A Russian judge gave a new meaning to mitigating factors in sentencing. Sergey Gavrilov, 27, killed and ate his mother in southern Russia. The judge, however, gave the man a lenient sentence on the grounds that he was hungry.
Continue reading ‘A Place Called Mom’s: Russian Man Given Sentence Reduction After Killing and Eating Mother Due to His Being Hungry’
A Place Called Mom’s: Russian Man Given Sentence Reduction After Killing and Eating Mother Due to His Being Hungry
Published 1, November 11, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 4 CommentsO’Reilly: “We Can’t Kill All Of The Muslims So We Wanna Win As Many Hearts and Minds” As Possible
Published 1, November 11, 2009 Bizarre , International , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 20 CommentsBill O’Reilly made an extraordinary statement last night in addressing the difficult fact that “we can’t kill all the Muslims.” This follows an equally bizarre statement from his interviewee Fox News contributor Col. Ralph Peters that there are no Christian or Jewish terrorists.
Form Follows Function: Columbia Professor Arrested for Punching Female University Employee
Published 1, November 11, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 19 Comments
Well-known Columbia architecture professor Lionel McIntyre, 59, was arrested yesterday in a Harlem bar after punching a female university employee, Camille Davis, in the face at a Harlem bar. The argument was over race relations (McIntyre is black and Davis is white) and the two got into an argument over “white privilege.”
When In Romulus, Do As the Romulans Do: Vatican See Looks for Sinless Extraterrestrial Life
Published 1, November 11, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 14 Comments
The Vatican appears to have gotten over that whole Galileo business when they were willing to put scientists to death for saying that the Earth moved around the Sun. Now, the Pope’s chief astronomer, Father Jose Gabriel Funes, says that intelligent life may exist on other planets and the Holy See is looking to the skies.
Glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirlin1990.com Wins in Trademark Challenge Against Glenn Beck
Published 1, November 11, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Society 8 Comments
Glenn Beck has lost a bizarre trademark fight with the founder of glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirlin1990.com, Isaac Eiland-Hall. Eiland-Hall created the Internet sensation to mock the style of Beck and Fox News — leading to a challenge over the use of Beck’s name with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
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Video: Subway Car Stops Inches from Woman on Track
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Bizarre , Society 7 CommentsWhile subway operators are often accused of negligence or texting or sleeping, it is important to keep in mind those operators who fulfill their duties with stellar success. This video appears to show a drunk woman who owes her life to not only this operator but the two people who frantically alert the operator that a woman is on the track.
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Texas Woman Allegedly Fakes Breast Cancer to Pay for Breast Implants
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 47 Comments
We have previously seen stories where people fake cancer or illnesses to get friends and co-workers to give them money. However, Trista Joy Lathern, 24, of Texas takes the cake. She is accused of faking breast cancer in order to get friends to donate money, so she could get breast implants to save her failing marriage.
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Lost Army of King Cambyses II Found
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 8 Comments
Once again, as a military history buff, I find this incredibly cool. Archeologists may have solved one of the great mysteries of military history: the lost army of Persian King Cambyses II. Loss 2,500 years ago, it is believed to have been found — or what is left of it — by Italian researchers in the western Egyptian desert.
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Maclaren Recalls Strollers After Severing of Fingertips of Children
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Bizarre , Society , Torts 8 Comments
One of the leading stroller manufacturers, Maclaren, has recalled strollers after its products resulted in the horrific severing of the fingertips of a dozen children.
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Girl Suspended After Shaving Head for Cancer Victims — Including Her Dying Father
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Media , Society 11 Comments
Emily Pridham, 15, stood out when she showed up at Mount Alvernia College in Brisbane, Australia with a shaven head. She was suspended for violating the school’s dress code, even though she shaved her head to raise money for cancer research — her father is dying of cancer.
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New Zealand Cancels Dead Rabbit Toss Competition
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Society 27 Comments
It appears that you have missed your chance to participate in the annual Dead Rabbit Throw competition in New Zealand. Animal welfare activists seem to have found it somehow distasteful to have families try to throw dead rabbits the farthest.
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I give you this moment of starlings zen.
Continue reading ‘Bird Zen’
New York Bus Driver Kills Man on First Day Back From Suspension for Texting While Driving
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Bizarre , Society , Torts 3 Comments
While MARTA drivers in Atlanta appear to be petitioning God with prayer (here), drivers in New York appear to be texting friends with gossip. The difference is that the MARTA driver stopped the bus. NYC Transit driver Jeremy Philhower is the subject of an investigation after running over and killing Seth Kahn, 22, as he crossed the street. Many are outraged that Philhower was previously suspended for texting while driving but was allowed back behind a wheel.
Continue reading ‘New York Bus Driver Kills Man on First Day Back From Suspension for Texting While Driving’
God is My Co-Pilot: Atlanta MARTA Driver Forces Passengers to Pray
Published 1, November 10, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Religion , Society 8 Comments
A MARTA bus driver in Atlanta has been suspended after he allegedly stopped the bus and told passengers to pray. LeRoy Matthews stopped the bus on Nov. 3rd at 7:30 pm for the impromptu religious observance.
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Thank God: The Boy Who Was Denied Chemotherapy For Religious Reasons (and Ordered into Treatment by a Judge) Is Now Cancer Free
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 21 Comments
Many followed the case (here) of Daniel Hauser of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota when his fundamentalist Mom fled with him to avoid chemotherapy for his cancer on religious grounds. Few may be aware of the end of the story. He has completed his last chemotherapy sessions and is now cancer-free — thanks to the judge who overrode his mother’s objections.
Witch Doctors in Tanzania Accused of Killing Albinos for Magical Body Parts
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 14 Comments
As we have been following on this blog, witch doctors in Africa continue to cause great suffering and abuses, here and here and here and here. Now, there is a report from Tanzania that witch doctors have caused the slaughter of more than 50 albinos for their body parts.
Continue reading ‘Witch Doctors in Tanzania Accused of Killing Albinos for Magical Body Parts’
Canadian Judge Finds Catholic Bishop Thwarted Investigation of Abusive Priest
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 5 Comments
A Canadian judge made a disturbing finding in the sentencing of Father Bernard Cloutier who was convicted of abusing young boys. The judge heard evidence that retired Bishop Gérard Dionne thwarted a 1983 police investigation into Cloutier’s sexual abuse.
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The Lion’s Den: National Zoo the Scene of an All-Too-Real Predator-Prey Exhibit
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Society 11 CommentsFamilies got a bit too real of a zoological lesson at the National Zoo this week when a deer somehow jumped into the wrong exhibit: the lion enclosure. Nature took it from there.
Continue reading ‘The Lion’s Den: National Zoo the Scene of an All-Too-Real Predator-Prey Exhibit’
Officer Assigned to Anti-Shoplifting Duty is Convicted of Shoplifting
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 3 Comments
Peter Cokell, 34, was convicted recently for stealing two PlayStation 3 games in England. No surprise there. What is a bit odd is that he was the police officer assigned to prevent shoplifting at the store.
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Pet Cemetery: Long Island Woman Accused of Being Serial Pet Killer
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 10 Comments
Police in Suffolk County are investigating what they claim could be the Ted Bundy of pet serial killers. Sharon McDonough is accused of torturing, killing, and burying dozens of pets in her Long Island backyard.
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Big-Box Banishment: Wal-Mart Bans Gay Couple From Store for Life After They Prove Their Did NOT Shoplift
Published 1, November 9, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 36 Comments
Attorneys Joe Paolucci and Thomas Hitchcock were declared persona non grata recently by Wal-Mart – banished from the store for life. Their banishment came after they had proven that they had not shoplifted a package of bic lighters from the store. The gay couple alleges that before the banishment they were subject to abusive homophobic treatment by store employees, who seemed intent on showing that they shoplifted that lighters worth $15.84.
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The look on this dog captures the meaning of Halloween.
Video: Torpedo Sinks French Ship
Published 1, November 8, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Military , Society 5 CommentsFor those of us who are military history buffs, this video is amazing. On the video, you can see the impact of modern torpedoes on large shipping.
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Separation Anxiety: British Courts To Decide Who Is a Jew
Published 1, November 8, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , International , Politics , Religion , Society 5 Comments
There is an intriguing case in London where the British courts will decide who is a Jew and who decides such a question. The British have long maintained publicly supported religious schools — an affront to the separation of church and state. Now, inevitably, the state must decide who can be excluded from one of the Jewish schools run by the government. Not surprisingly, at the heart of the controversy is Lord Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, who recently blamed secularism for the decline and potential fall of Western Civilization, here. He insists that only children with Jewish mothers (recognized in Orthodox synagogues) are truly Jewish.
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Baby Trafficking: Police Arrest Doctors and Nurses in Baby Selling Syndicate
Published 1, November 8, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 12 Comments
We have another horrific baby-selling conspiracy. Previously such a scheme was uncovered in China, here. Now, a similar scheme has been uncovered in Mexico City where staff told mothers at the Central West Hospital that their babies died and were cremated — only to sell them to wealthy couples.
Continue reading ‘Baby Trafficking: Police Arrest Doctors and Nurses in Baby Selling Syndicate’
DWF (Driving While Female): Two Professors Arrested in Saudi Arabia for Driving Themselves to the Mall
Published 1, November 8, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 8 Comments
Jeddah police arrested two female professors from King Abdulaziz University this week for the crime of driving themselves to the mall. Police were shocked by the sight of a woman behind the wheel of a car and immediately pulled them over. We have previously followed the struggle of women to enjoy this freedom of movement in the Kingdom (here)
Continue reading ‘DWF (Driving While Female): Two Professors Arrested in Saudi Arabia for Driving Themselves to the Mall’
Meet Mary Strey: The World’s Most Honest Drunk Driver
Published 1, November 7, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 12 Comments
Mary Strey may be condemned for driving while drunk, but there is something redeeming in the 911 call below where she calls to report herself to police in Neillsville, Wisconsin.
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Korean Woman Passed Driver’s Exam on 950th Attempt
Published 1, November 7, 2009 Bizarre , International , Society 6 Comments
While many of us were opposed to women-only parking spots in South Korea, we may want to make an exception for Cha Sa-Soon who just passed her written driver’s license exam after 950 attempts.
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Is This Your Homework, Larry? Students in Two Cases Implicated in Crimes After Allegedly Leaving Homework at the Crime Scene
Published 1, November 7, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 6 Comments
Despite the claims of parents about always doing your homework, homework has been the undoing of many a fine criminal. In two cases this week, alleged high school and college felons were implicated when they left homework at the scene of the crime.
Continue reading ‘Is This Your Homework, Larry? Students in Two Cases Implicated in Crimes After Allegedly Leaving Homework at the Crime Scene’
The Meaning of Guts
Published 1, November 7, 2009 International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 7 Comments
Who says that a math geek cannot become a super hero? Mahmoud Vahidnia is a math student at Tehran’s Sharif Technical University where he recently won the gold medal at the country’s National Math Olympics (yes, geeks have an Olympics of their own). Vahidnia, however, has become a political icon in Iran after he publicly chastised the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the brutal crackdown of protesters.
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A Lesson in Equine Etiquette
Published 1, November 7, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Society 8 CommentsThis must be a mother horse.
Sharia Family Values: Man Stoned to Death in Somalia for Adultery While Pregnant Woman Spared To Be Stoned Immediately After Giving Birth
Published 1, November 7, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 12 Comments
The Sharia courts of southern Somalia are busy again showing the world the importance of the separation of mosque and state. In the latest outrage, the Sharia court of al-Shabab ordered Abas Hussein Abdirahman, 33, stoned to death in front of a crowd of some 300 people in the town of Merka. The Islamic judges, however, showed mercy for the woman who is pregnant. She will be allowed to give birth and then immediately stoned to death.
Continue reading ‘Sharia Family Values: Man Stoned to Death in Somalia for Adultery While Pregnant Woman Spared To Be Stoned Immediately After Giving Birth’
Hezbollah Bans “The Diary of Anne Frank” As Zionist Propaganda
Published 1, November 6, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 30 Comments
The good people at Hezbollah are offering the world another insight into extremist thought. The militant group has banned “The Diary of Anne Frank” from schools as Zionist propaganda by focusing on the plight of some Jews. I suppose when you are teaching kids to blow up innocent people, an account of an innocent victim can appear propagandistic.
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Sesame Shill? PBS Accused of Showing Anti-Fox Bias “On the Street”
Published 1, November 6, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 33 Comments
While conservatives believe that the Pledge of Allegiance “drives Liberals crazy,” Sesame Street seems to have the same effect on them. Conservatives are outraged by what they view as a dissing from Oscar the Grouch and an unnamed muppet who referred to a network called “Pox News” in a dismissive way.
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Blockbuster Lawsuit: Texas Woman Sues Over Publication of Video Selections on Facebook
Published 1, November 6, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Media , Society , Torts 9 Comments
Blockbuster and Facebook are the defendants in two interesting privacy lawsuits in Texas where Cathryn Harris is suing them for revealing her name and movie rental tastes. Even more shocking is that anyone is still renting “The Jewel of Nile” with Michael Douglas in 2009.
Congressman Promises to Drive Liberals Crazy with Pledge of Allegiance and Then Stumbles on the Words
Published 1, November 6, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Society 24 CommentsRep. Todd Akin is under fire for claiming that saying the Pledge of Allegiance “drives liberals crazy.” However, the Missouri congressman seems to stumble on the words when he leads a group of teabaggers in Washington.
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Fighting the Biblical Beast in Texas: Evangelical Kindergarten Teacher Challenges Fingerprinting as a Sign of the Biblical Beast
Published 1, November 6, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 21 Comments
An evangelical Christian kindergarten teacher has sued Texas to contest the state’s right to require her to submit to fingerprinting. Pam McLaurin, however, is not alleging privacy or contractual violations. She is alleging that fingerprinting is the Mark of the Beast foretold in the Book of Revelations and thus violates her religious beliefs. It turns out that the Beast has laid the foundations for its Kingdom on Earth in the Texas Education Agency.
Step One: Drive By, Step Two . . . : Wisconsin Man Forgets to Roll Down Window in Drive-By Shooting — And Then Files Insurance Claim for Window
Published 1, November 6, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 5 Comments
It appears that felons in the small town of Appleton, Wisconsin have to learn a bit about drive-by shootings if they are going to compete with nearby Milwaukee or Chicago. Andrew J. Burwitz, 20 will appear (aptly) in Outagamie County Court after being accused of an attempted drive-by shooting. The problem, police say, is that he forgot to roll down his window — leaving telltale glass all over the street and his car.
Continue reading ‘Step One: Drive By, Step Two . . . : Wisconsin Man Forgets to Roll Down Window in Drive-By Shooting — And Then Files Insurance Claim for Window’
The Sacking of Secularism: Chief Rabbi Denounces Secularism as Threat to Western Civilization
Published 1, November 5, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 34 Comments
Secularists are often blamed by religious figures for everything from hurricanes to teen pregnancies. Now, it appears that secularists are also responsible for religious extremism and, oh yes, the demise of Western Civilization and Europe as we know it. No, this is not the latest religious tirade from Tony Blair. It is Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks of Aldgate, who clearly pinned the blame for the demise of Europe on those who hold secularist views. Lord Sacks, 61, is Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth since 1991.
Bear Necessities of Law: Man Acquitted of Disturbing Bears in San Francisco Zoo
Published 1, November 5, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Environment , Lawyering , Society , Torts 27 Comments
Kenneth Herron may have picked the wrong cage but apparently the right counsel. Herron was acquitted of “disturbing dangerous animals” on a novel defense by deputy public defender James Conger. Conger argued that the bears were actually not that disturbed when Herron came into their cage after the San Francisco Zoo closed.
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Sign of the Times: Prosecutor Forces Mother and Daughter to Wear Humilitating Signs in His Own Forms of Punishment
Published 1, November 5, 2009 Uncategorized 19 Comments
Another case is using the court system for entertaining justice. Evelyn Border, 55 and her daughter, Tina Griekspoor, in Bedford, Pa. have been sentenced to sit outside a courthouse with a sign saying that they stole a gift card from a 9-year-old girl on her birthday. I have previously opposed the use of such humiliation and public scorn punishments, here. It is trend of judges who are freelancing with their own forms of humiliating justice for citizens — an erosion of professionalism and continuity in our legal system.
Lady’s Man: Italian Court Convicts Twenty-Three Americans in Kidnapping Case of Abu Omar
Published 1, November 5, 2009 Bizarre , International , Media , Military , Politics , Society 13 Comments
Twenty-three suspects, including the former CIA station chief in Milan Robert Lady, were convicted of kidnapping by an Italian court for the CIA’s “extraordinary renditions.” It is the first such trial on the controversial practice.
Ohio Police Taser Man After He Runs Into Burning Home to Save Sister and Friends
Published 1, November 5, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 14 Comments
MIke Bartlett of Kent, Ohio probably thought that the worst thing that happened to him on Sunday was finding his house on fire at 4:30 am. He was wrong. After Bartlett ran in and out of the house to save people, he was tasered by officers standing outside and arrested.
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Praising the Dear One? Videos Raise Concerns Over Use of School Children To Praise the President
Published 1, November 5, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 55 Comments
We have been discussing the propriety of public schools putting on worshipful performances about President Barack Obama. While I voted for him and support many of his policies, it does concern me to see children enlisted in such performances, which are not the norm in American education or politics. While some extreme conservatives have been campaigning on this issue, I do believe that there is a legitimate objection to the use of children to sing the praises of political leaders.
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Al-Qaeda Magazine: New Publication Faces Resistance Over Home Delivery
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Bizarre , International , Media , Society 8 Comments
Yes, it appears that Al-Qaeda has its own magazine.
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Maine Voters Repeal Law Allowing Gays to Marry
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Religion , Society 28 Comments
The gay-rights movement has suffered a harsh defeat at the hands of voters in Maine. The voters repealed a law that allowed for same-sex marriage — reducing the states allowing same-sex marriage or civil unions. Maine is now the 31st state to reject same-sex marriage. [The two men on the state seal are now strictly prohibited from marrying each other in the State of Maine].
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Hanging Rascell: New York Man Arrested for Hanging Girlfriend’s Cat — and Videotaping Himself in the Act
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society , Torts 7 Comments
In Syracuse, New York, Rascell Williams is looking at a curious charge for a horrible crime. Williams, 28, is charged with hanging his girlfriend’s four-month-old kitten with a belt and making a video of the animal struggling. It was discovered by the girlfriend, Joanne Cichy, the day after Halloween and turned over the police.
Save Money, Live Shorter? Wal-Mart Accused of Violating CDC Guidelines in Policies that Spread Flu
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 17 CommentsWhat would we do without Wal-Mart? When Wal-Mart is not destroying historic sites or abusing employees and customers (here) it is working hard to guarantee the efficient spread of swine flu or H1N1. The Center of Disease Control (CDC) is now intervening to address Wal-Mart draconian labor practices which violate the CDC guidelines, common sense, and human decency. The store imposes a “demerit” system that penalizes employees for staying home with flu-symptoms — preferring it appears for them to come to work to infect customers. It may require a slight change to the slogan “Save Money. Live Better” to reflect the shorter life expectancy for employees and customers alike.
Massachusetts Officer Charged With Stealing Child Pornography From Evidence Vault
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
Prosecutors in Adams, Massachusetts have a novel case involving evidence that will be used twice in separate unrelated trials, including for one crime after the evidence was put into the evidence vault itself. Adams Police Officer Alan C. Vigiard, 45, is accused of possession of child pornography. His first “possession” occurred in his review of child pornography in the evidence vault.
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Saudi Court Upholds Planned Beheading and Crucifixion of Convicted Rapist
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 16 Comments
A Saudi court has reviewed and upheld the sentence of a 22-year-old man to be beheaded and crucified for the raping of five children. It is the latest medieval measure from the Saudi Sharia courts.
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Video: Arizona Officer Swipes Document From Defense File Behind the Back of Defense Counsel in Courtroom
Published 1, November 4, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 25 CommentsThis is one of the most incredible videos that I have seen. In the video above, Officer Adam Stoddard with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is clearly shown reading confidential papers of defense attorney Joanne Cuccia while she is addressing the court on behalf of jail inmate Antonio Lozano (accused of fighting with another inmate). He then pulls a sheet from the file on the defense table and gives it to another deputy to be copied.
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Shock Video: Minneapolis Officer Tasers Man in Neck While His Hands Are on Hood of the Car
Published 1, November 3, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 43 CommentsIn a highly disturbing video, Minneapolis police officers are shown tasering a man who is clearly shown with his hands on the hood of a car and not resisting arrest. Rolando Ruiz is seen and heard screaming in pain from the taser, which is applied to the back of his neck and held to his body as he falls to the street.
Alaskan Police Taser 81-Year-Old Minister in Traffic Stop
Published 1, November 3, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 15 Comments
Military police at the Eielson Air Force Base are facing questions of the need to taser Glen M. Wilcox, an 81-year-old Episcopalian priest. Wilcox was caught allegedly going 11 miles over the speed limit.
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Going Postal: Reporters Reportedly Throw Punches in Press Room at the Washington Post
Published 1, November 3, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Society 10 Comments
The Washington Post recently saw a journalistic battle of a different kind when Style reporter Manuel Roig-Franzia and editor Henry Allen got into a physical altercation. Punches reportedly flew from the reporters until other journalists intervened — and presumably began to try to grab an exclusive on the cause for the fight. Left is a picture of Roig-Franzia and right may or may not be a picture of Allen in an editorial meeting.
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San Jose Police Taser Man and Break His Arm After He Tries to Clean His Hands
Published 1, November 3, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society , Torts 7 Comments
Scott Wright paid a heavy price for clean hands. Wright was working on his old Cadillac in a parking lot when San Jose police approached. When Wright reaches for a rag to wipe off the oil on his hands, the police tasered him and then beat him with their batons — breaking his arm. They proceeded to charge him with resisting arrest — a charge that we often see in such cases where officers seek to justify such encounters.
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Lawyer Charged in Bizarre Attack on State Legislator In Indiana
Published 1, November 3, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 5 Comments
Prosecutors in Carmel, Indiana have a perfectly bizarre crime involving a state representative, a lawyer, money-laundering for the Russian mob, a porn store, and a decades old grudge. In the case, Indiana State Representative Ed DeLaney was injured by longtime foe, lawyer Augustus Mendenhall, 38, in what the latter says was an elaborate trick gone bad.
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Giant Breathalyzer Found Drunk in Ohio
Published 1, November 3, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 7 Comments
Ok, one arrest on Halloween in Oxford, Ohio got a bit weird when a giant Breathalyzer was given a breathalyzer and then arrested for drunk driving. This is the type of metaphysical brain teaser that you normally only get in freshman philosophy courses, but it happened to James Miller, 18.
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Turkey Torts: Illinois Case To Determine Proper Way to Eat Sandwich
Published 1, November 3, 2009 Bizarre , Society , Torts 27 Comments
A tort action in Chicago presents a somewhat novel dispute over the proper way to eat a sandwich. Mackenzie Seiler went to Jimmy John’s restaurant for a Turkey Tom sandwich. He went into anaphylactic shock after he bite into the sandwich, which turned out to be tuna and filled with cheese and mayonnaise. A person with severe allergies, he had specifically told them to hold the cheese and mayo — let alone the tuna. However, the restaurant says it was his fault for failing to properly unwrap the sandwich before biting into it.
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FBI: Dick Cheney Failed to Recollect Information on 72 Occasions in Plame Investigation
Published 1, November 2, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Society 31 Comments
Former Vice President Dick Cheney found himself in the same position of not only his aide Scooter Libby but countless criminal defendants. He simply could not remember a thing about his involvement in the leaks involving Valerie Plame. Indeed, he had little recollection of his own actions on 72 occasions — even after shown material with his own writing.
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Planned Parenthood Hits Former Director in Texas With Restraining Order
Published 1, November 2, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Society 51 Comments
There is an interesting fight between Planned Parenthood and its former director in Bryan, Texas. (Yes, it appears the same town where the Virgin Mary was recently discovered in bird droppings, here). Abby Johnson worked for Planned Parenthood for eight years, but decided to leave after watching an ultrasound of an abortion procedure. This has led to the filing of a restraining order against her by her former employer after she joined forces with the Coalition For Life.
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Recent Harvard Law Grad Arrested in Arson of Sept. 11th Memorial
Published 1, November 2, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
Brian Schroeder, a 26-year-old 2009 graduate of Harvard Law School, has been reportedly charged in the arson of the Sept. 11 memorial in Manhattan. Schroeder turned himself in on November 1st. He is accused of breaking into the chapel and setting it on fire. While the remains of victims are housed in the structure, the fire did not affect those remains but did destroy mementos and other property.
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Obama Administration Finally Investigates Torture! . . . Oh Wait, It’s In Sri Lanka
Published 1, November 2, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Military , Politics , Society 43 Comments
It appears that there is no limit to our hypocrisy on torture. While blocking any criminal investigation or prosecution of American officials for our torture program, the Obama Administration is demanding to question the Sri Lanken Army Chief Sarath Fonseka over allegations of the torture in Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘Obama Administration Finally Investigates Torture! . . . Oh Wait, It’s In Sri Lanka’
Faithful Flock to See Virgin Mary in Bird Poop
Published 1, November 2, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 8 Comments
In Bryan, Texas, people are flocking to see the image of the Virgin Mary found in a bird dropping on a truck mirror. It appears that Salvador Pachuca examines all of his bird droppings before washing his truck and found a divine rendition of the Virgin of Guadalupe in bird poop.
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Is that a Ferret Or Are You Just . . .? Florida Man Arrested for “Special Weapon”
Published 1, November 2, 2009 Bizarre , Society 1 Comment
In Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Rodney Bolton, 38, has been charged with attempted theft of a Ferret from a pet shop by hiding it down his pants. The charges to his crime, however, are even more unique.
Continue reading ‘Is that a Ferret Or Are You Just . . .? Florida Man Arrested for “Special Weapon”’
Teletuddy Terror: Tinky Winky Threatens to Cap Woman In London For Purse
Published 1, November 2, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 3 Comments
Jerry Falwell tried to warn the world about the Purple Teletubby Tinky Winky, but everyone laughed, here. Well, they’re not laughing now in London where the television character is being sought by police in a Halloween armed robbery.
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Ok, I will be the first. Yes, I raided the kids’ bags last night for snickers, but Leslie did the same for Heath bars.
Continue reading ‘The Morning After’
Shocking Costume: Party City Costume Results in Electrical Shocks at Halloween
Published 1, November 1, 2009 Bizarre , Torts 10 Comments
We often follow dangerous products on this blog, such as the Halloween flashlight had risked bursting into flames. It turns out one such product literally walked in my front door. I will be reporting a dangerous product discovered by my son, Benjamin, who wore a costume of a man riding an ostrich at Party City. The only problem is that it proceeded to shock him from the internal engine that inflates the bird.
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For those of us putting away the tons of Halloween candy, be careful on the use of the family forklift.
Continue reading ‘How Not To Drive a Forklift’
Akron Professor Resigns Over New Policy Requiring DNA Samples From All Employees
Published 1, November 1, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Society 16 Comments
The University of Akron has taken the radical step of demanding that all faculty and employees submit a DNA sample — causing one adjunct professor Matt Williams (who teaches four communications and continuing education courses) to resign. Williams notes “It’s not enough that the university doesn’t pay us a living wage, or provide us with health insurance, but now they want to sacrifice the sanctity of our bodies.” He’s right.
Continue reading ‘Akron Professor Resigns Over New Policy Requiring DNA Samples From All Employees’
Shock Video: Utah Officer Tasers Man for Traffic Ticket in Front of Pregnant Wife
Published 1, November 1, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 14 CommentsOn this video, a Utah officer appears to taser a him for a traffic ticket simply because he does not immediately obey the officer’s demands. Watch how the officer immediately pulls out his taser when the man is simply refusing to sign the ticket.
Continue reading ‘Shock Video: Utah Officer Tasers Man for Traffic Ticket in Front of Pregnant Wife’
Video: Man Mocks Police, Police Taser Man, Man Escapes Police
Published 1, November 1, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 6 CommentsThis is a bizarre video. The police officers are trying to arrest a man who is mocking them and not cooperating. The officers decide to taser him rather than simply force his hands into cuffs. The man screams “I am being illegally tasered, I am defending myself” and proceeds to escape.
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! THE 2009 LIST OF SPOOKY TORTS AND SCARY CRIMES
Published 1, October 31, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society , Torts 26 Comments
Halloween is the favorite holiday for all torts professors and personal injury lawyers. (Indeed, I am convinced it was invented by a personal injury lawyer). Common carrier hay rides, lighting vegetables on fire, handing out foodstuffs without a permit . . . It’s the most litigious day of the year. So, with no further ado, here is this year’s annual Spooky Torts and Crimes list of actual cases from Halloween. Happy Halloween everyone (except those avoiding the holiday due to demon-inspired soul-sucking candy or papal prohibitions).
Continue reading ‘HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! THE 2009 LIST OF SPOOKY TORTS AND SCARY CRIMES’
Illinois Teacher Suspended For Assigning an Article on Homosexuality in the Animal Kingdom
Published 1, October 31, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 11 Comments
Dan Delong, an English teacher at Southwestern High School in Piasa, Illinois has been suspended for allegedly allowing students in his English classes to read an article about homosexuality in the animal kingdom. The article that Delong allegedly had his class read was published in a 2006 edition of “The Gay Animal Kingdom” and is available at http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/the_gay_animal_kingdom.
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Hold the Rap: Utah Police Charge Teens For Rapping a McDonald’s
Published 1, October 31, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 7 Comments
While police officers are being fired for ticketing protected progeny in Stockton, Utah, teenagers are being arrested in American Fork, Utah for rapping at McDonald’s drive-through. They insist that they are innocent, but the police insist that it was indeed a bad rap, but a good collar.
Continue reading ‘Hold the Rap: Utah Police Charge Teens For Rapping a McDonald’s’
City Father: Utah Mayor Fires Officer For Giving Son Ticket
Published 1, October 31, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 5 Comments
Officer Joshua Rowell in Stockton, Utah (population 443) has been reinstated this week after being fired by Mayor Dan Rydalch. It appears that Rowell had the audacity to ticket the mayor’s son and was fired on the spot by an anger father. He was out of a job until the Top Kopp — Police Chief Heinz Kopp — and others objected.
Continue reading ‘City Father: Utah Mayor Fires Officer For Giving Son Ticket’
The Trouble With Ewoks: Al Roker Assaulted on Today Show
Published 1, October 31, 2009 Academics , Society 1 CommentThe dangers of drunk Ewoks is a little known danger for costume parties. However, the Today Show became the unwitting focus of inebriated Ewoks, including Al Roker who appears have a claim for sexual assault.
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The Abused Devout Woman Defense? New York Muslim Woman Tries to Kill Husband For Forcing Her To Eat Pork and Wear Short Skirts
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 10 Comments
New York prosecutors are dealing with an attempted honor killing of a different sort. We have been following such cases on this blog, but Rabia Sarwar, 37, may be category unto herself after she allegedly slit her husband’s throat after he forced by her to eat pork, wear short skirts and drink alcohol slashed.
Continue reading ‘The Abused Devout Woman Defense? New York Muslim Woman Tries to Kill Husband For Forcing Her To Eat Pork and Wear Short Skirts’
Strike Out: Montana Jury Rules Against Manufacturer of Louisville Slugger in Aluminum Bat Death
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Society , Torts 20 Comments
A Montana jury has rendered a surprising verdict. The jury ruled against the manufacturer of the Louisville Slugger bat, Hillerich and Bradsby. Notably, the jury rejected design defect claims but found a warning defect in the death of 18-year-old Brandon Patch who was hit in the head with a ball hit by a aluminum bat.
Pope Nixes Halloween
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 48 Comments
Note to self: have kids skip the Vatican this Halloween. Pope Benedict XVI has joined Kimberly Daniels at the Christian Broadcasting Network in issuing his own warning against Christians participating in Halloween. The Pope wants Catholics to know that the holiday is dangerous to not just their waistline but their eternal souls.
Christian Columnist Warns of Demon Conspiracy To Invade the Souls of Children Through The Candy
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 34 Comments
With many of us preparing for Halloween on Saturday, we have a disturbing warning from Kimberly Daniels on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s Web site: demons (real demons) have contaminated Halloween candy to invade the souls of our children (and presumably late-night candy stealing parents).
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Eight Years For Al-Marri: Sleeper Agent Given Low Sentence by Judge Outraged by Abuses of the United States
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Lawyering , Military , Politics , Society 11 Comments
In a potentially important ruling for detainees held by the United States, Illinois U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm rejected prosecution demands and sentenced Qatar native Ali al-Marri to just eight years in jail — with a possible release in less than six years. The reduction from 15 years was expressly tied to the abusive conditions and treatment of al-Marri by the United States while held as an enemy combatant in South Carolina.
Continue reading ‘Eight Years For Al-Marri: Sleeper Agent Given Low Sentence by Judge Outraged by Abuses of the United States’
Just Getting Worse and Worcestershire: Baker Eats Steak and Goes to Jail in Wisconsin
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 4 Comments
Culinary crimes and misdemeanors are becoming the rage. In Illinois, it is Jamaican-Chicken that proved the undoing of a judge. In Wisconsin, the culprit is a Jack Daniels steak that trapped Ian Baker, 23, in his fourth drunk driving charge.
Prosecutor Found in South Carolina Cemetery with Teenaged Stripper
Published 1, October 30, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 10 Comments
South Carolina appears to have finally moved beyond the Sanford affair. Deputy assistant attorney general Roland Corning, 66, has been fired after he was stopped in his SUV by police during his lunch break. The problem was that he was found with a stripper, Viagra, and sex toys in a cemetery.
Continue reading ‘Prosecutor Found in South Carolina Cemetery with Teenaged Stripper’
La Livas Loca: Judge Accepts Jerk Chicken in Lieu of Community Service
Published 1, October 29, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 9 Comments
Associate Judge Robert Livas may be put on a vegan diet. The former prosecutor and former police officer is in hot water over a curious order that he placed for Jamaican-style chicken as part of a plea agreement with Darrius Logan. Logan, 24, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and criminal trespass charges and was sentenced to 100 hours community service. Then things got funky . . . Jamaican-chicken funky . . .
Continue reading ‘La Livas Loca: Judge Accepts Jerk Chicken in Lieu of Community Service’
Ponzi Pampers: Lawyer Accused of Pyramid Scheme Involving Adoptions
Published 1, October 29, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 8 Comments
With Bernie Madoff and other crooks, we have become used to Ponzi schemes. However, lawyer Kevin Cohen of Roslyn, New York is accused of a rather unique variation on this criminal theme: a baby Ponzi scheme.
Continue reading ‘Ponzi Pampers: Lawyer Accused of Pyramid Scheme Involving Adoptions’
I give you a cat in zero gravity.
Continue reading ‘Cats in Space’
Disgraced Ex-Detroit Mayor Sues Lawyer Who Disclosed Evidence that Led to His Criminal Conviction
Published 1, October 29, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 4 Comments
Now this is a novel case. Disgraced former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (and current Compuware worker in Texas) has sued lawyer Mike Stefani who leaked steamy text messages to a newspaper — ultimately ensnaring Kilpatrick in the scandal that led to his criminal conviction.
Continue reading ‘Disgraced Ex-Detroit Mayor Sues Lawyer Who Disclosed Evidence that Led to His Criminal Conviction’
Big Brothers? Tennessee Judge Strips Blogger of Anonymity in Defamation Case
Published 1, October 29, 2009 Constitutional Law , Courts , Media , Society 4 Comments
In yet another blow to confidentiality on the Internet, Tennessee Judge Thomas Brothers has ruled a married couple that runs a real estate business and a halfway house for recovering drug abusers may confirm the identity an anonymous blogger critic. The critic used a blog called Stop Swartz to accuse Donald and Terry Keller Swartz of Old Hickory, of committing arson, evading taxes and being drug addicts themselves.
Continue reading ‘Big Brothers? Tennessee Judge Strips Blogger of Anonymity in Defamation Case’
Somali Man Marries Sixth Wife — He is 112 and She is 17
Published 1, October 29, 2009 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 17 Comments
Ahmed Muhamed Dore is 112 and has 18 children by five wives. However, this week he added a sixth wife, Safia Abdulleh, 17. The marriage was blessed under the Islamic traditions of the area. It is part of a disturbing trend of cases where young girls are married off to older men under Sharia law.
Continue reading ‘Somali Man Marries Sixth Wife — He is 112 and She is 17′
Not So Sharpie: Iowa Men Arrested After Allegedly Trying to Burglarize Apartment with Poor Man’s Mask
Published 1, October 29, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 8 Comments
Matthew McNelly, 23, and Joey Miller, 20, have discovered that, since the days of highwaymen, the purpose of a mask in crime is not just to conceal your identity but to take off the mask when rejoining society. The two Iowa men used Sharpie markers to draw disguises on their faces — making them rather easy for the police to identify after allegedly trying to break into an apartment.
Nanny State Bans Nannies: English Town Bars Parents and Nannies from Playgrounds
Published 1, October 28, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 7 Comments
We previously discussed whether England was becoming a “Nanny State.” Now, it turns out that even the nanny is not welcomed. The city fathers (and mothers) of Watford has solved the danger of strangers bothering children by banning parents from playground areas. Mayor Dorothy Thornhill observes simply, “Sadly, in today’s climate, you can’t have adults walking around unchecked in a children’s playground.”
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Wisconsin Legislator Falls During Sobriety Check in Third Arrest for DUI in One Year
Published 1, October 28, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 15 Comments
Rep. Jeffrey Wood has achieved a degree of unwanted national fame after being shown in a police dashcam falling down during a sobriety test. From both a legal and political standpoint, falling down is never good during such tests. It does not make it better when this is Wood’s third arrest in less than a year on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Continue reading ‘Wisconsin Legislator Falls During Sobriety Check in Third Arrest for DUI in One Year’
Corpus Delicti: Rhode Island Man Flees Hit-and-Run With One of Three Victims Lodged on Windshield
Published 1, October 28, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 4 Comments
When Christopher Swiridowsky, 30, decided to flee the scene after mowing down three pedestrians he had a one problem: one of the victims was lodged in his windshield.
Continue reading ‘Corpus Delicti: Rhode Island Man Flees Hit-and-Run With One of Three Victims Lodged on Windshield’
Woman in Australia Succeeds in Killing Two Men in the Identical Way at the Same Intersection — Seven Years Apart
Published 1, October 28, 2009 Bizarre , International , Society 3 Comments
A woman in South Australia has achieved a certain infamy among drivers: she has succeeded in killing two people seven years apart in the same intersection in the same way. Michelle Thiele’s driving skills (or the lack thereof) are the subject of a rather understated response by the coroner.
Continue reading ‘Woman in Australia Succeeds in Killing Two Men in the Identical Way at the Same Intersection — Seven Years Apart’
Hankering for a Better Husband: Minnesota Mother of Four Shoots Husband and Then Blames Her 3-Year-Old Child
Published 1, October 28, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
Betsy M. Hanks, 25, is a real catch looking for a new husband. The Minnesota woman first shot her common-law husband in the head and then tried to blame the killing on her 3-year-old son.
Continue reading ‘Hankering for a Better Husband: Minnesota Mother of Four Shoots Husband and Then Blames Her 3-Year-Old Child’
A Bit Too Scary: Maryland Officer Arrested For Pulling Gun on Character in Haunted House
Published 1, October 28, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 5 Comments
Maryland police Sgt. Eric Janik, 37, may not get the thrust of trick of treat traditions. The Baltimore police officer went to a haunted house called the House of Screams with friends and when confronted by a character dressed as Leatherface with a chainsaw (sans the chain, of course), Janik pulled out his service weapon and pointed it at the man, who immediately dropped character, dropped the chainsaw, and ran like a bat out of Halloween Hell.
Continue reading ‘A Bit Too Scary: Maryland Officer Arrested For Pulling Gun on Character in Haunted House’
Perils of the Press VI: BBC Reporter Attacked By Thugs on Video
Published 1, October 28, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Society 7 CommentsWe have previously followed the perils of the press (here), but this videotape shows how reporters can be attacked for simply walking around with a cameraman. Paresh Patel was attacked by drunken thugs in Manchester. What is astonishing is that neither John Nugent, 22, nor David Neville McKenna, 27, will spend time in jail for the unprovoked attack.
Continue reading ‘Perils of the Press VI: BBC Reporter Attacked By Thugs on Video’
Is New York Facing a Financial China Syndrome?
Published 1, October 27, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 19 Comments
We have previously discussed the dangers of increasing taxation in places like New York city. Now it appears that the city is facing a tax-version of the China Syndrome where over-taxation may be causing wealthier families to flee, which increases the need for higher taxes on those remaining.
Continue reading ‘Is New York Facing a Financial China Syndrome?’
Church of Scientology Accused of Hampering Criminal Inquiry in Australia
Published 1, October 27, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 11 Comments
In light of today’s conviction of the Church of Scientology in France, this story from Australia may be of interest. The Church is being accused of actively subverting an investigation into the death of Australian private Edward Alexander McBride. The Church allegedly ordered that McBride’s “auditing file” be sent to the United States before the arrival of a warrant from coroner John Lock.
Continue reading ‘Church of Scientology Accused of Hampering Criminal Inquiry in Australia’
Church of Scientology and Six Leaders Found Guilty of Fraud in France
Published 1, October 27, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 5 CommentsGiven the recent refusal of a Scientology spokesman to discuss the basis of Church’s beliefs, we are unlikely to get much of a response on the conviction this week of the Church for fraud in Paris. The court convicted the Church and fined it more than 600,000 euros ($900,000). However, the court stopped short in banning the group entirely as demanded by the government.
Continue reading ‘Church of Scientology and Six Leaders Found Guilty of Fraud in France’
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