THE 1 percent COURT. As we enter an election season that could determine the direction of the Supreme Court for the next generation, this week’s special issue, “The 1 Percent Court,” examines the Court’s transformation into a highly politicized institution where the 1 percent keeps winning and the 99 percent keeps losing. As outlined by Nan Aron, progressives need to take a more aggressive approach to combat corporate dominance of the courts. Jamie Raskin and I sat down with Bill Moyers—who is a contributor to the issue—to discuss the Court and what its big business interests mean for the future of our democracy. Also, be sure to read my WashingtonPost.com column from this week, in which I discuss the history of an extremist conservative legal movement that has moved the Court to the right over the past forty years.
VOTING RIGHTS WATCH 2012. In this week’s Voting Rights Watch blog, a collaboration with Colorlines.com, Aura Bogado and community reporter Meta Mendel-Reyes reveal that one of five black Kentuckians can’t cast a ballot—and that’s not even because of voter ID laws. Read their piece to find out more on how a grassroots group is working to overturn voter suppression laws in the state. Also in Voting Rights Watch, Bogado and community journalist Maegan E. Ortiz highlight ways in which voting rights activists are working with their communities to fight voter suppression in innovative ways in “Wanna Protect Your Vote? There’s an App for That.” And there may be hope in Pennsylvania this week, as Ari Berman reports that the PA Supreme Court has shifted the burden of proof to the state on Voter ID laws—making the case less about constitutionality of laws and more about whether or not voters are disenfranchised. Be sure to watch Ari Berman on “Melissa Harris-Perry” today at 11am on MSNBC as he breaks down what the court rulings mean for voter suppression in PA.
MITT & THE 47 percent. When it comes to 47 percent of Americans, Mitt Romney doesn’t feel the need to “worry about those people.” Ilyse Hogue sees Romney’s statements as a “window into a cynical and meanspirited worldview that would guide this candidate’s policies and priorities were he to win in November.” And Leslie Savan asks if he even wants to become president. Read her piece to find out why Romney may be “psychologically satisfied” with simply snagging the Republican nomination.
ONE YEAR OF OCCUPY. It’s the one-year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street and despite what many are saying, the movement is alive and thriving. Watch The Nation’s anniversary video of Occupiers at Zuccotti Park as they reflect on the effects of the movement over the course of the year and what’s next for Occupy.
BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL. We’ve been happy to be a sponsor and programming partner of the Brooklyn Book Festival since its inception in 2005. Join us this Sunday, September 23 for the festival. I’ll be on a panel at 10 am at the Brooklyn Historical Society along with columnist Eric Alterman talking about the 2012 election. Other speakers include Victor Navasky discussing the art of magazine-making; Chris Hayes on his new book, Twilight of the Elites;and many others from the Nation community! Be sure to stop by The Nation’s table at the festival—we’ll be at Booth 30.
PROGRAMMING NOTE. This morning I’ll be sitting down with Nation columnist Melissa Harris-Perry on her MSNBC show. Tune is as we discuss, among other topics, Romney’s tax returns, voting rights and Elizabeth Warren’s Senate race.
