links for 2008-12-20

Kenneth W. Starr, the former U.S. Solicitor General who led the inquiry into President Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica L. Lewinsky, will argue the case in favor of upholding a ban on gay marriage before the California Supreme Court.

Starr was today named lead counsel for the official proponents of Proposition 8. This afternoon, the group filed court briefs defending the legality of the proposition, which was approved by 52% of California voters last month throwing into question thousands of marriages performed during the five months the practice was legal in the state.

The briefs are in response to a spate of legal challenges filed by gay rights advocates, including the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown has changed his position with respect to the state's new same-sex marriage ban and is now urging the state Supreme Court to void Proposition 8.

Brown filed a brief Friday saying the measure, which amended the California Constitution to limit marriage to a man and a woman, is itself unconstitutional because it deprives gay couples of a fundamental right.

After California voters passed Proposition 8 on Nov. 4, Brown initially said he would fight to uphold the ballot initiative in his role as attorney general, even though he personally voted against it.
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Brown has violated his charge as Attorney General. Time to recall him.

WHEN THE alleged brazen attempts by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) to auction off a U.S. Senate seat were revealed last week, the leadership of the state legislature made noises about the need for a special election. Press conferences were held. Bills to make such a vote possible were promised. And then — silence. It had dawned on the Democrats who control the legislature and their fellow Democrats in Washington that they might actually lose a Senate election. So much for letting the people speak.
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The Dems won't sanction a psecial election and the seat will remain vacant until Blago eventually resigns.