law

#T3BE 182 - Full Question Text For Patrons

HOLY SHIT, Y'ALL

We did it.  We filed an amicus brief in the Michael Flynn case!

Thank you to everyone who participated, read, helped edit, and/or sent notes of encouragement. 

I'm supremely proud of our finished product and I think we have the chance to do real good in the world.

Amicus Brief -- FINAL UPDATE

If you're interested in offering any final comments, this is it!

Thanks to everyone who sent in line edits, corrections large and small, and suggestions.  We definitely think those helped make this a better brief!  We're incredibly proud of the work we did on this brief, and hope you are, too.  

OA393: Gabe Roth of Fix the Court

Today we're joined by Gabe Roth, executive director of https://fixthecourt.com/. Fix the Court is a national, nonpartisan organization that advocates for non-ideological “fixes” that would make the federal courts, and primarily the U.S. Supreme Court, more open and more accountable to the American people. In his work, Gabe has been tracking some curious financial dealings of "friend" of the show Justin Walker. We discuss tha...

Amicus Brief, Update V

We're nearly there!  As always, thoughts, concerns, criticisms, pedantry are all appreciated and YES we have incorporated patron suggestions in this draft!

Are you as excited as I am??!?

#T3BE 181 - Early Answer for Patrons

Sadly, Thomas got this (incredibly difficult) question wrong, picking (C) instead of the correct answer, (B).  Thomas is now 101-for-181 overall (55.8%) and 68% over the last 28 questions.

OA Amicus Brief, Update IV

Have at it, patrons!  Hope you're enjoying this behind-the-scenes look at crunch-time drafting of a crucial brief with an emphasis on trying to make it as strong and persuasive as possible.

You'll see that we've relied on many of your edits/suggestions/pedantry so please do keep them coming.  And in that vein -- please note that the bold note at the end of section 1 on page 16 is a drafting note and not something I actually propose to include in the brief! :)

Amicus Update III

Here you go; this now includes Argument I.A and part of I.B. for your reading pleasure.  As always, comments are welcome -- the nit-pickier, the better!

Amicus Brief, 6-6 Update

Now including the revised Interest of Amicus and the Introduction and summary of our argument.  Your thoughts are welcome -- and have been helpful so far!

Sneak Peek of the Introduction to the OA Amicus Brief

Check out our statement of interest and introduction!  Comments welcome.

OA392: In the Aftermath of George Floyd

Today's extra-long show -- two hours if you're a patron! -- tackles all the issues surrounding the state of our Union in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder, including questions about which charges should be filed against Derek Chauvin, whether Trump can invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, and much, much more!  Oh, and as a bonus, we also have a "lightning round" Yodel Mountain segment (with deep dives for patrons).

We begin with an in-depth...

#T3BE 181 - Full Question Text for Patrons

Amicus Brief Participation Time!

It is Amicus Brief Participation Time! Right now we are working on the part of the amicus brief called the Interest of Amicus Curiae. That is a fancy way of saying "This is why I have an interest in this case, and this is why you should listen to me." 

So, we want to know: Why do you care about the General Flynn case? Why do you care whether or not the court lets the DoJ drop charges against Flynn after he pled guilty twice? Why should the court listen to what Opening Arguments thi...

OA391: Republicans Are Still Trying To Break the Government, Part Eleven Billion

Today's episode takes a deep dive into H.R. 965, which (quite sensibly) permits proxy voting in the House of Representatives in light of the COVID-19 crisis, and the lawsuit filed by various Republican lawmakers to try and stop it.  Good news!  The lawsuit has no chance of success thanks to... litigation prompted by Donald Trump. 

We begin, however, with an update on the DOJ pr...

QnA 32 audio

We're Live!

QnA32

#T3BE 180 - Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas got back in the win column by answering (D), despite his reservations.  He is now 101-for-180 (56.1%) overall and a solid 70% over the last 27 questions.

Bonus: George Floyd and Policing the Police

Today's emergency episode breaks down everything you need to know about the death of George Floyd and the charges filed against Officer Derek Chauvin in Minnesota.

Patreon Bonuses

We’ve got an all-new Live Q&A scheduled for Sunday, May 31 at 7 pm Eastern / 4 pm Pacific, and Patrons can click here to suggest questions and vote on the ones they want answered. Also r...

OA390: Trump's War on Twitter (A Deep Dive on Section 230)

Today's episode breaks down the latest temper tantrum and accompanying executive order by our game show host president attacking social media platforms for having the temerity to engage in fact-checking.  You're going to be hearing a lot about "Section 230" -- so we're here to tell you exactly what that means, what Trump is trying to do, and why it matters.

We begin, however, with a pret...

#T3BE 180 - Full Question Text for Patrons

Live Q&A on Sunday, May 31 at 7 pm Eastern/4 pm Pacific

You know the deal here:  post the questions you want to hear answered, and upvote with the heart the ones from other people that you want us to address!

$2+ Patreon Amicus Brief Update

We continue to solicit your opinions and update on  you the amicus brief over on this thread:   https://www.patreon.com/posts/oa-amicus-brief-37112655 

I've recently posted a new comment on U.S. v. Fokker Svcs., which is the primary case cited by Flynn in his mandamus petition and would love your thoughts!

OA389: #Obamagate (w/guest AG!)

Today's episode brings back AG of the Mueller She Wrote and Daily Beans podcasts to help delve in to all the craziness that is #Obamagate.  And, as a bonus, we also discuss the five Inspectors General fired by Trump and what they were investigating.  You won't want to miss this special episode!

As it turns out, #Obamagate is nonsense.  Who knew?

After the hour-long interview, it's time to revis...

#T3BE 179 - Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas analyzed this question exactly perfectly, but somehow managed to pick the wrong answer (D) instead of the right answer (C).  He's now 100-for-179 (55.9%) and 69% over the last 26 questions.

OA388: Reinstating the Rule of Law

Today's episode checks in on all the latest goings-on in the Trump administration that probably don't violate the law but do undermine the norms of 200+ years of government, from firing Inspectors General that are potentially interested in government accountability to the DOJ's refusal to turn over the unredacted Mueller Report to the House Judiciary Committee to the collusion between Bob Barr and Michael Flynn.  You won't want to miss it.

We begin with some pre-show news ...

#T3BE 179 - Full Question Text for Patrons

OA387: You Pay the Priest (w/Andrew Seidel)

Today's episode features an interview with one of our favorite recurring guests, Andrew Seidel, who returns to warn us of new regulations pursuant to the CARES Act that are permitting churches to take PPP money.  Yes, that means your tax dollars are literally paying the salaries of ministers, priests, imams, and the like.

We also discuss what just happened in Wisconsin, where the Supreme Court invalidated Gov. Evers's stay-at-home order.   Is it bad?  Listen and find...

#T3BE 178 - Early Answer for Patrons

Andrew S. got this one right, picking (C).  Thomas, sadly, got it wrong -- although he picked the second-best answer with (A).  Thomas is now 100-for-178 (56.2%), and 72% over the past 25 questions.

The OA Amicus Brief, Open Thread

This is the free-for-all for your input into the OA amicus brief!

OA Amicus Brief, $2+ Patrons ONLY

This is the thread where you higher-level patrons can find the drafts of our amicus brief and participate in the drafting!