A comparison of these strict state photo voter ID laws to the Transportation Security Administration’s (“TSA” ) requirements to fly show it is harder to vote than it is to fly. Republican proponents of strict photo voter ID laws argue that the same documents are needed to fly.  Everyone does not fly. And TSA is more flexible in its approach to security screening.   The Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”)   web site states that where the requested photo government documents are not available, there are other ways to verify the identity of the traveler and TSA will allow airport travelers to fly where the required documents are missing.  A traveler can pass through security and fly if they do not own a driver’s license, state photo ID or passport. According to TSA, “Not having a {photo} ID, does not necessarily mean a passenger won’t be allowed to fly. If passengers are willing to provide additional information, we have other means of substantiating someone’s identity, like using publicly available databases.” Air travelers may also use 2 non-photo ID forms of ID such as a social security card or credit card, as long as verifiable.  The new strict photo voter ID laws do not make any exceptions. TSA, in protecting us against terrorist attacks, is more flexible in their policy than these photo voter ID laws.

In Indiana in 2006, a black woman, Valeria Williams, in her 60s, was told that her telephone bill, letter from the Social Security Administration addressed to her and an expired driver’s license were not sufficient identification to vote.  Under the current TSA policy, she probably would have been allowed to fly. Her vote didn’t count.

The Brennan Center estimates that 18 percent of all seniors and 25 percent of African-Americans don’t have picture IDs.  Estimates are that it could cost up to $35 to obtain the necessary documents when not in the possession of the voter plus time off from work to obtain during working hours. And with many people struggling due to the economy, where many sometimes don’t have enough money to buy food and put and keep a roof over their head, it’s unlikely they will have an extra money to pay to vote.

Although the government issued photo ID needed to vote is free, the certified birth certificate or passport  needed to obtain one, if unavailable, costs money. And there is additional cost to obtain even more documents, in those cases where a name change is involved due to marriage or divorce, as in the case of roughly 90 percent of marriages. One thing is clear—there is an extra cost to vote where strict voter photo ID laws are imposed. It’s like having to pay extra for baggage when flying. And voting should be free and easy to do.

And for all the alleged voter fraud by the GOP, the Justice Department’s nationwide study from 2002 – 2005 found only 5 convictions for voting multiple times and 86 convictions for improper voting. This hardly seems a reason to require extra costs and make it more difficulty to vote than to fly.

Yet, in the case of strict photo ID laws, it’s

Debbie Hines is a lawyer, former prosecutor and legal /political commentator appearing in national and local media including CNN, the Michael Eric Dyson Show, XM Sirius radio, NBC , ABC and CBS -Washington, DC affiliates,  NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Black Enterprise among others.  She founded LegalSpeaks, a progressive blog on women and race in law and politics.  She also writes for the Huffington Post.

harder to vote these days than it is to fly.

Mitt Romney is winning Republican primaries but many Republicans still wonder if Mitt Romney is human. Democrats don’t want Mitt Romney to be president and neither do many conservative Republicans who think Mitt Romney is not human. I don’t mean to imply that Mitt is an alien. But, he doesn’t have the common touch for many of his fellow Republicans. And trying to find it is making him appear even less human.  Being human shows there is a human side to your back story. President Obama spoke about being raised by a single mother; having a grandfather who fought in World War II, having a mother die of cancer without health insurance and being a compassionate community organizer upon graduating from law school.What is Mitt Romney’s human story?

Mitt Romney has a back story except it is not appealing to his constituency. So he changes his story to fit his base.  Romney, a Mormon was a missionary during his early years. Being a missionary, I assume means he helped some poor folks.  Yet, that would not be appealing to his Republican base. So what does Romney do?  He comes out saying that he’s not concerned about the very poor.   A missionary works with the poor.  They are not usually working with the middle class or helping the rich get richer. So when Romney changes his own story to fit that of someone else, he comes off sounding and acting like an alien.And he sounds like a rich alien who hates the “very poor”.

Romney’s father was also born in a Mexican colony and later moved to the US.  If he emphasizes his father’s birth background, it will raise questions as to whether he is American, among his GOP conservative base. The same GOP base that is asking for President Obama’s birth certificate will want to secretly see Mitt Romney’s birth certificate.

Most Mormons overwhelmingly support Mitt Romney—just as an overwhelming number of African Americans support President Obama. Some Evangelical Christians still view Mormons as a cult and have openly spoken against Mormonism. Just as Republicans questioned and still question whether President Obama is Muslim or Christian, the same Republicans privately ask if Mitt Romney is a Christian. Being Muslim, Christian or Mormon –which is Christian should not matter. All faiths and religions are acceptable to hold the office of President, except in the eyes of the conservative right wing Republicans.  So, for Mitt Romney, being human means being a Christian which many Republicans question about Mitt Romney’s religion.

Having the same wife of 43 years also doesn’t seem to be helping to make him appear human.  Newt Gingrich turned his adulterous affairs and three wives to his own advantage and human traits. It’s as if these traits are a badge of bad boy honor and humanism for Republicans.

Romney was the first US governor to sign into law a universal health care law when he was Massachusetts governor.  This fact makes him human among Democrats except they are not likely to vote for him.  It makes him seem alien to Republicans that are trying to overturn the Affordable Health Care Act.

And Romney is trying to appease his conservative Republican base, including the likes of Rush Limbaugh and show that he is human by their standards. The only problem is by the conservative Republican base, Mitt Romney is not human. He’s a wealthy alien, valued at $250 million who cannot connect to his own GOP  base or the American public. Mitt Romney thinks he  is  human—just  like corporations he thinks are people.

Debbie Hines is a lawyer, former prosecutor and legal /political commentator appearing in national and local media including CNN, the Michael Eric Dyson Show, XM Sirius radio, NBC , ABC and CBS -Washington, DC affiliates,  NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Black Enterprise among others.  She founded LegalSpeaks, a progressive blog on women and race in law and politics.  She also writes for the Huffington Post.

Cecile Richards, Pres. Planned Parenthood

The Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure entered the field of politics with its recent decision to deny future grants to Planned Parenthood of America. Within a day of Mitt Romney saying that he’s not interested in helping the poor, apparently the Komen Foundation has come to the same decision.

Komen has reached irreconcilable differences with its supporters’ pro-life stance and Planned Parenthood’s abortion services.  Planned Parenthood provides 750,000 breast cancer exams a year. Susan G. Komen’s grants have made it possible to provide 170,000 breast cancer exams and 6,000 mammogram referrals over the past 5 years.  And 97% of Planned Parenthood’s   services for the poor are not related to abortion services but to education, screening and prevention.

Komen says it’s not a political decision. That’s like someone ending a romantic relationship and saying it’s not about you. Finding a cure for breast cancer should not be about politics, political party or position on abortion. Yet, somehow politics have now jumped in with both feet in the race for the cure. Cancer doesn’t care about political party, race, class or gender. And neither should Susan G. Komen.  Cancer is an equal opportunity killer.  Breast cancer still strikes one in 8 American women today.

Attempting to stop vulnerable and poor women from getting cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood may win favor with Mitt Romney and the political right, but it will risk lives instead of saving them.  I always thought the Susan G. Komen Foundation was about saving lives with a cure. I wonder when a cure is found, whether Komen will try to stop women receiving services at Planned Parenthood from receiving the cure.

Breast cancer screenings save lives. And until a cure is found, we should want every woman to get screened for breast cancer.  If the Komen Foundation for the Cure wants to remain true to its number 1 priority of finding a cure for breast cancer, it will drop politics out of the cure.

Post Script: In a reversal of fortune, Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure decides to end its decision to defund Planned Parenthood. The power of the media is huge in this decision.

Debbie Hines is a lawyer, former prosecutor and legal /political commentator appearing in national and local media including CNN, the Michael Eric Dyson Show, XM Sirius radio, NBC , ABC and CBS -Washington, DC affiliates,  NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Black Enterprise among others.  She founded LegalSpeaks, a progressive blog on women and race in law and politics.  She also writes for the Huffington Post.

In 2012, it is estimated that many blacks could again be denied the right to vote by having to pay money to vote—this time due to many new voter ID laws. Voter ID laws enacted now in over half the states, require voters to present some form of identification and fourteen states require a government issued photo ID.  The Brennan Center estimates that 18 percent of all seniors and 25 percent of African-Americans don’t have picture IDs.

Forty-five years ago, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi still had poll tax laws.  Eight states including Georgia   and South Carolina refused to ratify the 24^th amendment which abolished poll tax or any other tax to vote. Today states supporting former poll tax laws-Alabama, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and four other states have some of the strictest photo voter ID laws in the country.

There is an uncanny pattern and parallel with the new voter ID laws and the former poll tax laws. Just like the poll tax laws, there is a cost to vote where voter ID laws are strictly imposed.  Although the government issued   ID needed to vote is free, the certified birth certificate or passport needed to obtain one costs money. And there is additional cost to obtain even more documents, in those cases where a name change is involved due to marriage or divorce.

Estimates are that it could cost up to $35 to obtain the necessary documents when not in the possession of the voter plus time off from work to obtain during working hours. And with many people struggling due to the economy, where voters don’t have enough money to buy food and put and keep a roof over their head, it’s unlikely they will have an extra $35 to get government documents to vote.

Although, Republican proponents of strict voter ID laws argue that these same documents are needed to fly, drive or cash a check.  That’s not really true and not everyone flies or drives.  The Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”)   web site states that where those government documents are not available, there are other ways to verify the identity of the traveler and TSA will allow airport travelers to fly where the required documents are missing.  “Not having a {photo} ID, does not necessarily mean a passenger won’t be allowed to fly. If passengers are willing to provide additional information, we have other means of substantiating someone’s identity, like using publicly available databases.” Air travelers may also use 2 non-photo ID forms of ID such as a social security card or credit card, as long as verifiable. The TSA, in protecting us against terrorist attacks is more flexible in their policy than these photo voter ID laws.

In Indiana in 2006, a black woman, Valeria Williams, in her 60s, was told that her telephone bill, letter from the Social Security Administration addressed to her and an expired driver’s license  were not sufficient.  Under the current TSA   policy, she probably would have been allowed to fly. Under most bank check cashing policies, she also would have been able to cash a check. Her vote didn’t count.

And for all the alleged voter fraud by the GOP, the Justice Department’s nationwide study from 2002 – 2005 found 5 convictions for voting multiple times and 86 convictions for improper voting. This hardly seems a reason to require costs for voting.

Just as forms of racism are more subtle in 2012 than in 1966, the same holds true for the new modern day poll tax. In the case of money required to obtain government documents to vote—well, a rose by any other name is still a rose. And a poll tax by any other name is …well still a poll tax.

Debbie Hines is a lawyer, former prosecutor and legal /political commentator appearing in national and local media including CNN, the Michael Eric Dyson Show, XM Sirius radio, NBC , ABC and CBS -Washington, DC affiliates,  NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Black Enterprise among others.  She founded LegalSpeaks, a progressive blog on gender and race in law and politics.  She also writes for the Huffington Post.

Photo courtesy of Hasina Sinha

On a cold winter morning on January 28, 2008, I watched as then Senator Barack Obama listened to Senator Ted Kennedy endorse him for the Democratic nominee for President of the US at American University. I had almost decided to go to work that day. But the history major in me knew this was history in the making. And I had to be there. As I arrived at American University on that day, I realized that the auditorium was already filled to capacity.  As I arrived at the campus, I met another woman along the way en route.   She and I would not be deterred on our mission. We were rewarded for our tenacity. We were able to see and hear Senator Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, then Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Barack Obama. We proudly shared the moment together. And we have remained connected since that special day.

What we saw and experienced that day seems like light years ago—much longer than 4 years.  We saw the Kennedys and their Camelot mystique embrace then Senator Barack Obama over the tried and tested Senator Hillary Clinton.  And we saw a humbled Senator Barack Obama realizing what the moment meant for his campaign.

As I reflect back on that day, I’ve often wondered what course the Obama presidency would have taken if Senator Ted Kennedy had lived longer. I wonder if Senator Kennedy, the liberal Lion of the Senate, would have been able to broker the missing public option in the Affordable Health Care Act. Perhaps, he would have pushed for more liberal or leftist changes as the GOP would prefer to call them, in our jobs and economic situation. Perhaps he would not have been able to make any change with the GOP controlled Congress and the current political stalemate.

One thing is for sure. Senator Ted Kennedy made a difference that day in helping   President Obama  become the Democratic nominee for President with his early endorsement. And that is perhaps Kennedy’s greatest legacy,   Ted Kennedy, who himself, would never see his own dream fulfilled of becoming President.  Yet, he lived to see the dream of President Obama elected as the first African American president.

As I reflect back on 4 years ago and all the unwanted and unexpected changes since then, I still say I’m proud to have been there that day.  And I say, there is so much more work to do. And I’m sure Ted Kennedy would agree and again wholeheartedly endorse President Obama.

Washington, DC based Debbie Hines is a lawyer, blogger, former prosecutor and legal and political commentator who frequently is seen in the media speaking on issues affecting race and gender. She also writes for the Huffington Post and the Women’s Media Center. She holds a Juris Doctorate from George Washington University Law School and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

In an move that many expected might happen, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords announced via video tape that she will step down from Congress. She plans to continue her fight to get better and improve, following last year’s horrific shooting. Neither her husband,  Mark, or anyone in her staff office will seek her seat.  Giffords will return to Washington this week to attend President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, marking one of her final acts as a member of Congress. She will also meet privately in Tucson with constituents who were attending the meet-and-greet at a Safeway supermarket where the shooting occurred.  The Governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer must set a special election within 80-90 days following her resignation. Giffords  is set to resign this week.

She will always be known for her strength and steadfast and immovable faith to heal and get better. She says she is getting better. Her spirits are high. And she will return.  I hope so.

Here is the transcript of the video in Gabby’s words:

“Arizona is my home, always will be. A lot has happened over the past year. We cannot change that. But I know on the issues we fought for we can change things for the better. Jobs, border security, veterans. We can do so much more by working together. I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week. I’m getting better. Every day, my spirit is high. I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country. Thank you very much.”

President Obama

2012 ushered in a new President Obama who cast caution to the wind and threw away his attempts at conciliation efforts with the GOP as he made 3 recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”)   and named Richard Cordray   to head   the Consumer Financial Protection Board .  Cordray is the former Attorney General for Ohio. Republicans had effectively blocked Cordray’s appointment after failing to block the establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Board in 2010.  The President drew the praise of progressives and all who support working Americans’ rights and consumer rights. The Consumer Financial Protection Board’s   aim is to protect citizens from Wall Street banks and lenders attacks on them.

The NLRB is the agency that is responsible for holding corporations responsible and protects the safety, health and rights in the workplace. Without the NLRB working efficiently, employers can fire and deny  employees earned benefits and fair wages. Since January 1, the NLRB had been effectively shut down. It is the President’s job to see that the government runs and works well.  With the sluggish economy, it is now even more important that the NLRB work well and people get paid the wages they are due. The economy works best when businesses play by the rules and respect worker’s rights.

Republicans disapprove of the President’s   recess appointments and vow to fight back in court saying the appointments were not made during their recess. If the truth be told, the GOP members of Congress have been on a paid recess for quite a long time.

President Obama has made only 30 recess appointments. President George W. Bush made over 170, President Ronald Regan made over 240 and President Bill Clinton made 171. In fact, the past 3 GOP presidents have made recess appointments to the NLRB.  Like everything in the Obama Administration, President Obama has shown great restraint in making recess appointments.  Hopefully 2012 is the start of when President Obama gets his swagger back and gets and keeps his mojo working. To the Republicans, I say in the words   of George W. Bush, “Bring it On.”

Debbie Hines is a lawyer, former prosecutor and legal /political commentator appearing in national and local media including CNN, the Michael Eric Dyson Show, XM Sirius radio, NBC , ABC and CBS -Washington, DC affiliates,  NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Black Enterprise among others.  She founded LegalSpeaks, a progressive blog on women and race in law and politics.  She also writes for the Huffington Post.

In an ironic twist, Thomas still owed over $17,000 on his student loans and was in trouble over the arrears for his school loans. Presumably, he didn’t want to use any of his newly acquired ill- gotten funds to pay his student loan debt.  And in an even more ironic twist, one of the baseball teams set to receive the youth funds was his team named “Team Thomas”.  How appropriate a name for a team where only Thomas truly benefitted.

Unfortunately, this puts the DC in a poor light with another politician facing jail. If Thomas pleads guilty, he will likely receive a sentence within the federal sentencing guidelines which take into account the seriousness of the crime, the amount of money involved, the record of the defendant, the charges, his acceptance of guilt, among others.  If Thomas resigns, the DC Council will hold a special election within 114 days after his resignation. Stay tuned for more to follow as another politician gets set to bite the dust.

Debbie Hines is a lawyer, former prosecutor and legal /political commentator appearing in national and local media including CNN, the Michael Eric Dyson Show, XM Sirius radio, NBC , ABC and CBS -Washington, DC affiliates,  NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Black Enterprise among others.  She founded LegalSpeaks, a progressive blog on women and race in law and politics.  She also writes for the Huffington Post.

1.  Casey Anthony- Who could forget the not guilty verdict of Casey Anthony in the death of her 2 year old daughter Casey Anthony? In a Washington Times article, I discuss why  the not guilty verdict was  anticipated by me.  Casey Anthony Verdict: Unpalatable But Correct explores the reasons why the verdict was an appropriate legal one despite contrary popular public opinion.  The prosecution learned a valuable lesson–overcharging and lack of evidence results in not guilty verdicts.

2. Conrad Murray- The manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray for the death of Michael Jackson was a contrast to the Casey Anthony trial. The prosecution did not overcharge and methodically set out to prove that Conrad Murray’s actions of giving Jackson doses of Propofol- a powerful anesthetic, resulted in his death. Murray was appropriately charged with manslaughter in that he did not intentionally seek to kill Jackson but his egregious and life threatening actions caused Jackson’s death.  He was sentenced to 4 years.

3. Jerry Sandusky- The indictment of Jerry Sandusky for the  child sex abuse cases surrounding Penn State caused a hush over everyone at Penn State and State College, PA and the “We are Penn State” community except for Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky gave a TV interview with Bob Costas which made him appear guilty as charged.   But, fact is stranger than fiction. A trial still awaits Sandusky. And in the small town of State College, PA, a guilty verdict is not necessarily imminent, despite appearances.

4. Jack Johnson and Leslie Johnson- Former Prince Georges County, Maryland County Executive Jack Johnson was convicted of taking anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million in bribes while serving 8 years as County Executive. He was heard on audio tape telling his wife, Leslie to hid $80,000 in her panties and walk out of the house, when the Feds arrived at their home. Johnson received a sentence of 7 years. He and his wife  plead guilty.

5. Rod Blagojevich-  Former Illinois Governor Blagojevich, after 2 trials and 2 juries, was sentenced to 14 years in jail for his attempts at selling President Obama’s former  Illinois Senate seat to the highest bidder. His prison term starts in 2012.

6. Dominique Strauss- Kahn- Although the case of former head of the IMC World Bank was dismissed by the New York prosecutor and never brought to trial, strong forensic evidence existed to pursue the case in a court of law.  The case of the hotel maid  shows the differences in how the judicial system handles sexual assaults and rape cases, particularly those involving women of color. It is a classic case of how race, class, gender and politics affects the judicial system. See my former blog post in the Women’s Media Center for a full discussion.

Honorable Mention:

1.  Herman Cain- No, Herman Cain, former GOP Presidential candidate was not convicted of any crimes. Yet, his sexual harassment case settlement of over 10 years ago was brought to light and forced him to end his Presidential bid.  He deserves mention for how a boss should not act towards women employees  in the workplace in exerting power.  Bosses beware.

2. Gary Giordano-  Giordano was not indicted in the case of missing Robyn Gardner while vacationing in Aruba. By all accounts, his purchase of a $1 million life insurance policy prior to their departure, still leaves a suspicion of guilt which may never result in any criminal action.  A link to my WUSA TV appearance explains why he’s free.

Debbie Hines is a lawyer, former prosecutor and legal commentator appearing in national and local media including CNN, the Michael Eric Dyson Show, XM Sirius radio, NBC , ABC and CBS -Washington, DC affiliates,  NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Black Enterprise among others.  She founded LegalSpeaks, a progressive blog on women and race in law and politics.  She also writes for the Huffington Post.