In the same week that the Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education marked its 62nd anniversary declaring that “separate but equal” schools are unconstitutional, a Mississippi town was found to be in violation of Brown and Donald Trump lists his possible eleven Supreme Court picks for vetting. It’s almost surreal and one could not script the three together. But the three are intertwined together in ways that could affect minorities and attendance at schools. Brown v. Board of Education’s decision on May 17, 1954 marked the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision which found that barring blacks from attending white segregated schools on the theory that all schools were separate but equal was unconstitutional. The premise of “separate but equal” had held true as the law in the U.S. since 1868. And following Brown v. Board of Education, many African American and other minority children were bused to schools in white areas or otherwise allowed to attend previously all white schools, as … [Read more...] about How Donald Trump Could Affect Minorities Attending Schools
Supreme Court
SCOTUS Vacancy May Send Frmr VA Gov. McDonnell to Prison
Instead of running his own 2016 Republican campaign for presidential nominee, former Republican Governor and once rising GOP star Bob McDonnell will be awaiting the outcome on his Supreme Court hearing on April 27. McDonnell and his wife Maureen were convicted at trial of receiving gifts and loans in exchange for official government assistance to Star Scientific, the dietary supplement company, of businessman Jonnie Williams, Sr. A federal appeals court upheld their convictions. So now their last Hail Mary is with the Supreme Court. And the Supreme Court vacancy may seal his fate. The gifts from businessman Williams ranged from golf outings, catering for their daughter’s wedding, 2 loans, expensive shopping sprees to New York for Mrs. McDonnell, a Rolex watch and an assortment of other gifts, including as specifically outlined in the indictment, as follow: $50,000 loan, without loan papers, used to pay of the McDonnell’s’ credit card debt $20,000 additional loan … [Read more...] about SCOTUS Vacancy May Send Frmr VA Gov. McDonnell to Prison
Is SCOTUS Nominee Merrick Garland the Next Clarence Thomas?
President Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court in likely response to the Republican position to deny any nominee a hearing or vote. Garland is a hard choice for Republicans to deny as he is a moderate choice who may lean conservative on some issues. He was confirmed on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals with only 23 Republican senators opposing. Republicans had little to say against Garland's qualifications. The votes against him were geared towards whether additional seats were needed on the District of Columbia court of Appeals. President Obama is playing a game of chess with Republicans in much the same way, Republicans did in nominating Clarence Thomas to fill Justice Thurgood Marshall’s seat. President George H. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas in 1992 to fill the seat of retiring Justice Thurgood Marshall. Marshall, the first African American justice to sit on the Supreme Court was known as the champion of civil rights causes—having won the landmark … [Read more...] about Is SCOTUS Nominee Merrick Garland the Next Clarence Thomas?
Justice Scalia’s Presence in Texas Abortion Case
On March 2, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on a Texas abortion law that aims to make it extremely difficult for abortion clinics to operate in Texas. The case of Whole Women’s Health versus Hellerstetd will determine whether Texas may require that abortion clinics have admitting privileges at a local hospital and whether abortion clinics must meet ambulatory surgical center requirements. Meeting ambulatory surgical center requirements may cost millions of dollars for a clinic. Texas law also forbids abortion after 20 weeks. While these two requirements may seem reasonable on their face, there is no apparent medical need for them. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists state there is no need for admitting requirements for abortion providers, citing abortions’ low complication rates. And a 2013 study that reviewed the health departments of every state, found no medical reason for admitting requirements. The 2013 study arose as a result of the … [Read more...] about Justice Scalia’s Presence in Texas Abortion Case
Scalia’s Vacancy Brings Out GOP Rage
Justice Scalia’s death resulting in a vacancy to the Supreme Court brings out Republicans’ disregard for the U.S. Constitution. In a letter that totally makes their position clear, the Senate Judiciary Republicans say they will not even meet to discuss President Obama’s eventual nominee to the Supreme Court—let alone hold a hearing or a vote on the nominee. The position is despite the fact the U.S. Constitution makes clear that upon a vacancy to the high court, the President shall nominate with the advice and consent of the Senate. The position is despite the fact there is almost eleven months until the next president will be sworn in. This position is despite the fact there is no precedent for coming to their decision. Republicans are now making up the rules as they go along—except this is not a game. It makes a mockery of the U.S. Constitution and our laws. And the only reason is to ensure the balance of the court does not change hands. The Supreme Court is now … [Read more...] about Scalia’s Vacancy Brings Out GOP Rage
Justice Scalia’s Vacancy is a Win-Win for Democrats
The vacant Supreme Court seat due to the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will likely be a win-win for Democrats should President Obama nominate an African American woman to replace Scalia. Republicans vowed to fight any nomination asserting that Pres. Obama should not nominate anyone. GOP leaders and presidential contenders strongly urge that the next President elected in November, 2016 should nominate the next justice. This would mean the country would be without the full highest court for approximately over a year—placing many cases and decisions in disarray. The inauguration of the next President will occur in January, 2017. And any High Court nominations would likely not occur until Spring, 2017, if a replacement is not confirmed in 2016. President Obama intends to nominate a replacement for Justice Scalia in the very near future- despite Republicans complaints. Currently, there are four liberals and four conservatives on the Court. A confirmation … [Read more...] about Justice Scalia’s Vacancy is a Win-Win for Democrats