Author Archive for: emptywheel
About emptywheel
Marcy Wheeler is an independent journalist writing about national security and civil liberties. She writes as emptywheel at her eponymous blog, publishes at outlets including Vice, Motherboard, the Nation, the Atlantic, Al Jazeera, and appears frequently on television and radio. She is the author of Anatomy of Deceit, a primer on the CIA leak investigation, and liveblogged the Scooter Libby trial.
Marcy has a PhD from the University of Michigan, where she researched the “feuilleton,” a short conversational newspaper form that has proven important in times of heightened censorship. Before and after her time in academics, Marcy provided documentation consulting for corporations in the auto, tech, and energy industries. She lives with her spouse in Grand Rapids, MI.
Entries by emptywheel
Glenn Fine to Investigate Government Use of PATRIOT Powers Again
/22 Comments/in FISA/by emptywheelMain Justice reports that Pat Leahy and DOJ’s Inspector General Glenn Fine have been chatting about further IG review of the FBI’s use of the several PATRIOT provisions that were contentious issues in last years attempt to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act. This means that Fine is going to do what the legislation would have mandated–conduct […]
A Recess Appointment for Militarized Spooks But Not for Rule of Law
/51 Comments/in Intelligence/by emptywheelRemember how Dawn Johnsen’s nomination to head OLC languished and then died as Obama claimed–falsely–not to have the votes? Obama pointedly didn’t use a recess appointment to put his incredibly qualified candidate in the post. Not so for James Clapper, whom Obama is preparing to recess appoint to head Director of National Intelligence rather than […]
Perry v. Schwarzenegger Prop 8 Closings Wrap Up
/38 Comments/in prop 8/by emptywheelGreetings from the United States Federal Courthouse for the Northern District of California where Marcy Wheeler, Teddy Partridge and I spent Wednesday covering closing arguments in Perry et al. v. Schwarzenegger et al. It was quite a day and, despite the solemn nature of court proceedings, a monumental and electric day. To be honest, the […]
Prop8 Liveblog: Ted Olson Brings Us Home
/42 Comments/in prop 8/by emptywheel[About 20 minutes w/ Cooper and then Olson’s rebuttal] Walker: Mr. Cooper, carry on. Cooper: Appreciate Court’s indulgence. Walker: Well, that’s a good idea. Cooper: want to take up CA SC’s ruling on the marriages. This is something on which I agreed with Mr. Olson. I don’t believe that that would make a difference, I […]
Prop8 Liveblog: The Proponents Make Their Case
/78 Comments/in prop 8/by emptywheelCooper: NY Court of Appeals ruled in 2006, until very recently, only marriage between two sexes. MA “changed def of marriage as inherited from common law.” CA: From beginning of statehood, marriage between man and women. Why has marriage been defined as exclusively opposite sex. Makes marriage fundamental to very existence of human race. Court […]
Prop8 Liveblog: The City of SF Weighs In
/8 Comments/in prop 8/by emptywheelTherese Stewart: The fact that legislation costs govt money is not sufficient to make law unconstitutional. Court decision on public schools. Considered toll on children, but also role of education, basic tools. Serious harm that Prop 8 imposes on gay men and lesbians, their children, and cities. Support case that Prop 8 was born of […]
Prop 8 Liveblog: “June Is the Month for Marriages”
/20 Comments/in prop 8/by emptywheelTeddy and I are in the ceremonial court room to watch the Prop 8 Trial. bmaz is making friends down in the actual court room. Teddy’s doing a full liveblog over there where the wireless signal is strong. Until he needs a break, I’m just going to write some impressions and transcribe bmaz’s comments (he’s […]