal Tax Revolt Coalition is that we are a true mixture of Republicans, Libertarians, Independent Conservatives...

Time for House to call a Time Out — pass Plan C

Posted by William A. Jacobson on January 01, 2013 42 Comments

We have seen this movie before. A contrived crisis causes a rush to a vote before any legislator or the public has time to read and understand a bill which will have a profound effect on the nation for years if not decades. That's what happened...

Senate passes massive tax cut which raised taxes over $600 billion in middle of night without reading the bill

Posted by William A. Jacobson on January 01, 2013 56 Comments

There are too many metaphors here applicable to the Senate's 89-8 passage of a "fiscal cliff" bill in the middle of the night (around 2 a.m. this morning). The bill raised taxes by over $600 billion, in addition to Obamacare taxes already coming on line, yet...

Depends on what the meaning of “thank” is

Posted by William A. Jacobson on January 01, 2013 2 Comments

From reader 9thDistrictNeighbor: Dear Professor, The attached billboard from WCPT-AM (“Chicago’s Progressive Talk”) popped up shortly after the election. The billboard is actually a fantastic buy, as on an hourly basis and by virtue of its location way off the Kennedy Expressway (I-94) it reaches far more...

White House and McConnell reach agreement on “fiscal cliff”

Posted by William A. Jacobson on December 31, 2012 29 Comments

Details just coming out, vote in Senate expected tonight. Looks like the number is 400/450k for tax increases and delay of sequester automatic spending cuts for two months. More when the details are confirmed. Update: Details on the deal, which apparently will go to a vote in the...

New Year’s Eve Open

Posted by William A. Jacobson on December 31, 2012 17 Comments

Barring some BIG or BREAKING news, this will be the last post of 2012. Thanks to all of you for reading, commenting, spreading the links, and creating what I'm convinced is the best online community. Next year should be, ahem, interesting. We have been going through a thought...

Rand Paul on fiscal cliff

Posted by William A. Jacobson on December 31, 2012 20 Comments

There isn't going to be a vote tonight in the House, at least. And it's not clear what all the details are, but it looks as of this writing that taxes will go up on people making more than $400,000 individually or $450,000 as a couple....

Update on The Elizabeth Warren File

Posted by William A. Jacobson on December 31, 2012 7 Comments

It's coming, really, it is. Just not by January 3, as hoped. Figure later in January. We've had an epiphany as to design that will require some more work. Better to be a little late and great, than a little early and not so great. But not...

In your face, Republicans

Posted by William A. Jacobson on December 31, 2012 46 Comments

Obama just had what was possibly the most insulting press event I've ever seen from a President -- I'll post the video when available, it will infuriate you. He spiked the football, overtly insulted Republicans and Congress, and laughed that he is on the verge of getting what he wants. Either he wants to nix any deal, or he's actually just enjoying his victory but is emotionally incapable of being presidential about it. Everything you ever wanted to know about our dysfunctional government was on display. Until the video is available, here are some tweets: (video added)

So Obama just said this was just the START of higher taxes, is not willing to cut, & dissed the GOP. He WANTS the cliff. #SameAsItEverWas
— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) December 31, 2012

Shorter Obama: I rolled the Repubs on upper-income tax rates and will kick their ass on the coming debt ceiling/entitlements fight.
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) December 31, 2012

Obama's jaunty pre-deal White House event could also be a Machiavellian strategy to make sure the deal collapses and the GOP gets the blame.
— adam nagourney (@adamnagourney) December 31, 2012

On New Year's eve, a campaign-style event? This is WH's way of warning GOP, January will bring more P.R. hammering if they don't cut deal
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) December 31, 2012

Obama takes an early victory lap: “Obviously the agreement that is being discussed would raise those rates, & raise them permanently.”
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) December 31, 2012

This Obama event strikes me as a half victory lap
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) December 31, 2012

Does Obama not want a deal? Because taunting Republicans is a good way to not get a deal.
— Francesca Chambers (@fran_chambers) December 31, 2012

Is it really a good strategy to give a speech bashing Congress while trying to work with Congress?
— Elise Foley (@elisefoley) December 31, 2012

Perverse

Posted by William A. Jacobson on December 31, 2012 29 Comments

Questioning whether Hillary Clinton actually had a concussion apparently is the worstest thing anyone would ever do. So I just couldn't resist a history lesson: MT @sullydish When someone gives birth in hospital, the idea that she didn't give birth at all seems perverse— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) December...

Tea Party Predictions for 2013

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 31, 2012 11 Comments

Happy New Year! While I like to look at the past, seeing into the future can be fun (despite the fact I truly struck out prediction-wise this November). Humbled, and a lot less hopeful, I offer my predictions for 2013. 1) John Boehner remains as the Speaker...