Democratic presidential candidate hopeful Al Sharpton let loose on rival Howard Dean today, charging:

Howard Dean's opposition to affirmative action, his current support for the death penalty and historic support of the NRA's [National Rifle Association's] agenda amounts to an anti-black agenda that will not sell in communities of color in this country."

"Any so-called African American leader that would endorse Dean despite his anti-black record is mortgaging the future of our struggle for civil rights and social justice," Sharpton said.

We have to say we think Sharpton is exaggerating. He has a long-standing rivalry with Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose son, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., endorsed Dean yesterday.

Democratic presidential candidate hopeful Al Sharpton let loose on rival Howard Dean today, charging:

Howard Dean's opposition to affirmative action, his current support for the death penalty and historic support of the NRA's [National Rifle Association's] agenda amounts to an anti-black agenda that will not sell in communities of color in this country."

"Any so-called African American leader that would endorse Dean despite his anti-black record is mortgaging the future of our struggle for civil rights and social justice," Sharpton said.

We have to say we think Sharpton is exaggerating. He has a long-standing rivalry with Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose son, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., endorsed Dean yesterday.

Patrick Taylor of Open Source Politics (LegalWrites) analyzes the Department of Justice's website, Preserving Life and Liberty. The site was established to convince us all that the Patriot Act is being wrongfully maligned. Instead, Taylor says, it is "ham-fisted propaganda plain and simple." He's right. Go read his analysis.

Our prior post on the website is here.

Patrick Taylor of Open Source Politics (LegalWrites) analyzes the Department of Justice's website, Preserving Life and Liberty. The site was established to convince us all that the Patriot Act is being wrongfully maligned. Instead, Taylor says, it is "ham-fisted propaganda plain and simple." He's right. Go read his analysis.

Our prior post on the website is here.

Presidential contender Dennis Kucinich has been endorsed by the New Hampshire Green Party.

Ed Garvey, the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin governor in 1998, and a Madison lawyer, throws his support behind Kucinich today in the Madison Capital Times. He says Kucinich stands for true Democratic principles.

Kucinich has the most progressive stand on issues. His views seem to match our's more than those of the other candidates. We'd like to see him do well in the primaries because it would signal a public inclination to retreat from the agenda and influence of the conservative right and the centrists. But we remain of the opinion that we have to support a candidate with a true chance of beating Bush. In our view, that's not Kucinich. Yet, we admire Kucinich for his position on issues and for his dedication to the campaign and getting his message out. It can't be easy to get out there on the campaign trail when the press continually dismisses your chances of success. We hope Kucinich stays in the race until the very end and we'll do our part in publishing his views.

Update: Berry's World thinks the Kucinich endorsement is ominous.

Considering that the conventional wisdom is that Rep. Kucinich has no chance to grab the Democratic nomination, is it out of line to think that he might run as the Green Party candidate in the general election, thus splitting the progressive vote and handing President Bush the election?

Presidential contender Dennis Kucinich has been endorsed by the New Hampshire Green Party.

Ed Garvey, the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin governor in 1998, and a Madison lawyer, throws his support behind Kucinich today in the Madison Capital Times. He says Kucinich stands for true Democratic principles.

Kucinich has the most progressive stand on issues. His views seem to match our's more than those of the other candidates. We'd like to see him do well in the primaries because it would signal a public inclination to retreat from the agenda and influence of the conservative right and the centrists. But we remain of the opinion that we have to support a candidate with a true chance of beating Bush. In our view, that's not Kucinich. Yet, we admire Kucinich for his position on issues and for his dedication to the campaign and getting his message out. It can't be easy to get out there on the campaign trail when the press continually dismisses your chances of success. We hope Kucinich stays in the race until the very end and we'll do our part in publishing his views.

Update: Berry's World thinks the Kucinich endorsement is ominous.

Considering that the conventional wisdom is that Rep. Kucinich has no chance to grab the Democratic nomination, is it out of line to think that he might run as the Green Party candidate in the general election, thus splitting the progressive vote and handing President Bush the election?

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that nervousness alone cannot support a vehicle search when police stop the car for a traffic violation. The court invalidated a consent to search that was obtained during the stop.

Noting that innocent people are frequently nervous when confronted by a law enforcement officer — a phenomenon Judge Rosemary Barkett said is shared by lawyers presenting cases to appellate judges — the court said more is necessary to change a traffic stop into a drug search.

The case has a fact pattern familiar to any lawyer who defends drug cases. The "crossed over the white line" offense.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that nervousness alone cannot support a vehicle search when police stop the car for a traffic violation. The court invalidated a consent to search that was obtained during the stop.

Noting that innocent people are frequently nervous when confronted by a law enforcement officer — a phenomenon Judge Rosemary Barkett said is shared by lawyers presenting cases to appellate judges — the court said more is necessary to change a traffic stop into a drug search.

The case has a fact pattern familiar to any lawyer who defends drug cases. The "crossed over the white line" offense.

Atrios writes of Rep. Congressman Steve LaTourette (R-OH), whose wife is going public with his request for a divorce, following his revelation to her that he's having an affair with a Washington lobbyist.

The couple have been married 21 years and have four children. Mrs. Latourette says that when he called her a few weeks ago to tell her of the affair, she asked him to go into counseling, He said he'd think about it, but called her back Friday and asked for the divorce.

Why is she going public? She wants him back. She says he was a great husband and father until he went to Washington and that the Washington culture corrupts men in power.

Latourrette, a former prosecutor, serves on the Standards of Official Conduct Committee.

Atrios writes of Rep. Congressman Steve LaTourette (R-OH), whose wife is going public with his request for a divorce, following his revelation to her that he's having an affair with a Washington lobbyist.

The couple have been married 21 years and have four children. Mrs. Latourette says that when he called her a few weeks ago to tell her of the affair, she asked him to go into counseling, He said he'd think about it, but called her back Friday and asked for the divorce.

Why is she going public? She wants him back. She says he was a great husband and father until he went to Washington and that the Washington culture corrupts men in power.

Latourrette, a former prosecutor, serves on the Standards of Official Conduct Committee.

Last month we wrote about Rep. David Obey (D-WI), the top-ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, and his call for Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz to resign.

Via Tom Paine.com, Rep. Obey makes news again today with a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, outlining how the Republicans are using the old pork barrel technique to stymie the legislative proposals of Democrats who don't vote their way. Obey charges the Republicans are creating

....a slush fund to intimidate members into voting against adequate funds for programs that they believe are important for the American people. The clear message is that if you support the Republican cuts in education, health research and assistance to seniors, you will get projects to help with your reelection. If you vote your conscience and support more funding for education and health you will get stiffed. This is nothing more than systematic bribery with public funds to enforce the "Robin Hood in reverse" policies of your party.

Last month we wrote about Rep. David Obey (D-WI), the top-ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, and his call for Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz to resign.

Via Tom Paine.com, Rep. Obey makes news again today with a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, outlining how the Republicans are using the old pork barrel technique to stymie the legislative proposals of Democrats who don't vote their way. Obey charges the Republicans are creating

....a slush fund to intimidate members into voting against adequate funds for programs that they believe are important for the American people. The clear message is that if you support the Republican cuts in education, health research and assistance to seniors, you will get projects to help with your reelection. If you vote your conscience and support more funding for education and health you will get stiffed. This is nothing more than systematic bribery with public funds to enforce the "Robin Hood in reverse" policies of your party.