Chad’s Morning Brief: Obamacare Heads to the Supreme Court, The Blame Game, & More

Here is your Morning Brief for the morning of March 26, 2012. Give us your feedback below and tune in to Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty for these and many more topics from 6-9 am.

*Robert Snyder will be sitting in for Chad Hasty on Monday's LFN.

1. Obamacare and the Supreme Court (link)

The most important court case in decades arrives at the Supreme Court on Monday.

The Supreme Court will hear six hours of oral arguments over the course of three days. Attorney's representing 26 states will argue against the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act. What will happen? No one really knows. Don't expect any fireworks on Monday though. According to FOX News, it's all about Tuesday;

If the Court eventually issues a blockbuster constitutional ruling, it will come from Tuesday's arguments about the individual mandate. The dispute is over the central provision of the law requiring near-universal participation in the new health insurance system.

The government argues it has the regulatory power under the Commerce Clause to force people to buy health insurance, even if they don't want to, because all people must at some time purchase health care and therefore are in the marketplace.

This is a very complex case with lots of moving parts. A decision is expected early in the Summer. The Heritage Foundation has published a great timeline and schedule for the arguments.

What do you think will happen with this case? Personally, I believe the Supreme Court will strike down the individual mandate, but uphold other portions of the law. I believe that the Court will say that the government tried to take too much power here. However, I also expect the losing side to try and ignore the ruling. I could see the President challenging the authority of the Supreme Court. If the Court rules in favor of the individual mandate, then Republicans would need major victories in November to repeal Obamacare.

2. The Blame Game: Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman

I've been looking on with disgust with how the media, President Obama, and others have conducted themselves regarding the case out of Florida. If you've been living under a rock, here's what happened according to Reuters:

Zimmerman, 28, a white Hispanic, shot Trayvon Martin, 17, in what he said was self defense during an altercation in the gated community Zimmerman was watching on February 26 in Sanford, Florida. After attracting little notice initially, the case gained widespread attention, sparking protests and renewing a national debate about race.

And from the NY Daily News:

Martin, who is African-American, was wearing a hoodie and carrying a pack of Skittles and an ice tea on the night of Feb. 26. He was heading back to his father’s fiance’s townhouse.

Zimmerman, 28, called 911 to report a suspicious person in the gated community and followed the teen despite the dispatcher’s request that he stand down.

Zimmerman said he shot Martin in self-defense. Zimmerman’s family says he is Hispanic and race was not an issue.

As Reuters said, this story has become a national story. What's disturbing is how many people are willing to convict Zimmerman of murder without having any knowledge of the case. President Obama spoke out last week about the case, saying that Americans need "some soul searching". Really? First off, Obama shouldn't be talking about this case. It has nothing to do with the President or the federal government. Second, that statement makes it sound as though the President is siding with Martin without many facts being known.

I wonder if the President will challenge the Black Panthers now that they have offered a $10,000 bounty on Zimmerman. Will the White House stay quiet on this huge story? The Justice Department must put a stop to this group that if openly calling for the killing of a man.

Friends and evidence are starting to come to Zimmerman's defense, however thanks to the media, politicians, and even the President, a man's life is on the line. There are people pushing this to be a racial issue and I believe even wanting to provoke a race war. Yet, these same groups and people were silent over the Summer when black youths were classified as "mobs" and attacked stores and people throughout the country.

3. Schumer Calls for a Federal Probe (link)

And here come the Democrats wanting to investigate home security laws.

Sen. Chuck Schumer is calling on the Justice Department to investigate so-called "Stand Your Ground" laws following the fatal shooting of an unarmed Florida teen.

The law, a version of which was enacted in Florida in 2005, allows for individuals to use deadly force -- even outside their home -- if they feel threatened.

Since the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, Republican leaders have called the killing a tragedy but argue that the law in question did not actually apply to this case.

Still, Schumer wrote in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder on Sunday that the laws themselves should be investigated.

"These laws seem to be encouraging vigilantism by allowing individuals to use deadly force as a first resort," Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement.

What a moron. Schumer wants you to be a victim and doesn't think you should be able to protect your home. Pathetic.

4. Rick Perry Was Sorta Funny (link)

Governor Rick Perry was at an exclusive journalists gala and had a little fun making fun of people. According to the Texas Tribune:

His remarks before the Gridiron Club — including jabs at Bush's smarts, Romney's faith and Santorum's far-right credentials, drew raucous laughter. To uproarious applause, Perry called his brief lead in the GOP presidential primary "the three most exhilarating hours of my life," and said he could sum up his run for the White House this way: “It was the weakest Republican field in history, and they kicked my butt.”

5. Dumb story of the morning (link)

Government trying to get involved where it doesn't have to.

He’s talking about the possibility of banning smoking in all apartment complexes in the city.

A Sacramento-based trade association that works with landlords is against the idea, however.

“We don’t think it’s necessary,” said Cory Koehler with the Rental Housing Association. We support an owner’s right to choose the policy that’s in the best interest of their particular property. But what we don’t support is a new law by local government forcing the owner to do that.”

Most apartments are smoke-free already. This just shows how silly government is. Trying to get involved where they aren't needed or wanted.

6. Good Brews Good News of the Day (link)

Building a home for an injured Marine.

A disabled Connecticut Marine received a helping hand from the community, and now he’ll eventually have a place to call his own.

One hundred emergency responders from New York City, showed up Thursday to frame and side Manny Jimenez's home on Addiston Road in Glastonbury.

What should have taken months to finish, will be complete in just a few days. Volunteers will work through the weekend.

“You know this is an incredible amount of work,” said Bill Keegan, founder of Heart 9-11.

In August of 2010 the Connecticut Marine was hit by an explosive while serving in Afghanistan.  He lost an arm and some of his hearing.

Read the rest of the story at the link above!

Everyday, Good Brews Coffee & Tea Lounge brings you the Good News of the Day!

Other Top Stories:

STAAR Testing

Senators Want Probe for Facebook Password Requests

Santorum's Win Doesn't Help Much

The U.S. Pays Up

Paul Ryan for VP?

These and many more topics coming up on today’s edition of Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty. Tune in mornings 6-9am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App. All guest interviews can be heard online in our podcast section after the show atkfyo.com.