SCOTUS Decisions & Politics

Targum Jonathan on Genesis, Edition by John Wesley Etheridge, London, 1862 (Chapters 1 - 15) Dec 16, 2023

About This TextComposed: Talmudic Israel, c.150 – c.250 CE
Targum Pseudo-Jonathan is a western targum (translation) of the Torah (Pentateuch) from the land of Israel (as opposed to the eastern Babylonian Targum Onkelos). Its correct title was originally Targum Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Targum), which is how it was known in medieval times. But because of a printer's mistake it was later labeled Targum Jonathan, in reference to Jonathan ben Uzziel. Some editions of the Pentateuch continue to call it Targum Jonathan to this day. Most scholars refer to the text as Targum Pseudo-Jonathan. This targum is more than a mere translation. It includes much Aggadic material collected from various sources as late as the Midrash Rabbah as well as earlier material from the Talmud. It is effectively a combination of a commentary and a translation. In the portions where it is pure translation, it often agrees with the Targum Onkelos. The date of its composition is disputed. It cannot have been completed before the Arab conquest as it refers to Mohammad's wife Fatima, but might have been initially composed in the 4th Century CE. However, some scholars date it in the 14th Century

De Lima v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 1, 21 S. Ct. 743 (1901) Part 1 Dec 09, 2023

https://casetext.com/case/elias-de-lima-v-george-bidwell

Porto Rico v. Rosaly 227 U.S. 270 (1913) Dec 09, 2023

PPEAL FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF PORTO RICO.
No. 145. Submitted January 24, 1913. Decided February 24, 1913.The government of Porto Rico cannot be sued without its consent. The government of Porto Rico, as established by the Organic Act, with some possible exceptions, comes within the general rule exempting a government sovereign in its attributes. That government of Porto Rico, as established by the Organic Act of April 12, 1900, is a strong likeness of that established for Hawaii which has immunity from suit. Kawananakoa v. Polyblank, 205 U.S. 349.
Porto Rico v. Rosaly, 227 U.S. 270, (1913)

FBT-CV23-6127336-S - Gomes, John v. Clemons, Jr, Charles, Town Clerk Et Al [Memorandum of Opinion] Nov 09, 2023

FBT-CV23-6127336-S - Gomes, John v. Clemons, Jr, Charles, Town Clerk Et Al [Complaint] Nov 08, 2023

The complaint in the Connecticut case regarding Ballot Stuffing.
https://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/CaseDetail/PublicCaseDetail.aspx?DocketNo=FBTCV236127336Sball

Abbott Laboratories v. Gardner, 387 U.S. 136, 149 (1967) Nov 08, 2023

Abbott Laboratories v. Gardner, 387 U.S. 136, 149 (1967)
Holding that plaintiffs subject to a regulation had standing to challenge it even though the Attorney General had yet to "authorize criminal and seizure actions for violations of the statute"

James King v. Douglas Brownback et al No. 22-912 Nov 08, 2023

Dartmouth College v. Woodward, 17 U.S. 518, (1819) (Part 1) Oct 28, 2023

Dartmouth College v. Woodward
Recognizing Corporate Personhood

Andrew Jackson - Nullification Proclamation - December 10, 1832 Oct 26, 2023

On December 10, 1832, President Andrew Jackson issued a proclamation to the people of South Carolina that disputed a states' right to nullify a federal law.

Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address - March 4, 1861 Oct 25, 2023

Lincoln's First Inaugural was written in Springfield in January of 1861. According to his law partner, William Herndon, Lincoln used 4 sources for his speech: Henry Clay's Great Speech delivered in 1850, President Andrew Jackson's Proclamation Against Nullification, Senator Daniel Webster's Reply to Senator Robert Hayne, and the Constitution. Lincoln had the first draft set in print and allowed David Davis, Orville Browning, Francis Blair, and William Henry Seward to read it. upon their recommendations Lincoln made revisions that made it a more conciliatory document.

American Civil Rights Union v. Philadelphia City Commissioners 872 F.3d 175 (3d Cir. 2017) Oct 25, 2023

The American Civil Rights Union ("ACRU") challenges the Philadelphia City Commissioners' failure to purge the city's voter rolls of registered voters who are currently incarcerated due to a felony conviction. Because state law prohibits felons from voting while they are in prison, the ACRU argues that the National Voter Registration Act requires the Commissioners to remove them from the voter rolls. For the reasons that follow, we will affirm the District Court's dismissal of this suit.

Don Blankenship v NBC Universal LLC No. 22-1125 Oct 25, 2023

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/22-1125_c07d.pdf

Vivek H. Murth, Surgeon General v Missouri No. 23A243 Oct 25, 2023

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23a315_3d9g.pdf

West Flagler Associates, LTD v Debra Haaland, Secretary of the Interior No. 23A315 Oct 25, 2023

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23a243_7l48.pdf

Dunlop v. Bachowski, 421 U.S. 560 (1975) Oct 19, 2023

Dunlop v. Bachowski, 421 U.S. 560 (1975), is a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court of the United States which held that the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 gives federal courts jurisdiction to review decisions of the United States Department of Labor to proceed (or not) with prosecutions under the Act. In this case, there was a disputed election within the United Steelworkers. The Court declined to authorize a jury-type trial into the reasons for the department's decisions, and instead held that court may only review the department's rationales under the "arbitrary and capricious" test
from Wikipedia

Moses v. Kennedy 219 F. Supp. 762 (D.D.C. 1963) Oct 18, 2023

Moses v. Kennedy 219 F. Supp. 762 (D.D.C. 1963)
Holding that a private citizen does not have a constitutional right to have his claim investigated and prosecuted by the FBI

Adams v. Richardson 480 F.2d 1159 (D.C. Cir. 1973) Oct 18, 2023

Adams v. Richardson 480 F.2d 1159 (D.C. Cir. 1973)
This education desegregation lawsuit against the federal government was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 1970 by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) on behalf of plaintiffs from across the country. Plaintiffs were black college students, citizens, and taxpayers from ten states that had been identified by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) for “operating segregated systems of higher education in violation of Title VI” of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 351 F. Supp. 636, 637–38 (D.D.C. 1972). Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief against the Secretary of HEW and the Director of HEW’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) because they claimed HEW and OCR were not doing their part to administer Title VI.
The first district court opinion was issued on November 16, 1972. Judge John H. Pratt found that the ten states identified by HEW— Mississippi, Louisiana, Virginia, Maryland, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania—either completely ignored HEW’s request for a higher education desegregation plan or submitted deficient desegregation plans to HEW. HEW failed to enforce Title VI against these states and it continued to give federal funding to these states to support their public schools at every level: elementary, secondary, and post-secondary. According to Title VI, HEW was supposed to deny/terminate federal financial assistance to states that were not in compliance with the law or take any other legal measures to enforce state compliance with Title VI. Judge Pratt ordered that HEW officials could no longer use their limited discretion to enforce Title VI; rather, they were ordered to use the means available in Title VI to achieve compliance on a case-by-case basis.
https://clearinghouse.net/case/11091/

Heckler v. Chaney, 470 U.S. 821 (1985) Oct 18, 2023

Heckler v. Chaney, 470 U.S. 821 (1985), was a United States Supreme Courtdecision that held agency decisions to not undertake enforcement proceedings is "committed to agency discretion by law" (5 U.S.C. § 701(a)(2)) and therefore not subject to judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act.
From Wikipedia

Powell v. Katzenbach Oct 18, 2023

Powell v. Katzenbach
Holding that writ of mandamus against Attorney General would not lie because the question of whether to institute prosecution is discretionary

Norton v. Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance 542 U.S. 55 (2004) Oct 18, 2023

Norton v. Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Holding that agency can be compelled to act if time period is specified by law.Norton v. Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, 542 U.S. 55 (2004), was a Supreme Court case that held that although the Administrative Procedure Actsays that a person may challenge an agency's failure to act, this provision essentially just carries forward the writ of mandamus. Thus an agency cannot be compelled to act unless there is some non-discretionary, discrete act.
(from Wikipedia)

The Dialogue in Hell between Machiavelli and Montesquieu Dialogues 19 through 24 (End) Oct 15, 2023

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu is a political satire written by French attorney Maurice Joly in protest against the regime of Napoleon III (a.k.a. Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte), who ruled France from 1848 to 1870. It was translated into English in 2002. Small portions were translated in 1967 as an appendix to Norman Cohn's Warrant for Genocide, which identifies it as the main source of the later Protocols of the Elders of Zion, though The Dialogue itself makes no mention of Jews (from Wikipedia)
"Soon we will see a frightful calm, during which all will unite against the power that violated the law." "When Sylla wanted to yield liberty back to Rome, it could no longer receive it." -- Montesquieu, The Spirit of The Laws.
[Maurice Joly] Geneva, 15 October 1864
Nineteenth Dialogue: The Budgetary System

Of the method of passing the budget of expenses and the budget of collections, and their reconciliation.

Twentieth Dialogue: Continuation of the Same Subject

Of how to manage public concerns about public debt expenditures and the use of amortization. The utilization of catch phrases to calm public concerns.

Twenty-First Dialogue: Loans

Of the use of a centralized financial agency to manipulate markets through the making of loans to financial institutions.

Twenty-Second Dialogue: Grandeur of the Reign

In which Machiavelli describe how he would reign and the means by which he would exalt himself in the eyes of the people

Twenty-Third Dialogue: The Diverse means that Machiavelli would employ to Consolidate his Empire and Perpetuate his Dynasty Twenty-Fourth Dialogue: Particularities of the Physiognomy of the Prince as Machiavelli Conceives It Twenty-Fifth Dialogue: The Last Word
source: https://www.notbored.org/dialogue-in-hell.html

The Dialogue in Hell between Machievelli and Montesquieu Chapters 15 through 18 Oct 06, 2023

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu is a political satire written by French attorney Maurice Joly in protest against the regime of Napoleon III (a.k.a. Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte), who ruled France from 1848 to 1870. It was translated into English in 2002. Small portions were translated in 1967 as an appendix to Norman Cohn's Warrant for Genocide, which identifies it as the main source of the later Protocols of the Elders of Zion, though The Dialogue itself makes no mention of Jews
(from Wikipedia)
15th Dialogue: Suffrage

On how to control the votes and the influence of endorsement to particular candidates faithful to the state. The requirement of oaths of loyalty to the Sovereign and not the state.

16th Dialogue: Certain Guilds (the Clergy, the Lawyers in particular)

Requiring lawyers be sworn to fealty to the Sovereign and to discourage knowledge of constitutional law. On how to respect the Holy See or why to make motions to remove the Pope by controversy.

17th Dialogue: The Police

On secret police and a black cabinet. On the use of judicial power secretly.

18th Dialogue: The Financial Administration

On how to organize finances and the use of taxation.

The Cross of Gold - William Jennings Bryan 1896 Oct 05, 2023

The Cross of Gold
William Jennings Bryan
July 9, 189IntroductionAt the Democratic National Convention in 1896, proponents of “free silver” (the re-legalization of silver as part of the nation’s monetary standards) appeared to possess the two-thirds majority needed to nominate a candidate. Unfortunately, they did not have a candidate. There was no doubt the platform would endorse the unlimited coinage of silver, but a candidate was needed who could sell the position to the American people. On the night of July 8, William Jennings Bryan revealed himself as the candidate the silverites were looking for by delivering one of the most famous speeches in American history. At the time, Bryan was a former member of Congress from Nebraska who had been working tirelessly to build support for his candidacy. His passionate speech electrified the crowd and convinced the members of the convention to nominate him as their candidate on the fifth ballot. Bryan then ran a whistle-stop campaign (a train tour bringing his message to the people), traveling around the country giving hundreds of speeches before finally losing to Republican William McKinley.
—Eric C. Sands
At the end I make a small commentary on the current Speaker of the House race. My bet? Trump takes a few votes then gives them to Scalise.

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu Chap 12-14 Sep 30, 2023

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu Chapters 12 through 14
Wherein Machiavelli and Montesquieu carry on regarding the manipulation and coercion of the press to act in certain ways, the coordination of secret societies and finally concern themselves with the "court of cassation"
A court of cassation is a high-instance court that exists in some judicial systems. Courts of cassation do not re-examine the facts of a case, they only interpret the relevant law.
The Supreme Court of the United States might be considered a Court of Cassation. For example in Pulsifer v. United States (22-340) the meaning of the word "and" in a law will be considered.

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu Chap 9 - 11 Sep 30, 2023

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu Chapters 9 through 11
These chapters concern the methods by which a ruler would influence legislation through the senate and the manipulation of the press through indirect methods, such as administrative oversight and bonding measures. Also much consideration on how a Coup d'Etat would take place and how it would affect public sentiment. Very relevant to today.

Charles G. Moore, et ux. v. United States 22-800 (8 Sep 2023) Sep 30, 2023

Justice Alito's response to Senator Durbin's request for recusal on this case.

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu (Chapters 7 and 8) Sep 15, 2023

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu was written by French attorney Maurice Joly in protest against the regime of Napoleon III. Many believe it was the basis for the "Protocols of Zion" the famous anti-semetic work, except that it doesn't discuss Judaism except for once or twice. What it does discuss is how an authoritarian can take over a Republic and the means by which to quickly do so.
Machiavelli is the author of the Prince and Montesquieu, while less known, had a larger influence on the design of the American political system.

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu (Chapters 5 and 6) Sep 15, 2023

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu was written by French attorney Maurice Joly in protest against the regime of Napoleon III. Many believe it was the basis for the "Protocols of Zion" the famous anti-semetic work, except that it doesn't discuss Judaism except for once or twice. What it does discuss is how an authoritarian can take over a Republic and the means by which to quickly do so.
Machiavelli is the author of the Prince and Montesquieu, while less known, had a larger influence on the design of the American political system.

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu (Chap 1 - 4) Sep 15, 2023

The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu was written by French attorney Maurice Joly in protest against the regime of Napoleon III. Many believe it was the basis for the "Protocols of Zion" the famous anti-semetic work, except that it doesn't discuss Judaism except for once or twice. What it does discuss is how an authoritarian can take over a Republic and the means by which to quickly do so.
Machiavelli is the author of the Prince and Montesquieu, while less known, had a larger influence on the design of the American political system.

MOAC Mall Holdings v Transform Holdco LLC Apr 20, 2023

Section 363(m) of the Bankruptcy Code—which restricts the effects of certain successful appeals of judicially authorized sales or leases of bankruptcy-estate property—is not a jurisdictional provision.

Axon Enterprises v FTC No. 21-86 and SEC v Cochran no. 21-1239 Apr 14, 2023

Axon Enterprise, Inc. v. FTC (21-86)
The statutory review schemes set out in the Securities Exchange Act and Federal Trade Commission Act do not displace a district court’s federal-question jurisdiction over claims challenging as unconstitutional the structure or existence of the SEC or FTC.

Cherokee Nation v Georgia 1831 30 U.S. 1 (1831) Part 3 of 3 Apr 14, 2023

A Reading of the Supreme Court case regarding the rights of the Cherokee Nation against the push by Georgia to appropriate their territory. An insight into history not given by the standard texts and well worth listening to, if not reading on your own.

Cherokee Nation v Georgia 1831 Part 2 of 3 Apr 14, 2023

The case before the Supreme Court that decided the fate of the Cherokee Nation and ultimately is supposed to have led to the "Trail of Tears". In this case, a much different picture than the one the history books have portrayed is presented.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, 30 U.S. 1 (1831) Part 1 of 3 Apr 14, 2023

The case before the Supreme Court that decided the fate of the Cherokee Nation and ultimately is supposed to have led to the "Trail of Tears". In this case, a much different picture than the one the history books have portrayed is presented.

Wilkins v United States, No. 21-1164, Decided 28 March 2023 Apr 13, 2023

Wilkins v. United States (21-1164)
The Quiet Title Act’s 12-year statute of limitations, 28 U. S. C. §2409a(g), is a nonjurisdictional claims-processing rule.

West Virginia et al. v. B.P.J. by her next friend and mother, Heather Jackson No. 22A800 Decided 6 April 2023 Apr 13, 2023

This application concerns an important issue that this Court is likely to be required to address in the near future, namely, whether either Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 86 Stat. 373, 20 U. S. C. §1681 et seq., or the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause prohibits a State from restricting participation in women’s or girls’ sports based on genes or physiological or anatomical characteristics.

Brown, David v. Louisiana, No. 22-77, Decided 3 April 2023 Apr 13, 2023

Denial of Certiorari for
Petitioner David Brown and four codefendants were convicted of first-degree murder in Louisiana following an attempted prison escape.

Episode 8 - STEVEN DONZIGER v. UNITED STATES Mar 31, 2023

For decades, Texaco, a corporate predecessor to Chevron, allegedly polluted rain forests and rivers in South America.

December 10, 1832 - Nullification Proclamation Mar 22, 2023

Andrew Jackson, generally in favor of states' rights, saw nullification as a threat to the Union. In his view, the federal government derived its power from the people, not from the states, and the federal laws had greater authority than those of the individual states.
It was a warning against secession and against those who would advocate for such. He, as did Washington, warned against such devices and invites from party loyalists, admonishing them as misguided or paid agents.

CHAPMAN, CLERK, CIRCUIT COURT OF MISSOURI, RANDOLPH COUNTY v. JANE DOE, BY NEXT FRIEND ANTHONY E. ROTHERT Mar 22, 2023

The petition for a writ of certiorari is granted. The judg- ment is vacated, and the case is remanded to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit with instruc- tions to dismiss the case as moot. See United States v. Munsingwear, Inc., 340 U. S. 36 (1950).

LUNA PEREZ v. STURGIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS-32223,12.02PM Mar 22, 2023

An Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit seeking compensatory damages for the denial of a free and appropriate education may proceed without exhausting the administrative processes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U. S. C. §1415(l), because the remedy sought is not one IDEA provides

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Slip Opinions Mar 19, 2023

These are the opinions of Justice Thomas, Justice Kavanaugh, and Chief Justice Roberts. It would behoove all people to read the opinion of the Chief Justice for it is my humble opinion that it outlines the reason why the controversy is being handled the way it is

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Dissent (Breyer, Kagan, Sotomayer) - 31723, 5.09 PM Mar 19, 2023

This is the opinion of the dissenting Justices

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Opinion of Court - Justice Alito Mar 19, 2023

This is the summary and the opinion of the court. The slip opinions and the dissent will be uploaded separately. Please forgive the confusion I had in how to use citations since I am working out how to read legal documents in a way the will help the non legal community understand the actual case and how the Court arrived at their decision and the meaning of that decision

Washington Resignation Speech - Valid for Today Mar 10, 2023

This is the farewell address of Washington, a lesson well worth listening to again today

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