My latest for @MSNBC looks at the Pentagon’s investigation into the August drone strike that killed 10 Afghan civilians, including 7 children, and what their conclusions say about how our military thinks about drone warfare: msnbc.com/opinion/americ…
“It is a horrifying wake-up call that comes as no surprise to those who have followed the advent and expansion of drone warfare. But, as with all recurring horrors, there are moments that prompt more attention than others — and sometimes even change.” msnbc.com/opinion/americ…
In the column, I discuss problems with the investigation, with the initial review of the strike (and the review of that review), and — ultimately — with the attack itself. msnbc.com/opinion/americ…
The Pentagon told us that the intelligence assessment that led to 7 children being killed was “regrettably inaccurate,” prompting the “regrettable strike,” leading to “regrettable civilian casualties.” None of that was negligence, the review concluded. msnbc.com/opinion/americ…
I expanded on something I mentioned here when the review came out: This is all so damning bc “despite the many mistakes listed as having been made in the lead-up to the strike, the Pentagon has concluded that those involved exercised a reasonable amount of care in their actions.”
Merkley: “I have carefully considered Mayor Emanuel’s record … and I have reached the decision that I cannot support his nomination to serve as a U.S. Ambassador.”
Merkley’s statement comes as Emanuel’s nomination is set to be considered at today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting: foreign.senate.gov/hearings/busin…
So: Who else? How many? And how many GOP votes is he going to get? (At least one Republican said Rahm had his support during his confirmation hearing.)
When the Chief Justice posits that people would refer to your proposed outcome as "that crazy Supreme Court decision" IN THE MIDST OF arguments in your case, things probably aren't going well for you.
From today's very interesting First Amendment/censure/public bodies arguments in Houston Community College Sys. v. Wilson: supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments…
Here's Kagan, following up in agreement with Roberts and questioning whether the respondent's position — arguing that the First Amendment limits his censure by a board on which he sits — works:
On a 5-3 vote, the Supreme Court — unlike in other cases — jumped in to reverse a lower court’s procedural decision, this time in a case that means a man almost certainly will be killed by the state of Oklahoma tonight.
In its first execution in 7 years, since the botched execution of Clayton Lockett, it appears questions must be asked about this Oklahoma execution as well.
BREAKING: SCOTUS will hear both the DOJ and Whole Woman’s Health challenges to Texas SB8 law strictly limiting abortion in the first six weeks and allowing private enforcement actions. The Supreme Court will NOT put SB8 on hold while it considers the cases. Arguments on Nov. 1.
Here’s the grant in Whole Woman’s Health:
Here’s the grant in DOJ’s challenge. Note the question presented: