OA185: Gerrymandering & Other Good (?) News (Patreon)

Today's episode tries to put a positive spin on some recent developments, including the Supreme Court's gerrymandering decisions, the Department of Justice OIG report on the 2016 election, and the triumphant return of Everyone's Favorite Segment (TM):  "Are You A Cop?"

We begin with the Office of the Inspector General's 2016 Election Final Report, which we modestly point out validates literally everything we said in one of our favorite Episodes, OA 13, "Hillary Clinton's Damned Emails."  There's so much more to learn, so you'll want to listen up!

After that, we tackle the main segment, looking for some good news out of the Supreme Court's recent "decisions" on gerrymandering in Gill v. Whitford (Wisconsin) and Benisek v. Lamone (Maryland).  These 9-0 decisions are widely viewed as having punted on gerrymandering; is that right, and if so, what does the future hold?

After that, we tackle a trope that "everyone knows" in fan-favorite segment "Are You A Cop?"  This week, it's that "everyone knows" cops can't have sex with people in their custody, right?  RIGHT?  Well, thanks to one Democratic legislator in a deep red state, it's now true in Kansas, at least.

Finally, we end the answer to Thomas Takes The Bar Exam #81 regarding a law designed to target two college professors who crafted campus hate speech codes.  Remember to follow our Twitter feed (@Openargs) and like our Facebook Page so that you too can play along with #TTTBE!

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Show Notes & Links

1. We first discussed Hillary Clinton's emails and the Comey investigation way back in Episode 13, and if you haven't listened, you should check it out!  Then, compare what we said then to the just-released Office of the Inspector General's 2016 Election Final Report.
2. Our explainer on Gerrymandering is Episode 54; we then talk about the Wisconsin case in Episode 80 and the Maryland case in Episode 148.
3. Of course, you can (and should!) read the Supreme Court's recent decisions on gerrymandering in Gill v. Whitford (Wisconsin) and Benisek v. Lamone (Maryland).
4. Here is the text of Kansas HB2621, which amends KSA Supp. 21-5512(a), defining "unlawful sexual relations."  A "Severity Level 5 Person felony" is subject to 50-55 months in prison as per the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines.

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