Friday, June 27, 2008
Hitting Barack Bottom: Too Many Obamaisms
Obombre: That’s a Spanish-speaking male who supports Obama. Chris Wilson discusses how he plans to profit off hundreds of mashed up Obamaisms. (Listen to the segment. Check out “Obamamania.”)
Summary Judgment: Finding Amanda vs. Wall-E
Mark Jordan Legan sorts through the latest movies. Wall-E, an animated feature about a young robot searching for a home in outer space, draws rave reviews. Finding Amanda is a bit less satisfying. (Listen to the segment.)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Breakfast Table: Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Handgun Ban
In a dramatic 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court declared for the first time that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to self-defense and gun ownership. Will this put an end to handgun bans nationwide? Legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick breaks it down for Madeleine Brand. (Listen to the segment. ReadSlate’s “Breakfast Table” dialogue.)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Breakfast Table: Exxon Valdez Damages and Death Penalty for Rape
Justices slashed Exxon’s damages for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. They ruled that the amount was excessive under maritime law. Instead of $2.5 billion, Exxon now has to pay just $500 million. And in a 5-4 decision, justices banned the death penalty for people convicted of raping a child. The ruling emphasized that the death penalty is appropriate only in cases where the crime results in death. NPR hosts Madeleine Brand and Alex Cohen talk to legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick about both cases. (Listen to the segment. ReadSlate’s “Breakfast Table” dialogue.)
