Democrats continue calls for consultation on Supreme Court nominee News
Democrats continue calls for consultation on Supreme Court nominee

[JURIST] Leading Senate Democrats said Thursday that although they appreciate the phone calls from the Bush administration following the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor [JURIST report], they want to know exactly who President Bush is considering as a replacement before he submits a nomination to the Senate. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) [official website] stated, "To be meaningful, consultation should include who the President is actually considering so we can give responsive and useful advice." President Bush has stated he will not name a potential successor before July 8 [JURIST report]. AP has more. For ongoing speculation on potential nominees, visit the Supreme Court Nomination Blog.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Fyodor Dostoevsky sentenced to death

Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky was sentenced to death on November 16, 1849 over his involvement in the progressive Petrashevsky Circle of intellectuals. Dostoevsky and his codefendants were scheduled to be executed on December 22 of that year, but their execution was stayed by Tsar Nicholas I after the execution ritual had been carried out. Dostoevsky was sent to Siberia instead to serve a four-year sentence. Learn more about the mock execution of Dostoevsky.

Canada executed Metis leader for treason

On November 16, 1885, the Canadian government executed Metis leader Louis Riel for high treason in the wake of the "Northwest Rebellion" that had pitted the Metis (descendants of French traders and native tribes) in what is now Saskatchewan against Canadian troops. Although Riel has lately been rehabilitated as an Indigenous francophone patriot of the Canadian West, his trial and execution remain sore points between English and French Canada.

US President Nixon signs Trans-Alaska Pipeline Act

On November 16, 1973, US President Richard Nixon signed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Act into law. In addition to creating an oil pipeline across the state, the Act also quashed all environmental-legal challenges regarding its construction.