DeLay to get new judge in Texas criminal case News
DeLay to get new judge in Texas criminal case

[JURIST] Texas Judge C.W. Duncan ruled Monday afternoon that Rep. Tom DeLay [official website; JURIST news archive] will get a new judge to preside over his trial on money laundering and criminal conspiracy charges [JURIST report]. In granting DeLay's recusal motion [JURIST report], Duncan said that Judge Bob Perkins should be replaced because of his donations to Democratic candidates and causes. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle [official website] has said that Perkins should not be required to recuse himself [Houston Chronicle report] or be disqualified merely for exercising his constitutional right to make political contributions, but DeLay's attorney on Monday argued that Perkins should be removed [AP report] to "protect the integrity" of the judicial system because his campaign donations to democratic groups create an "appearance of bias." AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

President Reagan fired 11,000 striking air traffic controllers

On August 5, 1981, under orders from President Reagan, the federal government began firing air traffic controllers who had gone on strike two days previous for better pay, hours and working conditions. Learn more about the PATCO air traffic control strike. Listen to an excerpt of an August 3, 1981 speech by President Reagan (courtesy of the History Channel) emphasizing that the controllers had taken an oath not to strike against the government and threatening to terminate their jobs if they did not report for duty in 48 hours.

Burkina Faso gains independence

On August 5, 1960, Burkina Faso gained independence from France. Read the constitution of Burkina Faso.