Monthly Archives: November 2008

International Law: Still Pretty Messy

On October 30th, Professor Combs gave the 2008 Blackstone lecture. The topic of her lecture was “Factfinding in International Criminal Law: The Appearance, the Reality, and the Future”. After a brief overview of the course modern international criminal law has … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign Affairs | Tagged | Comments Off

Replacing Guantanamo: Where Do We Go From Here?

Much of what Barack Obama intends to accomplish as president will have to abide by the rhythm of politics. Drafting new policies, gaining public and congressional support, and shepherding bills through the legislative process are the cost of doing business … Continue reading

Posted in Habeas Corpus, National Security | Tagged | Comments Off

What to Do with Detroit?

Automakers this week went before Congress to try to convince them that they needed a $25 billion bailout to avoid a massive disaster that would result in the loss of millions of American jobs.  Congress remained unmoved.  Congress gave the … Continue reading

Posted in economy, Energy Policy, Labor Law, Science/Technology | Tagged | Comments Off

Religion in Hospital Rooms, Making the Call on Life Support and Death

On Monday, a 12-year-old boy who had been kept alive on life support died in a D.C. hospital. Motl Brody had aggressive brain cancer and his family grabbed the media’s attention when they began working through the judicial system to … Continue reading

Posted in health | Tagged , | Comments Off

The Role of Gender in the 2008 Presidential Election

On Monday, November 17th, the William and Mary chapter of the American Constitution Society hosted Dr. Karen Beckwith, a prominent political scientist from Case Western Reserve University, for a discussion of the role of gender in determining the outcome of … Continue reading

Posted in ACS Activities, Election, Reproductive Rights | Tagged | Comments Off

Confrontation in a Scientific Age

Fingerprints, DNA, CSI.  These terms are ubiquitous after the turn of the century and they are undeniable tools that the State and defendants alike can use to argue in criminal cases.  Behind the data lies a methodology and behind the … Continue reading

Posted in Science/Technology, SCOTUS | Comments Off

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court struck down a California voter referendum banning same-sex marriage. It was a historic decision, and made California the second state to legalize gay marriage, after Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage in 2004. The … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Rights/Civil Liberties | Tagged , | Comments Off

Blocking of Coal Plant License Could Lead to Saving Our Coral Reefs

A recent decision by The Environmental Appeals Board blocked the EPA from issuing a license for a new coal plant addition in Vernal, Utah, near Salt Lake City. This one decision may seem insignificant on the surface, but it could … Continue reading

Posted in Energy Policy, Environment | Comments Off

Madness in Prison

The recent Innocence Project Symposium at William & Mary aimed to encourage greater public awareness of innocent prisoners, as these individuals are persistently ignored or overlooked.  Similarly, another group of incarcerated individuals receives very little attention:  the mentally ill.  Unfortunately, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off

Nobody Plays with Barbie

Fellow CivPro geeks will remember this opening line from Judge McKeown’s opinion in Christian v. Mattell, Inc. (9th Cir. 2003), “It is difficult to imagine that the Barbie doll, so perfect in her sculpture and presentation, and so comfortable in … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off