Opening Arguments

In this episode, we delve — at long last, and just in time for the first Presidential debate — into the question of Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. In particular, we answer the question:  “did Hillary Clinton receive preferential treatment” when the … Continue reading OA13: Hillary Clinton’s Damned Emails! → The post OA13: Hillary Clinton’s Damned Emails! appeared first on Opening Arguments.

In this episode, we delve into the wacky world of tax protesters and “sovereign citizens,” people who believe that the legal world is a magical place filled with secret code words that, if invoked properly, can force the Illuminati-run courts to admit you into the secret chamber where nobody has to pay their taxes or … Continue reading OA12: Tax Protesters, Sovereign Citizens, and Other Wackiness → The post OA12: Tax Protesters, Sovereign Citizens, and Other Wackiness appeared first on Opening Arguments.

In this week’s hour-length episode, we finally conclude our three-part discussion of abortion and defending the jurisprudence behind the Supreme Court’s 1973 opinion in Roe v. Wade… only to leave you with another cliffhanger and a topic for a future show.  (Bingo!) Also, given our Patreon support, we’ll now be answering a viewer question every episode!  In … Continue reading OA11: Abortion, Roe v. Wade, and the Constitution, Part 3 → The post OA11: Abortion, Roe v. Wade, and the Constitution, Part 3 appeared first on Opening Arguments.

Our discussion of abortion continues as we walk through the Supreme Court’s opinion in Roe v. Wade and its aftermath. In our first segment, “Closed Arguments” continues with a look at whether you should call your law professor by her first name.  (No.  No, you should not.)  And in our closing segment, we answer a question … Continue reading OA10: Abortion, Roe v. Wade, and the Constitution, Part 2 → The post OA10: Abortion, Roe v. Wade, and the Constitution, Part 2 appeared first on Opening Arguments.

In Episodes 7 and 8, we discussed a recent decision by a federal court in Missouri dismissing a lawsuit brought by the Satanic Temple challenging certain Missouri laws that arguably restrict abortion rights.  In this episode, we take a step back and look at the right to abortion itself and the sometimes-controversial Supreme Court decision … Continue reading OA9: Abortion, Roe v. Wade, and the Constitution, Part 1 → The post OA9: Abortion, Roe v. Wade, and the Constitution, Part 1 appeared first on Opening Arguments.

In this episode, we wrap up the recent decision by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri dismissing a lawsuit brought by the Satanic Temple challenging several laws relating to getting an abortion in Missouri.  Andrew tells you what “motions to dismiss” are, and Thomas proves that he knows more about the … Continue reading OA8: You Won’t Have the Satanic Temple to Kick Around Any More, Part 2 → The post OA8: You Won’t Have the Satanic Temple to Kick Around Any More, Part 2 appeared first on Opening Arguments.

In this episode, we look at a recent lawsuit filed by the notorious Satanic Temple challenging abortion restrictions in the state of Missouri.  In the main segment, Andrew tells you how to read a Complaint, and Thomas offers advice to the Satanic Temple’s lawyers about which arguments are more persuasive to him. Our opening segment … Continue reading OA7: You Won’t Have the Satanic Temple to Kick Around Any More, Part 1 → The post OA7: You Won’t Have the Satanic Temple to Kick Around Any More, Part 1 appeared first on Opening Arguments.

In this week’s episode, Andrew sits down in the interviewer’s chair and talks with Chris Kristofco, another real lawyer and the lead editor at Title Town Sound Off, a Green Bay Packers fan site. If you’ve been following the NFL’s investigation into alleged performance enhancing drugs use by several of its star players, you’ll enjoy … Continue reading OA6: The Pending NFL Apocalypse (with Chris Kristofco) → The post OA6: The Pending NFL Apocalypse (with Chris Kristofco) appeared first on Opening Arguments.

Finally wrapping up their four-part discussion of the 2000 U.S. Presidential election, Andrew and Thomas follow the Gore campaign’s lawsuit as it goes to the Supreme Court.  How legitimate is Bush v. Gore?  Does it hold water?  Find out in this episode. Show Notes & Links The Supreme Court’s decision in Bush v. Gore, 531 U.S. … Continue reading OA5: Bush v. Gore and the 2000 Election, Part 4 → The post OA5: Bush v. Gore and the 2000 Election, Part 4 appeared first on Opening Arguments.

Continuing our discussion from OA3, Andrew lays the background for the most tumultuous Presidential election in modern American history, discussing the politics, history, and the legal background that led us to Bush v. Gore. Show Notes and Links Pres. Bill Clinton’s approval ratings, 1999-2000. Voting history for West Virginia, once a reliable Democratic stronghold. A … Continue reading OA4: The 2000 Election (#NeverForget), Part 3 → The post OA4: The 2000 Election (#NeverForget), Part 3 appeared first on Opening Arguments.

Andrew and Thomas continue their discussion of the 2000 U.S. Presidential election, moving from resurrecting long-dead jokes about “hanging chads” to explaining how the legal challenge that could determine the Presidency began in a tiny county courthouse in Florida. Show Notes & Links The Supreme Court’s decision in Bush v. Gore, 531 U.S. 98 (2000). Palm … Continue reading OA3: The 2000 Election (#NeverForget), Part 2 → The post OA3: The 2000 Election (#NeverForget), Part 2 appeared first on Opening Arguments.

On the last episode of Atheistically Speaking with Andrew Torrez (AS259), Andrew teased us with the promise that he’d be back to discuss what really happened back in the 2000 U.S. Presidential election (and promised that it might have something to do with our current Presidential election)!  Well, Andrew’s back, and in Part 1, he and I … Continue reading OA2: The 2000 Election (#NeverForget), Part 1 → The post OA2: The 2000 Election (#NeverForget), Part 1 appeared first on Opening Arguments.

In this introductory pre-episode, Thomas and Andrew talk about their backgrounds and their vision for the show.  We also preview our upcoming show segments and topics, tell you how to get in touch with us, and talk a little bit about how the show got started. Segments  Listener Questions:  We field a question from Eric … Continue reading OA1: “The Story Begins” – Introducing the Show & Segments → The post OA1: “The Story Begins” – Introducing the Show & Segments appeared first on Opening Arguments.