OA477: No, Judges Should NOT Be Originalists

A recent episode of the Rationally Speaking Podcast featured Originalist Law professor William Baude arguing for why judges should be originalist. Needless to say, it was not a good case and strawman arguments abounded. Andrew is here to give us part 1 of the deep-dive that will set the record straight on why originalism is still bad.

Then we’ve got Ace Associate Morgan Stringer on for some pop-law! She gives us the breakdown on the lawsuits filed against DeShaun Watson which allege sexual assault.

Links: Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992), Gamble Decision with Thomas quote

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OA476: Sidney Powell’s Defense Is Even Worse Than You Think

Sidney Powell’s response to the Dominion Defamation suit is too batshirt to miss! Andrew brings us the full breakdown. Also, a jury has been selected in the Derek Chauvin trial so we’ve got some updates there. And finally, Andrew explains the gun control bills that have passed congress.

Links: Dominion response to Powell motion to extend time, Dominion complaint, Powell motion to dismiss, Minn. Sentencing Guidelines, Batson v. Kentucky (1986), Jurors In Derek Chauvin’s George Floyd Murder Trial, Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, Texas mass shooting, Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021

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OA475: Citibank’s $900 Million Oopsie

It’s a no takesies backsies deep dive! We all know the law is pretty reasonable and there’s no way you get to keep millions of dollars that a bank wires you by accident, right? Wellllllll ordinarily yes, but sometimes no! Andrew’s got the full breakdown on Citibank’s big oopsie.

Before that, we talk about Alan Dershowitz’s (s)hit new podcast and how he’s lying about the My Pillow guy.

Links: OA198: What Is Alan Dershowitz Thinking?, Former Trump lawyer Alan Dershowitz is advising MyPillow CEO

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OA474: FBI “Faked” Kavanaugh Investigation?!

Remember sniveling weasel Brett Kavanaugh and the serious allegations against him by Dr. Ford and how he was “cleared” by an FBI investigation into the matter? Well according to Sheldon Whitehouse, that investigation might have been not just inadequate but perhaps FAKE.
In our main story, Andrew breaks down the Ohio lawsuit attempting to block the American Rescue Plan. It involves a deep dive into anti-commandeering doctrine, which might not be what you think it is.

Links: FBI facing allegation that its 2018 background check of Brett Kavanaugh was ‘fake’, Whitehouse Releases Letter to Garland on Oversight Matters, OLC Politicization, Ohio attorney general sues Biden administration over $1.9 trillion stimulus

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OA473: In Praise of John Roberts and Joe Manchin?!

You read that right, and no it’s not opposite day! At least… I don’t think it is. Anyway, Manchin has said some things about the filibuster that are incredibly encouraging! We’ve got the full breakdown and a mini filibuster dive for you. Then in our main segment, Andrew breaks down a decision in which Roberts dissented from the entire court… and in Andrew’s opinion, he has it right!

Links: Brookings.edu, “The History of the Filibuster,”, 19-968 Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski

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OA472: The American Rescue Plan – You Made This Happen!

It’s here! The 1.9 trillion dollar package is officially passed! If you are one of the many listeners who donated time or money to getting Democrats to 50 seats, you truly did make this happen. Andrew did all the reading so you don’t have to! He breaks down what’s in this incredibly progressive plan.

Before that, we respond to lots of people asking “Didn’t Republicans fire the parliamentarian in 2000?” This objection to our minimum wage episode completely falls flat for several reasons.

Links: WaPo Parliamentarian Article, Lott to Oust Senate Parliamentarian Who Ruled Against GOP, WaPo How big is the Biden stimulus bill?

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OA471: Republican Lawyer Shouts Quiet Part on Voting Rights

At oral arguments before the Supreme Court, a lawyer for Republicans admitted that eliminating voting restrictions would put Republicans at a ‘competitive disadvantage.’ Will this startling admission jeopardize the case for Republicans? Find out! Before that, we cover some good news and bad news. Bad first – the Texas EO on masking is worse than you thought. Good news – HR1 the Equality Act is amazingly good legislation! It’s the jam packed Tuesday deep-dive you’ve come to expect from us!
Links: TX Executive Orders GA-32 and GA-34, TX Code 418, TX Executive Order GA-10, State Voting Bills Tracker 2021, Georgia HB 531, [Brnovich v. DNC] Consolidated Oral Argument, 52 U.S. Code § 10301

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OA470: Can Harris Just Overrule the Parliamentarian?

Leftist publications like Jacobin have been excoriating the Biden administration, and specifically VP Harris, for not simply overruling the Senate Parliamentarian to force the $15 minimum wage through. They argue this is something Republicans definitely would do if the situation were reversed. So… is all that true? Andrew is here to break it down for us!

Links: The Hill Cruz: Let’s overrule Senate officer to expand ObamaCare bill, Rules Of The Senate, 2 US Code Chapter 17, Byrd Rule 2 US Code § 644, The Tax Legislative Process: A Byrd’s Eye View, Andrew’s favorite plan

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OA469: The Batshirt Crazy ‘Latinos for Trump’ Lawsuit

Hooooo boy, have we got some legal craziness for you fine listeners! Disgraced lawyer who Instagramed his participation in an insurrection has filed a lawsuit that is essentially Latinos for Trump and a few other groups v. EVERYONE. Andrew had way too much fun diving into it! Before that, we have quite the deep-dive on hearsay related to a recent T3BE question. Turns out you can’t kill witnesses to get away with stuff? Who knew!

Links: Rule 801. Exclusions from Hearsay, Rule 802, Rule 803, Rule 804, Find A Lawyer | Paul MacNeal Davis, Goosehead Insurance, Sollenberger Tweet, Gondor has no King nonsense, Court sua sponte motion, amended complaint, Davis fire by basically everyone, LFT asks for more time, LFT motion for fees, supporting exhibit

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Transcript of OA467: Demolishing the Electoral College, with Lawrence Lessig

Listen to the episode and read the show notes

Topics of Discussion:

[Show Intro]

Thomas:         Hello and welcome to Opening Arguments, this is episode 467.  I’m Thomas, that’s Andrew, how’re you doing Andrew?

Andrew:         I am fantastic, Thomas, how are you?

Thomas:         I’m really good.  I’m comin’ off, you know-

Andrew:         [Laughs]

Thomas:         -an amazing episode that we did last Friday.  That was super cool, and we’ve got a really cool interview today.  We’re gonna be talking to Lawrence Lessig about, you know, getting rid of the electoral college, which is something that I’m pretty sure a very high percentage of our listeners would like to get rid of.  Probably in the 99s, percentage wise.

Andrew:         [Laughs] We may have some nostalgia fans.

Thomas:         Yeah.

Andrew:         We’ve got the hate listeners, we’ve got Uncle Frank, we’ve got that one guy that wanted to keep coming on promoting James Lindsey’s book.

Thomas:         [Laughs]

Andrew:         But [Laughing] other than that!  [Laughs]

Thomas:         Yeah.  Plus, there have been some people who are genuinely misinformed about this stuff.  They have an instinct for institutions, they have, you know, they don’t want to get rid of – they might have a certain fondness in their hearts for like, well, we shouldn’t get rid of these certain institutions that have been around, blah blah blah.  But when you look at the facts, this is not something that was intended by the Founders, even.  This is not something that is some age-old beloved thing with a time-honored tradition that makes sense, it’s a mess.

Andrew:         Yeah.  What I love about Professor Lessig is, I mean, he is out there actually litigating these issues, doing something about it.

Thomas:         Yeah.

Andrew:         Not just saying “hey – not just us.

Thomas:         Yeah, that’s what I’m doing!  [Laughs]

Andrew:         Hey it’d be really cool!  Yeah, me too!  To have a constitutional convention, but thinking okay, if we’re stuck with this system what are the things we can do to kneecap it?  I love – I can’t wait until we get a chance to talk to him.

Thomas:         Well, you’re in luck because we’re gonna hop on over right now-

Andrew:         Woo!

Thomas:         -and talk to Professor Lawrence Lessig.

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