Meet Elena Kagen

Supreme Court Says No

To no animal cruelty.

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a U.S. law that makes it a crime to sell videos of animals being tortured or killed violated constitutional free-speech rights.

May be it violates free speech, but doesn't child pornography as well? Are we going to overturn laws against child pornography? The reason it was banned is because it's bad. Torturing and killing animals are bad. I don't think I can argue against it from a legal perspective though.

Review: State of the Union

As I previewed earlier, today was Obama's State of the Union speech. In the speech, which lasted well over an hour, Obama discussed a wide range of topics, from healthcare, the economy, gay rights, a high speed rail, the supreme court and national security. What I want to do is see reactions over the different issues.

First off, Here's the Republican response:

Health Care
Obama called for the senate to resolve the healthcare bill:

“This is a complex issue, and the longer it was debated, the more skeptical people became,” he said. “I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people. And I know that with all the lobbying and horse-trading, this process left most Americans wondering what’s in it for them.”

It doesn't appear like he's getting a favorable response.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) said that, after watching the speech, health reform appeared unlikely to pass as one comprehensive package.

"I think right now it's less than 50-50," she said of a consolidated bill passing. "It's very hard to see a path forward in the current arrangement."

The healthcare bill has been much maligned. I personally felt that the senate was pushing it when there were other issues that were more prevalent such as the economy. I've heard criticisms from both sides and statistics and what not, but I have absolutely no idea what the bill entails. If the senate wants public support, it's important that the public know clearly how they will be affected by it. John McCain criticized the Obama administration for promising transparency, but not delivering. The healthcare issue is exhibit A.

Economy
Obama has called for a new jobs bill:


Gay Rights

John McCain's response:

“In his State of the Union address, President Obama asked Congress to repeal the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. I am immensely proud of, and thankful for, every American who wears the uniform of our country, especially at a time of war, and I believe it would be a mistake to repeal the policy.

“This successful policy has been in effect for over fifteen years, and it is well understood and predominantly supported by our military at all levels. We have the best trained, best equipped, and most professional force in the history of our country, and the men and women in uniform are performing heroically in two wars. At a time when our Armed Forces are fighting and sacrificing on the battlefield, now is not the time to abandon the policy.”

High Speed Rail
Here is the plan that will arise from the speech:

President Obama will kick off his post-State of the Union tour with what aides describe as a major economic announcement -- $8 billion to begin building a high-speed rail infrastructure in multiple states.

The money is a "downpayment" on the rail system, officials said, and will go to local governments for distribution. A total of 13 major areas will benefit from the project, whose reach will be felt in 31 states, the administration said.

Supreme Court
President Obama criticized the Supreme Court:

"With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that, I believe, will open the floodgates for special interests, including foreign corporations, to spend without limit in our elections."

Justice Alito was not very pleased:

"Not true, not true," he appeared to say, as he shook his head and furrowed his brow.

Conservative legal groups aren't happy either:

"The President's swipe at the Supreme Court was a breach of decorum, and represents the worst of Washington politics -- scapegoating 'special interest' bogeymen for all that ails Washington in attempt to silence the diverse range of speakers in our democracy," said Bradley A. Smith, a former FEC member and chairman of the Center for Competitive Politics.

Citizens United had this to say:

"President Obama's remarks tonight reflect a woeful disregard for the fundamental First Amendment rights of American citizens," said Citizens United President David N. Bossie.

But he added: "That being said, I absolutely support President Obama in his call for a ban on spending in American elections by foreign corporations. While I unreservedly support the rights of every American citizen to have their voice heard, there is no place for foreign actors in our political process."

It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court ruling will be challenged in the future.

National Security
Here's a taste of the reaction for National Security:

David Rothkopf, a former Clinton administration official and foreign policy expert, said Wednesday night that he “can’t recall a state of the union that devoted less time or attention to foreign policy issues than this one.”

Supreme Court Ruling on Campaign Finance

An explanation:

I'll add some brief thoughts later when I can actually watch the video. Here are some thoughts of various people. Barack Obama:

"With its ruling today, the Supreme Court has given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics. It is a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans. ... We are going to talk with bipartisan congressional leaders to develop a forceful response to this decision."

Chief Justice John Roberts:

"The text and purpose of the First Amendment point in the same direction: Congress may not prohibit political speech, even if the speaker is a corporation or union."

Justice John Paul Stevens:

"The court's ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions around the nation."

Theodore Olsen, who argued the case for Citizens United:

"Speech about our government and candidates for elective office lies at the heart of the First Amendment, and the court's decision vindicates the right of individuals to engage in core political speech by banding together to make their voices heard."

Senator Russ Feingold, a Democrat from Wisconsin:

"Presented with a relatively narrow legal issue, the Supreme Court chose to roll back laws that have limited the role of corporate money in federal elections since Teddy Roosevelt was president. Ignoring important principles of judicial restraint and respect for precedent, the court has given corporate money a breathtaking new role in federal campaigns."

Senator John McCain, Republican from Arizona:

"I am disappointed by the decision of the Supreme Court and the lifting of the limits on corporate and union contributions."