DeLay says Justice Kennedy’s work ‘outrageous’ News
DeLay says Justice Kennedy’s work ‘outrageous’

[JURIST] In the latest of several attacks on the federal judiciary, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay [official website] has called the work of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy [Oyez biography] "incredibly outrageous." In a Tuesday interview with Fox News Radio, DeLay said that it's outrageous that Justice Kennedy is "writing decisions based upon international law, not the Constitution of the United States." DeLay also criticized Kennedy's statement during a Court session that he does his own research on the Internet. Repeating his calls for the US House to find a way to increase the accountability of the federal judiciary, DeLay said that the House Judiciary Committee [official website] should investigate the clause in the Constitution that says "judges can serve as long as they serve with good behavior" and should seek to define "good behavior." Listen to recorded audio of DeLay's remarks on the judiciary. 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.