TV on the Radio’s Dear Science may have been a critic’s favorite, but it didn’t top the NME writers’ Best Album of 2008 list. That honor went to MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular. Even if you’ve never heard of them, you’ve probably heard this Brooklyn-based duo. Here’s a snippet from the lyrics of “Time to Pretend”: This […]
Author Archive | Jonathan H. Adler
Sixth Circuit En Banc Divides Over Sentencing:
On Christmas Eve, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit released its en banc opinion in United States v. White, a potentially important sentencing opinion. Splitting along traditional lines, 9-6, the Court held that it is constitutional for a judge to impose sentencing enhancements based upon the defendant’s conduct underlying additional counts for […]
Sixth Circuit Doesn’t Always Divide on Habeas:
It may sometimes appear that the judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit are hopelessly divided in habeas corpus cases, particularly those involving ineffective assistance of counsel claims. (No doubt, my frequent blog posts on such divided opinions may feed that impression.) Yet the judges often do agree in such cases, […]
When Will We Watch Watchmen?
20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers have been sparring over the latter’s forthcoming release of Watchmen, based on the blockbuster D.C. Comics graphic novel of the same name. Fox alleges that WB violated their copyright by making the film because Fox purchased the story rights back in the 1980s, and is seeking to delay the […]
Navy, NRDC Settle Whale Suit:
The Navy and the Natural Resources Defense Council have settled the latter’s lawsuit over the potential impact of Navy sonar on whales in the Pacific. According to the AP, the deal requires the Navy to continue researching the effect of sonar on marine mammals, but will not have to adopt any additional mitigation measures.
Daniel Drezner Sells Out (and Good for Him):
Starting January 5, Daniel Drezner’s blog will move to its new home at foreignpolicy.com. Despite his new sponsorship, he promises to maintain his editorial independence, even if it means whacking Jennifer Palmieri with a two-by-four.
A Climate Deal for Conservatives:
In today
A Holiday Gift for EPA:
This past week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit gave the Environmental Protection Agency a little Christmas present. On rehearing in North Carolina v. EPA, the court agreed not to vacate the Bush Administration
Sunday Song Lyric:
TV on the Radio’s Dear Science seems to be the consensus pick for “album of the year,” having received this honor from Rolling Stone, Spin and others. I like this band, and enjoyed seeing them open for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs a few years back, I haven’t picked this one up yet, but I suppose […]
Sunday Song Lyric:
Hanukkah is “almost hip,” according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The CPD largely credits Adam Sandler and his Hanukkah Song (really songs) helped highlight the holiday. There are at least three versions of the song. Here’s a portion of the first. Put on your yalmulka, here comes Hanukkah Its so much fun-akkah to celebrate Hanukkah, […]
Did Bush EPA’s Loss Strike Down Clinton EPA Rule?
An interesting aspect of Sierra Club v. EPA, the Clean Air Act case I noted yesterday, is that the underlying regulation at issue was adopted under the Clinton Administration. The Bush Administration made some modifications of its own, largely affecting reporting and enforcement of the rule, but the underlying “SSM” exemption (for startups, shutdowns, and […]
A Wider Range of Views at the WSJ:
A notable change in the Wall Street Journal editorial page since Paul Gigot took the helm has been the inclusion of more perspectives on the op-ed pages. The WSJ has run articles by prominent Democrats, such as Hillary Clinton, a drug decriminalization article by Ethan Nadelman. The latter, in particular, would never have graced the […]
A Welcome Bonus:
Bloomberg reports the investment bank Credit Suisse Group AG has set its end-of-year bonuses in a particularly innovative (and worthwhile) fashion. It is giving its employees some of the firm’s illiquid mortgage-backed securities. This is “sheer genius,” according to Megan McArdle: “If the things really are any good, they make money; if not, they take […]
Yet Another Bush EPA Air Rule Goes Down:
The Bush Administration’s EPA has had a hard time defending its air pollution regulatory reforms in federal court (as I’ve noted before). Today, yet another regulation went down in (another case styled) Sierra Club v. EPA. The majority opinion by Judge Rogers, joined by Judge Tatel, begins: Petitioners challenge the final rules promulgated by the […]
Animal Cruelty and the First Amendment:
Are depictions of animal cruelty protected by the First Amendment? In July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held they are in a 10-3 en banc decision in U.S. v. Stevens. The decision, which Eugene blogged about here, struck down the federal law prohibiting the production, sale, and possession of depictions of […]