Thomas More Law Center

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Thomas More Law Center to File Brief Supporting Arizona’s Immigration Law

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imag442ANN ARBOR, MI – Following an American military adage to “ride to the sound of the guns,” the Thomas More Law Center (TMLC), a national, public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced today that it plans to file a brief in support of Arizona’s immigration law.

The Law Center’s announcement came just hours after Federal District Court Judge Susan Bolton, a Clinton–appointee, blocked the most important provisions of the law from taking effect.  Mexico and the ACLU intervened in the case in support of the federal government’s position.  Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has vowed a swift appeal to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

imag443Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center, commented, “This is a matter of America’s sovereignty and security, and every patriotic American must get involved.  If we can’t defend our borders from attack by illegal immigrants, in time we will lose our country.  What confidence should we have in an Attorney General who, without even reading the law, accused Arizona of racial profiling?  Patriotic American must show they stand with Arizona in this matter.”

imag441Continued Thompson, “Arizona has the right to protect the safety of its citizens and prevent the massive economic damage being done to its institutions by illegal immigrants who have no right to be in our country in the first place. It’s clear that the federal government is shirking its responsibilities to enforce the law for political reasons. So the legal issue becomes whether Arizona can step in and do the job with state laws consistent with federal law, or whether federal law has totally preempted the ability of Arizona to act.”

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

With a Little Help Branch County Tea Party Gets to Put Up its Sign Again

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Digital CameraANN ARBOR, MI – The Branch County Tea Party is a volunteer group of concerned citizens calling themselves “The Common Sense Patriots of Branch County” who gather several times each year for speeches at the Four Corners city park in Coldwater, Michigan. As it had with other groups in the past, the City allowed the “Patriots” to place a sign at the Park entrance announcing their meetings. Last week that suddenly changed. Without giving any specific explanation other than the City had received some complaints, the City Manager informed the group that they could no longer put up their signs.

This is when the Thomas More Law Center stepped in.  Last week, one of the group’s members asked for help.  Their next meeting was scheduled for July 31, 2010, and they wanted to announce it with a sign. The Thomas More Law Center is a national, public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Robert Muise, the Law Center’s Senior Trial Counsel, immediately prepared and faxed a letter to the City explaining it had violated the group’s Constitutional right to free speech. [Click here to read letter]

Within a few hours of receiving the letter, the City reversed its refusal. The sign will immediately go up announcing the Patriots’ meeting on Saturday July 31.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “The Tea Party movement is one of the only remaining means of getting our Nation out of the mess it’s in.  I’m pleased that we were able to help this group get out its message.  And I’m pleased that the City so quickly responded to our letter.”

Thompson concluded with a word of caution, “We were successful in getting the City to change its position this time, but the situation has not been permanently resolved.  That’s because the City’s attorney informed us that they are developing a formal written policy dealing with displays in City parks.  The Law Center will make sure that the City doesn’t attempt to prevent the display of the Patriot’s signs indirectly through this written policy.”

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

Federal Judge to Hear Arguments on Constitutionality of Obamacare

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imag436ANN ARBOR, MI – Federal District Court Judge George C. Steeh, agreeing “that a prompt resolution of the constitutional issue would serve the public interest,” will hear oral arguments on the merits of the case challenging ObamaCare on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 9:30 AM.
Judge Steeh ordered the consolidation of the Thomas More Law Center’s motion for a Preliminary Injunction to prevent enforcement of ObamaCare with trial on the merits.

[Click here to read Order].

“The significance of this court hearing cannot be overstated,” said Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center.  The hearing will take place in Judge Steeh’s courtroom located in the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse in Detroit.

Moments after President Obama signed the health care bill into law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), on March 23, 2010, the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and co-counsel Washington, D.C. lawyer David Yerushalmi filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the Law Center and four Michigan residents who object to being forced by the federal government to purchase health care or face a federal penalty.  The basis for the lawsuit and the motion is that Congress exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause by mandating that private citizens purchase health care coverage or face a penalty.

Presenting arguments in support of the motion for Preliminary Injunction will be the Law Center’s Senior Trial Counsel Rob Muise and co-counsel David Yerushalmi.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

A Sad Day for America and the Marine Corps—LtCol Chessani Retires

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Jeffrey Chessani, Alissa ChessaniANN ARBOR, MI – He defended our Nation for over twenty-three years . . . often away from his wife and children . . . so that we could be home safely with ours.  All patriotic Americans owe a debt of gratitude to this American hero.

After a protracted four and a half year legal ordeal over the “Haditha massacre” – a massacre that never happened – LtCol Jeffrey Chessani completed his final day of active duty service in the United States Marine Corps last Friday, July 16, 2010.  Thus ended the promising career of one of America’s most effective combat leaders in Iraq—a political scapegoat to appease the anti-war press and politicians.

LtCol Chessani served three combat tours in Iraq as well as serving in the First Persian Gulf War and in Panama, receiving numerous awards and honors. At the time of the Haditha incident, he was commander of the 3rd Battalion (“The Thundering Third”), 1st Marines—one of the most decorated units in the history of the Marine Corps.

This loyal Marine officer faced criminal charges as a result of a legitimate combat action taken by four of his Marines after being ambushed by insurgents in Haditha, Iraq, on November 19, 2005. He cared deeply about the young Marines entrusted to his command, and refused to “throw them under the bus” to save his own career.

On November 19, 2005, at approximately 7:15 a.m., a Marine convoy was rolling through Haditha, Iraq — a terrorist stronghold.  Suddenly, a roadside bomb went off, destroying a Marine Humvee, killing one Marine and seriously injuring two others.

The Marines immediately received fire from the ambushing insurgents, who were shooting from nearby civilian-occupied homes. A four-man fire team responded as trained: they cleared several houses occupied by the armed insurgents, and in the ensuing room-by-room, house-by-house gun battle, it was reported eight enemy were killed.

Tragically 15 civilians also died.  In urban combat, where insurgents purposefully use civilians as human shields, civilian casualties are tragic, but not uncommon.  In fact, sometimes the insurgents themselves kill civilians to achieve a propaganda victory by blaming the Americans.

LtCol Chessani immediately reported the deaths of the 15 civilian Iraqis to his superiors.   Upon hearing of the 15 civilian deaths, not one of LtCol Chessani’s superiors ─ including top generals ─ considered it unusual.  Not one ordered a further investigation.  In fact, they commended him for a job well done.

However, several months later, a known Al Qaeda propaganda operative instigated an inflammatory Time magazine news article written by reporter Tim McGirk – later proven to be false – accusing the Marines of massacring innocent civilians.

Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha, a leading anti-war critic, saw his opportunity and jumped in.  Murtha was head of the House military appropriations subcommittee –a position with significant power over the military.  He echoed the Time magazine story.

Murtha appeared on several major television networks and publicly accused the young enlisted Marines of “cold blooded” murder and Marine officers of a “cover-up.”  He blamed it all on the stress of being in Iraq too long.  Incredibly, these accusations were made even before the investigation was completed.

Murtha was the same person caught on tape negotiating bribes with Arab Sheiks during the FBI’s 1980 Abscam investigation – he was an un-indicted co-conspirator in that case.

The trumped-up charge: failing to properly report and investigate the November 19, 2005 incident.  The Government did everything it could to convict LtCol Chessani.  It spent millions of taxpayer dollars, employed over 65 Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents ─ the largest investigation in that agency’s history ─ and granted immunity to scores of witnesses, all in their attempt to make Jeffrey and the “Haditha Marines” political scapegoats.

Lt. Colonel Paul Ware, USMC, an Investigating Officer who heard testimony in several cases involving the charged enlisted Marines, blasted the credibility of the government witnesses and expressed concern that the allegations were nothing but a tactic “to erode public support of the Marine Corps and mission in Iraq.” He went on to say:

 “Even more dangerous is the potential that a Marine may hesitate at the critical moment when facing the enemy . . ..”

Retired General Thomas McInerney, former Joint Force Commander and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, called the prosecutions of the Haditha Marines “despicable.”  He warned:

 “We cannot fight a war like that . . . We’re not taking care of our people.”

Evidence of what our nation lost by the unjust prosecution of LtCol Chessani, can be garnered from a few excerpts from his official Combat Fitness Report, a required annual evaluation of a Marine officer’s performance prepared by his superiors.  It covered the period of September 2005 to February 2006 ─ which included the date of the Haditha incident:

•  “Leads Marines from front in every operation.  Demonstrates moral courage every day.  Doesn’t hesitate to report bad news fast or contest unrealistic plans/poor concepts.  Despite the complexity and size of his AO [area of operations], he always maintains a calm, cool demeanor.”
• “Always seeks advantage over complex, diverse insurgent enemy.  Truly one of the finer thinkers in this COIN [counterinsurgency] environment.”
• “One of the top 3” infantry/cavalry battalion commanders “of 13 who have served with RCT –2 [the regiment] during OIF.  A superb leader, who knows his men, knows the enemy, knows his business.  Doesn’t attract a lot of fanfare; just gets the job done to an exceedingly high standard.”
• “Long ball hitter; recommend selection for promotion to Colonel and TLS [Top Level School].”

The Reviewing Officer, Major General Huck added his comments: “Top notch officer with outstanding potential.  Promote and select for TLS [Top Level School].  Post TLS slate for Regimental command and subsequent joint tour.  Unlimited potential and value to the Marine Corps.  Capable of the most challenging assignments.”

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and detailed military lawyers, LtCol Jon Shelburne, USMC, and Capt Jeffery King, USMC, successfully defended LtCol Chessani throughout his prosecution.  The criminal charges against Chessani were dismissed on the grounds of Unlawful Command Influence.  The government lost its appeals of that dismissal.

Not giving up its quest for a scapegoat, the government then convened a Board of Inquiry to determine allegations of misconduct.  On December 11, 2009, the Board of Inquiry ruled that LtCol Chessani was not guilty of misconduct, but stated he must retire without loss of rank.  And on June 25, 2010, the Secretary of Navy announced his acceptance of the military Board of Inquiry findings.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

A Sad Day for America and the Marine Corps—LtCol Chessani Retires

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ANN ARBOR, MI – He defended our Nation for over twenty-three years . . . often away from his wife and children . . . so that we could be home safely with ours.  All patriotic Americans owe a debt of gratitude to this American hero.

After a protracted four and a half year legal ordeal over the “Haditha massacre” – a massacre that never happened – LtCol Jeffrey Chessani completed his final day of active duty service in the United States Marine Corps last Friday, July 16, 2010.  Thus ended the promising career of one of America’s most effective combat leaders in Iraq—a political scapegoat to appease the anti-war press and politicians.

LtCol Chessani served three combat tours in Iraq as well as serving in the First Persian Gulf War and in Panama, receiving numerous awards and honors. At the time of the Haditha incident, he was commander of the 3rd Battalion (“The Thundering Third”), 1st Marines—one of the most decorated units in the history of the Marine Corps.

This loyal Marine officer faced criminal charges as a result of a legitimate combat action taken by four of his Marines after being ambushed by insurgents in Haditha, Iraq, on November 19, 2005. He cared deeply about the young Marines entrusted to his command, and refused to “throw them under the bus” to save his own career.

On November 19, 2005, at approximately 7:15 a.m., a Marine convoy was rolling through Haditha, Iraq — a terrorist stronghold.  Suddenly, a roadside bomb went off, destroying a Marine Humvee, killing one Marine and seriously injuring two others.

The Marines immediately received fire from the ambushing insurgents, who were shooting from nearby civilian-occupied homes. A four-man fire team responded as trained: they cleared several houses occupied by the armed insurgents, and in the ensuing room-by-room, house-by-house gun battle, it was reported eight enemy were killed.

Tragically 15 civilians also died.  In urban combat, where insurgents purposefully use civilians as human shields, civilian casualties are tragic, but not uncommon.  In fact, sometimes the insurgents themselves kill civilians to achieve a propaganda victory by blaming the Americans.

LtCol Chessani immediately reported the deaths of the 15 civilian Iraqis to his superiors.   Upon hearing of the 15 civilian deaths, not one of LtCol Chessani’s superiors ─ including top generals ─ considered it unusual.  Not one ordered a further investigation.  In fact, they commended him for a job well done.

However, several months later, a known Al Qaeda propaganda operative instigated an inflammatory Time magazine news article written by reporter Tim McGirk – later proven to be false – accusing the Marines of massacring innocent civilians.

Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha, a leading anti-war critic, saw his opportunity and jumped in.  Murtha was head of the House military appropriations subcommittee –a position with significant power over the military.  He echoed the Time magazine story.

Murtha appeared on several major television networks and publicly accused the young enlisted Marines of “cold blooded” murder and Marine officers of a “cover-up.”  He blamed it all on the stress of being in Iraq too long.  Incredibly, these accusations were made even before the investigation was completed.

Murtha was the same person caught on tape negotiating bribes with Arab Sheiks during the FBI’s 1980 Abscam investigation – he was an un-indicted co-conspirator in that case.

The trumped-up charge: failing to properly report and investigate the November 19, 2005 incident.  The Government did everything it could to convict LtCol Chessani.  It spent millions of taxpayer dollars, employed over 65 Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents ─ the largest investigation in that agency’s history ─ and granted immunity to scores of witnesses, all in their attempt to make Jeffrey and the “Haditha Marines” political scapegoats.

Lt. Colonel Paul Ware, USMC, an Investigating Officer who heard testimony in several cases involving the charged enlisted Marines, blasted the credibility of the government witnesses and expressed concern that the allegations were nothing but a tactic “to erode public support of the Marine Corps and mission in Iraq.” He went on to say:

“Even more dangerous is the potential that a Marine may hesitate at the critical moment when facing the enemy . . . ”

Retired General Thomas McInerney, former Joint Force Commander and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, called the prosecutions of the Haditha Marines “despicable.” He warned:

“We cannot fight a war like that . . . We’re not taking care of our people.”

Evidence of what our nation lost by the unjust prosecution of LtCol Chessani, can be garnered from a few excerpts from his official Combat Fitness Report, a required annual evaluation of a Marine officer’s performance prepared by his superiors.  It covered the period of September 2005 to February 2006 ─ which included the date of the Haditha incident:

•  “Leads Marines from front in every operation.  Demonstrates moral courage every day.  Doesn’t hesitate to report bad news fast or contest unrealistic plans/poor concepts.  Despite the complexity and size of his AO [area of operations], he always maintains a calm, cool demeanor.”
• “Always seeks advantage over complex, diverse insurgent enemy.  Truly one of the finer thinkers in this COIN [counterinsurgency] environment.”
• “One of the top 3” infantry/cavalry battalion commanders “of 13 who have served with RCT –2 [the regiment] during OIF.  A superb leader, who knows his men, knows the enemy, knows his business.  Doesn’t attract a lot of fanfare; just gets the job done to an exceedingly high standard.”
• “Long ball hitter; recommend selection for promotion to Colonel and TLS [Top Level School].”

The Reviewing Officer, Major General Huck added his comments: “Top notch officer with outstanding potential.  Promote and select for TLS [Top Level School].  Post TLS slate for Regimental command and subsequent joint tour.  Unlimited potential and value to the Marine Corps.  Capable of the most challenging assignments.”

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and detailed military lawyers, LtCol Jon Shelburne, USMC, and Capt Jeffery King, USMC, successfully defended LtCol Chessani throughout his prosecution.  The criminal charges against Chessani were dismissed on the grounds of Unlawful Command Influence.  The government lost its appeals of that dismissal.

Not giving up its quest for a scapegoat, the government then convened a Board of Inquiry to determine allegations of misconduct.  On December 11, 2009, the Board of Inquiry ruled that LtCol Chessani was not guilty of misconduct, but stated he must retire without loss of rank.  And on June 25, 2010, the Secretary of Navy announced his acceptance of the military Board of Inquiry findings.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at

www.thomasmore.org.

Dearborn Declares War on the Four Christian Missionaries; They Respond—A Must See Video

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imag435ANN ARBOR, MI – In an unprecedented and astonishing development, the City of Dearborn, through its mayor and its official website, has personally attacked the four Christian missionaries arrested at the annual Arab International Festival on June 18, 2010.  The Mayor’s intrusion into the case destroyed whatever semblance remained of an unbiased and professional law enforcement action following the illegal seizure of video cameras to prevent recording of the events surrounding the arrests.

One of the Christian missionaries, Dr. Nabeel Qureshi, MD, tore apart the mayor’s five page statement attacking the missionaries. “Oh Really, Mayor O’Reilly?” [Click here to see video]

Dr. Qureshi was engaged in a peaceful dialogue with several Muslim youths. The other three missionaries were merely videotaping the conversation when the Dearborn police moved in, seized the cameras, and then made the arrests.

The four Christian missionaries were arraigned on criminal charges on Monday morning, July 12, in Dearborn’s 19th Judicial District Court. The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan is representing all of the Christian missionaries.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.