law

OA200: Reporters and Confidential Sources

Today's episode takes an in-depth look at the legal protections reporters have (and don't have) to keep their sources confidential.

We begin, however, with an update on how "Elections Have Consequences," this time, looking at the state of the House of Representatives in light of last week's special election in OH-12.

After that, we dive deeply into reporter privilege, beginning with a discussion of the Supreme Court's decision in 2018-08-14 00:18:54 +0000 UTC View Post

TTTBE #88: Early Answer for Patrons!

Thomas did it!  As you can see, his analysis was exactly right, and he is not only guaranteed to finish at 50% or better in the first hundred questions, but is now riding a three-question winning streak for a total score of 50-for-88 (56.8%)!  He needs to get 10 right out of the next 12 to reach the coveted "60% at the half" threshhold. 

OA199: Asbestos??!? (Or: Why Is This Man Smiling?)

Today's Rapid Response Friday breaks down everything you need to know regarding the Trump EPA's recent rules change regarding asbestos.  Is it as ominous as it sounds?  (Yes.)

We begin, however, with the oddest OA segment of all time:  Devin Nunes was right!  What was he right about, and what's a Michael Kinsley gaffe?  You'll just have to listen and find out!

After that, in a bonus segmen...

TTTBE #88: Full Question for Patrons

Law'd Awful Movies #21: Find Me Guilty

With special guest Liz Weeks! Check out the Change My View podcast.

Also here's Andrew's link.

OA198: What Is Alan Dershowitz Thinking?

Today's episode takes an in-depth look at Donald Trump's favorite "liberal," Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz as seen through the eyes of one of his former students.

We begin, however, with an update from the Paul Manafort trial, taking a look at the prosecution's strategy, witness list, and some preliminary rulings by Judge Ellis.

After that, we dive very deeply into what looks like a very weird phenomenon:  2018-08-07 03:04:17 +0000 UTC View Post

TTTBE #87: Early Answer for Patrons!

Thomas is riding a two-question winning streak for a total score of 49-for-87 (56.3%)!  He needs to get 11 right out of the next 13 to reach the coveted "60% at the half" threshhold.

OA197: Undetectable, Untraceable, 3-D Printed Guns

Today's Rapid Response Friday breaks down all of the legal wrangling regarding the Trump Administration's secret settlement with a self-described "crypto-anarchist" who uploaded material that allows anyone with access to a 3-D printer to make their own plastic, undetectable, untraceable firearm.

We begin, however, with a  listener who's considering coming over to the "dark side" and wants an honest answer about getting electoral help from overseas.  What if the Irish want to help ele...

TTTBE #87: Question Text for Patrons

Con law!

Open Thread: Show Quotes!

Here's where you can post your suggestions for the new intro after Episode 200!  Remember to:

1.  Include a link and time-stamp to the clip;

2.  Look for a clip that's around 10 seconds in length; and

3.  Up-vote with the heart your favorite clips!

QnA 13 Audio

We're very sad you couldn't make it to the live stream... but we still love you, so here's the high quality audio version!

QnA 13!

Come on in!

OA196: Voting and Sore Losers

Today's episode tells you everything you need to know about voting, including in particular West Virginia's "Sore Loser" law and whether it applies to big fat racist criminal loser Don Blankenship... and, in turn, what that means for Joe Manchin's chances of holding on to his Senate seat in the 2018 midterms.  Phew!

We begin, however, with... *sigh*... Andrew Was Wrong.  This time, an astute listener clarifies where Andrew elided over two different sections of the Voting Rig...

TTTBE #86: Early Answer for Patrons

Yes!  With a nice, sensible contract question, Thomas is back in the win column and is 48-for-86 (55.8%) and is still capable of getting to 60% in the first hundred questions. 

OA195: Lordy, There Are Tapes!

Today's Rapid Response Friday breaks down all of a busy week's developments in the Trump Administration's trip up Yodel Mountain, including the surprising revelation that Michael Cohen has audio tapes of his conversations with Donald Trump.  What does it all mean?  Listen and find out!

We begin, however, with a challenging listener question regarding legal ethics and summer associates that hearkens back to 2018-07-27 03:35:12 +0000 UTC View Post

TTTBE #86: Full Question Text for Patrons

Live Q&A Open Thread - July 31st 7 pm Eastern

You know the drill:  post your questions for the LIVE Q&A here in this thread, and remember to click the heart to upvote the questions you most want to hear answered!

OA194: Paul Manafort is Going to Trial! (& McDonald's!)

Today's episode tells you everything you need to know before Paul Manafort's trial in the Eastern District of Virginia, which begins Wednesday, July 25, 2018.  Oh, and we break down the recent lawsuit against McDonald's to boot!

We begin, however, with a very good listener question from "Judicial Noir" regarding ethics, science, and a summer internship!

After that, it's time to discuss an actual lawsuit over actual cheese.   Yes, there's a class action lawsuit against Thom...

TTTBE #85: Full Answer for Patrons

Sadly, Thomas's nemesis -- real property -- returns, and broke his four-question winning streak.  Thomas is now 47-for-85 (55.3%) and is still capable of getting to 60% in the first hundred questions.

OA193: This Is Worse Than Watergate - PLUS Mandalay Bay Suing Victims?

Today's Rapid Response Friday breaks down the recent lawsuit filed by the Mandalay Bay casino regarding the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.  Is it true that the casino is suing the victims?  What's that all about??  Listen and find out!  Also, we check in with Yodel Mountain and figure out, once and for all, if this is really worse than Watergate.  (Hint:&nbs...

TTTBE #85: Full Question Text for Patrons

OA192: Capital Punishment, the Eighth Amendment &... Obergefell?

Today's episode takes an in-depth historical look at the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on "cruel and unusual punishment" and what that might mean for the future of Obergefell v. Hodges in the next Supreme Court.  What does capital punishment have to do with gay marriage?  Listen and find out!

We begin, however, with a discussion of the 2018-07-16 20:47:13 +0000 UTC View Post

TTTBE #84: Early Answer for Patrons

Very few of you were fooled!

Thomas got this question correct, is on a four-question winning streak, and is now 47-for-84 (55.95%).  Will he get to 60% in the first hundred questions??!?

OA191: Fact and Fiction About Brett Kavanaugh

Today's Rapid Response Friday does not take a victory lap about our successful prediction that Brett Kavanaugh would be Donald Trump's next nominee to the Supreme Court (but seriously, we called that right, y'all.)  Instead, Andrew and Thomas break down some of the current stories surrounding Kavanaugh to separate  fact from fiction and try and articulate the best mainstream case against confirming Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

In the pre-show, we give a shout-out to ...

TTTBE #84: Full Question Text for Patrons

OA190: Good News, Everyone! (On Abortion Rights & More)

Today's episode -- at long last -- brings us some good news from two rather unlikely sources:  first, from the state of Iowa (regarding abortion rights), and second, from the Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee.  You won't believe your ears!

We begin, however, with a segment that's good news for everyone except Andrew:  yes, it's the ever-popular Andrew Was Wrong.  This time, Andrew owns up to a serious mistake regarding the fingerprinting regu...

TTTBE #83: Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas got this question correct, is on a three-question winning streak, and is now 46-for-83 (55.4%).

TTTBE #83: Full Text for Patrons

OA189: Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh

Today's Rapid Response Friday gives you a sneak preview of what to expect from the person we predict will become Donald Trump's next nominee to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

We discuss:

• Why it's likely to be Kavanaugh and not any of the other rumored contenders, especially flavor-of-the-minute Amy Coney Barrett
• Kavanaugh's view of the First Amendment's establishment clause and the future of Lemon v. ...
  2018-07-05 23:32:51 +0000 UTC View Post