Democratic leader defends fight over judicial confirmations News
Democratic leader defends fight over judicial confirmations

[JURIST] During the weekly Democratic radio address [WTOP audio] Saturday, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid [official website] defended his party's position in the current battle between Democrats and Republicans over President Bush's judicial nominees [JURIST news archive] and procedures used to consider them, the second time in two weeks [JURIST report] that major Democrats have used Saturday radio airtime to press their points. Republicans have threatened to ban Senate filibusters of judicial nominees. Coined the “nuclear option” [Center for Information Freedom report], Republicans want to eliminate the 60 votes needed to end a filibuster over presidential appointees. Reid referred to the a battle as a fight between Democrats who believe in checks and balances and Republicans who do not, and stated that without the judicial filibuster, "the U.S. Senate becomes merely a rubber stamp for the president". Ten of President Bush’s 214 nominations have been stalled by filibusters. Reid also lashed out at remarks [JURIST report] made by Republican leader Tom DeLay referring to the comments as threats against judges who protect our rights. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.