{"id":10292,"date":"2013-04-20T01:35:50","date_gmt":"2013-04-20T08:35:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=10292"},"modified":"2013-04-20T01:35:50","modified_gmt":"2013-04-20T08:35:50","slug":"open-thread4202013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2013\/04\/20\/open-thread4202013\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–4\/20\/2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

I wish I had some good personal news, but yesterday my COPD was very severe.<\/font><\/p>\n

Jig Zone Puzzle<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s took me 4:02 (average 4:50).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Short Takes<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

From NBC<\/a>: <\/font>The arrest of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ended the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers, but it set in motion an equally intense phase of the case that will begin with the grilling of the man who \u2013 for now at least \u2013 is the only surviving suspect.<\/p>\n

An indication of the complex investigation ahead came Friday night, when an Obama administration official told NBC News that Tsarnaev would not be given a Miranda warning when he is physically able to be interrogated after receiving medical treatment.<\/p>\n

Instead, the official said, the government will invoke a legal rule known as the "public safety exception," which will enable investigators to question Tsarnaev without first advising him of his right to remain silent and to be afforded legal counsel.<\/p>\n

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Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news<\/a>, world news<\/a>, and news about the economy<\/a><\/p>\n

Republicans are screaming to try Tsarnaev as an enemy combatant, stripping him of virtually all rights afforded criminal suspects by the Constitution. Using the Public Safety Exception is also wrong. The worst domestic terrorist in US history, Timothy McVeigh, whom Republicans have celebrated by scheduling Open Carry events on an anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing, was read his Miranda Rights, as is the right thing to do. So should Tsarnaev. As for Republican military tribunals, considering their almost universal record of failure, as opposed to civilian courts\u2019 universal record of success, when trying terrorism suspects, I’m glad DOJ is defying the Republican Party and going the civilian court route.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Think Progress<\/a>: <\/font><\/p>\n

Three times in American history, the loser<\/a><\/font> of the<\/a><\/font> national popular vote<\/a><\/font> became President of the United States \u2014 most recently when George W. Bush entered the White House with an assist from his fellow conservatives on the Supreme Court<\/a><\/font>. Meanwhile, even in elections where the American people ultimately see their choice become president, candidates focus their efforts on just a handful of key swing states \u2014 Ohio, Florida, Colorado, etc. \u2014 while largely ignoring most of the country. If a plan passed by the Oregon House yesterday becomes sufficiently widespread, however, these practices will end and future presidents will be determined solely according to the will of the voters<\/a><\/font>:<\/font><\/p>\n

The legislation would <\/font>require Oregon to cast its seven Electoral College ballots for the candidate who wins the national vote, rather than the one who gets the most votes in Oregon.<\/strong><\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

It would take effect only if a compact is enacted in states with a majority in the electoral college<\/font><\/strong><\/span>.<\/font><\/p>\n

Nine states with 132 electoral votes have enacted it, about half of the 270 needed to win the presidency.<\/font><\/p>\n

In addition to preventing incidents like the 2000 election, where the loser of the popular vote becomes the winner of the only vote that matters, this National Popular Vote plan would also prevent Republicans from enacting two plans<\/a><\/font> they\u2019ve proposed to rig the Electoral College<\/a><\/font>.<\/font><\/p>\n

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This is the plan I’ve supported for years, because it makes all states and all voters equal.  For more info visit National Popular Vote<\/a>.  Kudos to Oregon.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Bill Moyers Journal<\/a>: <\/font>Biologist, mother and activist Sandra Steingraber joins Bill to talk about the need to build awareness about toxins that contaminate our air, water and food \u2014 and threaten our children\u2019s health. With government captured by the very industries it\u2019s supposed to regulate, Steingraber says she\u2019s lost patience with politicians and corporations, and the time for direct action is now.<\/p>\n

Steingraber also talks to Bill about her arrest for illegally blocking the driveway of a natural gas company<\/a> as part of a protest against the controversial energy extraction process known as fracking. Steingraber went to jail on April 17, the day after this conversation was taped. She is currently serving a 15-day sentence.<\/p>\n