nytimes opinion on scotus ruling

[spanone]

This issue should never have been before the court. The justices overreached and seized on a case involving a narrower, technical question involving the broadcast of a movie that attacked Hillary Rodham Clinton during the 2008 campaign. The court elevated that case to a forum for striking down the entire ban on corporate spending and then rushed the process of hearing the case at breakneck speed. It gave lawyers a month to prepare briefs on an issue of enormous complexity, and it scheduled arguments during its vacation.


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/opinion/22fri1.html?ref=opinion&pagewanted=print

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

1. Gosh! It almost sounds like someone had an agenda.

All that nice talk about stare decisis just thrown out the window!

[spanone]

3. where the fuck are our diligent robust media watchdogs? why aren't alarms going off?

[robo50]

22. who pays them? Just that simple.......who pays the media? n/t

[BeHereNow]

35. Simple- Trans national corporations who will now run our country.

Stunning, isn't it?

BHN

[jtuck004]

44. Like they haven't been for years n/t

[BeHereNow]

48. Yes indeedy! They have for years.

Those of us who have been shouting it for the last decade
were called "conspiracy theorist."

Nothing conspiratorial about it anymore though, is there.

BHN

[yava]

38. removing restrictions on corportation policital ads is a boom for MSM

so they are rubbing their hands and waiting to cash in.
Why should they rock the boat?

[defendandprotect]

41. As I understand it, MSM gets 80% of the campaign funds . . !!!!

[FailureToCommunicate]

45. Take back the airways! That part of the spectrum used to belong to "we the people"!

Free air time for a limited campaign schedule. Takes away the power of this SC ruling, by blunting one of the big reasons politicians all need so much money.

[defendandprotect]

46. We all seem to know what needs to be done ... from reregulating capitalism ...

to taking back our airways!

But HOW exactly to get these things done in face of corporate control of

government is the questions!

And corporations pre-BRIBING and pre-OWNING our elected officials!!

[FailureToCommunicate]

47. I dunno, maybe critical understanding = rebellion = organization = change?

[defendandprotect]

49. And you think that everyone -- maybe even here at DU -- understands

what has happened to their country?

What kind of "rebellion" when there is little movement to unite?

Look at the new attack on Social Security coming --

you know that NEITHER those who collect Social Security nor Medicare are

united in any way --

AARP is an insurance company!!

How about welfare recepients -- united?

Unions down to 8% --!! and right wing attacks on them continuing!

See anyone fighting the pharmas . . . yet you know how many Americans take

prescription drugs???

Did you see T-baggers out in the streets?

Did the Dems, or women's groups, or labor unions, or NAACP call Democrats out

to demonstrate for MEDICARE FOR ALL???

Did MASS demonstrate -- the 82% of them that wanted MEDICARE FOR ALL??

Did you even see a fellow citizen wearing a MEDICARE FOR ALL button in the last year?

Let me know when any of that begins to happen!!

[FailureToCommunicate]

54. I hope you know I was agreeing with you...

[defendandprotect]

55. No -- frankly I thought you were mocking me . . . and I know ....

The quote I'm toting is a bit on the stiff and annoying side --

actually I think it comes from Howard Zinn!!

And I have meant to change it --

My apologies for not recognizing that you were supporting me --

Have a computer virus driving me nuts -- a cold -- sprained ankle -- 7 month old

filling fell out -- my son broke up with his girlfriend . . . you know ...

Nothing serious, thankfully -- just plague of minor problems!!

My apologies -- !!


:)

[FailureToCommunicate]

56. Ah, Howard Zinn. It's a GOOD tagline...

My (lame) advice for your 'plague' is "It's always darkest before the dawn"
Also, to get rid of the computer virus I'd advise getting a Mac, but I don't want to add to your frustration level.
Good luck
(And no apology needed)

[defendandprotect]

60. Glad to see that you understood my ....

currently very weak sense of humor -- !!!

Ah, my computer --

Well . . . I'm all set up to simply REINSTALL ...

but are you saying that if you have a "mac" you don't have to worry about this?

Microsoft/Internet Explorer are the PITS!!!!


This is a 5 year old Dell so I'm probably getting close to needing new --



:)


Thanks!

[FailureToCommunicate]

62. Reinstalls, upgrades,quirks, yes with Macs, Viruses no. "Macs just work" (except when they don't)

But, yeah. They are SO much better then they used to be -which was real good. Now the O/S ("Snow Leopard X") is stable and the machines are fantastic. And they run Microsoft programs.
Sure they cost a little more at first, but factor in the hours, days of frustration that plague PCs (My wife uses them at work) then the initial cost is worth the saving in aggravation!
Besides, if you don't like them, you could always go back...

(Other DU-ers: I know, I know, we got off topic)

[defendandprotect]

63. Thanks for the info . . .

If they don't get viruses, why would you "reinstall"?

I've had computers 10 years, this is the first time I ever had a virus problem and
it seems to be because I renewed with Norton by check, a little later than usual -
but certainly not late. I don't think they ever renewed it properly.

Agree re time and aggravation -- wow!!

This is where the computer and monitor are all one -- right?

Think my son used to have one.

I'd also love to get away from Microsoft/IE -- which is why I'm thinking this might be
the time to try Linux-Mint BEFORE I move to REINSTALL --

thinking . . . !!

Thanks again for the info!

[FailureToCommunicate]

64. The Macs come in a variety of "styles" Check em out at their website. But, if you're

comfortable with what you've had, hey, stick with it.
Good luck on all fronts.

[defendandprotect]

67. I'm certainly not "comfortable" -- I detest

Microsoft/IE --

But my Dell is 5 years old and still working --



Thank you!!

[nilram]

25. They're just too liberal --

they're off smoking dope.

[lumberjack_jeff]

36. The corporate media? No alarms, just bells. Glorious, joyous bells. n/t

[tonysam]

17. David Bossie--Fascist Extraordinaire

He was one of the major characters in the phony Clinton scandals.

The high court majority, though, wants permanent Republican rule.

[defendandprotect]

61. Interesting . . . never heard that name before . . that I recall -- Wow!

[appal_jack]

27. ya think?!? n/t

[blondeatlast]

65. Naaaah. Who could be that cynical as to exploit America's justice system at its highest level?

I hope the sarcasm dripper isn't necessary...

[tridim]

2. Everyone involved in this debacle needs to be investigated for political ties

I smell BFEE.

[lonestarnot]

4. This is the year of madness.

[glinda]

5. well said

[Hekate]

6. 5th Rec. Nauseating past belief. First the Coup in 2000, and now this one. nt

[gratuitous]

7. Thankfully, the Times didn't use the word "activist"

Because as we all know, only court rulings that follow well-established law and work to the detriment of moneyed interests can be characterized as "activist." This was just overreaching.

[defendandprotect]

Similar to 2000 and their outrageous intervention vs state of Florida!!

[spanone]

8. activist judges perhaps?

[defendandprotect]

10. Nah . .. doesn't count . . . only counts if they're LIBERALS . . .

right wing can do anything they want!!! Anytime!!

:evilgrin:


PETITION TEXT

I support the "Save Our Democracy" Package:

We cannot have a government that is bought and paid for by huge multinational corporations. We need a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

http://salsa.mydccc.org/o/30019/p/dia/action/public/?ac...

[TexasObserver]

9. Recommend

[spanone]

11. the haunting curse of the george w. bu$h* failed presidency

[RedCloud]

12. They (the SC 5) were the "left behinds" Cheney boasted about!

[spanone]

13. five is the perfect number...you can't beat it.

[gkhouston]

29. They should be investigated. This ruling stinks on ice. n/t

[KILL THE WISE ONE]

14. legally now defined as immortal person ?

Does that mean cooperation = VAMPIRE
They do have a lot in common

[jacksonian]

15. has a single Republican said anything about this ruling?

I'd be interested in their opinion. I would bet they are celebrating right now. I'll bet not all their constituents are, and might not care for how foreign companies can now buy elections..

I see a wedge issue here. Just sayin'.

[Hello_Kitty]

16. McCain has denounced it. Not surprising since it was his campaign finance bill they gutted.

McConnell and Boehner were giddy about it.

I see a wedge issue too. Time for us to start calling into RW radio stations asking how unlimited multi-national corporate contributions could threaten American Sovereignty and border control.

[tonysam]

18. This really isn't about "corporations" running things

This is about permanent Republican rule and NO Democratic Party anymore.

That's what is missing from all of the analysis.

[spanone]

19. i believe the corporations will go with whoever plays ball and they all will.

it won't matter what party it is if the policy is dictated to them.

[BadgerKid]

20. Thus the Corporcratic Party is born. n/t

[tonysam]

23. Oh yes it does.

The Republicans have always been the Big Business party, the party of the financial elites.

Naderite rhetoric about both parties being the same isn't really true, although the Democratic Party was increasingly infected with neoliberal rot.

Well, the Democratic Party won't have to worry about neoliberals anymore because the party will no longer exist.

We need to call this decision what it is, and that is basically doing away with the two-party system. It will be Republican rule from here on out.

[FailureToCommunicate]

42. "Naderite": An unyielding substance that weakens any politician near it...

[AlinPA]

28. I agree. It will start in November. Every Democrat running in the senate is one.

As for the house, it's just a matter of how much money the republicans get. As I've posted elsewhere, corporations could put up several billions and get just about every seat for the republicans.

[Fool Count]

52. And that would be different from the status quo

exactly how?

[Angry Dragon]

21. K&R

[StClone]

24. Remember Bush v Gore

Same bunch of unprecedented bull crap. Tough cases are now easy when the answer is known and all you do is compile a high school level forensic argument to defend it.

[cascadiance]

26. IMPEACH the m'f'rs! ALL FIVE OF THEM!

[ZombieHorde]

43. Do you know how the individual judges voted? nt

[Fire Walk With Me]

30. Recommending.

[newtothegame]

31. I thought we hated the NYT for being corporate whores?

:shrug: I get so confused on here sometimes.

[spanone]

32. you know what they say about a broken clock....

this is so blatant they can't ignore it.

[blondeatlast]

66. seems as though you are always confused.

I can't imagine why...

[upi402]

33. Rescind BushCo's nominees after criminal investigations! n/t

[amborin]

34. K&R and: James Bopp, Jr. article:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7536188

[kath]

37. Wow.

A MONTH to prepare briefs?! Jeebus.

[Jefferson23]

39. That Kennedy went along with this infuriates me to no end.

[texastoast]

51. How so?

Was he a party to the suit? I don't know the details.

[Jefferson23]

53. No, I don't believe he was a party to the suit. He has cast the one vote

on many important decisions, his opinions carry a great deal of significance as he is not predictable. For example, his opinions on Bush and the detainees, he ruled against Bush. In other words, Kennedy is not a justice who is a Roberts clone. Yet as we see with this ruling, as far as I'm concerned, his opinion is unbalanced.

You might be interested to read further at this link, The Democratic National Committee on Citizens United brief:

http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/


And about Perkins Coie, this law firm is interesting too, we'll see what Obama plans to do in response to the SCOTUS ruling.


Perkins Coie is an international law firm based in Seattle, Washington. It has been listed on the Fortune Magazine "100 Best Places to Work in America" for the past seven years.<1> It is noted for its intellectual property, Labor and Employment, and Products Liability practice groups, and for its political law group, which Chambers regularly ranks first in the United States. The firm is counsel of record for the Democratic National Committee, and other political clients include nearly all Democratic members of the United States Congress, as well as several Presidential campaigns, including those of John Kerry and Barack Obama. Its corporate clients include international high-technology and telecommunications companies.

With its main office located in Seattle's Washington Mutual Tower, Perkins Coie is the oldest and largest law firm headquartered in the Pacific Northwest. Notable living alumni of the firm include, among others, current White House Counsel Robert Bauer, current Attorney General of Washington State Rob McKenna and the firm's first female partner, Margaret McKeown, who currently serves as a judge on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, as does former Perkins Coie partner, Ronald M. Gould.<2>

In 2004, Perkins Coie merged with Brown & Bain, a Phoenix, AZ-based law firm with a significant Silicon Valley practice, <3> and in 2008, Perkins Coie acquired the Madison office of now defunct law firm Heller Ehrman.

In 2009, President Obama appointed Robert Bauer, the Chair of the firm's Political Law Group, to become his White House Counsel.

snip** In 2006, Perkins Coie made headlines when, led by partner Harry Schneider, it represented Salim Ahmed Hamdan, the alleged driver and bodyguard of Osama Bin Laden. The case made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the Bush Administration's Military Commissions were held unconstitutional.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perkins_Coie

[defendandprotect]

40. What did anyone think of the dissenting opions . . .

unfortunately I can't do a search on this right now --

virus problem --

but -- I would like to read them and know how strongly they protested.

[Douglas Carpenter]

50. kick and recommend

[DainBramaged]

57. This is a case where recs should continue endlessly

I only hope in my lifetime this wrong is undone.

[joe_sixpack]

58. I don't know much about the Hillary movie that sparked this ruling.

Who was behind the movie in question? Was it something that repubs where backing, in order to discredit her before the election?

[spanone]

59. here you go... a movie based on lies opens up the coffers of american corporations to politics

http://www.hillarythemovie.com/

[Scurrilous]

68. Kick

:kick: