Blog – Page 5 – Phil Cline

Cline on the Constitution

May 31, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Judiciary

Freedom of the Press (to Slander, Publish Falsehoods and Lie?) Each day falsehoods, inaccurate information, fabrications and outright lies are published in the media about public officials and ordinary citizens who happen to end up in the public spotlight. The falsehoods are then republished. And republished. And republished. Spreading like a virulent cancer, they can destroy a person’s reputation […]

Cline on the Constitution

May 16, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Judiciary

The American Constitution and the English Common Law Supreme Court cases interpreting the Constitution make frequent forays into legal history. Not just U.S. history, but to English Common Law. For example, a case decision involving an ordinance prohibiting the open carrying of weapons such as hatchets and swords in England in the 17th century was recently cited in […]

Cline on the Constitution

May 2, 2021 by philcline in Bill of Rights / Blog / Cline on the Constitution

The last few months I’ve been concentrating on completing a couple of outside writing projects I started some time ago. In the meantime, as always, significant developments have begun to emerge in the world of Constitutional law. Let’s start to catch up a little. Any comments or suggestions are, as always, welcome. Now on to today’s entry. […]

The Fall

January 8, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings

From Richard III by William Shakespeare. “And every tongue brings in a separate tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain. . . . All several sins, all used in each degree, Throng to the bar, crying all, “Guilty! Guilty!” I shall despair; there is no creature loves me, And if I die no […]

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 […]

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 […]

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