Georgetown University Law Center
Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law School, specializing in sexuality and gender law, and a distinguished scholar at the Williams Institute at UCLA; former blogger at Hunter of Justice
PROFILE
Nan Hunter
Guest
FROM Nan Hunter
Which Way, L.A.?
Is GOP Victory in Governors' Races a Warning to Democrats? The New York Times and even the Times of London have warned about over-interpreting America's off-year elections. Then they've gone right on to do it themselves. That's according to the Columbia Journalism Review , which says, "it just makes politics more fun…[and makes] elections more meaningful by threading them into a broader narrative."
To the Point
Local Elections and National Politics Most voters in New Jersey and Virginia said Barack Obama's performance was not a factor when they elected Republicans over Democrats to run their states. But the chattering class is still looking for signs of meaning. Will GOP wins make moderate Democrats in Congress think twice about the Obama agenda? Did Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck show conservative muscle in upstate New York or sabotage the Republican Party? What do results from Maine and Washington State reveal about efforts to legalize same-sex marriage?
Which Way, L.A.?
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Comes Out of the Closet At a gay rights dinner on Saturday night, President Obama repeated a promise he made during last year's campaign, to revoke Bill Clinton's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Now, from the Pentagon's highest levels comes a call for repeal of the ban against homosexuals in the military. An article for the Joint Chiefs of Staff says there's "no scientific evidence" that gays and lesbians damage morale."
To the Point
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Comes Out of the Closet At a gay rights dinner on Saturday night, President Obama repeated as promise he made during last year's campaign, that of ending the exclusion of gays in the military. Obama could revoke Bill Clinton's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," policy, but it will take an act of Congress to repeal the ban. Hard-line activists say Obama is moving too slowly, but now from the Pentagon's highest levels comes a call for the repeal of the ban. An article for the Joint Chiefs of Staff says there's "no scientific evidence" that gays and lesbians damage morale," but that, in the meantime, they're required to live a lie. Is Congress likely to listen?
Recommended
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?
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
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.