Archive for February 2009
Governor Scoundrels?
The impeachment of Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois sharpened my curiosity: How many other state chief executives have fallen afoul of the constitutional impeachment mechanism. Most news stories claimed that Governor Rod, now gone but for the lingering scent emanating from the senator-who-should-never-have-been-seated (Roland Burris), was the eighth governor impeached and removed from office. That,…
Read MoreThe President Game
The historians participating in C-Span’s survey for ranking the presidents revealed one thing: even the pros are a little shaky about what to make of some of our nation’s leaders. Oh, the 64 historians who took part were pretty solid on the good presidents (Lincoln, Washington, the Roosevelt boys), and the rotten ones (Buchanan, Andrew…
Read MoreLambdin Milligan's Precedent
The case of Ali Saleh Kahlah Al-Marri will provide an early test of the extent to which President Obama is prepared to stand by the rule of law in the anti-terrorism battle. Al-Marri, a legal resident alien, was arrested at his home in Peoria, Illinois, shortly after September 11. Accused of being a “sleeper” Al…
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