The Supreme Court decided important cases today on political bribery, abortion rights and gun rights. The highest court struck down a restrictive Texas abortion law and vacated former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell’s bribery conviction. It upheld a federal gun law that forbids gun ownership if convicted of domestic violence. The court ruled that Texas’ HB2 draconian abortion law is unconstitutional and struck down the abortion law which unduly interferes with the rights of women to obtain an abortion. In a decided ruling of 5-3, the Supreme Court ruled that Texas HB2 law which placed strict standards against abortion doctors, clinics and almost closed all access to abortion in Texas is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court rejected Texas’ argument that the law was intended to protect women’s safety. The law was written to block women’s access to abortions in the State of Texas. While Congress or the Senate has failed to pass any meaningful laws on gun control, the Supreme … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Sweeps in Final Week
domestic violence
Johnny Manziel Joins Ray Rice with Domestic Violence Case
Former Cleveland Browns NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel joins the long list of NFL players who have been charged with domestic violence. A Dallas County Grand Jury indicted Manziel on a misdemeanor assault charge against his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley for an alleged assault occurring on January 29, 2016. Crowley received a civil stay away court order until February, 2018, ordering Manziel to remain 500 feet away from her. And if Ray Rice’s case is any indication of what will happen in a criminal court, Manziel is likely to receive a slap on the wrist. Rice was able to enter a New Jersey Court intervention program where his record was wiped clean—despite the egregious elevator footage of his attack on his now wife. Manziel and Rice do not stand alone in their domestic violence cases. Jerry Angelo, a former Chicago Bears general manager spoke out about hundreds of domestic violence complaints during his 30 years in the league that went unpunished. Famed NFL player Jim … [Read more...] about Johnny Manziel Joins Ray Rice with Domestic Violence Case
Is Domestic Violence the Cost of Doing Business for the NFL
Almost midway through the NFL football season following the Ray Rice domestic violence, the incident seems to have had no effect on fans viewing games which means the bottom line of the NFL is quite secure. Reports obtained by Reuters from Nielson shows that fan viewership in the first month of the season increased this year on ESPN, CBS and NBC. And like many major corporations, the NFL may believe that if their bottom line is intact, it can weather the storm and carry on with business as usual. In cases involving major corporations, the economic hit to the bottom line is what matters in most cases, more than people. It’s what is called putting profits over people. Whether it’s a major car manufacturer as with Toyota’s Prius and Camry unintended acceleration and brake malfunctions allegedly causing injury and death and massive recalls which resulted in so far over 1 billion dollar in payouts to car owners. Toyota’s image or sales have not been tarnished. And in the … [Read more...] about Is Domestic Violence the Cost of Doing Business for the NFL
How the NFL Can Really Help Domestic Violence Victims
The controversy surrounding the Ray Rice incident of hitting and punching his now wife, Janay Palmer unconscious in a an elevator in February, 2014 highlights why the Violence Against Women Act was passed 20 years ago and why it needs further awareness and support even today. It further provides an opportunity for what the NFL's 32 teams and Commissioner Roger Goodell can do if they really mean business about a no tolerance policy against domestic violence. Twenty years ago today, the Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. At that time, an assault of hitting, kicking, pushing or severely injuring a woman by a male partner was considered a “family affair”. And it is so ironic that even today Janay Rice posts to her Instagram and Twitter accounts that the incident involving her husband is a “personal one”. Sorry Janay but there is nothing personal about the occurrence of a criminal act. That’s why court records are public … [Read more...] about How the NFL Can Really Help Domestic Violence Victims