Top Items:
Richard A. Posner / Washington Post:
Our Domestic Intelligence Crisis — We've learned that the Defense Department is deeply involved in domestic intelligence (intelligence concerning threats to national security that unfold on U.S. soil). The department's National Security Agency has been conducting, outside the framework …
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John Schmidt / Chicago Tribune:
President had legal authority to OK taps — President Bush's post- Sept. 11, 2001, authorization to the National Security Agency to carry out electronic surveillance into private phone calls and e-mails is consistent with court decisions and with the positions of the Justice Department under prior presidents.
Marty Lederman / Balkinization:
Judge Posner and "Ad Hoc Initiatives" (i.e., Presidentially Sanctioned Felonies) — Judge Posner has an Op-Ed in the Washington Post this morning that is understandably receiving a lot of attention. His argument is that the latest scandal reveals a serious gap in the legal intelligence-gathering laws.
Daniel J. Solove / Concurring Opinions:Judge Posner's Troubling Call for Massive Surveillance
Discussion:
The Washington Monthly
Andrew Taylor / Associated Press:
Cheney Breaks Senate Tie on Spending Cuts — WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled Senate passed legislation to cut federal deficits by $39.7 billion on Wednesday by the narrowest of margins, 51-50, with Vice President Dick Cheney casting the deciding vote.
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Washington Post:
With Cheney's Vote, Senate Passes Budget Bill — Legislation Would Trim $40 Billion Over 5 Years — The Senate narrowly passed a $40 billion budget-cutting bill today, with Vice President Cheney casting the deciding vote after the chamber split 50-50 on the measure.
TimChapman / Townhall.com:Democrats derail fiscally responsible savings package
Discussion:
Michelle Malkin
H. Josef Hebert / Associated Press:
Senate Blocks Alaska Refuge Drilling — WASHINGTON - The Senate blocked an attempt to open an Alaska wildlife refuge to oil drilling Wednesday, foiling an attempt by drilling backers to force the measure through Congress as part of a must-have defense spending bill.
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William Branigin / Washington Post:
Senate Blocks Arctic Drilling Provision — The Senate today failed to pass a major defense appropriations bill after a Democratic-led bloc stymied it with a filibuster in an effort to force removal of a controversial provision on oil drilling in an Alaskan wildlife refuge.
TQA / The Questionable Authority:
Kitzcarnival — UPDATED: 21 December 2005, 10:30 am. I did miss a couple of articles last night, and there have been a few good articles posted since then. I've added a section at the end with both. — As most of you are undoubtedly aware, Judge Jones has handed down his anxiously-awaited decision …
Discussion:
Washington Post, The Panda's Thumb, Scrivener's Error, The Reaction, The Original Blog and Science And Politics
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Alison Fitzgerald / Bloomberg:
Snow, Praising Bush on Budget, Calls Clinton's Surplus `Mirage' — Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) — President Bill Clinton left office in 2001 with a federal budget surplus of $127 billion. President George Bush ran a deficit of $319 billion in 2005. So who deserves more credit for fighting red ink?
Discussion:
Angry Bear
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Howard Kurtz / Washington Post:
Barking Up Every Tree — I'm sleeping better at night. — Our federal authorities have things under control. — FBI counterterrorism agents are on the case, looking into any nefarious plots by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. — Documents obtained by the ACLU shows …
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Lyle Denniston / SCOTUSblog:
Fourth Circuit keeps Padilla case alive — In a serious setback for the Bush Administration's legal strategy for the war on terrorism, the Fourth Circuit Court on Wednesday afternoon kept intact its ruling in the now-celebrated Jose Padilla case, suggesting that the Administration may be trying to manipulate the judiciary.
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Steve Vladeck / PrawfsBlawg:Fourth Circuit Rules Against Government in Padilla
Discussion:
The Volokh Conspiracy
Max Boot / Los Angeles Times:
'Plame Platoon' is AWOL on new leaks — Highly classified programs have been revealed, which could provide real aid to our enemies. So where's all that outrage now? — IT SEEMS like only yesterday that every high-minded politician, pundit and professional activist was in high dudgeon …
Discussion:
The Washington Monthly, Right Wing News, In From the Cold, Daily Pundit, Power Line and Sister Toldjah
Richard Morin / Washington Post:
Majority of Americans Support Alito Nomination — A majority of Americans now support the confirmation of U.S. Appeals Court Judge Samuel A. Alito to the Supreme Court to fill the seat of retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Emanuele Ottolenghi / National Review:
The Light of the World — Let's embarrass Iran's evil regime. During this festive season, let's light some Hanukkah candles in front of their embassies. — In Jewish tradition, Hanukkah is the festival of lights, because it celebrates the survival of the Jewish people against the onslaught …
Reuters:
Saddam steals show claiming US torture — By Mussab al-Khairalla and Gideon Long — BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein told his trial on Wednesday he was beaten in U.S. custody and, in an extraordinary outburst toward the end of the hearing, also said those who had tortured Iraqis should be punished for their crimes.
Phil Hirschkorn / CNN:
Officials: Sen. Clinton's GOP challenger to quit race — Adviser: Pirro plans to run for New York state attorney general — NEW YORK (CNN) — Jeanine Pirro, the longtime prosecutor who had been set to run against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton next year, has decided to drop out of the U.S. Senate race …
thepittsburghchannel.com:
Teen Guilty Of Manslaughter After Online Confession — Passenger Pulled Steering Wheel, Causing Crash — TAVARES, Fla. — An 18-year-old passenger who caused a fatal crash by pulling on the steering wheel pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter after prosecutors discovered a confession on his online blog.
