Topic: First Amendment

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Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 differences on women's issues

President Obama won the women’s vote four years ago, and he’ll need to again to win reelection, given Mitt Romney’s strength among male voters. Here are some of the women’s issues on which the candidates differ.
US Supreme Court: Big 21st century rulings

The past 12 years have seen significant US high court decisions with wide-ranging effects on personal freedoms and national politics. Another key ruling is expected this summer on President Obama's health-care reform law. Here are some recent top rulings, all decided by 5-to-4 votes.
Tyler Clementi and cyberbullying: how courts ruled in five other cases

The trial for the roommate of former Rutgers University Tyler Clementi will be watched by legal experts nationwide to see how the court addresses the growing issue of cyberbullying. Here is a list of court proceedings where cyberbullying or Internet privacy invasion was a key issue.
Extradition fight: Who is Julian Assange, why is Sweden seeking him?

A British court is hearing a final appeal from Julian Assange, the founder of the WikiLeaks whistleblower site, to avoid extradition to Sweden to face sex crime allegations. Here are four questions about the man and the case.

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Ground zero mosque flap: how Obama and Democrats can recover

Time to change the subject from the ground zero mosque controversy to something else, like jobs and the economy, say Democratic strategists. But the issue continues to draw comments from Democratic candidates.
Antigay church can protest military funerals, judge rules

Missouri violated free speech protections when it passed a law to prevent Westboro Baptist Church, known for its provocative antigay protests, from picketing military funerals, a federal judge ruled Monday.
Ground zero mosque debate echoes Europe's fears of Muslims

The US debate over the so-called ground zero mosque in New York tracks similar fights that have taken place in European capitals in recent years over national identity and the impact of growing Muslim populations.
Key Florida campaign-finance provision blocked by federal court

A panel of the Eleventh US Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction on a provision of Florida's campaign-finance law aimed at leveling the playing field for candidates, citing free-speech rights.
Shirley Sherrod: Does she have a case against Andrew Breitbart?

Shirley Sherrod said Thursday that she 'will definitely sue' Andrew Breitbart over the video that falsely portrayed her as a racist. The lawsuit could be a landmark for the blogosphere.
The Monitor's View: What next after Democrats fail at campaign finance reform

Senate Republicans this week halted the Democrats' drive toward campaign finance reform. Democrats can revive their attempt to bring needed transparency to corporate and union spending on campaign ads by compromising and reaching out to moderate Republicans.
A final lesson from the Gulf: keeping corporations accountable

If we want corporations to maintain accountability for tragedies like the Gulf oil spill, we have to force them to do so through laws that are fully enforced and penalties higher than the economic benefits of thwarting the laws.
WikiLeaks Q&A with Daniel Ellsberg, the man behind the Pentagon Papers

Daniel Ellsberg, the man behind the most significant leak in Pentagon history – the 1971 Pentagon Papers – spoke to the Monitor about how important the WikiLeaks documents are and whether WikiLeaks is the Afghanistan war's Pentagon Papers.
Daniel Schorr, longtime television news reporter, dies Friday

Daniel Schorr passed away Friday in Washington, DC. Daniel Schorr was a columnist for the Christian Science Monitor and worked at NPR after a long career at CBS News.
Opinion: Supreme Court's hard line on supporting terrorists is the right line

The court’s Holder ruling was a crucial victory in the fight against terrorism.
Is FCC 'running wild' with its big fines for 'fleeting expletives'?

A court has ruled that the FCC has to reconsider its fines for unplanned expletives blurted out on live broadcasts. The ruling comes as media experts debate whether the FCC should have a role in the Internet world.
Supreme Court: Law school not obliged to recognize Christian group

A California law school is under no constitutional obligation to grant the Christian Legal Society status as an official student group, the Supreme Court ruled Monday. The school had withheld such status because of the group's exclusion of gays as members.
Handgun ban no more? Big Supreme Court victory for gun owners

Handgun ban: The Supreme Court has ruled that Americans have the right to own a handgun anywhere they live.
How Elena Kagan worked to limit military recruiting at Harvard

Elena Kagan, Supreme Court nominee, said she 'abhorred' the Pentagon's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy banning gays from serving openly. In her confirmation hearings, critics will focus on her efforts to limit military recruiting at Harvard.
Who's exempted from 'fix' for Supreme Court campaign finance ruling?

The House passed the Disclose Act Wednesday. The act addresses the Supreme Court ruling that struck down campaign finance spending limits on corporations. But some organizations, like the NRA, are exempt. The bill faces a tough fight in the Senate.
Supreme Court on transparency vs. anonymous speech

Thursday's Supreme Court decision about a gay marriage case sheds interesting light on America's political values.
Sign a political petition? Supreme Court says the public can know.

The case centered on a Washington State referendum on a domestic partnership law. Fear of harassment, the Supreme Court ruled, is not enough to keep petition signers anonymous.
Supreme Court ruling barring aid to terrorist groups: why some lament it

Humanitarian and peace organizations say their direct interaction with violent or terrorist groups is vital to intervention efforts. The Supreme Court decision Monday means they do it at their peril.
Supreme Court upholds controversial part of Patriot Act

On Monday, the Supreme Court upheld a statute – part of the Patriot Act – that outlaws the provision of 'material support' to terror groups. Such support includes assistance that might nudge a group toward nonviolence.
iPhone app campaigning? Candidates turning to phone apps

iPhone apps, maintaining a Facebook page, and Twitter feed have become standard practice for political candidates seeking to get their message out.
Did Democrats' deal with the NRA kill campaign finance reform?

At issue is a deal brokered by the House Democratic leadership to exempt the powerful National Rifle Association and others from disclosure requirements in a new campaign finance law.
The Monitor's View: Congress can't play favorites with the NRA in campaign reform

An attempt in Congress to carve an exemption for the National Rifle Association (NRA) in a campaign-reform bill only adds to the anti-incumbent mood in America.
The Monitor's View: California's move to 'top two' primaries: An end to political parties?

California voters approved Prop. 14 on Tuesday, allowing the top two candidates in a primary to advance to the general election -- regardless of party. Backers say it will produce moderate elected officials. Perhaps. But it may also move the state away from the party system.
Opinion: 'Everybody Draw Mohammad Day': What's a Muslim-American to think?

'Everbody Draw Mohammad Day' sparked outrage in the Muslim world and Pakistani ban on Facebook. A Muslim-American explains why the idea is so offensive to her and Muslims worldwide.
Questions Elena Kagan has already answered

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan lacks a paper trail. But her Senate confirmation hearing last year for solicitor general offers a preview of what's to come.