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High Court in the balance in election

By William Freivogel
Last Updated ( Friday, 25 July 2008 )

Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, foreclosures and $4-a-gallon gas are front-burner issues in the presidential campaign. But the biggest long-range impact of the November election may be on none of these issues. It may be on the U.S. Supreme Court where a McCain victory could mean a sharp right-turn.

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AG would limit GITMO habeas hearings

By William Freivogel
Last Updated ( Monday, 21 July 2008 )

Attorney General Michael Mukasey said Monday that Congress - rather than the courts - should determine what rights Guantanamo prisoners have in habeas corpus proceedings due them under last month's U.S. Supreme Court decision. Mukasey proposed a 6-part plan that would restrict rights. It would keep the prisoners out of the U.S. and limit their access to intelligence information.

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Nixon seeks special AG for Blunt email suit

By William Freivogel
Last Updated ( Friday, 18 July 2008 )

Attorney General Jay Nixon has asked a Cole County judge to appoint a special attorney general to pursue the lawsuit seeking Gov. Matt Blunt's emails. The judge had ruled a week ago that members of a 3-person investigative team appointed by Nixon did not have standing to pursue the case.

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Illinois resident can be held indefinitely as terrorist

By William Freivogel
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 16 July 2008 )

The federal appeals court in Richmond, Va. decided Tuesday that the president has the authority to indefinitely hold an accused terrorist, but the court also concluded that the government had to present proof that gave the accused Illinois resident a chance to defend himself. The decision is viewed more as a victory for the president than the accused terrorist.

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Spy bill passes: Xmas at White House; chaos at myobama

By William Freivogel
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 July 2008 )

The U.S. Senate passed a new foreign intelligence surveillance bill on Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Christopher S. "Kit" Bond, R-Mo., who described it as "a better deal than... even (the White House) had hoped to get," reassured Americans they only need to fear if they have al-Qaida on "speed dial." The ACLU calls it "Christmas" at the White House and Barack Obama's social networkers are up in arms.

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"Millionaire Amendment" decision shows O'Connor effect

By William Freivogel
Last Updated ( Friday, 04 July 2008 )

The Supreme Court's decision on the last day of the term to strike down the campaign finance law's "Millionaire's Amendment" didn't get much attention because of the gun decision. But the 5-4 ruling is an example of the kind of case where Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's replacement makes a difference. It also poses an interesting question: Is this pro-First Amendment decision liberal or conservative?

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African diary - Kenya

By William H. Freivogel
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 June 2008 )

Wiliam H. Freivogel relates his experiences as he travels in Ethiopia and Uganda as part of a group that held worshops with local journalists and local officials. The fifth and final installment looks at Kenya.

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African diary - Kampala

By William H. Freivogel
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 June 2008 )

Wiliam H. Freivogel relates his experiences as he travels in Ethiopia and Uganda as part of a group that held worshops with local journalists and local officials. The fourth installment is from Uganda.

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African diary - Lalibela

By William H. Freivogel
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 June 2008 )

Wiliam H. Freivogel relates his experiences as he travels in Ethiopia and Uganda as part of a group that held worshops with local journalists and local officials. The third installment is from Ethiopia.

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African diary - Bahir Dar

By William H. Freivogel
Last Updated ( Monday, 23 June 2008 )

Wiliam H. Freivogel relates his experiences as he travels in Ethiopia and Uganda as part of a group that held worshops with local journalists and local officials. The second installment is from Ethiopia.

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Video from Iraq

Read Marc Thayer's letters from Iraq

About the Author

William H. Freivogel is director of the School of Journalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Previously he worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for 34 years, serving as assistant Washington Bureau Chief and deputy editorial editor. He covered the U.S. Supreme Court while in Washington. He is a graduate of Kirkwood High School, Stanford University and Washington University Law School. He is a member of the Missouri Bar.

Links

Scotusblog

U.S. Supreme Court opinions

Missouri Supreme Court opinions

Illinois Supreme Court opinions

Election law

ACLU of Eastern Missouri

National ACLU newsroom

The Federalist Society

Wall Street Journal law blog

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