Good morning, Washington. Here at DCist, we pride ourselves on providing a forum for law-abiding citizens to discuss issues facing our city, like development and crime, in as open and honest a manner as possible. We may give you our opinions from time to time as a way to get the ball rolling (OK, all the time), but we're always open to hearing from those of you who disagree. Except for right now. Anyone... more ›

Good morning, D.C. If you missed the news breaking yesterday, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts had a seizure on Monday while on vacation in Maine. While the cause of the seizure is unknown, doctors examined the Chief Justice and determined there was no cause for concern and that Roberts has already fully recovered. It's likely Roberts will now be prescribed some form of anti-seizure medication because he had another similar episode 14 years... more ›

Tireless Prince George's County beat reporter Rosalind Helderman writes in today's Washington Post about a growing movement to have bronze statues depicting Chief Justice Roger B. Taney removed from the State House in Annapolis and Frederick City Hall this year. Taney was the justice who delivered the majority opinion in the Dred Scott case, which declared the Missouri Compromise of 1820 to be unconstitutional and ruled that slaves were personal property and therefore not citizens... more ›

The Smithsonian Institution continues to bleed to save itself as Sheila P. Burke, the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, resigned yesterday. Burke was the second in command to Lawrence P. Small, who resigned as Secretary back in March. The Washington Post reports today that the Board of Regents isn't taking the call for restructuring lightly, and Burke took the hit after her $1.6 million in compensation from outside activities came to light. The Regents... more ›

Intellectual property junkies, and we know you're out there, have another case to salivate over. As the Examiner AP reports, the Smithsonian Institution, which houses over 6,000 images of its historical treasures in a publicly accessible online database, got the IP version of a shot across their bow from Public.Resource.Org, which recently downloaded every single photograph and made them available on its Flickr stream. What's the problem? The Smithsonian claims it retains any "possible copyright"... more ›

A month and a half after former Secretary Lawrence M. Small read the writing on the wall and left the Smithsonian Institution with his tail between his legs and an investigation committee on his back, the Smithsonian board of regents has begun its search for his replacement. The Associated Press reports that the search committee, formed yesterday but not fully yet, will include six board members, including Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and one of Chief... more ›

The District's restrictive gun laws have long been hated by Second Amendment activists everywhere, who have tried pretty much everything, including near-annual congressional legislation, to overturn them. Today might be their day, though -- the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has found that the District's gun restrictions are unconstitutional. In a decision published today, the court wrote that the District's restrictions on gun ownership, which date back to 1976, unconstitutionally infringe upon... more ›

We've been looking forward to the launch of Patrick Gavin and Jeff DuFour's new daily Beltway column, "Yeas and Nays", for a few weeks now, largely so we could finally be sure just what sorts of topics the two would be covering under the somewhat inscrutable decscription of "people, power and politics." C'mon guys, that could be about anything from the current brouhaha at The New Republic to what kind of toilet paper Vice President... more ›

Good morning, Washington -- it's Friday! Rejoice in all that start-of-the-weekend goodness. And note that on this date in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first earthlings to walk on the moon. In their honor, go check out the Apollo to the Moon exhibit at the Air and Space Museum and see their spacesuits or touch a moon rock. Suitcase Forgotten, Results in Union Station Closure: WTOP notes that last night around 8... more ›

As we detail below, the D.C. Council has taken a step towards making us safer. Well, making us feel safer, at least... Council Passes Anti-Crime Measures: The D.C. Council passed a series of measures aimed at curbing the recent uptick in violent crime, handing D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams a victory while upsetting civil liberties and youth activists, reports the Post. The legislation would move the existing juvenile curfew up to 10 p.m. from midnight, require... more ›

Last week, Stare DCisis explored what happens when the Supreme Court stops being polite, and starts getting real with states acting unconstitutionally. Virginia, in particular, was the perpetual thorn in the side of the early Supreme Court. Though Chief Justice John Marshall was a former Virginia legislator, the state's supreme court had some real authority problems taking orders from Marshall once he moved across the river. It may seem patently obvious that the Supreme Court... more ›

This spring, like every spring, is sponsored by Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma and, depending on your friends, Tiffany's. It's wedding season around the country, and Federal Marriage Amendment season on the Hill. Our lawmakers have decided that this issue merits a great deal of their time, and our own, so in this spirit Stare DCisis revisits one of the most important constitutional decisions about marriage that was ever handed down by the Supreme Court.... more ›

There are few more unpleasant words in the English language than the word "discharge." In two otherwise harmless syllables, it inspires shudders and involuntary wretching. The D.C. Circuit had occasion to investigate the meaning of this word in a decision handed down today about a bank robbery that occurred in the District. First, a word about the D.C. Circuit. This revered court of appeals has developed a reputation for making some of the most... more ›

Written by new DCist food and wine contributor Michael Mugmon. In the spirit of SportsCenter, DCist asks: DID YOU KNOW that United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has moonlighted as a jurist on the 12-member judging panel for the annual International Wines for Oysters Competition –- the gold medal winners of which are trotted out at Old Ebbitt Grill's Oyster Riot? In past years, Justice Scalia –- who quietly campaigned to replace William Rehnquist... more ›

Good morning, Washington. Today will be another beautiful day - mostly sunny, with highs in the lower 80s. Believe it or not, today is our first birthday. Yes, it was one year ago today when DCist officially launched. To celebrate, we've planned a little birthday party next week. Before then, however, is a Katrina Benefit Concert we're sponsoring at American University this Friday featuring local acts Gist, Cartel, Paul Michel, RPM, Laura Burhenn and Army... more ›

Opinions may vary on the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist, but in terms of local politics, he was a staunch supporter of voting rights for District residents. Thanks to the folks at DC Vote, who today issued a press release honoring Rehnquist, we find that the Chief Justice, while U.S. Assistant Attorney General in 1970, argued the following: The need for an amendment [providing representation for the District] at this late date in our history... more ›

Washington is a city of symbols, be they of democracy, of death, of individual achievement, or of power. The District, while serving as a vibrant home to 600,000 residents, doubles as a reflection of America's resolve and commitment to the country's founding principles and those who have fought for them over the last 200 years -- Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, Roosevelt, and legions of soldiers and civil rights activists that have furthered the cause of... more ›

been on whether the space shuttle Discovery would launch or whether Chief Justice Rehnquist would retire. Much more pressing questions have been crowding your thoughts, such as... more ›

CNN is reporting that Chief Justice William Rehnquist was hospitalized last night, complaining of a fever. This comes on the heels of last Friday's rampant rumors that the Chief Justice was to announce his retirement. There has been no updated word on Justice Rehnquist's condition. Rehnquist has been going through treatment for thyroid cancer, and had a tracheotomy in 2005. He is currently at Arlington Hospital.... more ›

OK, so there isn't a specific D.C. angle other than it takes place here, but this is pretty monumental news in the larger scheme of things. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, today announced her resignation, the first in over 10 years and one likely to set up what is sure to be a long and brutal battle between conservative factions looking to reign in "judicial activism"... more ›

Through Petworth News, we learn that the essayist, playwright and thinker Gore Vidal will be laid to rest at Rock Creek Cemetery in Northwest Washington. While this isn't necessarily anything newsworthy, it's an interesting item for future chroniclers of the city's various monuments to note. According to Petworth News (where we snagged this photo), Vidal buried his longtime partner, Harold Auster, at the cemetery last month. The Vidal plot is located near a monument to... more ›

Can you believe it's December already, DCists? Neither can we. Crap. We should use these weeks before the holidays to buy our friends and family thoughtful, meaningful presents. Hmm. Or, we can go out and do fun stuff! >> More than 40 authors including Cokie Roberts, William Rehnquist (though we suspect the Chief Justice may sit this one out), Bob Edwards, and John Feinstein will be at the 15th annual Meet the Authors Night &... more ›

If you've noticed anything unusual in the George Washington University campus, it could be because today marks the last day of the week-long "26th Annual National Conservative Leadership Conference" organized by the Young America's Foundation. (The other YAF) more ›