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Biden Unveils A Proposal To Establish Term Limits For The Supreme Court

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Biden | AP News image

Washington  — President Joe Biden has launched a long-awaited proposal for changes to the United States Supreme Court, urging Congress to create term limits and an enforceable ethics code for the court’s nine members. He’s also urging Congress to pass a constitutional amendment that limits presidential immunity.

The White House disclosed the details of Biden’s court proposal on Monday. With only 99 days until Election Day, it appears to have little chance of passing through a deeply divided Congress.

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Biden | AP News image

Biden Unveils A Proposal To Establish Term Limits For The Supreme Court

Still, Democrats hope it will help voters focus as they make their choices in a close election. The likely Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, who has sought to portray her run against Republican ex-President Donald Trump as “a choice between freedom and chaos,” has questioned the court’s fairness in light of recent judgments.

The White House is hoping to capitalize on Democrats’ mounting fury over the court’s 6-3 conservative majority, which has issued opinions overturning landmark abortion rights and government regulatory powers that have lasted for decades.

Liberals have also expressed concern over revelations of questionable relationships and choices made by some members of the court’s right side, which they claim undermine their impartiality.

“I have great respect for our institutions and the separation of powers,” Biden writes in a Washington Post op-ed published Monday. “What is going on currently is not normal, and it affects public trust in the court’s decisions, even those affecting personal liberties. “We are now in a breach.”

Harris later said that the American people must believe in a Supreme Court plagued by ethics scandals and judgments contradicting long-standing precedent. She stated that the proposed reforms “will help to restore confidence in the Court, strengthen our democracy, and ensure that no one is above the law.”

The president planned to discuss his proposal later Monday during a talk at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas, commemorating the Civil Rights Act’s 60th anniversary.

Biden proposes eliminating lifetime appointments to the court. He believes Congress should approve legislation establishing a system in which the sitting president appoints a justice every two years for an 18-year term on the court. He says that term limits would assist in ensuring that court membership changes regularly and stabilize the nomination process.

He also wants Congress to enact legislation to create a court code of ethics that would force justices to disclose gifts, refrain from public political participation, and recuse themselves from cases in which they or their wives have financial or other conflicts of interest.

Biden is also urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court’s recent landmark immunity decision, which found that former presidents had extensive immunity from prosecution.

That judge extended the delay in the Washington criminal case against Trump on allegations that he attempted to overturn his 2020 presidential election defeat, effectively ending the former president’s chances of being tried before the November election.

According to polls, Americans support reducing the time judges can serve on the Supreme Court. Last summer, a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research revealed that 67% of Americans, including 82% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans, backed a plan to limit the number of years that justices can serve instead of life terms.

The first three justices who may be affected by term restrictions are on the right. Justice Clarence Thomas has served on the bench for nearly 33 years. Chief Justice John Roberts has served for 19 years, while Justice Samuel Alito has served for 18.

From its inception until 1970, Supreme Court judges served an average of 17 years, according to Gabe Roth, executive director of the Fix the Court organization. Since 1970, the average has been approximately 28 years. Both conservative and liberal politicians have supported term limits.

“If justices have this much power, then they should be individuals who reflect America as it currently is, not the America of 30 or 40 years ago, the dead hand of the president who appointed them still influencing policy,” according to Roth.

Meanwhile, an enforcement mechanism for the Supreme Court’s code of ethics might move the justices closer to other federal judges, who are subject to a disciplinary system in which anybody can make and examine a complaint. An investigation may result in censure and reprimand. Last week, Justice Elena Kagan became the first justice to publicly advocate for creating a mechanism to implement the new ethics code.

However, establishing an ethics code enforcement system for the Supreme Court is more complex than it may appear.

According to Stephen Gillers, a legal ethics specialist at NYU School of Law, the attorney general has always had the authority to prosecute violations of the financial and gift disclosure laws, but he has never utilized that power against federal judges.

Meanwhile, the group that oversees lower court judges is led by Roberts, “who might be reluctant to use whatever power the conference has against his colleagues,” Gillers added in an email.

It has been 32 years since Congress ratified a constitutional amendment. The 27th Amendment, approved in 1992, specifies that Congress can pass a measure modifying the salary of members of the House and Senate, but such a change cannot go into effect until after the next November House elections.

Trump has slammed judicial reform as Democrats’ desperate attempt to “play the ref.”

“The Democrats are seeking to disrupt the presidential election and undermine our justice system by targeting their political opponent, ME, and our Honourable Supreme Court. We must battle for our fair and independent courts while also protecting our country,” Trump said on his Truth Social page earlier this month.

Following revelations about some justices, like Thomas accepting luxurious trips from a GOP megadonor, doubts about the court’s ethics have grown.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, chosen during the Obama administration, has drawn criticism after it was revealed that her staff frequently pressured public organizations that hosted her to purchase copies of her memoir or children’s books.

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Biden | AP News image

Biden Unveils A Proposal To Establish Term Limits For The Supreme Court

Alito rebuffed requests to stand down from Supreme Court cases involving Trump and Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection suspects, despite a controversy over provocative flags posted at his houses, which some felt signaled sympathy for those charged with assaulting the U.S. Capitol to retain Trump in power. Alito claims his wife displayed the flags.

Democrats said Biden’s attempt would help shine a harsh light on recent Supreme Court decisions, such as the 2022 ruling that removed women’s constitutional abortion protections by the conservative-majority court, which includes three justices chosen by Trump.

The announcement is a significant shift for Biden, who, as a candidate, had been cautious of proposals to alter the Supreme Court. But, throughout his presidency, he has become increasingly public about his conviction that the court has abandoned conventional constitutional interpretation.

Last week, he stated in an Oval Office speech that he would pursue Supreme Court reform during his final months in office, calling it “critical to our democracy.”

SOURCE | AP

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Suddenly, After Several Seasons, Gary Oldman’s TV Series ‘Slow Horses’ Gets Some Emmy Love

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NEW YORK — Jackson Lamb is an Englishman who solves mysteries, but he is not your normal sophisticated, attractive character. One clue is that he frequently and noisily passes petrol.

Lamb, played by Gary Oldman, is the beating heart of Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses,” a critical darling that seemed to have acquired popularity in the United States just recently, now in its fourth season. After being ignored at the Emmys for two seasons, it now has nine nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.

“I think it’s been a slow burn,” adds Oldman, who received an Emmy nomination for Lamb. “More people are now approaching me and saying, ‘I like the show.'” I’ve become that guy on television, which I truly enjoy.”

Lamb is the comically rude head of a gang of despondent British spies known as the “Slow Horses” because they work at the humble Slough House, far from the sparkling center of power in London. They’ve jeopardized their careers in a variety of ways, including botching surveillance missions, developing gambling addictions, and leaving a top-secret file on a train.

Suddenly, After Several Seasons, Gary Oldman’s TV Series ‘Slow Horses’ Gets Some Emmy Love

Lamb’s hair is messy and oily. He wears a shabby, muddy raincoat, and his stocking feet are always up on his desk. He smokes excessively, drinks scotch on the job, is violently un-politically correct, and is frank to the point of rudeness. His voicemail reads: “This is Lamb.” If I did not respond, it is because I do not wish to speak with you.

He’s also extremely loyal to his squad and possesses the sharpest — but dirty — knife in the drawer. He can tell someone’s wage just by looking at their footprint and is at least three steps ahead of everyone else. He refuses to follow the rules, displaying a petulant middle finger to the establishment.

“If there’s a sign that says ‘No smoking,’ Lamb will smoke,” stated Oldman. “He’s only a bloody pig. We just enjoy watching. Perhaps we’d want to be so direct.”

Will Smith, the showrunner and executive producer, says we’re meeting Lamb late in his career after he’s run afoul of the hierarchy and been fired by others.

“He is a puzzle. He is an enigma because he is unlike anything you’ve seen. “I believe the character is intriguing on that level,” adds Smith. “You’re meeting him at the end of his arc — he’s burned out — and then you’re kind of unpacking what made him this way and given little glimpses of the man he was and can be when he when he has to be.”

Many of the series’ most delectable scenes occur when Lamb encounters his antagonist, the flawlessly coiffed Diana Taverner, played by Kristin Scott-Thomas, who is in many ways Lamb’s polar opposite: courteous, diplomatic, and aspiring to the top of MI5.

The series also features Jack Lowden, Jonathan Pryce, Christopher Chung, Rosalind Eleazar, Aimee Ffion Edwards, Kadiff Kirwan, and Saskia Reeves. Mick Jagger, who co-wrote the theme song, is one of the novels’ most prominent fans.

“Slow Horses” is about underdogs, and the series should emerge from the cold to be recognized at the Emmys.

“It’s a good thing when the reviews come in and people appreciate it and, and it and it gets a nod,” Oldman asserts.” He’s excited to catch up with his co-stars on Sunday over a table “and have a laugh.”

“Slow Horses” is based on Mick Herron’s Slough House novels, and Oldman gives Herron enormous credit for inventing such a fun Lamb. “I just immediately responded to it,” the actor admits.

Critics have fallen under its spell, with the Los Angeles Times questioning the attention and accolades: “What took so bloody long?” According to Empire magazine, Oldman steals “every scene he’s in, either with acidic sardonics or acid indigestion.”

“Lamb is about as far away from the tuxedo-wearing, Savile Row-tailored James Bond as you can get and yet, he’s the best spy we’ve had on screen for years,” according to New Musical Express.

Suddenly, After Several Seasons, Gary Oldman’s TV Series ‘Slow Horses’ Gets Some Emmy Love

Smith is feeling the love, which is a lovely tailwind as the show’s actors wrap out season five.

“There are a lot of evangelical fans out there who have done an excellent job of attracting an audience. “It seems to have reached a critical mass,” he says.

Oldman has created several notable characters, including Sid Vicious, Lee Harvey Oswald, Count Dracula, and Winston Churchill. “In terms of characters that I’ve played, he’s up there,” adds the actor.

This is not Oldman’s first spy role; he previously played John Le Carré’s far more refined George Smiley. “Some wit said I’d gone from George Smiley to George Smelly, which I which I wish I’d thought of,” according to him.

SOURCE | AP

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Justin Timberlake Admits Guilt to Impaired Driving and Pays a $500 Fine.

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(VOR News) – Justin Timberlake’s guilty plea to driving under the influence on Friday concluded the criminal case that originated from his detention in the Hamptons of New York in June.

The actor and former member of the boy band appeared in Sag Harbour Village Court to register a new plea.

Timberlake was also required to issue a public safety announcement by the judge, in addition to a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge and 25 hours of community service at the nonprofit of his choosing.

Timberlake issued an apology for his conduct and maintained his composure throughout the event. He maintained that his childhood in a small community had enabled him to comprehend the influence of his arrest on Sag Harbour. He asserted that he had ample time to contemplate his actions.

“I failed to meet the expectations I set for myself,” said the individual.

Timberlake expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to participate and stated that he aspires to leverage his influence to help others make “better decisions.” He confessed to the magistrate, “I should have exercised more foresight.” “I recognise how serious this is.”

A judge enquired about the plea agreement.

Judge Carl Irace expressed his dissatisfaction with the plea agreement that the prosecution had proposed. He questioned the appropriateness of Justin Timberlake’s forthcoming public statement, which was scheduled to be released shortly following judicial proceedings.

He alleged that he was incorporating community service requirements into the sentence to compensate for the shortage of time he had to reflect on his actions.

The pop artist initially entered a not guilty plea to a misdemeanour allegation of driving while intoxicated during a hearing last month, which resulted in the suspension of his driving licence.

The prosecution, which is being led by Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, and Justin Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke, declined to provide any commentary prior to the hearing.

Timberlake was apprehended in Sag Harbour, New York, shortly after midnight on June 18. According to reports, he is accused of violating a stop sign in the village centre, exiting his BMW with an alcoholic odour, and driving out of his lane.

Police characterised the 43-year-old Tennessee native’s eyes as “bloodshot and glassy” in court documents. They also noted that he had “slowed speech,” was shaky on his feet, and performed poorly on all sobriety tests. Justin Timberlake informed the officer that he was returning home with some friends after consuming a single martini, according to the police.

Sag Harbour, a former whaling village that is mentioned in Herman Melville’s renowned novel “Moby-Dick,” is situated in the Hamptons, a region of beachfront municipalities situated approximately 100 miles (160 km) east of New York City.

Justin Timberlake’s legal consequences beyond New York

A legal expert stated on Monday that Justin Timberlake’s licence suspension in New York likely affects his ability to drive in other states.

Kenneth Gober, the managing partner of Lee, Gober & Reyna, a law firm in Austin, Texas, is of the opinion that the automatic suspension of one’s license under New York state law is the consequence of denying a Breathalyser test, as Justin Timberlake did during his detention. Subsequently, this moratorium should be implemented in additional states.

“The majority of states participate in the interstate Driver’s License Compact, an agreement to share information about license suspensions and traffic violations,” he said in an electronic communication. “A licence should be suspended in all states if it is suspended in one.”

Gober observed that it may take some time for these enhancements to be replicated across state lines. He further stated, “The pop star doesn’t need a car to drive to do his job; he has the resources to easily arrange for a driver.”

This week, emails soliciting responses from Justin Timberlake’s agent and other agents were unsuccessful.

Despite the fact that the ten-time Grammy winner has refrained from publicly discussing the incident, she appeared to address it during a Chicago performance a few days later.

During the United Centre performance on June 21, he addressed the audience and stated, “This week has been extremely challenging.” Nevertheless, both of us are present in this location. Nothing can change the present state of affairs.

Timberlake has been touring in support of his most recent album for months. He will be performing in Brooklyn and Newark, New Jersey in the coming weeks during his return to the New York City regional area.

SOURCE: NPR

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Boeing Machinists Strike after Rejecting 25% Salary Increases over a 4-Year Period.

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Boeing Machinists Strike after Rejecting 25% Salary Increases over a 4-Year Period.

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(VOR News) – Boeing machinists decided to strike Thursday, another setback for the huge aviation business, whose reputation and finances have suffered and now risk halting production of its best-selling commercial planes.

Per the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, 94.6% of voters rejected the plan to boost salaries 25% over four years, and 96% supported the strike, exceeding a two-thirds majority.

33,000 machinists struck Friday at 1:59 a.m.

The vote was announced by IAM District 751 President Jon Holden: About respect, the history, and battling for our future.

Boeing said, “I’m ready to go back to the table and make a new deal.”

Members rejected our IAM leadership tentative agreement. The corporation will re-establish employee-union relations. Boeing experienced multiple mishaps this year, from a panel blowing out and causing a hole in a passenger jet in January to NASA dumping two men in orbit instead of taking them home on a problematic Boeing spacecraft.

Boeing will lose crucial airline plane delivery revenue during the strike. Kelly Ortberg, the new CEO of a corporation that lost $25 billion in six years and fell behind Airbus six weeks ago, faces another challenge.

Ortberg defended a contract union negotiators unanimously supported. Wednesday he told machinists that ‘no one wins’ in a strike and that it would hurt Boeing’s recovery and exacerbate airline consumer anxieties.

He stated Boeing’s business is struggling owing to past missteps. I believe we can recover, but a strike would damage customer trust and constrain our decisions.

Workers didn’t hear.

Holden said machinists are unhappy with stagnant earnings and pension and health care cutbacks since 2008 to keep the firm from relocating employment.

“It’s hard to make up 16 years,” he stated.

The ruling also rebuked Holden and union negotiators for endorsing the contract. Holden predicted a strike and said the union would poll members to decide what to discuss when negotiations resume.

Social media union members requested higher wages every week. Several hundred marched to a union hall near Boeing’s 737 Max facility in Renton, Washington, on Thursday, blowing whistles, banging drums, and waving strike banners.

“As you can see, solidarity is here,” said quality-assurance worker Chase Sparkman. I expect my union brothers and sisters to stand together and tell our company we deserve more.”

In four years, Boeing expects machinists to earn $106,350.

It failed to meet the union’s 40% three-year salary increase request. Boeing increased 401(k) contributions without restoring pensions cut a decade ago.

Adam Vogel of Boeing termed the 25% rise “crap.” The latest rise was 16 years ago. Another quality-assurance worker, 16-year employee Broderick Conway, said Boeing can afford more.

We disappointed many members with our first offer. He hoped the second offer was right. “If not, we’ll strike and defend.” Boeing’s commercial-airplane head Stephanie Pope tried to deter blue-collar workers from striking for a better deal this week.

“We bargained in absolute good faith with the IAM team that represents you and your interests,” she stated. Let me clarify: We did not wait for a second vote.”

Union halls in Washington, Portland, and others held elections.

Boeing proposed to manufacture its next jet in Puget Sound if workers signed the contract, believing it would benefit the union. The 2030s jet would replace the 737 Max. Boeing’s Dreamliner production transfer from Seattle to South Carolina was blocked by unions.

The strike will stop Boeing’s best-selling airliner, the 737 Max, 777, and 767 cargo plane production in Renton and Everett, Washington, near Seattle. Nonunion South Carolina 787 Dreamliner workers may be unaffected.

Due to 1995 and 2008 strikes, workers’ $150 weekly strike fund contributions may seem minimal before the holidays, according to TD Cowen aerospace analyst Cai von Rumohr. Von Rumohr stated a long strike would cost $3.5 billion in cash flow because receives 60% of jet sales.

Since the union won all negotiations, Holden advised members to approve the accord “because we can’t guarantee we can achieve more in a strike.” Many workers remembered pension, health care, and wage cuts. They’re mad. Their desires are many. According to aerospace researcher Von Rumohr, Boeing recognises it and aims to appease many. Will they suffice?

Since the 2018 and 2019 737 Max crashes that killed 346, Boeing’s reputation has deteriorated. In January, a Max panel blew out during a flight, raising safety concerns.

In plane orders and delivery, strikes might push it behind Airbus.

SOURCE: AP

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