October 2010

Obama’s Courtroom Lawyer Overruled Fed on Appealing FOIA case to Supreme Court

Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) — The Obama Administration’s top courtroom lawyer directed the Federal Reserve to drop its plan to ask the Supreme Court to block the release of bank bailout records, according to a legal brief filed by a group of the biggest commercial banks. The Fed did not join the Clearing House Association LLC, a group of 20 banks, which appealed to the high court yesterday. The banks hope to reverse a lower court

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California appeals court rules media no right to records of investigation of alleged kidnapper’s parole

The Third District Court of Appeals ruled that under the state’s Public Records Act, the Inspector General did not have to release the details of an investigation of parole authorities who during Phillip Garrido’s parole did not discover details of the kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl. -db Metropolitan News-Enterprise October 27, 2010 By a MetNews Staff Writer The watchdog agency for the state prison and parole system has absolute discretion as to whether or not

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Judge rules Connecticut voters can don wrestling garb to vote

In a resounding blow for free expression, a federal judge has ruled that voters may wear the garb of their favorite wrestler as they go to the polls to vote for Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon whose husband is the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment. -db The Christian Science Monitor Commentary October 27, 2010 By Peter Grier If you’re a Stone Cold Steve Austin fan who’s registered to vote in Connecticut, we’ve got great news!

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Federal judge finds First Amendment violation in restrictions on Venice Beach vendors

A federal district judge ruled that a Los Angeles law regulating performers and vendors on the Venice Beach boardwalk violated free speech rights. -db Los Angeles Times October 26, 2010 By Andrew Blankstein A federal judge has issued a ruling that blocks portions of a Los Angeles ordinance designed to regulate performers and vendors along the Venice Beach boardwalk. U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson issued the preliminary injunction last week, effectively stating that the

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A&A: School personnel campaigning on public dime

Q: Can I request emails from the school district without using an attorney? I want to request emails between the superintendent and other employees, assistant superintendent and union reps, and board members and school employees? Reason: I have seen hard evidence that they are campaigning on school time, using equipment to run campaigning materials and requesting contributions for incumbents during school time. Please let me know. A: Members of the public can request public records

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