Aarti Kohli Defends Report that Shows Immigration Laws Led to Racial Profiling

-The Dallas Morning News, September 17, 2009 by Brandon Formby
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/091709dnmetirvingcap.3d5e574.html

“We wanted just do a pure investigation of the data,” Kohli said. “When we did it, it was kind of amazing. If you look at the chart, you see how the spike happened.”

-The Dallas Morning News, September 24, 2009 by Brandon Formby
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-profiling_24met.ART.Central.Edition1.4bf3bd4.html

“We didn’t create the data,” she said. “We are an academic institution, and our reputation rests on our ability to do unbiased research. Why would we risk that?”

Nancy Lemon Opposes Cuts to Domestic Abuse Shelters

The Daily Californian, September 16, 2009 by Alan Cai
http://www.dailycal.org/article/106633/bill_fails_to_restore_domestic_abuse_shelter_fundi

According to Nancy Lemon, a lecturer at Boalt Hall School of Law who studies domestic violence, agencies for the abused are a critical resource that have reduced homicide rates and ultimately save the state money. “Since each homicide costs approximately $1 million to the state for law enforcement, prosecution, jail, court time and other expenses, it is also indeed cost-saving to fund shelters,” she said.

Peter Menell Calls For Cooling Off Period for Google Book Deal

The Media Institute, IP Issues, September 16, 2009 by Peter Menell
http://www.mediainstitute.org/new_site/IPI/091609_GoogleBooksSettlement.php

Google’s efforts deserve commendation, but to allow Google effective monopoly control over the world’s most comprehensive knowledge repository would be out of proportion to those efforts.  Such control would pose undue threats to long-term competition, innovation, and preservation of and access to knowledge.

Alan Auerbach Supports a Gas Tax

SF Weekly, September 14, 2009 by Matt Smith
http://www.sfweekly.com/2009-09-16/news/obama-s-stimulus-money-will-increase-traffic-but-not-bridge-safety/

Economists disagree on many things, but not on the wisdom of raising the gas tax. “Given all the problems associated with gasoline consumption—congestion, global warming, national security, pollution, damage to roads—a sufficient tax on this activity is the most efficient way to cause people to take these costs into account,” said Alan Auerbach.

John Yoo Opposes Investigation of CIA

The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 13, 2009 by John Yoo
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/59146512.html

What has gone less well understood is what the investigation will do to the CIA as an institution at a time when it serves as the nation’s eyes and ears and, sometimes, the sword and shield, during war against a shadowy, covert enemy…. All intelligence involves probabilities and educated guesses, but effective intelligence can actually provide the information needed to avoid costly wars. Persecuting the CIA risks another surprise attack or major intelligence failure.

Jesse Choper Says First Amendment May Protect G-20 Activists

Pittsburgh Post Gazette, September 12, 2009 by Rich Lord and Paula Reed Lord
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09255/997503-482.stm

Mr. Choper said governments “can stop people from protesting so it disrupts the event.” But demonstrators are “entitled to some place where [they] can effectively communicate … within sight” of the targets of their message. Rules that aim to keep demonstrators from embarrassing their host city or guests have been struck down, he said.

Eric Stover Shares His Passion for Human Rights Work

Berkeleyan, September 10, 2009 by Barry Bergman
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2009/09/10_hrc-anniversary.shtml

It wasn’t until 1996, in Srebrenica, that he fully realized the devastation felt by people who are unable to identify their lost or “disappeared” family members. “That was a deep learning moment for me,” he recalls. “The court was supposed to be working for these victims. But the thing family members want most is identification of these bodies. More than justice, they want proper burial.”

Jonathan Simon Says California is on a ″Prison-Building Binge″

Democracy Now, September 9, 2009 Host Amy Goodman
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/9/9/overcrowded_and_going_broke_a_look

I think we need a whole new paradigm change about public safety in the state. We treat public safety as if it equaled prisons. It’s sort of like treating hamburgers as if they were the only food that one could consume. We need police. We need probation officers. We need first responders. We need drug treatment and mental health caseworkers.

Susan Gluss Explains Berkeley Law’s Enhanced LRAP

The Daily Californian, September 9, 2009 by Zach E. Williams
http://www.dailycal.org/article/106532/law_school_to_launch_loan_forgiveness_program

“The law school has been concerned for some time about the impact of the economic downturn on our grads,” said Susan Gluss, Boalt Hall director of media relations, in an e-mail. “In response, the law school has launched a number of initiatives to help alumni—including an enhanced loan repayment assistance program.”