Iraq Court Believes Evidence Against Hashemi; Attacks Against Police Continue

Iraq’s top court gave an unbinding opinion on Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi’s terrorism charges. Meanwhile, Iranian dissidents living in Camp Ashraf are voluntarily relocating to Camp Liberty. Also, during a scan in Falluja, radioactive materials were found. At least 12 Iraqis were killed and nine more were wounded in new violence. The Iraqi Supreme Judicial … Continue reading “Iraq Court Believes Evidence Against Hashemi; Attacks Against Police Continue”

US High Court to Weigh Ashcroft Detention Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear former Attorney General John Ashcroft’s appeal of a lower court decision, which ruled that he could be held responsible for the wrongful detention of a U.S. citizen. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) brought the case against Ashcroft in 2005 on behalf of Abdullah al-Kidd, who they … Continue reading “US High Court to Weigh Ashcroft Detention Case”

Supreme Mediocrity

“Your modesty overwhelms me, Yogi.” “Why not, Boo Boo? I’ve got a lot to be modest about.” Those are my two favorite lines from The Yogi Bear Show, a cartoon I watched when I was a kid. After his reply to Boo Boo, Yogi looks self-conscious as he realizes what he has just admitted about … Continue reading “Supreme Mediocrity”

US High Court Derails Rendition Victim’s Lawsuit

The quest for justice for a Canadian who was mistakenly tagged as a terrorist by U.S. authorities and shipped off to a Syrian prison for close to a year of abuse came to an abrupt halt Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his case. Maher Arar is a Syrian-born Canadian and father … Continue reading “US High Court Derails Rendition Victim’s Lawsuit”

The World Is Kagan’s Battlefield

The nomination of Elena Kagan has opened up a public debate on her qualifications, her public record (or lack of it), and even her sexual orientation. I will deal with none of these here. Normally, this space would not be concerned with the merits of a particular nomination to the Supreme Court, but is it … Continue reading “The World Is Kagan’s Battlefield”