The trial over Pistolvania's voter identification law (a law someone brilliantly described as "a bad solution looking for a problem") continues in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I would say that it's not going to end up well for the state, but you never know with these Commonwealth Court Judges.This is what Judge Simpson said:
"This is a high-profile case. There's a lot of anxiety here," he said. "There will be a lot of people very unhappy with my decision no matter what I do."
But, he said, "take heart," because the case will likely go to higher courts before it is over.
Oh ohh.
Anyway, I don't want to get into a lot of legalese, but the state has to show a compelling state interest if this law is to be upheld. This is the type of scrutiny that is applied to laws such as this that deals with voting rights.
The state is trying hard to show that they are doing everything in their power to insure that everyone will have access to proper state ID cards, and (probably realizing that it would be foolish to do so) are not even arguing that they are implementing these laws to prevent voter fraud.
Still, there is no denying that a million people will be affected if this law is passed, and these people will have their access to the ballot box denied. This would be sad for Pistolvania and for our country.
Most of the people affected by this law will be older, poorer, and browner, which would explain why republicans couldn't wait to pass it. One republican lawmaker here in Pistolvania, in an unguarded moment, even admitted the real reason for the law:
"The Pennsylvania law fanned partisan flames when Republican state House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, who helped pass the law, said at a party gathering: "Voter ID ... is going to allow [presumptive GOP presidential nominee] Gov. [Mitt] Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done."
Thank you for your honesty Mr. Turzai.
One thing you have to love about this case is one of the lead plaintiffs selected by the ACLU and the NAACP. Honestly, every time I see Viviette Applewhite I want to slap Tom Corbett and his republican pals upside their heads. And, if I am going to be honest, I want to slap some of you no good no voting Negroes as well. (How in the hell is this poor 93 year old woman going to find her birth certificate or a driver's license?) If Ms. Applewhite is willing to go through so much at 93 years old, why aren't more of you running to vote when you get the chance?
Anyway, it's interesting to note that our own Secretary of Commonwealth, Carol Aichele, doesn't even know what the damn law she is supposed to uphold, says.
"Secretary of Commonwealth Carol Aichele on the fifth day of a trial over Pennsylvania's voter identification law testified at one point that she didn't know what the law said.
She was asked about the details of the law by a lawyer for the plaintiffs, and at one point responded, "I don’t know what the law says,"
Yes Carol, but I am sure that you know what it will do.
First, let me rip LeBron just a little bit. Now I know, I know, it might have been totally innocent, and maybe you did just want to eat some chow together in the cafeteria. (Not exactly Nobu, but I suppose food is food.)Still, did you really have to...here, let me let you all read the story:
"He was rejected a championship for his first eight seasons in the NBA.
But who in their right mind would turn down a dinner invitation with King James (if you live outside of Cleveland that is)?
Well, someone with a curfew in the Olympic Village, it turns out.
Lauren Perdue, one of the top U.S. swimmers who swam the first leg of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, first sent out a tweet before the London Games acting flabbergasted when she apparently met a fellow, more recognized Olympian.
"Lebron James just invited me to dinner…Um wuuuutttt?!?" she tweeted.
The Charlotte Observer then reported that Perdue was officially asked to dinner on Wednesday.
"He was kind of joking," Perdue said. "But he was basically like, 'Would you like to come eat with me at the dining hall?' And I said, 'Um, I'm sorry, I have a curfew.'" [Story]
LeBron, I hope you see how these folks are clowning you, and girlfriend couldn't wait to blow up twitter to tell her followers that she turned you down.
Now here is the thing, why even put yourself in that position? Again, it might have been totally innocent, but come on man, you are LaBron freaking James! Spend a few weeks with your boys in London, get your ball on, collect your gold medal, and head back to South Beach. No need to blow up Missy's head with the invite.
Now let me rip the media here in Merica for a minute:
If LeBron's teammate, Kevin Love, had asked Lauren Perdue for a date and she cried curfew, would this be a major news headline? That was a rhetorical question; I think we all know the answer to that one.
Anyway LeBron, good luck explaining this to the Fiancé when you get back home. You just better be glad you play basketball and not golf. At least there won't be any clubs just lying around the house.
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