Author Archive | Jim Lindgren

Steven Calabresi (my colleague at Northwestern) writes about originalism in the Wall Street Journal (it is available free here): The Right Judicial Litmus Test [T]he proper basis on which we should evaluate the Court’s performance in this term and in the future is not whether it reaches “conservative” or “liberal” results in constitutional cases, but […]

Although we receive the New York Times at home (and thus get full access to the Times’ site), with the demise of its pay service, Times Select, all of the Times is more accessible. After reading an old article on the Jews in Spain (which may still be covered by restrictions for some readers), I […]

In Reviews in American History the country’s leading historian of homicide, Randolph Roth (OSU) has an article that deals with two recent disputes in American history: how many guns were listed in early American probate records and whether the Old West was violent (I dealt with the latter issue in an earlier post). On these […]

Although a couple of weeks ago the limited run on Nationwide Banks in the US was quickly stemmed, the run on Northern Rock in the UK continues for at least the third straight business day on Monday (via the Guardian): Thousands of anxious savers besieged branches of Northern Rock this morning [Monday] as the run […]

Linda Greenhouse has an article in today’s New York Times that brings up proposals for an 18-year limit on Supreme Court tenure. She reports some of my data on Court tenure and mentions Steven Calabresi’s and my article on the subject (which can be downloaded from this SSRN page). Greenhouse also quotes Sandy Levinson, who […]

Today’s NYT Magazine profiles noted record producer Rick Rubin who Sony has put in charge of Columbia Records in an effort to reinvigorate their music business. Though for much of his career Rubin produced hard core metal and some rap albums, he has also achieved notice for his work with Tom Petty and the Dixie […]

The Department of Health and Human Services commissioned an advertising campaign to increase public awareness of the benefits of breast feeding. Breast feeding rates appear to be on the rise, but the United States still lags behind other developed nations. The campaign was to feature striking images that would highlight the potential health problems of […]

In yesterday’s W$J, psychologist Stanton Peele makes the case for allowing minors to drink alcohol with their parents. According to Peele, allowing children to drink alcohol in the home with their families reduces the likelihood of binge drinking and related problems. On the other hand, allowing minors to attend unchaperoned parties may be setting them […]

Today’s NYT reports that the Justice Department will claim the “state secrets” privilege requires the dismissal of a private lawsuit against the “Swift” banking consortium for providing the U.S. government with access to financial transaction records. The Bush administration is signaling that it plans to turn again to a legal tool, the “state secrets” privilege, […]

In this opinion released today, Judge Boyce Martin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit declares that Latin is a “dead language” (in footnote 5). Judge Alice Batchelder begs to differ. Her opinion concurring in the judgment reads: I concur in Judge Martin’s opinion. I write separately only to express my suspicion […]

The Washington Post profiles Solicitor General Paul Clement.

The Washington Post is reporting that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will resign this morning. CNN is reporting that the President will nominate Michael Chertoff as his replacement, and name Clay Johnson to head the Department of Homeland Security. UPDATE: It’s official. Gonzales has resigned. In a public statement, Bush announced that Solicitor General Paul Clement […]

Here is the Opus comic strip by Berke Breathed that many newspapers decided not to run. Why? According to this story in Editor & Publisher, it was the references to Islam, a not-so-subtle sex joke, or the combination of the two. (Link via NRO Media Blog.)

U.S. News suggests Attorney General Alberto Gonzales may resign and be replaced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Sounds like a good idea to me (if a little late).

This week I am opting for something timeless instead of topical: Duke Ellington’s “Solitude.” This one of Ellington’s greatest compositions. Indeed, it is probably one of the greatest songs of all time. “Solitude” never gets old, whether it is being sung by Louis Armstrong or Matt Johnson for The The. I love hearing the lyrics […]