Opinions about AB 1070 — Arizona’s controversial new immigration law — are everywhere. Serious analysis? Not so much. Now several professors at the University of Arizona have just posted a preliminary analysis of the billon SSRN. It’s a useful paper, and they are soliciting feedback.
Author Archive | Jonathan H. Adler
Kagan “Not a Natural Academic”
The Chicago Tribune reports on the University of Chicago’s refusal to rehire Elena Kagan as a tenured member of its law faculty after her stint in the Clinton White House. “She’s just not a natural academic, period,” said Richard A. Epstein, a prominent libertarian and longtime professor at the University of Chicago. “She is a […]
More on the SG’s Brief in U.S. Chamber of Commerce v. Candelaria
Like Stewart, I am interested in the Solicitor General’s decision to file a brief recommending cert in U.S. Chamber of Commerce v. Candelaria. I recommend readers to his post (and the comment thread), even if I don’t agree with every point. Here are my initial thoughts on the SG’s filing. The Supreme Court’s CVSG request […]
Sunday Song Lyric
Tomorrow is Memorial Day, so I thought I’d blog “Memorial Day” by James McMurtry off of his critically acclaimed album Childish Things. It doesn’t focus so much on the reason for the holiday as the dysfunctional dynamics of holiday family get-togethers. Here’s the chorus: It’s Memorial Day in America Everybody’s on the road Let’s remember […]
A Stanley Cup Final for the History Books
Tonight the Philadelphia Flyers face off against the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Whichever team prevails, this will be one for the history books. The Chicago Blackhawks have gone longer than any other NHL team since their last championship — 49 years — as they last took home the Cup in 1961. […]
It’s Not the Crime, It’s the Cover-Up — Sestak Edition
This whole Joe-Sestak-job-offer thing is getting odd — and the longer it drags on, the worse it gets for the White House. What should have been a nothing story is threatening to become an actual political scandal. Haven’t we seen this show before? Back in February, Rep. Sestak alleged that the Obama Administration offered him […]
SG Corrects Factual Record in Graham
The Blog of the Legal Times has a very interesting report about a post-decision filing by the Solicitor General’s office in Graham v. Florida, the case in which the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional giving juveniles life sentences without parole for non-homicide crimes. The May 24 letter to Court Clerk William Suter, obtained by the Blog […]
The VC at ACS
The American Constitution Society is holding its annual convention in Washington, D.C., June 17-19. On the roster of speakers are three contributors to the Volokh Conspiracy: Randy Barnett, Orin Kerr, and yours truly. Convention details are available here.
Why NFIB Is Challenging ObamaCare
Dan Danner, CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has an op-ed in today’s WSJ explaining why NFIB has chosen to join the state AGs’ lawsuit challenging the recently enacted health care reforms. Here’s a taste: Supporters say the law will significantly help small businesses, focusing on the much-talked about small business tax […]
Scalia on Kagan’s Lack of Judicial Experience
Justice Antonin Scalia does not think Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s lack of judicial experience should disqualify her from the Supreme Court. ABC News reports: When I first came to the Supreme Court, three of my colleagues had never been a federal judge,” said Scalia who joined the Court in 1986 after being nominated by President […]
Who’s the Kook?
Conor Friedersdorf wonders whether Rand Paul’s policy ideas any crazier than those embraced by more conventional politicians.
Interesting SCOTUS Line-up
The Supreme Court handed down five opinions in argued cases and one sumamry reversal, and these decisions were largely unanimous. The Court also dismissed Robertson v. U.S. ex rel. Watson as improvidently granted. Here the Court split 5-4. Those dissenting from the unsigned, per curiam opinion were the Chief Justice, and Justices Scalia, Kennedy, and […]
No Chickens at the Polls
People wearing chicken costumes will no longer be allowed inside polling places in Nevada.
Taking the Washington Post to School
[NOTE: READ UPDATES BELOW] Today’s Washington Post features a story by Michael Birnbaum on the controversial new Texas social studies standards. As characterized by the Post, the standards sound quite bad. Ann Althouse was concerned by the story, so she looked at the Texas materials (for which the Post had declined to provide a link) […]
Sunday Song Lyric
Heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio died last week at the age of 67. Dio was a monster of rock, having fronted Rainbow, post-Ozzy Black Sabbath, and Dio, among others. Wikipedia also credits him with popularizing the “devil’s horns” hand gesture. He never reached the top of the charts, but his work (and voice) should […]