Dear Editor,The United States Supreme Court, in King v Burwell, a recent case about what is commonly called “Obamacare,” in a decision written by the Chief Justice of that Court, Mr John Roberts, invoked the well-known Plain Meaning rule used in courts worldwide and said: “If the statutory language is plain, we must enforce it according to its terms.” See King v Burwell, 135 S. Ct. 2480, 2489 (2015).Guyana and the United States have courts with a common English origin. In both countries, the Plain Meaning rule is applicable.Here, the relevant statute is Article 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana which clearly states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”The constitution is silent as to the meaning of the word “majority.” The word is not ambiguous. That is, it does not have two meanings. We ought to read it for its plain meaning. Invoking the Plain Meaning rule in the case at hand, thirty-three is a “majority” over thirty-two. Government was defeated.Sincerely,Rakesh Rampertab
The Liberia Law Society (LLS) has called on the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the government of Liberia to make a joint declaration to finalize the reform process that will decriminalize libel and defamation in Liberia by the end of the year.A press release issued yesterday in Monrovia said while the Law Society joins the Press Union in the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, it believes that greater satisfaction will come when laws deemed as archaic, outdated and draconian are changed.The Law Society concurs that both “our Constitution and International Laws provide the boundaries for free speech and press freedom along with concurrent responsibilities.”Moreover, the Law Society commits to continue to work with the Press Union of Liberia and the people of Liberia in the pursuit of reforms of laws that will ensure that the exercise of press freedom and freedom of speech as guaranteed remained unhindered. The Society also acknowledges the collective struggle of all Liberians and friends of Liberia who have been resolute through the years to guarantee the level of political participation, freedom of speech and of the Press that we enjoy today.Over several months now, the Law Society has been conducting research into reforming “our libel and defamation laws. Findings thus far reveal how these laws criminalize free speech and undermine the growth of a democratic culture in Liberia. We must, therefore, work to change them!”The Law Society notes that in spite of various public commitments by the government to support free press, there are worrying signs that suggest gains made in this direction could be reversed.Accordingly, on the day marked World Press Freedom Day, the Law Society calls on the Liberian government to make a solemn pledge not to use any law deemed draconian, archaic and anathema “to our hard won democracy.” The Law Society calls on the government of Liberia to give meaning to the Table Mountain Declaration, which President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf endorsed by annulling any law on “our books which criminalizes free speech.”Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
“That’s the best pitching staff we’ve faced,” coach Mike Weathers said. “I thought we played well. It was a 4-2 game in the seventh inning (of game two, an eventual 11-3 loss. For the third weekend, we found a way to battle against a ranked team, and that speaks highly of the team. “We’re a young squad. For a lot of guys, this was their first time on an airplane or a major road trip. Our young pitchers did a real fine job, and if we catch a few balls, Omar (Arif) allows just one hit (Sunday).” The Dirtbags arrived home from their trip to Houston without a series win over No. 6 Rice but still feeling good about the way they played against a ranked team with perhaps the best pitching staff in the nation. Long Beach State, which hosts UCLA tonight at 6:30 at Blair Field, scored just eight runs in the series but won game one in extra innings and had the game-tying run thrown out at the plate in the finale Sunday. Weathers will start freshman Adam Wilk tonight against UCLA (6-4). It will be the Dirtbags’ (5-4, with one game suspended) 11th straight game against a ranked opponent to open the season. Per usual on early weekday games, the Dirtbags will likely convene a large committee of pitchers tonight. Cal comes in for two games Friday (6:30 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.), and the Dirtbags then have the following weekend off. That will give them time to firm up a replacement in the rotation for Manny McElroy, who is out with a tear in his rib cage. 
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AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREGame Center: Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, 10 a.m.The fund was founded by the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station with the support of the City Council, and will be used to give scholarships to kids with troubled home lives. The fundraiser will feature tattoo artists whose schedules are normally booked a year in advance, and perhaps even celebrity guests. Garcia said he is hoping for a turnout of 100-200 people. Garcia said he grew up in a neighborhood where much of his and Hicks’ shared family resided, and even lived with her for a while. She often spent time in the area near Shamrock, seeing shows at the Whisky a Go-Go and making friends in the area, Garcia said. “If they needed somewhere to stay for a while or if they were going through a tough time to get back on their feet, she worked at a hospital so she could get them help and connections,” Garcia said. Garcia works at Shamrock, and several of Hicks’ other nephews have been tattooed there. Hicks’ death has inspired donations from the Pico Rivera City Council, from Supervisor Gloria Molina and from local businesses. airan.scruby@sgvn.com (562) 698-0955, Ext. 3029160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! Maria Hicks, shot and killed in August when she tried to stop a vandal from spraying graffiti on a wall near her home in Pico Rivera, left an indelible mark on her community. Now a fundraiser in the woman’s honor will leave indelible marks on the bodies of participants at Mark Mahoney’s Shamrock Social Club, a tattoo shop in North Hollywood. “I think this is something she would have went to if it was someone down the street with the same type of circumstances,” Hicks’ nephew, Peter Garcia, said. “She would try to help out as much as she could.” The fundraiser will take place on Sunday, when several tattoo artists from Shamrock will clear their schedules to take walk-ins, with all proceeds going to the Maria Hicks Scholarship Fund. 
McKenna has been capped four times by Scotland 2 Celtic are interested in Scotland international Scott McKenna, according to reports.McKenna, the Aberdeen defender, has emerged as one of the finest stoppers in Scotland’s top flight, and Swansea have been hoping to sign the 21-year-old over the last few weeks. However, the Scottish Sun report that Celtic are considering making a move for McKenna, with Brendan Rodgers, the club’s manager, looking to bring a new centre-half to Parkhead. Tony Cascarino backs Everton to sign two strikers for Carlo Ancelotti 2 Top nine Premier League free transfers of the decade The biggest market value losers in 2019, including Bale and ex-Liverpool star targets McKenna is wanted by Celtic and Swansea LIVING THE DREAM REVEALED three-way race He has spent time on loan with both Ayr United and Alloa, and was named Scotland captain when they were defeated 1-0 by Mexico earlier this year. Where every Premier League club needs to strengthen in January Cavani ‘agrees’ to join new club and will complete free transfer next summer Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Ndidi bid, targets named, Ozil is ‘skiving little git’ Kevin De Bruyne ‘loves Man City and wants to keep winning’, reveals father targets IN DEMAND RANKED moving on Aberdeen will refuse to sell McKenna on the cheap, having seen him sign two new contract extensions last season; the Dons also rejected four bids from Hull for the player in January.Capped four times by Scotland, McKenna established himself as one of Aberdeen’s most important players last season, making 35 appearances having played just four times for the Pittodrie club prior to the start of the campaign. Chelsea confident of beating Man United and Liverpool to Sancho signing Liverpool’s signings under Michael Edwards – will Minamino be the next big hit? LATEST TOP WORK Latest transfer news Man United joined by three other clubs in race for Erling Haaland 