2020 – Phil Cline

The Texas Lawsuit

December 13, 2020 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Judiciary / Presidency

So, what was the Texas lawsuit all about? With one or two exceptions, I haven’t paid very close attention to the lawsuits filed in some states on behalf of President Trump challenging the election results. A couple of reasons. First, as a former prosecutor, I’m familiar with what it takes to put together an actual […]

You Should Not Have Said That

December 9, 2020 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Short Stories

“Well, you were wrong,” said the young man, “You know you were wrong.” His older companion shook his head. “But People take it the wrong way. Sure, that’s what I said, but, really, it was nothing.” “They heard you. You should not have said that.” “Okay. Okay. But, you know, People jump to conclusions. They get offended for no good […]

One-Man Rule

November 21, 2020 by philcline in Bill of Rights / Blog / Cline on the Constitution

Cline on the Constitution – One Person Rule And so, this is how it happens. How we forget what it’s like to live in a democracy. We simply get used to it. We accept being told what to do, what rules we must follow. Not laws mind you, not legal codes introduced in a legislature, debated and voted […]

The Lefthander

October 24, 2020 by philcline in Poetry

I wrote this a while ago. For my generation, watching baseball brings back a time when there were not as many rules, not a lot of refinements, no shifts, no designated hitters, no endless stats. But there was still poetry on the diamond and glory, short-lived, but real. Left Hander In the center of grassy ball fields […]

Religious Schools and the First Amendment

October 11, 2020 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Religion

Cline on the Constitution: Religious Schools This is the third segment on religious liberty cases decided last term by the Supreme Court. Each case was met with the usual gnashing of teeth by those who bemoan any perceived chink in what to them is the sacred “Wall of Separation” between Church and State. In previous postings […]

Presidential Succession

October 5, 2020 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Congress / Presidency

Cline on the Constitution Presidential Succession The President has the Covid. He’s sick and in the hospital. According to expectations, medical and otherwise, there is a 95% chance he will okay. He’s expected to be discharged any day now. But what if he suffers a turn for the worse? Well, the Vice President seems healthy enough. So far, so good. But the […]

Religious Tests

September 27, 2020 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Judiciary

Cline on the Constitution – Religious Tests I posted this discussion right after Amy Barrett appeared in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee after she was nominated for the Federal Appellate Court. There is a high expectation that this outstanding woman will be smeared and vilified in the coming weeks, including undergoing sustained attacks based upon […]

Wall of Separation

September 12, 2020 by philcline in Bill of Rights / Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Religion

Cline on the Constitution – It was not meant to be a Prison Wall A Four-Part Series on Religious Liberty My last post covered the origin of the phrase “Wall of Separation Between Church and State.” Although the language does not appear in the Constitution, the Supreme Court has sometimes used the metaphor to describe […]

Wall of Separation-Introduction

September 10, 2020 by philcline in Bill of Rights / Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Religion

Cline on the Constitution – It is not supposed to be a Prison Wall Introduction The Supreme Court this term issued decisions in three cases directly addressing religious liberty. A fourth presages a future case that may be a harbinger for the resolution of the growing conflict between religious freedom and gay rights. No discussion of […]

A Deal’s a Deal’s

August 23, 2020 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Congress

Cline on the Constitution Hey Oklahoma, A Deal’s a Deal! Or is it? After my usual Summer hiatus, I am happily turning back to take a closer look at some of the Major Supreme Court cases decided last term. There are some good ones to explore before the new term opens in October. Let’s start with something fun, […]

Year: 2020