Tag: law

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Stirring the Pot

No this is not a reference to a Tyler Florence cook book, but I wanted to revive some discussion I’ve had prior to the inauguration with a thread of emails with friends (“Interesting…” string)

Superbowl thread? Naw, AZ is going to “upset” the Steelers…

I just watched A Few Good Men and wanted to comment on Obama’s quick signing order to close Gitmo… Did he just “weaken a country” this week as Col. Nathan R. Jessep (known in this plot line as the GOP) claims, or is this just a symbolic statement to right the “America’s Human Rights & Justice” ship which has been tipped sideways in the last 8 years. This is very telling article in the Washington Post of how BushCo administration treated the situation down there.

Reading the first three paragraphs, my take (sourced from DKos) is that detention and interrogation (“torture”) were a higher priority to the former Administration than figuring out which cases actually merited prosecution. In other words, locking up some Arabs and torturing them was more important than determining if they were actually guilty and prosecuting them for their crimes.

While no such agency is doing a great job in monitoring, collecting and merging all kinds of data on all Americans especially the press (whistleblower video and shouldn’t really be a surprise given all the stories on this over the years in this area), this administration wasn’t interested in keep comprehensive files on their detainees to build a case against detainees.

Even with the closing of Gitmo, the new administration has such a cluster to deal with, it will be a miracle of governmental process to get this resolved within his first term. The Right meanwhile, is prepared to continually call Obama a terrorist sympathizer or a failure through out his administration regardless of actual Justice he’s looking to restore to not just Americans but all people.

Galloway: Tell your friend not to get cute down there, the Marines at Gitmo are fanatical.
Lt. Weinberg: Fanatical about what?
Galloway: About being Marines.

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11th Hour Laws, Decimate the Environment

The practice of “midnight regulations” is not a new one. Clinton and Bush Sr. both used the practice to place pardons, enact favoritism laws and pass a whole slew of deregulations. Bush Dub, takes it of course to a new level with wide sweeping changes. The Environment was a key target in many, as it was all through out the Bush years. It will take years of work, law and social change to make up for the changes Bush has implemented.

National Geographic reviews the regulations and effect of each. Here’s a summary:

1. Power Plants Encouraged Near Parks—RESCINDED!! so SCORE!
2. Mountaintop Mining Waste Allowed in Waterways – FAIL
3. Three New Marine Monuments Designated – SCORE!
4. Two Million Acres Opened to Oil Shale Development – FAIL
5. Factory-Farm Pollution Controls Diminished – FAIL
6. Scientific Review Now Optional for Development in Sensitive Habitats – FAIL
7. Hazardous Waste Reclassified as Nonhazardous – FAIL
8. Fishing Businesses to Regulate Themselves—RESCINDED!! so SCORE!
9. Plants Can Increase Pollution Output More Easily – FAIL
10. Mining Public Lands Made Easier – FAIL
11. Oil and Gas Leases Auctioned Off at Last Minute – FAIL

Bush’s midnight flurry reflects the priorities of an administration that has consistently placed industry interests over environmental protections and public health.

“It’s business as usual [for the Bush Administration]. And in this day and age, we can’t afford that any more,” Republican conservationist DiPeso said.

Defenders of Wildlife’s Irvin agreed. “What this reflects is a shameful record of the most anti-environment administration in the history of the United States,” he said.

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Police action state…on the tennis court?

So today I was on my way to play tennis with a friend in Central Park and was prevented from doing so because of police action in my subway stop. I entered the gates and quickly noticed a tension from the community of people standing around the platform. Two uniformed officers were frantically searching the tracks and the platforms for someone; the same procedures were occurring across the platform at the downtown stop.

I spoke with a woman, whom said she saw a man jump the turnstyle and run down onto the tracks at the station. The officers quickly followed in pursuit. As a result, the police decided to not allow passengers to leave the station until they’ve checked everyone in the station (presumably looking for the suspect). Additionally, trains coming and going were not allowed to drop off or let on passengers until given the code green go!

As a result I was thirty minutes late to my work out. Unfortunately my partner had left prematurely. Although our court was given up, I was fortunate enough to meet someone that wasn’t able to use there’s and continued with my work-out unrestricted. Dealing with the control freaks at the central park tennis facilities is like dealing with militant officers unwavering in their own rule of law for managing patrons for the courts.

First NYers have to pay for the privilege to play tennis in the city, by purchasing a park permit for $100 at the beginning of the season. A permit, however, does not guarantee that you’ll play though. Next step in this process (and I assume this is only specific to Central Park), you must either purchase a reserve ticket for $7 a player for the date, time and court, or you must sign up early in the morning the day you want to play, to reserve the space. Reserving the space, you and your partner (all 4 for doubles) must be present 15 minutes before the time of play or you forfeit your court time. There is a no-show wait list and for those people that have not shown up 15 minutes prior or there’s open courts will get the opportunity to grab open space. This is very rare so get there VERY early for any type of wait-n-see options.

Other restrictions for the clay courts, are you have to have white flat shoes, follow all tennis etiquette rules, turn your cellphones and blackberrys off, and where acceptable clothing for the courts – I guess no jockstraps or bikinis allowed…

For the most part this is very efficient, yet very painful way to start a work out or have a fun time on the tennis courts. I personally am not a fan of the clay courts, preferring the hard courts and have been going to a particular spot where there’s less of a hassle and a better environment for a good time… no they don’t have courts at Larry Flint’s Hustler club… but hey?!