Recent Elections & Politics Posts
Latest Civil Rights Posts
Mar – a – Lago Search Takes Disappointing Turn After Court Rulings
Brief #194 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
One year after leaving office in January 2022, former President Donald J. Trump and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) entered into discussions for the return of fifteen boxes of presidential records that were being kept at the former President’s home in Mar – a – Lago, Florida.
Protecting Digital Privacy With the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act
Brief #193 – Civil Rights;
By Rodney A. Maggay
In early 2020 the Wall Street Journal first broke a story claiming that federal agencies were acquiring cellphone data information to be used for enforcement of immigration policies.
In response to the story, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agencies for the release of documents related to how the government acquires cell phone location information.
U.S. Department of Justice Brings Voting Rights Lawsuit in Arizona
Brief #192 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
In March 2022 Arizona’s Republican Governor Doug Ducey signed into law HB 2492. The law is scheduled to go into effect in January 2023. The law included a number of voting restrictions that the Arizona Legislature wanted to implement.
Representative Boebert’s “Separation of Church and State
Brief #191 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
On June 26, 2022, Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) made remarks at the Cornerstone Christian Center in Basalt, Colorado about the role of religion and government in the United States. Representative Boebert stated, “The church is supposed to direct the government. The government is not supposed to direct the church.
The Supreme Court Weakens The Separation of Church and State With High School Football Coach Decision
Brief #190 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
Joseph Kennedy was a football high school coach at a public high school in Bremerton, Washington. During his time as a coach in the Bremerton School District Mr. Kennedy had started a routine where he would pray at the fifty – yard line of the football field at the conclusion of the game.
Supreme Court Permits The Use Of State Taxpayer Funds For Religious Instruction
Brief #189 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
Petitioners David and Amy Carson and Troy and Angela Nelson are two couples that reside in Maine. Both families wanted to apply for Maine’s tuition assistance program in order to send their children to two separate “sectarian” schools. Both families were denied because Maine had previously determined that using state taxpayer funds to fund tuition for students at sectarian schools was a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Should Religious Organizations Continue To Receive Federal Grants For Social Service Programs?
Brief #188 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
On August 31, 2021 H.R. 5129 was introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill was the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Modernization Act of 2022. This bill reauthorized a continued funding of the Community Services Block Grant Program which makes grants to States, territories, Indian tribes and other non – governmental entities for government programs to help reduce poverty, empower residents of low – income communities and encourage businesses and other organizations to expand opportunities for all individuals. Included in organizations that are eligible for these grants are faith – based organizations (FBO).
Gov. De Santis’ Right Wing War Continues With Signing of “Voter Fraud Office” Bill
Brief #187 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
On April 25, 2022 Governor Ron De Santis of Florida signed Senate Bill 524 which, among a number of things, creates a new Office of Election Crimes and Security as a new unit in Florida’s Department of State. The new office will be charged with overseeing elections but more specifically will review fraud allegations and conduct preliminary investigations into those allegations.
How Texas Senate Bill 8 Opened The Door To Vigilante Laws And Why These Laws Pose Such A Danger
Brief #186 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
In 2021 the State of Texas passed an anti – abortion law with a unique enforcement mechanism. Under the law, any private citizen could sue the person who tries to get an abortion, the doctor who performs the procedure or the clinic who provided the abortion procedure to a woman.
Recent Elections & Politics Posts
Nice Democracy You’ve Got Here. Shame If Something Happened To It.
Brief #36 – Elections & Politics
By David A. Graham
The line between imagination and delusion is thin, as Donald Trump’s initial reaction to an FBI search at Mar-a-Lago in August demonstrated. In the first days afterward, the former president saw the search as a political gift, not a blow: a chance to rally his base, put would-be challengers like Ron DeSantis in their place, and reconsolidate his eroding position as the leader of the Republican Party.
The Controversial Texas Voting Access Bill: Its Effects on the Coming Mid-Terms
Brief #36 – Elections & Politics
By Inijah Quadri
The Republican-dominated Texas Legislature on August 19th passed an election bill that Democrats and advocates say will restrict voting rights for minorities.
Republicans inflicted a crushing defeat on Democrats, who fought for months against what they saw as a brazen attempt to disenfranchise minorities, including African-Americans, and other voters who are more likely to vote Democrat.
Explaining Alaska’s Election Reforms: Ranked Choice Voting
Brief #37 – Elections & Politics
By Ian Milden
In the recent special election to replace the late Congressman Don Young (R-AK), Mary Peltola (D-AK) defeated former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) and Nick Begich (R-AK). This brief will examine the recent election reforms in Alaska that led to the upset and how they may affect the U.S. House and Senate races this year. The brief will also briefly discuss the implications of ranked choice voting.
Preview of US Senate Races in Florida and Utah
Brief #34 – Elections & Politics
By Ian Milden
Control of the U.S. Senate will be up for grabs in the 2022 mid-term elections. Competitive races in key states will determine the balance of power. In this brief, I will preview the U.S. Senate races in Florida and Utah.
Preview of US Senate Races in Arizona and Wisconsin
Brief #33 – Elections & Politics
By: Ian Milden
Control of the U.S. Senate will be up for grabs in the 2022 mid-term elections. Competitive races in key states will determine the balance of power. In this brief, I will preview the US Senate races in Arizona and Wisconsin.
Are the Handcuffs Tightening Around Trump?
Brief #43 – Elections & Politics
By Maureen Darby-Serson
As many know, former President Donald Trump has several investigations opened against him currently. However, are you aware that the actual amount of the major investigations is seven?
Advance with Caution: Analyzing the Implications of Potential Supreme Court Reforms
Brief #42 – Elections & Politics
By Ian Milden
In wake of the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health decision overturning Roe v .Wade, there have been calls to reform the Supreme Court. In this brief, I will examine the implications of potential reforms. Specifically, I will look at reforms to the nomination process, expanding the court, and term limits.
Preview of US Senate Races in Colorado and New Hampshire
Brief #41 – Elections & Politics
By Ian Milden
Control of the U.S. Senate will be up for grabs in the 2022 mid-term elections. Competitive races in key states will determine the balance of power. In this brief, I will preview the US Senate races in Colorado and New Hampshire.
Preview of US Senate Races in Ohio and Iowa
Brief #40 – Elections & Politics
By Ian Milden
Control of the U.S. Senate will be up for grabs in the 2022 mid-term elections. Competitive races in key states will determine the balance of power. In this brief, I will preview the US Senate races in Ohio and Iowa.
