Category Archives: Mere Opinion

Thoughts, often reaction, off-the-cuff and perhaps short on research

Do Democratic Presidencies Reduce Abortions?

by James J Heaney Posted on 20 October 2020

Do Presidents Affect Abortion Rates At All? There’s a chart going around social media that looks like this: “If you want to prevent abortions, vote baby blue!” This isn’t a new argument. I started encountering versions of it as early … Continue reading →

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Has Trump Increased or Decreased Funding for Planned Parenthood?

by James J Heaney Posted on 17 October 2020

Some pro-lifers are angry at President Trump for increasing Planned Parenthood’s funding, while some pro-choicers are angry at President Trump for cutting that funding. They can’t both be right, can they? Here’s what’s going on. I’ll explain as simply and … Continue reading →

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Endorsement: Dave Napier for Mayor, West Saint Paul

by James J Heaney Posted on 11 October 2020

I used to like politics. I forget that a lot now. I first started following politics during Election 2000. I was 11. Even though I already believed that America was doing some terrible things, I believed in the goodness of … Continue reading →

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Covid Weather Report for Minnesota: 9 October 2020

by James J Heaney Posted on 9 October 2020

OVERALL: After three months of stability, a significant covid surge is underway in Minnesota. We are a long way from our hospitalization capacity, and it may get itself under control in another week or two. Nevertheless, public health officials are … Continue reading →

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Mark Joseph Stern is Warping Facts for Partisan Gain, Also Water Is Wet

by James J Heaney Posted on 2 October 2020

Mark Joseph Stern is a particularly shameless court-watcher for the Left. He is a classic hack. His default operating mode is spin, aided by selective reading and a determination to ascribe the absolute worst motives to his opponents, all to … Continue reading →

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The Affordable Care Act is Safe (even with Justice Barrett)

by James J Heaney Posted on 29 September 2020

If only the Republicans had actually had a decent idea for replacing it! As the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court proceeds, Barrett’s opponents have developed a powerful argument for getting Americans to join the opposition: … Continue reading →

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Originalism vs. Textualism

by James J Heaney Posted on 27 September 2020

One popular critique of originalism. (Source unknown.) A couple of days ago, I mentioned offhandedly that “originalism” and “textualism” are not the same thing. Then I moved on. A couple of readers have asked me to expand on this. What’s … Continue reading →

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Wait, What’s a “Textualist”?

by James J Heaney Posted on 22 September 2020

Very, very broadly, the nation is divided into two camps on the substantive questions surrounding judicial nominations. Roughly half the nation supports textualism, and the other half supports the living tree doctrine. I doubt most people could actually name these doctrines, but it … Continue reading →

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Five Kinds of Argument about Judicial Nominations (and Whether They Matter)

by James J Heaney Posted on 21 September 2020

There are several types of arguments about nearly all judicial nominations in the modern United States. Given the debate over filling Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat, it is worth sorting out what those types are: 1. The Substantive Arguments: These … Continue reading →

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Amy Coney Barrett’s Constitutional Canards Redux

by James J Heaney Posted on 19 September 2020

About a year ago, on Facebook, I shared a lecture given by Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, noting that: (1) it was an excellent lecture, and (2) she could well be the next Associate … Continue reading →

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