OA384: Bridgegate Apparently Was Fine

Today’s episode updates you on all the recent goings-on at the Supreme Court, including the advent of new, social-distancing-approved oral arguments, the Court’s calendar, and today’s 9-0 reversal in Kelly v. U.S., the Bridgegate case. Oh, and while we’re at it, we also take on two lengthy Andrew Was (Sort of) Wrong segments! Phew!

We begin with a discussion of the new procedures for SCOTUS oral arguments, and give an apology to Clarence Thomas, who’s now engaged and asking questions after decades of silence on the bench. After that, it’s time to take a look at the SCOTUS calendar where we check out some suspicious timing regarding the non-release of the Title VII cases as well as 10 pending gun control cert petitions.

Then, it’s time for a deep dive into Kelly v. U.S., which we last covered in Episode 232. Andrew thought the 3rd Circuit’s analysis of “property” was plausible in that episode… and just got reversed 9-0 by a unanimous Supreme Court. Whoops!

As long as Andrew Was Wrong, how about we check back in on Andrew Yang’s lawsuit against the DNC, in which Yang (despite “not having a great case,” according to Andrew in Episode 382) nevertheless managed to secure an injunction from the Southern District of New York. Find out where this case is headed, what’s next, and why Andrew is STILL right, sort of….

Finally, Andrew Was… not wrong, exactly, but Flabbergasted that the American Bar Association reversed itself, finding Justin Walker “Well Qualified” for serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Andrew, on the other hand, continues to rate Walker “Not Qualified,” as per Episode 289.

After all that, it’s time for a brand-new #T3BE involving a nuisance plant next to a mini-golf park. Will Thomas’s winning streak continue?

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If you missed our live Q&A, you can check out the audio here!

Appearances

Andrew was just a guest on Episode 204 of The Daily Beans, talking justiciability. If you’d like to have either of us as a guest on your show, event, or in front of your group, please drop us an email at openarguments@gmail.com.

Show Notes & Links

  1. Click here to read the Supreme Court’s opinion in Kelly v. U.S., and here to listen to our coverage of the Third Circuit’s opinion in Episode 232.
  2. Check out the district court’s injunction in favor of Andrew Yang reinstating the New York Democratic primary.
  3. You can check out the ABA’s “Not Qualified” ranking of Walker in 2019 and match it against their new “Well Qualified” letter here. For more on why you should #OpposeJustinWalker, check out Episode 289.

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

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-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki

-Remember to check out our YouTube Channel  for Opening Arguments: The Briefs and other specials!

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!



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OA382: Bernie Sanders Was Right! (The DNC & Payday Lenders)

Today’s episode takes two deep dives — first, into New York’s cancellation of its Democratic Presidential Primary, and second, into the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and efforts by scumbag payday lenders to take your tax dollars despite being parasites.

We begin with a thorough examination of the DNC’s Delegate Selection Rules and the Call For Convention Rules and figure out whether Bernie Sanders can get to 25% — and why that matters. Learn why Andrew Yang’s lawsuit omits what Andrew thinks is the best argument — Rule 11.C — and exactly how it comes into play in terms of the candidates’ delegate count. We end with some optimism and a bold prediction by Andrew about the Biden campaign!

After that, it’s time for a deep dive into a provision of the CARES Act that we didn’t cover back in Episode 372, namely, the Paycheck Protection Program. How does it operate? And how are payday lenders operating on two fronts to try and take advantage of it? Listen and find out!

Then, it’s time for an all-new #T3BE about a libertarian tax protestor who sets fire to the Internal Revenue Code inside a government building. (We can’t make this stuff up.)

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Our next LIVE Q&A is scheduled for Friday, May 1, at 8 pm Eastern / 5 pm Pacific, and you can post and vote on which questions you want to see answered! And don’t forget that we’ve released Law’d Awful Movies #39, Class Action, starring Gene Hackman and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and featuring guest performer Matt Donnelly of the Ice Cream Social podcast!

Appearances

Andrew was just a guest on Episode 121 of the Skepticrat, talking about the abuse of the Paycheck Protection Program and other crazy legal stories in the news. And if you’d like to have either of us as a guest on your show, event, or in front of your group, please drop us an email at openarguments@gmail.com.

Show Notes & Links

  1. Click here to read Andrew Yang’s lawsuit against the DNC; here for the Delegate Selection Rules; and here for the Call For Convention Rules.
  2. This is the April 17, 2020 AP article suggesting that Biden may let Sanders keep his statewide delegates.
  3. Latest news regarding payday lenders: this April 29, 2020 New York Times article suggesting the fix was in at Trump’s CFPB, and former CFPB member Jonathan Lanning’s blockbuster 17-page email documenting the corruption.
  4. Here’s the list of SBA Section 7(a) lenders, and this is the relevant regulation, 13 CFR § 120.110(b).

-Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law

-Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs

-Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/, and don’t forget the OA Facebook Community!

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki

-Remember to check out our YouTube Channel  for Opening Arguments: The Briefs and other specials!

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!



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OA285: Tulsi Gabbard & Michael Flynn

Today’s instant-breaking episode takes a look at the significance of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn’s decision to fire his lawyers, Andrew’s buddies over at Covington & Burling. Oh, and we also take a semi-deep-dive into President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on “all goods” imported from Mexico. What does it all mean? Listen and find out!

We begin, however, with a slight preview of next week’s show, which will break down the impending tariffs on goods imported from Mexico. How is this like (or unlike) Trump’s decision to impose steel tariffs on China? You’ll have to listen and find out!

Then, it’s time for the main segment in which we learn that Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn has fired his lawyers at Covington & Burling? What does that mean? Only time will tell.

For the “C” segment, we break down the upcoming DNC debate, who’s qualified, and what legal remedies some of the “loser” candidates might have.

After all that, it’s time for #TTTBE involving torts, contributory negligence, and joint and several liability.

Appearances

None! If you’d like to have either of us as a guest on your show, drop us an email at openarguments@gmail.com.

Show Notes & Links

  1. We first discussed Trump’s tariffs on China in episode 162
  2. Trump’s statement on Mexican tariffs is here
  3. The prior authority relied upon by Trump is the IEEPA, 50 U.S.C. § 1702
  4. Click here to read a CNBC piece on the likelihood of a trade war.
  5. You can read Vol I. and Vol. II of the Mueller in searchable PDF.
  6. Here’s the evidence C&B was fired.
  7. Here are the DNC rules and you can check out “Bernie Sanders’s” failed lawsuit here.

-Support us on Patreon at:  patreon.com/law

-Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs

-Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/, and don’t forget the OA Facebook Community!

-For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki

-And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!




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