Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Handgun Ban
The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a District of Columbia ban on handguns within city limits. In the case District of Columbia v. Heller the Court ruled 5-4 that the District of Columbia had exceeded the limits of reasonable weapons restrictions by imposing an outright ban on handguns. The majority on the court stated that the ban conflicted with the 2nd Amendment, which allows for guns to be used for self-defense in the home.
The minority opinion argued against the "self-defense" argument, stating that the 2nd Amendment makes no mention of self-defense, and that the law allowed for other means of self-defense, including rifles and shotguns. This is the first Supreme Court case addressing the question of whether the Amendment applies specifically to individuals or to a collective group acting as a "militia."
Do you agree with the Supreme Court's decision?
YES, I AGREE with the Supreme Court's decision
NO, I DISAGREE with the Supreme Court's decision.
Hearings on Internet Regulation
In the wake of an online advertising partnership between Yahoo! and Google, a House subcommittee held a hearing on the possibility of increasing Internet regulation to prevent the companies from gaining dominance over that area of the Internet. Small Business Regulations chairman Charles Gonzalez worried that the partnership could be bad for online competition.
Internet businessmen at the hearing cautioned against stringent regulation, arguing that online dominance rarely lasts for long and that online industry could be harmed if tampered with too forcefully.
Should Congress enact tougher laws to control online competition?
YES, Congress should prevent large online companies from dominating the Internet
NO, Congress should let online competition run its course
McCain Proposes Award for Next-Generation Battery
On Monday Senator John McCain stated that if he wins the presidential election, he will propose a $300,000,000 award for the auto company that develops an engine that helps America escape its dependence on oil. A press release from his campaign announced:
"A $300 million prize should be awarded for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars. That battery should deliver a power source at 30 percent of the current costs. At $300 million, the prize is one dollar for every man, woman and child in this country -- and a small price to pay for breaking our dependence on oil."
Tell Congress and the administration what you think of Senator McCain's proposal.
FISA Deal Struck for Telecom Companies
On Thursday Congress struck a compromise on foreign intelligence surveillance legislation and the status of lawsuits against telecommunications companies that helped the government with warrantless wiretapping activities. The House passed the bill 293-129. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill Monday. Under the deal, the liability of companies would be decided on by a federal district court, with the administration being required to submit a certificate to the court stating that:
a) There was no participation in the program on the part of the company
b) The company participated only after being assured by the administration that the activity was legal
Should the court find a certificate to be valid, it would be required to dismiss the case, a provision immunity opponents say practically guarantees dismissal. What do you think?
SUPPORT the bill allowing immunity for telecom companies
OPPOSE the bill allowing immunity for telecom companies
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