In a time-honored, if not honorable, tradition, Obama has shown, in moving from primary to presidential campaigns, that he too is the master of bait and switch.
He now supports what will result in immunity being granted to the telephone companies that chose to help the Bush administration to illegally spy on American citizens—NYT.
Blech.
A terrible catastrophe is playing out in Zimbabwe, one that - in light of South Africa’s ongoing complicity - calls into question the possibility of achieving the rule of law in Southern Africa. Only Botswana seems able to do it, and even there, the hold is fragile - imperilled by atrocious HIV rates. Read more »
Following an old link on Marginal Revolution about an interesting new book on AIDS prevention and sexual politics called The Wisdom of Whores by epidemologist, Elizabeth Pisani took me to Pisani’s blog. Interestingly one of the people on her blogroll is Marina Mahathir and yes, she is the daughter of the more famous (or infamous) former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir. Read more »
I’ve been following the case brought by the Ontario-based Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) against Mark Steyn in the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal. And as per Pete M’s request, I’m writing a post on it (in the middle of the night because I’m an insomniac). Read more »
2,370 warrant requests granted in 2007, up 9% from 2006, to search or eavesdrop on suspected terrorists and spies in the U.S.
9,254 national security letters issued in 2005; 12,583 in 2006 (data for 2007 is not yet available). Such letters request information like your bank account details and telephone usage, but do not rely on a court order and are issued without informing the person spied upon. Read more »
In Singapore, Opposition leaders get sued into bankruptcy, in Malaysia they just get charged with sodomy again and again:
Police began an investigation Sunday into an allegation that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim sodomized his male aide, sparking speculation he could be sent back to prison on the same charge that led to his ouster from Malaysia’s government a decade ago.
Read more »
Two things jumped out at me after sitting today’s evidence exam (apart from the fact that the seats in the Examination Schools are bloody uncomfortable). Read more »
I’ve been following the case brought by the Ontario-based Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) against Mark Steyn in the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal. And as per Pete M’s request, I’m writing a post on it (in the middle of the night because I’m an insomniac). Read more »
The requirement of being “of good character” is one with which lawyers are familiar. After all, we have to show that we are fit and proper persons before we can be admitted to practice (as outlined in this post about plagiarist law students). Generally, when I think about someone being “of good character”, I think of a requirement of “honesty”, and the presence or absence of a criminal record. Read more »
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