A Massachusetts woman, Caroline Bilodeau-Allen, and her son, Christopher Allen, are suing the National Enquirer for defamation after the tabloid reported in 2006 that Christopher is really the son of Mass. Sen. Ted Kennedy. The Enquirer is standing by its sources in what could be a new test of the so-called New York Times v. Sullivan standard. Continue reading “National Enquirer Sued for Defamation Over Kennedy “Love-Child” Story”
Month: November 2007
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy has formally determined that Karl Rove, John Bolten, former White House political director Sara Taylor and her deputy, J. Scott Jennings, are in violation of the Senate subpoenas and must comply “immediately” or face legal consequences. Continue reading “Leahy Starts Formal Process that Could Lead to a Contempt Citation for Karl Rove and Others”
Over thirty years ago, I walked on to the floor of the House Representatives on my first day as a congressional page – fidgeting in a new blue suit and trying desperately to hide the fact that I was terrified. I was immediately pushed into a scrum of members and pages running about in a close vote. Nobody really noticed the teenager being shoved around like flotsam and jetsam until I felt a huge hand grab me by the arm and pull me into a member’s seat. I looked up at a tall man in an outrageously bright canary yellow suit and a smile to match. It was Henry Hyde. Continue reading “The Death (and Life) of Henry Hyde”
Only hours after a Washington State judge ruled that Dennis Lindberg could refuse a life-saving blood transfusion as violative of his Jehovah’s Witness faith, he passed away at age 14. Continue reading “Washington Teen Dies After Court Blocks Parents Demand for Blood Transfusion Based on His Religious Beliefs”
British teacher Gillian Gibbons, 54, has been found guilty of insulting Islam by a Sudanese “court” after she allowed her young students to name a teddy bear “Mohammad.” Continue reading “Sudan Finds Teacher Guilty in Mohammad Teddy Bear Case”
The New York police are using a very controversial decoy operation to arrest people who steal personal items from s Continue reading “New York Police Placing Decoy Items to Arrest Thieves — and Possible Good Samaritans”
The Bush Administration is seeking to train firefighters to serve as eyes and ears in the war on terror: a role that raises significant civil liberties questions. Under this plan, firefighters would look for evidence of possible terrorism in the homes and businesses that they inspect or enter. Continue reading “Homeland Security to Use Firefighters to Spot Potential Terror Suspects”
In another entry into the abuse of tasers, this video shows police using a taser to the neck of a pregnant mother after throwing her on her stomach to the ground. Continue reading “Shock Video: Police Taser Pregnant Mother”
Geoffrey Fieger is fighting for his law license in classic Fieger fashion: he is suing everyone from prosecutors to judges. In the meantime, judges are expressing surprising levels of public contempt for Fieger — and each other. Continue reading “Michigan Judges and Geoffrey Fieger Attack Each Other”
Dennis Lindberg is a 14-year-old Jehovah’s Witness who has leukemia. His parents (who do not have legal custody and are not Jehovah’s Witnesses) have demanded that he be given a needed blood transfusion. However, Judge John Meyer ruled that the boy can refuse the treatment, even though it will inevitably lead to his death. Continue reading “14-Year-Old Allowed to Refuse Life-Saving Treatment Over Objections from His Parents”
Ex-Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts told students that God told him to resign even though he didn’t want to. Continue reading “Oral Roberts University President: God Told Me to Resign”
The Sudan government is proceeding with charges against British teacher Gillian Gibbons, 54, who is accused of offending Islam by allowing her young children to name a teddy bear “Mohammad.” ‘ Continue reading “Teacher Charged in Sudan in the Mohammad Teddy Bear Case”
Niagara Falls City Court Judge Robert Restaino has been taken off the bench after a perfectly bizarre incident involving a cellphone and a short judicial temper. Restaino was upset that someone violated the no cellphone rule and ordered that all 46 people in the courtroom be searched and jailed. Continue reading “New York Judge Removed from Bench After Jailing Entire Courtroom Over Cellphone Interruption”
An Oklahoma businessman has pledged $70 million to Oral Roberts University — a move that could prevent the closing of the financially strapped school in the midst of the latest scandal. Continue reading “Oral Roberts University to Receive $70 Million Gift”
Mitt Romney is facing a withering attack for his alleged statement that he would not appoint a Muslim to his cabinet. Continue reading “Romney Under Fire for Allegedly Dismissing Notion of Any Muslim Cabinet Member”