Browsing Tag

Supreme Court

141 posts

Episode 51: A Pimp Politician, Privacy Protected, and SPLC Eats Crow

For this Caffeinated Thoughts Podcast episode, Shane Vander Hart discusses a pimp running for office in Nevada, an important Supreme Court decision for privacy, and the Southern Poverty Law Center’s recent settlement with the Quilliam Foundation.
The Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC. Photo taken by Tim Sackton (CC-By-SA 2.0).

SCOTUS Green Lights Sales Tax Collection from Out-of-State Online Retailers

The Supreme Court ruled five to four that South Dakota can require out-of-state online retailers to collect sales tax from online purchases made by residents of their state.

The Positive Potential Impact of the Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision

There are two positive aspects of the Supreme Court’s decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission that we will see in future cases.

If Elected, Fred Hubbell Won’t Allow Religious Liberty Protection to Be Passed

After the Supreme Court ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission favoring religious liberty, Iowa Democrat Gubernatorial Primary frontrunner Fred Hubbell said of legislation to protect religious liberty, “I’m not going to allow that kind of law to get passed in our state.”
The Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC. Photo taken by Tim Sackton (CC-By-SA 2.0).

Two Concerns About the Supreme Court’s Masterpiece Cakeshop Ruling

Shane Vander Hart: While the Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission is a win for religious liberty, it is very narrow, and I have two concerns about Justice Kennedy’s majority opinion that have negative implications.

90 Members of Congress State Support of State Laws Defunding Planned Parenthood

U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) joined U.S. Senator Roger Wicker is submitting an amicus brief written by attorneys asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast v. Gee.

All Iowans Should Benefit From Open Enrollment Law

A bill up for consideration in the Iowa Legislature would eliminate the implementation of a voluntary diversity plan as a reason to deny open enrollment of a student that allows certain school districts to hold higher-income families hostage.

Iowa House Bill Would Authorize “Bible as Literature” in Public Schools

Eleven states allow the Bible to be taught as literature in their public schools, with Kentucky being one of the most recent. Should a bill, HF 2031, introduced in the Iowa House on Wednesday pass into law Iowa would join that number.

Pro-Life Groups Support California’s Crisis Pregnancy Centers Before SCOTUS

Four pro-life groups support crisis pregnancy centers forced by the California Reproductive FACT Act to advertise and refer clients for abortion in NIFLA v. Becerra that the Supreme Court will hear in February.
The Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC. Photo taken by Tim Sackton (CC-By-SA 2.0).

Oral Arguments Heard in Vital Religious Liberty Case Before Supreme Court

Money quote from Justice Anthony Kennedy: “…the state in its position here has neither been tolerant nor respectful of Mr. Phillips religious beliefs.”

Three Follow-Up Comments About the Ames High School Band Protest

Shane Vander Hart offers three follow-up comments to his previous article about 13 members of Ames High School Marching Band protesting the National Anthem.

The First Amendment Protects Student Protest We Disagree With

Shane Vander Hart: We should not call for the disciplinary action of Ames High School Marching Band members who walked off the field for the National Anthem.

EPA Proposes Repeal of “Clean Power Plan”

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt proposed to repeal the Obama-era so-called “Clean Power Plan” (CPP).

If Trump Fires Sessions He Shouldn’t Expect Senate Cooperation

President Donald Trump has the power to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but if he does he should not expect Senate cooperation to appoint a new one.

Caffeinated Thoughts Radio 7-1-17 (Guest: Chris Jacobs)

On Caffeinated Thoughts Radio, Shane Vander Hart discussed the Senate reform bill with Chris Jacobs, and then discussed a big decision in the Supreme Court.

SCOTUS Levels Playing Field for Religious Institutions Using Public Funds

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7 to 2 in favor of a Missouri church who was denied a state grant to improve the safety of their preschool’s playground.