News Stuff

[petermarcus]

The Medical Marijuana thing...from a purely political viewpoint, this is an amazingly interesting case. Rehnquist and Thomas -- two of the core conservative justices -- dissented. The Reagan-appointed O'Connor dissented as well, though she rides the fence a lot. Scalia, a very conservative justice, went with the majority...but wrote his own opinion basically saying that there was legal precedent involved in this sort of thing. One may argue of medical compassion or the use of drugs, but the ideological issue here that trumps everything else is federal power vs state/local rights. Which is why this isn't going to kill medical marijuana -- it's just going to be federally regulated and, most likely, taxed. I'd say things would probably stay unchanged for a while, as conservatives tend to be lax on the federal involvement, but we have neocons in the White House and Justice. Neocons are almost liberal in that they never met a situation that couldn't be improved with massive federal oversight.

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Dean is a nut. He's not going to last a year. If he does, he's not going to last the next landslide election in 2006.

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I almost don't care about the Michael Jackson verdict. I think he's guilty, so I'm hoping for a conviction. But even if he gets off (so to speak...), he's going to flee to Europe. So either way, he's out of our hair anyway and the average weirdness quotient of California will lower just a tiny, tiny fraction.

Comments

[macaholic.livejournal.com]

Must say we agree on the medical marijuana issue. Hadn't thought about it until you said something, but it makes sense.

As for Jackson...he may not get the opportunity to flee once the verdict is in, if he is in court at that time.

As for Dean....do you mean John "Dizzy" Dean? He has become so insulting that I would not be surprised to see an upsurge in radical republicanism as a result.

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure there will be a rise in GOP membership, but I wouldn't doubt a fall in Dem fundraising. And, perhaps, a surge in independents, which wouldn't be a bad thing.

[macaholic.livejournal.com]

nope.

[lvglenn.livejournal.com]

Though I haven't had the chance to read the opinions yet, I did note that Rhenquist and Thomas were part of the dissent and hoped that it meant that that part of the Court was speaking up for some limits on the federal government.

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the actual opinions -- they tend a bit too legalese for me. If you do read them, I'd be interested in your take on Scalia's solo opinion for the majority -- I've read he based it on precedent, but that there was a bit of a catch in it. Even the summary went over my head.

[cisforcorrie.livejournal.com]

I had a dream last night that MJ was found guilty and got 15 years, strange since I don't really care either.

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

A bit too much in the news lately -- sneaking into everyone's subconscious, I suppose ;)

[teaser.livejournal.com]

I also don't care either way the verdict goes with MJ. I just hope if he does flee somewhere it's not here. It's rumoured he's bought himself a very expensive Cape Town property (along with many other celebrities).

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

You know, I heard Africa too, and I couldn't imagine where. I don't see him living in Kenya. South Africa, though....maybe. He's too into the perks of modern civilization.

[teaser.livejournal.com]

We have all the modern conveniences here too :).

We have a constant flood of celebrities doing the "shark diving" experience and buying up of our prime beach properties. The most annoying is the African-americans who cme here and claim they're "home". Pfffffttt...They weren't even descended from blacks from South Africa...notice I didn't say "Africans"...I'm an African too, but I'm white.

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I mean -- South Africa is a big possibility. Quite modern. All the "Jesus Juice" wine should make him happy, too ;)

[bookstar.livejournal.com]

MJ won't flee to europe. he's too well-recognized, and the CIA would totally hunt him down & bring him back. if he's found guilty (which he will be), he'll suicide.

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

I agree about the suicide. If he's found innocent, I'm guessing he'll flee to Europe just to avoid an American civil trial a la OJ. No extradition for civil matters, usually.

[alexis-wren.livejournal.com]

I expected suicide years before this, back in the 80's, when his weird Howard Hughes-like phobias first made the press. Now, he just has more cause.

[behindtheview.livejournal.com]

see, i don't see suicide in him. he seems to be a strong person to me. granted i haven't talked to him personally, but yeah just don't see it. but i also don't think he will be found on anything except maybe that alcohol to aminor thing and get probation....

don't forget

[bookstar.livejournal.com]

he shared porn with the minors, too.

[alexis-wren.livejournal.com]

Well, I haven't been watching the case, and am only going from a vibe. I could be wrong. But to me, I think the only reason he hasn't attempted suicide is 1) Fear and 2) a strange narcissistic attitude that makes him think that he is a misunderstood genius..