SCOTUS marriage equality decision celebrated in RI
“Can you imagine if we could go in time and bring Roger Williams here today?” asked Rodney Davis to laughs, “but when you boil it down and get to its purest sense, Freedom, Liberty and Justice was the reason why he came here…”
On the joyous occasion of marriage equality in America
As leaders of faith communities that uphold same-sex marriage, we are delighted that the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled in favor of inclusion of all American Couples. Now, all couples will enjoy the same rights and benefits.
NBC 10 Wingmen: Hobby Lobby vs. Obamacare
What would happen if a practitioner of Scientology (who doesn’t believe in vaccinations) bought a big company like, say, CVS? According to the SCOTUS Hobby Lobby decision, the new owner could refuse to cover childhood vaccinations for some 200,000 people across the country. Given that, was the Supreme Court correct to allow an employers religious […]
Angel Taveras, Frank Ferri: Hobby Lobby decision was wrong
Rhode Island’s elected officials are outraged by the United States Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision handed down today. First Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline critiqued the high court’s reasoning. Now Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and Lt. Gov. hopeful Warwick Rep. Frank Ferri have also weighed in. Here’s Mayor Taveras’ statement: I am deeply […]
Cicilline condems SCOTUS for Hobby Lobby decision
In a pointed and detailed statement, Congressman David Cicilline called out the United States Supreme Court for its Hobby Lobby decision made public today saying, “women, not their bosses, should be in charge of their own personal health care choices.” The controversial SCOTUS decision sent ripples through progressive Rhode Island today. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse also […]
Ceremonial prayer violates the conscience of everyone
A few days ago the Supreme Court gave a thumbs up to government sanctioned Christian prayers taking place before secular government meetings. For nonbelievers and believers alike, this was a disappointing decision. To many millions of people, prayer is an important part of their lives. It can be a meditative and calming practice, and a […]
SCOTUS McCutcheon ruling further erodes US democracy
Not since Roe v. Wade has a U.S. Supreme Court decision permeated the public consciousness quite like the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) case. In 2010, the nation’s highest court opened the campaign finance floodgates when – in a 5-4 decision – they sided with lawyers for the anti- Hillary Clinton political action […]
Two views on SCOTUS campaign finance ruling
“If the court in Citizens United opened a door,” wrote Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, “today’s decision may well open a floodgate.” But his was the dissenting opinion in the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling that strips back prohibitions on how much money people can give to candidates. The New York Times called it “a sequel […]
Supreme Court Considers Marriage Equality Debate
What a day for the LGBT community! The Supreme Court heard challenges to California’s Proposition 8 today, and tomorrow it will hear arguments against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). (The audio and transcript are available here, if you have time to check them out!) Let’s hope that Chief Justice John Roberts kept his gay […]
Progress Report: Religious Symbols on Public Property in RI, Curt Schilling’s Fib, Local Journalism
There is a major and potentially very ugly battle brewing in the Ocean State that has nothing to do with tax rates, struggling cities or bankrupt ballplayers: I’m talking about religious symbols on public property, and it’s getting out of control. The most recent example (which you learned about first from RI Future), a cross […]
The John Roberts Moment
Surprisingly nearly everyone – especially CNN – the Supreme Court upheld the most controversial aspect of President Obama’s historic health care reforms: the individual mandate. It’s incredibly good news for Obama, Democrats, progressives, Rhode Island (which is already well into the process of implementing it) all the uninsured and under-insured Americans (like me!), the country […]
Progress Report: SCOTUS on Obamacare, State House Campaign Roundup, High Finance Journalism
The nation, and Rhode Island for that matter, turns its attention to the Supreme Court this morning as the justices are expected to release their decision today on President Obama’s signature act as chief executive: health care reform. The New York Times says the landmark legislation affects “nearly every American from cradle to grave.” Depending […]
Progress Report: SCOTUS, CEO Politicians, Pension Politics
In a mixed bag of a decision on Arizona’s immigration law, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed local authorities to continue to inquire into people’s legal status when they pull them over or otherwise detain them … this kind of law enforcement is rife with opportunities for racial profiling, which probably isn’t why white Republicans […]
RI Progress Report: Chafee and Political Principles, Paying for Public Education, Gemma on Marriage Equality
In a surprising move that really shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows him, Gov Chafee has decided to take the Jason Pleau case all the way to the US Supreme Court, if they will hear it. While talk radio, and even the Pleau family, may not agree with this decision, taking a case to the SCOTUS […]
Obamacare, Broccoli and the Supreme Court
Antonin Scalia observes in court that the government cannot compel a citizen to purchase broccoli, and the government’s lawyers are Struck Dumb. They clearly do not spend time in my local pub. Every week some bonehead appears there with the “broccoli” canard. And there is a simple answer to that stupid assertion: The government can […]
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