We finished the election case and the justices issued a preliminary ruling on the matter. I'm not positive if they've sent copies of the order to the parties, so I'll keep all details under wrap for the time being. While my supervisor and I worked quickly on an election case with a three day timetable, three more cases were appealed up from the Superior Court. Unluckily for my colleague interns who were assigned the cases, they had a two day timetable. Three of the election cases, including mine, were all heard and decided on at the same time. Quick and hotly contested business, these judicial decisions in election matters.

Otherwise, I've been working on a death penalty case which has come to the Court seeking post-conviction relief. There are very strict rules about when and how a criminal defendant can appeal his conviction for post-conviction relief--which is something different than just outright appealing the conviction after the judge or jury has ruled you are guilty. For the ease of explanation, most defendants appeal for post-conviction relief when new information comes to light that raises questions of their guilt and responsibility--information that was unavailable or was hidden during trial. Or, say, new information comes to light about the constitutionality of the trial proceedings--as in, the prosecutor or defense counsel had DNA evidence that would prove the defendant was not the true culprit--but they suppresed the evidence and told no one. None of the above are reasons that my case is now on appeal, and of course I cannot go into detail.

Confidentiality can be a real downer for my blogging.

I am also working on a case, with another intern, that deals with the constitutionality (under both the Arizona constitution and the sacred of sacreds) of school voucher programs. As I also cannot describe the particulars of this case, and any description of school vouchers may be impermissibly touching on issues I am currently researching, a New York Times article from 1999 describes a proposed school voucher program in New York City and gives a good and short treatise on the relevant issues. And how seriously controversial these issues can be.

In other happenings, and for a slight light moment, I was reading some online blogs about this year's presidential campaign. It's tough not to be a bit of a political junkie in such an election year, but I tend to be a bit of a political junkie no matter the year or election. Nonetheless, I came across a story that made me nearly spit up my dinner. No lie. Actor Stephen Baldwin, in a quasi-interview (he did the talking) on Fox News (of the "We Report Very Little of Worth, You Decidedly Listen" reputation), told the world that if Barack Obama is elected president in November, he is going to leave the country.

1.) I am not taking a stance or endorsing any candidate for president on this school-sponsored blog. This is about Stevie Baldwin.
2.) Who, I was unaware, was still in this country.

Now, to be fair, Stephen Baldwin had stellar roles in "The Usual Suspects," "Bio-Dome," and...well...little else of cinematic value, and as a recent born-again Christian he has started a community outreach program for kids. I read that the program is targeted towards urban youth--mostly skaters--and, although his program is a little heavy on the proselytizing, it's doing good work by keeping some kids away from drugs and out of jail. Way to go Stephen.

However, forgive me if I take no moment of remorseful reflection on the sad state of affairs if Stephen Baldwin leaves the country. I don't think the order of things and the universe as we know it will topple over if and when he goes ex-patriot.

Though, and perhaps this gets to the sheer selfish audacity of his comment, I bet those kids in his community outreach program will surely suffer.

Once, I too said the same words about Bush when he ran for reelection in 2004. Allthough, I told only my friend next to me and not the Fox News watching audience.

My point is this, and it's larger than me or Stephen Baldwin: Just because you don't like the way things are looking or the way things may turn out--these are not reasons to throw in the towel. We, luckily, still live in a society where we don't have to be afraid to speak up about our discontent or disagreement with the powers that be. We can still make efforts for a better tomorrow, even if we're displeased with the today. Things are not so bad that we necessarily need to be concerned about living our lives "underground," or move to a culture where our views are more readily accepted. Today, you can be a card-carrying communist with a Joey Stalin mustache and sit on the bus next to a capitalistic businesswoman and have no fear that she's going to turn you in.

Stephen, do what I had to do: get over yourself, stay home and work for a better today and tomorrow. The kids will appreciate it.