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Opening Arguments

Opening Arguments is a law show that helps you make sense of the news! Comedian Thomas Smith and lawyer Matt Cameron help you understand not only current events, but also deeper legal concepts and areas! The schedule is M-W-F, with the main show on Monday and Friday and Vapid Response on Wednesday!

Latest Episodes:

OA698: Will Clarence Thomas Break the Internet? (Probably Not.) Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Liz and Andrew break down a much-requested case, Gonzalez v. Google, that the Supreme Court just heard on oral argument. Will it break the Internet? Listen and find out!

Notes Legal Eagle video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzNo5lZCq5M&ab_channel=LegalEagle

OA 390 https://openargs.com/oa390-trumps-war-on-twitter-a-deep-dive-on-section-230/

OA 451 https://openargs.com/oa451-section-230-and-tulsis-transphobia/

47 U.S.C. § 230 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/230

Malwarebytes, Inc. v. Enigma Software, 5902 U.S. ____ (2020) https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-1284_869d.pdf

Google Opp. Brief https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/252127/20230112144706745_Gonzalez%20v.%20Google%20Brief%20for%20Respondent%20-%20FINAL.pdf

Petitioners’ Brief https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/247780/20221130182721608_GonzalezPetMerits.pdf

Respondents’ Brief https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/252127/20230112144706745_Gonzalez%20v.%20Google%20Brief%20for%20Respondent%20-%20FINAL.pdf Petitioners’ Reply https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/254251/20230207191257813_GonzalezRepyMeritsPrinted.pdf

Government Brief https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/249441/20221207203557042_21-1333tsacUnitedStates.pdf

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos!

-Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

OA697: Feelin' the Brn(ovich) Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Today is one of those good news/bad news episodes. In good news, Arizona has shined some light on a report that election denier Mark Brnovich tried to bury regarding (nonexistent) voter fraud and the 2020 election. In bad news, Florida is trying to overturn the Supreme Court because Ron DeSantis hates the press. And in great news... well, you'll just have to listen and find out!

Notes OA 688 https://openargs.com/oa688-oh-no-the-privilege-is-mine/

Florida HB 951 https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/951/BillText/Filed/PDF

Florida HB 991 https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/991/BillText/Filed/PDF

Branzburg v. Hayes, 408 U.S. 665 (1972)https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=11598860258825518787

Federal flag bill https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-120/pdf/STATUTE-120-Pg572.pdf#page=1

FL flag bill http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0720/Sections/0720.304.html

AZ Appellate decision in Lake v. Hobbs https://www.democracydocket.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Lake-COA-Ruling.pdf

Liz Wonkette on Kari Lake and Ryan Heath https://www.wonkette.com/breaking-kari-lake-still-not-governor

Executive Summary https://mcusercontent.com/cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206/files/4ca5c5d9-3254-2b94-dbd8-bd2a6ea8b7c3/Election_Review_Summary.pdf

Email draft correcting Brnovich https://mcusercontent.com/cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206/files/8295e52f-b336-c17e-8cbd-3c0255c99ab6/Kanefield_Fann_Document.01.pdf

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos!

-Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

OA696: In Which James O'Keefe Pretends to Be A Journalist Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

Today, Liz and Andrew visit the strange world of James O'Keefe and his agitprop outfit, Project Veritas. Along the way we'll learn about a bunch of cases, the law of prior restraint, and much, much more!

Notes Project Veritas $22 million https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272894856

Federal Docket O'Keefe v. Twitter https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59899639/okeefe-iii-v-twitter-inc/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

NY Appellate docs - O’Keefe v. Twitter https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=OihBJQsmc7aFb4qIIdOKeA==

Liz ATL on O’Keefe-CNN https://abovethelaw.com/2021/04/project-veritas-gonna-sue-twitter-for-defamatory-section-230-censorship-and-first-amendment-assault-or-something/

Project Veritas Docket (00813) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/61377333/parties/in-re-search-warrant-dated-november-5-2021/

Project Veritas Board of Directors https://www.projectveritas.com/news/statement-from-the-project-veritas-board-of-directors/

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos!

-Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

OA695: Ken Paxton Isn't the Boss of You Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

Today, Liz and Andrew tackle some listener feedback, resume their discussion of the crime-fraud exception, and end with perhaps Ken Paxton's craziest lawsuit (and that's saying a lot)!

Notes Federalist Papers No. 68 https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed68.asp

Crime/fraud NYT story https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/14/us/politics/trump-lawyer-classified-documents-investigation.html

Liz ATL of Paxton’s ethics and counter-investigation https://abovethelaw.com/2022/05/tx-ag-ken-paxton-launches-bogus-investigation-of-state-bar-still-winds-up-with-ethics-lawsuit/

Texas v. Garland https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.373284/gov.uscourts.txnd.373284.4.0_1.pdf

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos!

-Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

OA694: Dominion v. Fox: Defamation Suits Are Hard But Shutting Up is Harder Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Today is one of those shows you'll want to share around. EVERYONE is talking about the bombshell revelations from Fox News, but only Liz and Andrew can help you understand how we got here and what it all means!

Notes Original Dominion-Fox Complaint https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20527880-dominion-v-fox-news-complaint

Dominion lawsuit against OAN https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/21039565/dominion-oan-complaint.pdf

Dominion Motion for Summary Judgment (MSJ) https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/redacted-documents-in-dominion-fox-news-case/dca5e3880422426f/full.pdf

DE State docket https://courtconnect.courts.delaware.gov/cc/cconnect/ck_public_qry_doct.cp_dktrpt_docket_report?case_id=N21C-03-257&begin_date=&end_date=#dockets

Fox Corp MSJ https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Redacted-Public-Version-Fox-Corp-Opening-MSJ-Brief.pdf

Fox News MSJ https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Redacted-Public-Version-FNN-Opening-MSJ-Brief.pdf

Fox News anti-SLAPP counterclaim https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PUBLIC-VERSION-FNNs-First-Amended-Counterclaim-Accepted.pdf

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos!

-Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

OA693: Is It A Good Thing When Your Lawyer Is Subpoenaed by a Grand Jury to Testify Against You? (No.) Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Today is a Rapid Response Friday, and Liz and Andrew break down all the developments with the two grand juries convened by Jack Smith to investigate Donald Trump's various crimes. Oh, and we also analyze the released portions of the Fulton County grand jury report which reveals a bit more than you might think!

We've also learned that a bunch of Trump lawyers have been subpoenaed to testify or otherwise the subject of grand jury questions, and you may be wondering how that's possible, and we walk you through when privilege is.. not privilege!

Notes Unredacted portions of Fulton County SPGJ Report https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23683158/2022-ex-000024-ex-parte-order-of-the-judge-5.pdf

FRE 501 https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_501

Bobb says she’s not a lawyer in documents case https://www.salon.com/2022/10/03/attorney-lawyers-up--and-says-shes-willing-to-cooperate-with-doj-in-mar-a-lago-case-report/

NYT Epshteyn story https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/14/us/politics/trump-lawyer-classified-documents-investigation.html

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos!

-Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

OA693: Mike Pence Can't Testify Against Trump, 'Cause He's a Senator Now! Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode, Andrew and Liz briefly discuss the breaking news that Mike Pence intends to assert the "speech or debate clause" as a reason to protect insurrectionists, delve into Ken Paxton's latest settlement, and update you on the World's Dumbest Supreme Court litigants!

Notes Paxton settlement https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23607998-211027_mtn-to-abate Whistleblower Petition https://thetexan.news/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Paxton-Whistleblower-Lawsuit-Documents-Through-Feb.-9-Filing.pdf

Appellate court decision https://cases.justia.com/texas/third-court-of-appeals/2021-03-21-00161-cv.pdf?ts=1634818950

Paxton bar complaint https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D8OH23E-E4hD7Bgn0cY_zEQxdqFtF8u5/view Webster dismissal https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/executive-management/SBOT%20v.%20BW%20Letter%20Ruling.pdf

Raland J. Brunson cert petition https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22-380/243739/20221027152243533_20221027-152110-95757954-00007015.pdf

Petition for Rehearing https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22-380/253190/20230126114616761_rehearing%2022-380.pdf

Supreme Court Rule 44 https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/supct/rule_44

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos!

-Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

OA691: Donald Trump and the Magical Classified Nightlight Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Today, Liz and Andrew break down a number of stories, all of which are bad news for Donald Trump, and we put all of them into the context of Trump's crimes. We also preview the forthcoming release of part of the Fulton County, GA special purpose grand jury report. Phew!

First, Liz continues to update us on the E. Jean Carroll litigation, this time focusing on Trump's post-discovery stunt in which he now is willing to offer his DNA. Find out why this is a disingenous stunt and find out all the law explaining why.

Then we learn more -- much more -- than you ever wanted to learn about Trump's document retention and destruction policies. Hint: it involves nightlights and toilets, and no, we are not making that up.

Notes Carroll II Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65895581/carroll-v-trump/?order_by=desc

Jan 6 Committee Report https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-J6-REPORT/pdf/GPO-J6-REPORT.pdf

Feb 10 Trump "Truth" https://truthsocial.com/users/realDonaldTrump/statuses/109844321125474837

McBurney order https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23608438/2022-ex-000024-ex-parte-filing-12.pdf

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos!

-Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

OA690: Jack Smith Speaks Softly but Carries a Big Subpoena Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode, Liz and Andrew break down all the developments in the two federal criminal investigations pending about former President Donald Trump that have been delegated to Special Counsel Jack Smith.

First, in the documents case, Liz and Andrew discuss why -- all of a sudden -- Trump's team seems to be voluntarily turning over documents, along with a grand jury appearance by Trump's lawyer, Evan "the Cork" Corcoran. Is this normal? (No.)

Then, Andrew and Liz break down the bombshell news that Mike Pence has been subpoenaed to appear before Smith's grand jury, presumably to discuss 1/6-related issues. Liz brings her journalistic instincts to bear and Andrew tells us all about that other executive privilege case involving a certain former President who also definitely was not a crook.

Notes CNN Trump handover of docs https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/10/politics/trump-classified-records-laptop/index.html

18 USC § 793 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/793

Washington Post on Judge Howell https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/12/08/trump-contempt-mar-a-lago-records/

Trump Subpoena Issued https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/12/trump-was-issued-subpoena-for-folder-marked-classified-evening-briefing-discovered-at-mar-a-lago

OA13 https://openargs.com/oa13-hillary-clintons-damned-emails/

NYT Article on Pence Search https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/10/us/politics/pence-fbi-home-search.html

Bloomberg article on Evan the Cork testifying https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-11/trump-lawyer-in-mar-a-lago-search-appeared-before-grand-jury

Washington post on Trump’s hiring of Evan the Cork https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/08/23/trump-records-mar-a-lago-fbi/

Order appointing Jack Smith - Appointment Order 5599-2022 https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1552896/download

Pence subpoenaed https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/us/politics/pence-subpoena-trump.html

US v. Nixon, 418 U.S. 683 (1974) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=5132513257326080850

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos!

-Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

OA689: Lawsuit or Interpretive Dance? Why Not Both! Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Today's episode begins with a brief mention of the breaking news about Mike Pence that we will be covering in depth as soon as we know more!

Then, we look at a couple of lawsuits and learn why Liz isn't always a fan of the OA "read the complaint backwards" method. Does she convince Andrew? Listen and find out!

We break down the latest conspiracy counterclaims from One America Network News, while learning the difference between the conservative persecution complex worldview -- that Big Tech is censoring conservatism because reasons -- and the reality: that big companies are funding and propping up garbage conservative outlets like OANN.

After that, we move on to arguably the Worst People in the World: anti-vaxxers. Specifically, we look at a lawsuit by RFK, Jr. and a whole bunch of weirdos against All the Media for kicking them off YouTube and Twitter. It's... something, all right. But! At least we learn a little something about the Trusted News Initiative anti-trust and the media along the way.

Notes

SOTU Fact-check https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/08/us/politics/fact-check-biden-state-of-the-union.html

Dominion complaint against OAN https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.234315/gov.uscourts.dcd.234315.1.0.pdf

OAN California Lawsuit https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/21410177/oann-lawsuit.pdf

RFK lawsuit https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.371829/gov.uscourts.txnd.371829.1.0.pdf

Liz Backgrounder at Wonkette https://www.wonkette.com/antivaxx-loons-rfk-jr-jim-hoft-other-idiots-sue-news-outlets-for-booting-them-off-twitter

J.W. Howard Attorneys: We Have A Big Pirate Ship! https://jwhowardattorneys.com/

Trusted News Initiative https://www.bbc.co.uk/beyondfakenews/trusted-news-initiative/

Associated Press v. United States, 326 U.S. 1 (1945) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=12116214944985887583

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