Because Democracy is Not Free — we all have to work at it
Several months ago, at a settlement conference, Magistrate Judge 1 said that in her culture (Native American), they look evil in the eye, turn around and don’t look back. Her comment now, alongside more egregious jurist statements in Federal Court, was misplaced but honest. Yesterday, the newly assigned settlement conference judge (Magistrate Judge 2) started off [...]
This week, I may have offended a Jewish friend. I voiced support for Obama’s decision to take a break from a meeting with an unflinching, obstinate Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. For those not following the story, the timeline goes like this: Early this month, Joe Biden paid a statesman’s visit to Israel for purposes of [...]
Today, Obama announced fifteen recess appointments. These nominees have waited an average of seven months for confirmation without Senate completion. In one extreme case, because the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) lacks quorum, federal employees at the agency are powerless to do their jobs until the positions are filled. Of interest to this site’s readers, [...]
From PORZILLO v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Before BRYSON, GAJARSA, and PROST, (Federal) Circuit Judges Ms. Porzillo argues that the administrative judge improperly conducted ex parte settlement discussions with the agency without her approval. Her allegations, however, are contradictory. She argues that she was “never given the opportunity to enter into [ ] [...]
Hooray! I found another funny Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) story. Frederick L. Pitchford of Arkansas sued MSPB Administrative Judge Daniel Madden Turbitt in district court. The reason? “Judge Turbitt engaged in conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts when he fell asleep on several occasions during the [...]
Speaker Nancy Pelosi has an entry entitled, “What’s in the Healthcare Reform Bill For You Right Away?” It is good information, breaking down information into categories such as, if you are a senior, if you have private health insurance, and if you don’t have health insurance. I AM SO PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY, OUR PEOPLE [...]
Bob Herbert, NY Times Columnist writes, For decades the G.O.P. has been the party of fear, ignorance and divisiveness. All you have to do is look around to see what it has done to the country. and goes on to say, At some point, we have to decide as a country that we just can’t [...]
No doubt about it. They scare me, but leave me awestruck in their absurdity. You know who I’m talking about. They think Americans like being uninsured. They align themselves with pro-rape legislators. They’re not sure why they believe what they do, but their brain — sitting in the body of some other person — [...]
From Propublica’s Exhibit C, how healthcare was passed last night. That’s right. It’s a done deal: the Senate version will officially be on the books when Obama signs it on Tuesday. addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fcivilservicechange.org%2F%3Fp%3D2437′; addthis_title = ‘Here%26%238217%3Bs+Why+Last+Night+Was+Historic’; addthis_pub = ”;
What a historic night it was. The children, my husband and I played games while the votes on the healthcare bill tallied. From Reuters, here are a few highlights: WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF ENACTMENT *Insurance companies will be barred from dropping people from coverage when they get sick. Lifetime coverage limits will be eliminated [...]