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Thom's blog
Reagan-appointed judge says religious rights are "inherently human"
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on a new aspect of corporate personhood – a corporation's right to the free exercise of religion. Judge Robert Cowen rejected a company's claimed that it should not have to provide birth control under Obamacare for religious reasons. Judge Cowen – a Reagan appointee – ruled that the for-profit corporation was not entitled to the First Amendment's freedom of religion protection, distinguishing it from the freedom of speech protection afforded companies under Citizens Untied.
In his opinion, Judge Cowen wrote, “we simply cannot understand how a for-profit, secular corporation – apart from its owners – can exercise religion.” He directly addressed the Citizens United ruling, which gave corporations the right of free speech under the First Amendment, but ruled that the Free Exercise Clause, which protects religious freedom, is an “inherently 'human' right.” This is the first time since Citizens United that a major federal court has asserted that some constitutional protections are meant for only real, human individuals.
This case will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court, and its fate there is far from certain. In a previous Supreme Court case, United States v. Lee, the Justices ruled that religious liberty does not permit an employer to “impose the employer's religious faith on the employees,” however the current Roberts Court has a history of pro-corporate rulings. While this specific case centers on whether an employer has the right to deny contraceptive coverage, the larger point is whether corporations have the right to religious freedom. And, whether their freedom trumps the rights of their employees.
Many Americans believe that corporations are not people, and should not have the same protections under the Bill of Rights as human individuals. The Supreme Court may soon have the opportunity to side with Americans, or they may choose to expand corporate rights to a level our forefathers never imagined. Stay tuned.
-Thom
(What do you think? Tell us here.) |
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Tonight on The Big Picture on RT TV at 7pm and 9pm... Could you survive on $7.25? (check your local listings for stations or stream at RT, and catch past shows on Youtube)
Need to Know: Will America get a new 'Grand Bargain'?
The Best of the Rest...
Could you survive on $7.25?- Sarah Jaffe, In These Times  - Terrance Wise, striking fast food worker.
Did you know...you are being tracked?- Kade Crockford, ACLU of Massachusetts.
Daily Take: It can't happen here...but it IS happening there!
Have a question or comment for Thom? Grab your phone, hit record and send your video to YourTakeMyTake@gmail.com and we may air it on "The Big Picture." |
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Monday's Daily Stack 
Hour One: Zimmerman to get new guns...- Bill Frady, Locked and Loaded Radio
Article: " 4th Amendment". " The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.".
Hour Two: When Congress members should recuse themselves...- Bradley A. Smith, Center for Competitive Politics
Plus, GOP: the Pope has some lessons for you
Quote: " Unbridled capitalism has taught the logic of profit at any cost, of giving in order to receive, of exploitation without looking at the person." - Pope Francis. Quote: " We should fight against wild capitalism and confront social injustice." - Pope Francis. Quote: " ... respect and protection of the entire creation which God has entrusted to man, not so that it be indiscriminately exploited but rather made into a garden" - Pope Francis. Quote: " If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" - Pope Francis.
Hour Three: What can anybody do to deserve 28 yrs of solitary confinement?
Bible: " Matthew 5:5" " 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.". Bible: " Matthew 7:12" " So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.".
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Tuesday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm ET
Hour One: NSA...time to restore the 4th amendment- Ryan Mauro, The Clarion Project
Plus, Manning verdict is in- Michael Ratner, Center for Constitutional Rights
Hour Two: Dear Peter...Americans ARE socialists!- Peter Ferrara, The Carleson Center for Public Policy.
Hour Three: It can't happen here...but it IS happening there!
And, the best of the rest of the news and your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program...your media support group for "we the people"...
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Wednesday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm ET
Why are 4 out of 5 Americans facing a live of poverty...right wing austerity policies perhaps??? I'll challenge conservative Dr. Carol Swain...
Plus, the best of the rest of the news along with your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program, Occupying The Media 3 hours a day 5 days a week" for "we the people"...
And remember...Democracy is NOT a spectator sport...it begins with you...
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Thom's Poll
Will Republicans agree to Obama's new "grand bargain?"
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Watch & Listen to Thom
Hey GOP! The Pope has Some Lessons for You
Politically Corrected - Taking on Rep. Steve King
The Good - The Bad - and the Very Very Balbutiently Ugly
Why Almost All Rural White's are In Poverty
NSA - Can the alliance of libertarians and liberals last?
How can anyone deserve 28 yrs in solitary confinement?
Or watch the Full "Big Picture" Show...
Full Show 7/29/13: GOP: The Pope Has Some Lessons for You
Thom talks with actor and activist Mike Farrell on the suspicious death of a California inmate who was on a food strike while in solitary confinement and debates GOP Strategist Carlos Curbelo on who (Reagan) to blame for the growing wealth inequality in America. Thom corrects Rep. Steve King on his false immigration claims in tonight's "Politically Corrected," and in tonight's "Daily Take" Thom urges the GOP to actually be the Christian party and listen to Pope Francis.
Thom Hartmann on the News: July 29, 2013
Caller: How I Punked Newt Gingrich
When Congress members should recuse themselves
Minimum Wage Does not Produce Unemployment
GOP: The Pope has Some Lessons for you
Poverty and Suicide
Caller: George Zimmerman is why we Need Background Checks
Should gun groups be buying Zimmerman a new gun?
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 Would you like to help give a child with a very troubled background this feeling of peace? Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village (NESCV) in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow. Can you help? Now on Facebook. |
Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village (NESCV) in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow. Can you help? Now on Facebook. |
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