Supporters call move a 'hail mary'
Los Angeles Times Nov 11, 08 10:04 CST
(Newser)
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Democratic legislators in California have filed a brief calling on the state Supreme Court to reject a ballot proposition that would ban gay marriage in the state, the Los Angeles Times reports. The measure, Proposition 8, passed by some 500,000 votes. The lawmakers argue that such sweeping change would require a full constitutional revision by the legislature.
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OPINION
Obama can restore the capital's brilliance, writes Times columnist
New York Times Nov 6, 08 8:11 CST
(Newser)
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For Maureen Dowd, the election of Barack Obama means more than just an end to the Bush years; it's a chance for Washington itself to regain its moral standing. Outside the White House on election night—"there was no U-Haul in the driveway"—the New York Times columnist considers the monuments of her hometown, which "have lost their luminescence in recent years," and what an Obama-led capital would look like.
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Samak forced to resign as protests continue in Bangkok
Associated Press Sep 9, 08 6:19 CDT
(Newser)
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Thailand's supreme court has ruled that the prime minister and his government must resign, declaring that his participation in a TV cooking show violated the constitution. The unanimous ruling comes as opponents of Samak Sundaravej continue to occupy Government House in Bangkok, reports the AP. While Samak may seek a new mandate, he might use the court's ruling to make a graceful exit from the political crisis that has gripped Thailand for months.
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Ruling tomorrow on Samak's TV work
could ease unrest
Guardian (UK) Sep 8, 08 3:26 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Thailand’s prime minister could be forced from his post tomorrow, the Guardian reports—not by protesters who have taken over government offices, but by a court ruling that hosting a TV cooking show was unconstitutional. Samak Sundaravej, 73, hosted Tasting, Grumbling , for years before being elected, appeared a handful of times since taking office in January—possibly violating laws on public officials working for private money.
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Move to rewrite French constitution has critics crying 'monocracy!'
BBC Jul 22, 08 9:25 CDT
(Newser)
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the passing yesterday of a constitutional reform, fulfilling a key campaign pledge. The overhaul of parliamentary and executive powers passed in the assembly and senate by a single vote, capturing 539 votes when it needed 538, the BBC reports. The opposition says the change will solidify France as a "monocracy" for Sarkozy.
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He's no natural-born American, prof argues
New York Times Jul 11, 08 3:21 CDT
(Newser)
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John McCain does not meet the constitutional requirement to be president because he's technically not a natural-born US citizen, a legal professor has concluded. But the expert, who focused on an obscure 1937 law that made McCain a citizen in the months after his birth in the Panama Canal Zone, says it's "preposterous" that the technicality should make a difference, the New York Times reports. “But this is the constitutional text that we have.”
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Opinion
American ideals more important than scare of the minute
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Jul 4, 08 6:50 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Patriotism is the word of the day, but what does it mean? For Cynthia Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , it means fighting for your country’s ideals. "I believe I'm lucky to be an American because our founding document embraces the revolutionary idea that any citizen should be able to criticize his government without fear of retaliation," she writes.
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Some suggest meddling in referendum that has Europe in disarray
Der Spiegel Jun 25, 08 4:57 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Pro-Europeans are claiming that American neoconservatives helped bankroll an effort to convince Irish voters to reject a key treaty, Der Spiegel reports. "Europe has powerful enemies on the other side of the Atlantic, gifted with considerable financial means," a French minister said after Ireland's thumbs-down roiled the continent. "The role of the American neo-cons was very important in the victory of the 'no'."
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Goodnight Bush parody 'brilliant,' though copyright might be an issue
New York Times Jun 16, 08 4:15 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The cover is a dead ringer for the bedtime classic, and the point of Goodnight Bush is equally recognizable. In authors' Erich Origen and Gan Golan’s re-purposing of Goodnight Moon , Dubya snuggles into bed wearing a “Mission Accomplished” flight suit, in the company of “war profiteers giving three cheers,” with a crayon-redacted constitution on the wall, the New York Times reports.
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Anti-government groups enraged by timing of announcement
Associated Press May 15, 08 7:22 CDT
(Newser)
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Burmese voters overwhelmingly approved a constitution legitimizing military rule, the junta announced to widespread skepticism today. The vote held Saturday did not include two cyclone-ravaged areas where aid to victims is still largely being blocked by the government, but state media said those votes couldn't change the outcome. Turnout elsewhere was pegged at 99%, with 92.4% voting yes.
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Junta ignores calls to delay vote and focus on helping cyclone victims
AFP May 10, 08 6:49 CDT
(Newser)
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Burma plowed ahead with a referendum on its constitution today despite cyclone devastation that has left much of the country in ruins, AFP reports. The junta has postponed the vote for two weeks in the worst-hit areas, including the capital and the Irrawaddy delta, where hundreds of thousands have been left starving and homeless, with aid still only trickling in.
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Lawmaker wants women's satisfaction protected by law
BBC May 3, 08 4:28 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Politics are getting steamy in Ecuador these days. Maria Soledad Vela, a member of the nation's ruling party, wants to give Ecuadorian women the right to seek sexual happiness. Her proposal is sparking controversy in the conservative country, where women are traditionally seen as sexual objects or child bearers, the BBC reports.
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Ex-defense minister pressed Chavez to admit referendum defeat
Wall Street Journal Dec 24, 07 6:05 PM CST
(Newser)
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An ex-ally has become a formidable rival for Hugo Chavez after the president's defeat in a constitutional referendum that would have given him more power and the right to unlimited reelection. The Wall Street Journal explores the career of Raul Baduel, Chavez’ former friend and defense minister, who protected Chavez from a coup in 2002 but now portrays himself as a guardian of democracy in Venezuela.
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