By Andrew Kreig / Project Director

Military action by the United States and its NATO allies to overthrow the government of Libya represents a dramatic new test of our nation’s commitment to rule of law, as even some members of the normally docile Congress are beginning to recognize. House GOP leaders this week thwarted a bipartisan effort to force a vote on United States participation. The NATO military strikes were never authorized by Congress, as required by the 1973 designed to ensure some semblance of the constitutional requirement.

We launched the Justice Integrity Project primarily to address gross due process violations becoming apparent in the court system, most notably in criminal cases being bought on a selective basis to railroad political targets of the White House to prison. Such practices in civil cases clearly require concern, as well. But the nation’s founders knew that war-making is the ultimate power of government. Therefore, they put strong protections in the constitution for checks-and-balances between Congress and the president in exercising this grave responsibility. If authorities in effect ignore those parts of the constitution why should any other part of our fundamental law and procedure remain safe?

Excerpted below, with links for further reading, are links on these vital issues from diverse commentators.

By Andrew Kreig / Project Director

The Washington Update radio show I co-host on June 2 followed up last week’s Supreme Court decision upholding Arizona immigration law by hosting author Margaret (Peggy) Sands Orchowski, Ph.D, right, who published Immigration and the American Dream: Battling the Political Hype and Hysteria. A congressional correspondent, she explored the court decision and the historic background of the field in ways rarely discussed openly within Washington’s establishment.

Hosted with Scott Draughon, the show was heard live at noon (EDT) on the My Technology Lawyer (MTL) radio network, and is now available worldwide by archive. The interview began after our roundup of Washington-related national news. Advisory: Mac listeners need “Parallels.”

The Supreme Court delivered a victory to opponents of illegal immigration May 26 by upholding a law from Arizona that threatens to revoke the business licenses of companies if they knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The ruling was delivered by Chief Justice John Roberts. It rejected the arguments of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which argued that Arizona's effort is preempted by federal immigration law. This ruling is not on a more controversial Arizona immigration law still working its way to the Supreme Court. That law gives police more power to detain and stop those suspected of illegal entry.