Free Republic

Dictator Hugo Chavez and friend of Sean Penn and Oliver Stone was mandated to take a sworn presidential oath before the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela this morning due to the specifics of their Constitution and that he won the Oct. election (unfortunately) for another six-year term starting today. However Hugo "smells of sulphur", it is reported, and is out of the country and deathly ill in Havana, Cuba of apparently malignant cancer, so he is not exercising his duties in addition to being absent from the country in the first place. There are succession plans in place in Venezuelan...

Reuters today reported that the U.S. apartment vacancy rate rose to an almost 30-year high of 8 percent in the fourth quarter, and rents dropped in the biggest one-year slump in 2009, according to real estate research company Reis Inc. The report reflects the job market, which has not followed positive economic indicators such as the stock market rebound. Large apartment landlords such as Equity Residential, AvalonBay Communities Inc., Essex Property Trust Inc., UDR Inc. and Post Properties Inc. have resorted to reducing rents and offering perks to retain and attract tenants. Several indicators, however, offer the promise of an...

The legal world — or at least those who watch movements at the Supreme Court closely — is a bit abuzz this morning with the news that Justice John Paul Stevens has confirmed that he has hired only one clerk so far for next year’s term. Clerk-watching has long been one of the signals as to whether a justice plans to retire, although clearly not foolproof and definitely not official. Justices usually hire three to four clerks by the beginning of the summer, a year or so before the next term when the clerks would start work. For Justice Stevens,...

Now that the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito has given the Supreme Court another conservative voice, forces are gearing up for what could be the battle of all battles -– over the next appointment to the high court. Speculation is that Justice John Paul Stevens, the court's most liberal member, will retire in the near future, possibly as soon as this year. The appointment of a conservative replacement would definitely push the court solidly to the right -– and likely touch off a furious fight from Democrats. An analysis published in the Wall Street Journal found that conservative Justices Antonin...

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The upcoming nomination of a new US Supreme Court justice to fill a vacancy created by retiring Sandra Day O'Connor could alter a delicate political balance inside the court that plays a key role in US society. O'Connor, one of nine Supreme Court justices who is considered a moderate, announced her retirement in early July. Then, in early September, ultra-conservative US chief justice William Rehnquist died. Rehnquist was formally replaced on Thursday by former federal judge John Roberts, a dapper conservative who largely shares the views of the late chief justice. The change, however, should not alter...

An Odd Rumor I have an exceptionally large family : over 50 first cousins in the NY metropolitan area alone- and Lord knows how many second cousins,nieces,nephews, in-laws and outlaws. One of my kin is a staffer in the White House , and has told me the President is considering adding one of his “political enemies” – a well-known, and very outspoken woman, who now serves in Congress – to the “short list” of Supreme Court candidates. I asked outright if it was Barbara Boxer, and was told I was looking at the wrong coast – and that’s all my...

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court retirement watch is far from over. After Sandra Day O'Connor's surprise announcement last week, the attention is focused again on ailing Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and the prospect of simultaneous high court openings for the first time in 34 years. President Bush, who is traveling in Europe this week, plans to focus on a handful of prospective replacements for O'Connor over the next few weeks, an aide said Tuesday. That gives Rehnquist more time to ponder his future.. . .Two openings would give Bush an opportunity, albeit one with potential political pitfalls. "When he's...

MIDI - YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT We are scared...there's no denyin' See, our bowels have lost control All those fears are multiplyin' We are in a deep hole We'd better act up...get out in the street Yeah, that is what we must do We must act up...there can be no retreat George Bush, we are warning you Do not divide, do not divide...we're warning you Choose the one that we want...ooh ooh ooh Choose the one we approve...ooh ooh ooh Choose the one that we want...ooh ooh ooh Oh, yes indeed...oh, pretty please Do not pick a...

First Grade Lesson Plan --- The Supreme Court I. What is the Supreme Court a. Nine justices (show pictures in robes; quote from Levin's MEN IN BLACK) b. Where does it meet c. When does it meet d. It decides cases regarding Constitutional Issues (briefly explain the Constitution, the document the left wants to destroy) e. Give the names of the current justices (explain which ones are foolish liberals) II. How the members of the Supreme Court are chosen a. A vacancy occurs b. The President nominates a replacement (he gets to chose; that's what happens when you win) c....

WASHINGTON - If constitutional interpretation were race-car driving, the US Supreme Court term that ended this week would be notable more for applying the brakes than hitting the accelerator. Two key areas of conservative jurisprudence hit speed bumps in major rulings - property rights and federalism, or states' rights. As a result, the so-called federalism revolution is suddenly looking a lot less revolutionary. Some analysts are questioning whether the "Rehnquist Court" under conservative Chief Justice William Rehnquist might be better described as the "Stevens Court," in recognition of the behind-the-scenes role of Justice John Paul Stevens in assembling majorities supporting...

“A Supreme Court judgeship is perhaps the closest our country has come to clothing mortals with deistic powers,” wrote James Harvie Wilkinson III in a 1974 book about clerking for Justice Lewis Powell. In anticipation that Chief Justice William Rehnquist may retire, speculation abounds about which mortal President Bush may now offer these “deistic powers.” The rumored “short list” features some stellar federal appellate judges with credible records as strict constructionists: Michael Luttig of the 4th Circuit, Edith Jones of the 5th, Samuel Alito of the 3rd, and Michael McConnell of the 10th. Conservatives would be thrilled with any of...

The brochure is hardly subtle. "Emergency instructions for a Supreme Court Retirement," it screams in bold red letters. Delivered by e-mail to tens of thousands of NARAL Pro-Choice America supporters, the missive directs them to "print, cut and fold this card and keep it in your wallet. When a Supreme Court justice retires, you'll be READY for action." Cardholders are instructed to call their senators and declare that a new justice must support abortion rights. They are also told to log on to a Web site "for more action instructions," and to "TELL everyone you know!" The abortion rights group...

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A week after announcing his resignation, embattled Secretary of State Kevin Shelley quietly named a Sacramento area attorney to a four-year term on the state board that regulates California's political campaigns. Shelley appointed A. Eugene Huguenin, a former staff lawyer for the California Teachers Association, to succeed Thomas Knox on the Fair Political Practices Commission. Knox's term expired Jan. 31. Shelley, facing allegations that he mishandled federal election funds, accepted tainted campaign contributions and sexually harassed employees, announced Feb. 4 that he would leave office March 1. According to news reports, the FPPC is one of the...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday set a special election for May 3 to choose a successor to Democratic Rep. Robert Matsui, who died Jan. 1. The announcement triggers an automatic March 8 primary for the Sacramento-area seat that Matsui held for 26 years. If a candidate wins a majority in the primary, the May election will not be necessary. Otherwise, the top vote-getters from each party will square off May 3. Matsui's widow, Doris, a longtime Washington lobbyist who worked in the Clinton administration, has said she plans to run. State Sen. Deborah Ortiz, a Sacramento...

WASHINGTON (Oct. 25) - Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, 80 and the second-oldest man to preside over the nation's highest court, is undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer, officials announced Monday. Rehnquist underwent a tracheotomy at Bethesda Naval Hospital in suburban Maryland on Saturday, the court's announcement said. It added he expects to be back at work next week when the court will next be in session. Even so, Rehnquist's hospitalization little more than a week before the election gave new prominence to a campaign issue that has been overshadowed by the war on terrorism. The next president is likely to...

<p>Seven seek state Senate District 36 seat Primary is Jan. 18 with general election,if needed, scheduled Feb. 15 Larry Burton / The Times Posted on January 6, 2003 Better roads, improved schools, more and higher-paying jobs - all rank high on the wish lists of voters in Northwest Louisiana's state Senate District 36.</p>

(1) If a vacancy shall occur in the office of United States Senator from Mississippi by death, resignation or otherwise, the Governor shall, within ten (10) days after receiving official notice of such vacancy, issue his proclamation for an election to be held in the state to elect a Senator to fill such unexpired term as may remain, provided the unexpired term is more than twelve (12) months and the election shall be held within ninety (90) days from the time the proclamation is issued and the returns of such election shall be certified to the Governor in the manner...