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Japanese American Olympic judo coach dies at 104 – AsAmNews

Yoshiro UchidaPhoto courtesy San Jose States University

The man who coached the very first U.S. Olympic team in judo in 1964 has died at the age of 104.

Yoshihiro “Yosh” Uchida of San Jose State is credited with coaching 22 Olympians, with four taking home medals, reports KQED. He remained active until his death and was a common sight watching judo practices at the building named after him on campus and often offering pointers.

“If they weren’t doing something correct, he was out there helping correct them. It was pretty amazing; he was a very remarkable guy,” said Robert Fukuda, the executive director of the U.S. Judo Federation to KQED. “There’ll be a long time before there’s another person like him, I’ll say that.”

Uchida is credited with turning San Jose State into a national powerhouse in judo which has won 40 national titles. He often saw the irony in all of this pointing out “Here I am representing a country that had thrown my parents into internment camps,” he said to the East Bay Times.

Source: Japanese American Olympic judo coach dies at 104 – AsAmNews

Open Thread | The Supreme Court on Presidential Immunity | 3CHICSPOLITICO

Eric Holder (@EricHolder) posted at 10:11 AM on Mon, Jul 01, 2024:

Our democracy has been gravely wounded

The Trump immunity decision says: a president CAN VIOLATE THE CRIMINAL LAW if he acts within his broadly defined “constitutional authority”

Absurd and dangerous

There is no basis in the Constitution for this Court constructed monstrosity
(https://x.com/EricHolder/status/1807794248894292203?t=izN03QSyu4-xnAeg9THE2w&s=03)

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From the dissenting Justice Sotomayor:

Today’s decision to grant former Presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the Presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law.
Relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom about the need for ‘ bold and unhesitating action’ by the President, ante, at 3, 13, the Court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more. Because, our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent.

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More From Justice Sotomayor’s dissent:
Never in the history of our Republic has a President had reason to believe that he would be immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law. Moving forward, however, all former Presidents will be cloaked in such immunity. If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the resto f us must abide will not provide a backstop.

With fear for our democracy, I dissent.

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Justice Brown Jackson dissenting:

Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) posted at 3:55 PM on Mon, Jul 01, 2024:
Justice Jackson’s dissent: “…the Court today transfers from the political branches to itself the power to decide when the President can be held accountable.”

“…while Congress (the branch of our Government most accountable to the People) is the entity our Constitution tasks with deciding, as a general matter, what conduct is on or off limits, the Court has now arrogated that power until itself when that question pertains to the President.”
(https://x.com/KatiePhang/status/1807880786646794723?t=qp4OxYpn1CBYmwHjarssKg&s=03)

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@judgeluttig
@judgeluttig
It can never again be said that in America “no man is above the law.” The Supreme Court held today that the President of the United States — and the former president in particular — is above the law, and the only person in America who is above the law.
1:02 PM · Jul 1, 2024
https://x.com/judgeluttig/status/1807837280851095597

 

Source: Open Thread | The Supreme Court on Presidential Immunity | 3CHICSPOLITICO

Appeals court allows part of Biden student loan repayment plan to go forward – Los Angeles Times

A federal appeals court has allowed the U.S. Education Department to move ahead with a plan to lower monthly payments for millions of student loan borrowers, putting on hold a ruling last week by a lower court.

The ruling from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals puts back on track a central part of President Biden’s efforts to address student debt — a rule that lowers from 10% of discretionary income to 5% the amount that some borrowers qualifying for a repayment plan need to pay.

The reduced payment threshold was set to take effect Monday, but federal judges in Kansas and Missouri last week blocked much of the administration’s student loan repayment plan in two separate rulings. The appeals court ruling on Sunday means the department can move ahead with the reduced payments already calculated.

Source: Appeals court allows part of Biden student loan repayment plan to go forward – Los Angeles Times