Doing Time with Ron Kuby Blog

The Supreme Court steps are the place to be today, as an odd amalgam of rightwing nuts assembles to await the Supreme Court's decision as to whether or not Obama is the president-elect. Huh?

So far here's what we know about Barack Obama: He's appointed a mostly centrist cabinet, he's backed off promises to enact a windfall profits tax on oil companies and to get rid of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, and now it looks like the "residual" force he plans to leave in Iraq might no be so residual. At what point has he sold out?

Today we have a double dose of moronicity. White House spokesperson Dana Perino couldn't explain why Bush opposes the cluster bomb treaty. And PA Governor Ed Rendell made some comments about Homeland Security Secretary nominee Janet Napolitano that were not very nice. He basically said it was good that she was unmarried and had no kids, cause that way she could devote enough time to the new job. Turns out he didn't realize a mic was on. Doh! Of course what can we expect from a Philadelphia Eagles fan? (Sorry, my bias is showing here.)

And we'll play Kuby v. Kuby. At issue: How much money is too much money for a company to have to pay someone who sues them? The Supreme Court may decide just that as they discuss the case of the Oregon woman who won an $80 million judgement from Philip Morris.

It's official, Doing Time with Ron Kuby has boldly stepped into the digital age. Follow our Twitter stream at twitter.com/doingtime. What is Twitter? Basically it's a way for you to follow our show and meet other people who like our show all over the world. Yes it's true, Twitter was created expressly for our show. Login and tweet!

The new Capitol Visitors Center is open, and not a moment too soon for Harry Reid, who was tired of stinky tourists walking through the Capitol unwashed. Of course one man's tourist is another man's taxpayer, but we digress.

On
today's show well run through a bunch of interesting/amusing/disturbing
news relating to the Obama transition. Looks like he's ready to break another campaign promise, this time on a windfall profits tax for oil companies. Plus Hillary Clinton's appointment might be unconstitutional. But don't fret, politicians tend to be much better at opening loopholes than closing them. And Bill Clinton is eyeing some kind of role as a superambassador, likely to your daughters.

Finally, we'll ask you to tell us: How much is six months of life worth? More countries are considering
following Britain's lead, where they limit costly healthcare
expenditures when they may produce limited results. In other words, if
a medicine that will extend your life for six months costs $50,000, the
British government says it's not worth it. What do you say? Call us at
866-303-2270.

President Bush has begun his series of exit interviews, and he's
sorry. He's not sorry about anything HE has done, he's just sorry that
somehow, through no fault of his own, the entire country turned into a
steaming turd while he was president. Today on the show Ron will tell
you what President Bush has in common with many of the people Ron has
defended over the years as an attorney.

Plus we'll talk about the
Fairness Doctrine. Conservatives are convinced liberals want to bring
it back, but it'll never happen. Why not? Because it's unconstitutional
for one, and because it's unnecessary for another. Ron explains
why. 

And New York Giant Plaxico Burress is in big trouble
for carrying a gun without the correct permit, and for shooting the gun
into himself by accident. Mayor Michael Bloomberg says Burress should
get 3 1/2 years in jail, but Ron says typically a normal person would
only get about 6 months in this situation. Which sentence do you think
is more fair? We'll play Kuby v. Kuby, when Ron argues both sides and
asks you to play judge and jury. Call us at 866-303-2270.