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University of California, Los Angeles
Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of California, Los Angeles
PROFILE
Eugene Volokh
Guest
FROM Eugene Volokh
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy retires Justice Anthony Kennedy announced today that he will retire. Even though Kennedy was appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan, he was seen the court’s swing vote. Kennedy sided with the court’s more liberal justices on some big decision on gay rights.
To the Point
Portland train attach sparks Free Speech debate A pro-Trump and Free Speech Rally in Portland Oregon yesterday attracted a counter-protest across the street. Police made arrests, but nobody was injured. The events attracted national attention in the aftermath of a double murder on a train 10 days ago—raising questions about the city’s past and whether “hate speech” is protected by the First Amendment.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Restricting Ammunition The attackers in San Bernardino had over 6,000 rounds of ammunition in their house and in their car. In October, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom released a proposed ballot initiative to strengthen gun laws in California that includes new restrictions on the sale of ammunition.
Which Way, L.A.?
Montana, Citizens United and Government Corruption Two years ago, the US Supreme Court took the limits off campaign spending by corporations and wealthy donors in the case Citizens United versus the Federal Elections Commission . That's raised a firestorm over the influence of money in politics. The State of Montana calls that an invitation to government corruption and the Supreme Court of Montana has decided to keep the state's contribution limits in effect. Will the high court take another look? We hear from the Governor of Montana and others.
To the Point
Free Speech and Government Corruption The US Supreme Court has ordered Montana to abolish historic limits on campaign contributions to comply with its 2010 Citizens United decision . Montana says, "No," insisting that money is already corrupting state politics for the first time in 100 years. Reformers claim Citizens United created this year's Super PAC's and billion-dollar campaigns funded by corporations and wealthy people. Will the Supreme Court take another look, or are "reformers" trying to impose limits on free speech they just don't like?
Which Way, L.A.?
A Judge and his Risqué Web Site Alex Kozinski is presiding judge of the 9th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals which covers the western states. Last week he was hearing a high-profile obscenity trial in Los Angeles. Just as jury selection ended, the LA Times ran an article about pictures on a website Kozinski maintained. There is still heated dispute about whether the pictures were “obscene,” but Kozinski shut down the website and declared a mistrial. At his request, US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has empanelled five other judges to conduct an investigation .
Which Way, L.A.?
A Pedophile in L.A. – Dangerous or Just Annoying? When he lived in Washington State, Jack McClellan ran a website entitled, “ Seattle-Tacoma-Everett Girl Love .” He advised men on how to find places where they could watch children between the ages of 3 and 11, insisting “it is possible to have these attractions and not be out of control.” Sure enough, at age 45, McClellan has never been convicted of any sexual crime. But he’s now in jail in Los Angeles on charges of violating a court order.
Recommended
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?