The debate over voter ID laws has been ongoing with many citizens buying into the Republican hype that an ID is needed to buy beer. And so, what’s wrong with needing ID to vote? Comparing buying beer and alcohol to voting is worse than comparing apples to oranges. It’s non even a fruit. Buying beer and voting have nothing in common. Our democracy is based on voting and not buying beer. The U.S. constitution protects the right to vote. But to hear Republicans, you’d think that buying beer and voting are one and the same when it comes to the requirement of an ID. One Republican lawmaker, broke ground with his party on the beer and vote comparison. Just last week, Michigan Republican governor Rick Snyder surprised his party and Democrats when he vetoed the voter ID law passed by the state legislature. Governor Snyder vetoed the bill that would have set tighter voter ID and citizenship requirements and restricted voter registration. He is the first governor to stand up to his … [Read more...] about Why is Buying Beer Different from Voting?
Archives for July 2012
Will George Zimmerman Lie Again?
The one piece of advice that I always tell my clients is to tell the truth. It seems rather simple but a few clients, who are too smart for their own good, think they can outsmart the system, the opposing counsel, the court and even their own attorney. Often times, the George Zimmermans of the world think that they know their case better than anyone, when it comes down to how to handle the situation. And as we can see from George Zimmerman, lying never works out well. The one thing that I give credit to George Zimmerman is now I can use him as an example to my clients. I can now advise them that they don’t want to do a Zimmerman and get hit with the wrath of the judge. On July 5, 2012, Judge Kenneth R. Lester, Jr. wrote a scathing nine page opinion on Zimmerman’s bail hearing. In it, Judge Lester soundly told Zimmerman that he believed that Zimmerman and his wife intended to flee with the passport and money in the accounts, if he didn’t have the electronic monitoring … [Read more...] about Will George Zimmerman Lie Again?
Our Founding Fathers Were Not Perfect
Our country celebrated her birthday on July 4th –Independence Day. She turned 236 years old. As we reflect on the 4th of July, let’s remember that our nation has evolved and is still evolving in freedom. Our founding fathers denied freedom for blacks and women. Blacks who were enslaved were counted as less than a whole person. Women were denied the right to vote in the government. When I hear conservatives say they want to take our country back, I wonder how far back they want to take us. Our founding fathers, who drafted the U.S. Constitution, in the years following the 1776 Declaration of Independence, wanted “to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence (sic), promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty.” The U.S. Constitution has added 27 amendments since the original signing with the first 10 amendments designated as the Bill of Rights. Some of those amendments granted voting rights for … [Read more...] about Our Founding Fathers Were Not Perfect
Happy Fourth of July!
A new LegalSpeaks post will print on Thursday, July 5, 2012. Happy 4th of July to All! Our nation is 236 years old today. And we have come a long way from the days of our Founding Fathers but we still have a long way to go. Happy Birthday America! … [Read more...] about Happy Fourth of July!
Why George Zimmerman Will Not Get Out of Jail
Following his second bail hearing last week, George Zimmerman is back in jail, waiting to see if his request for bail will be granted by Judge Kenneth R. Lester. There are indications to suggest that Zimmerman will remain in jail until his trial in the Trayvon Martin case. Bail hearings are for the sole purpose to determine if the defendant is a flight risk or a danger to society. Another key element is the strength of the prosecution’s case. Zimmerman is charged with 2nd degree murder which also bears on the bail. Yet, another issue is the defendant abiding by the court’s orders, if released on bail. At Zimmerman’s first hearing, based on what we now know to be lies, he was granted a $150,000 bail. And ironically, Zimmerman’s lawyers now request that he be freed again on the same amount of bail--$150,000. He can’t possibly expect to be released on the same amount of bail after having found out to be a liar. To be released on the same low bail, would make a mockery of the … [Read more...] about Why George Zimmerman Will Not Get Out of Jail