With the virtual absence of any objective review of Sonia Sotomayor’s opinions or positions by members of Congress, the Senate Judiciary Committee appears to be gearing up for another confirmation process with little substantive content. As noted previously with regard to the Roberts and Alito hearings, confirmation hearings have become little more than extended photo ops for Senators.
Continue reading ‘Senate Prepares for the Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings’
Archive for May, 2009
Senate Prepares for the Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings
Published 1, May 31, 2009 Academics , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Society 86 CommentsUnited Nations: U.S. Human Rights Record “Deplorable” — Including the Continuing Failure to Investigate Torture By the Obama Administration
Published 1, May 31, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Society 54 Comments
The United Nations has released a new report on human rights that has found the record of the United states to be “deplorable.” With the continuing refusal of the Obama Administration to investigate war crimes and to support the Bush policies in court, we have lost an opportunity to show the country has committed itself to change these policies and demand accountability for those who implemented them.
Continue reading ‘United Nations: U.S. Human Rights Record “Deplorable” — Including the Continuing Failure to Investigate Torture By the Obama Administration’
Supreme Court Overturns Landmark Case Michigan v. Jackson — With The Support of the Obama Administration
Published 1, May 31, 2009 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 22 Comments
This week saw the demise of a landmark case in the area of constitutional criminal procedure: Michigan v. Jackson. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court rolled back on the protection of defendants that guaranteed that they had the advice of counsel before speaking with police at critical stages of a prosecution. In Montejo v. Louisiana (07-1529), Justice Antonin Scalia said that the protection was not worth the loss of confessions and only caused confusion. The Obama Administration supported the rollback on protections for criminal defendants and argued for Michigan v. Jackson to be overturned.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Overturns Landmark Case Michigan v. Jackson — With The Support of the Obama Administration’
Italian Premier Accused For Trying to Suppress Photos With Young Girls
Published 1, May 31, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Media , Politics , Society , Torts 9 Comments
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has previously threatened to crackdown on the media for reporting his regular gaffes and notorious conduct. Now, the media mogul is reportedly trying to block publication of pictures with young women after the media pursues allegations of affairs. His wife, Veronica Lario, sought a divorce due to Berlusconi’s, 72, alleged fondness for girls, including a particular 18-year-old Neapolitan Noemi Letizia.
Continue reading ‘Italian Premier Accused For Trying to Suppress Photos With Young Girls’
Saudi Arabia Beheads Killer and Then Displays His Body in “Crucifixion”
Published 1, May 31, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 14 Comments
Saudi Arabia has added to its macabre medieval tradition with what it called a “crucifixion” — the public display of a beheaded killed, Ahmed Al-Shamlani Al-Anzi.
Continue reading ‘Saudi Arabia Beheads Killer and Then Displays His Body in “Crucifixion”’
Casanova in a Can: Texas Man Gets 45 Years for Inflicting Six Women with AIDS
Published 1, May 30, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 8 Comments
Philippe Padieu, who was described by his own lawyer as a “modern-day Casanova,” has been sentenced by a Texas jury to 45 years in prison for knowingly inflicting six women with the AIDS virus.
Continue reading ‘Casanova in a Can: Texas Man Gets 45 Years for Inflicting Six Women with AIDS’
Levin: Cheney Lied About Torture’s Success
Published 1, May 30, 2009 Congress , Criminal law , International , Society 35 Comments
Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has issued a stinging rebuke to former Vice President Dick Cheney — saying that undisclosed memos do not support his claim that torture works and save lives.
Continue reading ‘Levin: Cheney Lied About Torture’s Success’
Wikipedia Blocks Edits by Church of Scientology
Published 1, May 30, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Religion , Society 18 Comments
Scientology may believe that they can achieve control of time and space, but they are being denied control over Wikipedia entries. Wikipedia has blocked edits from Scientology computers due to a history of what it says are deceptive and abusive edits. They also banned individual Scientologists.
Continue reading ‘Wikipedia Blocks Edits by Church of Scientology’
Woman Goes to Hospital With Kidney Stones and Ultimately Loses Both Legs and Arms — and Lawsuit
Published 1, May 30, 2009 Bizarre , Society , Torts 15 Comments
The case of Lisa Strong is a tragedy at almost every level from her first encounter with the medical profession to her last encounter with the legal profession. Strong went to the emergency room with what she believed was kidney stones (she had a history of kidney stones). However, due to malpractice, she ultimately lost both legs and arms. Despite the admission of various mistakes by the medical staff, a jury ruled against her. In a rare move, Broward County Circuit Judge Charles M. Greene threw out the jury verdict and ordered a new trial.
Continue reading ‘Woman Goes to Hospital With Kidney Stones and Ultimately Loses Both Legs and Arms — and Lawsuit’
Oklahoma Pharmacist Charged With Murder for Coup de Grâce Killing of Robber
Published 1, May 29, 2009 Criminal law , Society , Torts 49 Comments
An Oklahoma jury will be asked to decided whether pharmacist Jerome Ersland, 57, is a hero or a murderer. A video camera captured Ersland pumping rounds into an unconscious and unarmed teenager who tried to rob his store on May 19th.
Continue reading ‘Oklahoma Pharmacist Charged With Murder for Coup de Grâce Killing of Robber’
Beating Swords Into Nanoshares: Researchers Find Carbon Nanotubes in Famed Damascus Swords
Published 1, May 29, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Society 17 Comments
As many on this site know, I am a bit of a history nut and I could not resist this story. There are many ancient accounts of the famed Damascus swords, particularly from Crusaders who described how the blades were so sharp that they could cut a failing piece of silk while strong enough to cut through rock. It now turns out the medieval Muslim sword-smiths learned how to create carbon nanotubes. The actual discovery was made a couple years ago, but I just came across some articles on the research in looking for some crusade background facts.
Police Tase and Kill 16-Year-Old Boy After He Runs From Traffic Stop
Published 1, May 29, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 44 Comments
There is another controversy over police tasers leading to a death. Robert Mitchell, 16, died after being hit with a 50,000 volt taser shock after he ran from a traffic stop and allegedly resisted arrest. Mitchell had a learning disability and according to his family was merely scared.
Continue reading ‘Police Tase and Kill 16-Year-Old Boy After He Runs From Traffic Stop’
Potato Politics: Ahmadinejad Goes From Gross to Grocer
Published 1, May 29, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 6 Comments
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made a name for himself as a Holocaust-denying, gay-bashing, Israel-hating, religious nut. None of that appears to have made him particularly unpopular in Iran. However, he is now accused of buying votes with potatoes.
Continue reading ‘Potato Politics: Ahmadinejad Goes From Gross to Grocer’
New York Police Officer Killed By Fellow Officer Pursuing Suspected Car Thief
Published 1, May 29, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 11 Comments
A New York police officer has been tragically killed by a fellow officer late last night. New York Police Department Officer Omar Edwards, 25, was shot twice by another officer who was chasing a man that he believed was trying to break into his car. He mistook Edwards for the suspect and shot him.
Continue reading ‘New York Police Officer Killed By Fellow Officer Pursuing Suspected Car Thief’
Faith With Fräuleins: Father Cutie Goes Episcopal
Published 1, May 29, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 14 Comments
Father Alberto Cutie, known as “Father Oprah,” has been much in the news after photos were published showing him hugging a woman at a bar and beach. Facing a resumption of celibacy, Father Cutie has discovered the Episcopal Church.
Continue reading ‘Faith With Fräuleins: Father Cutie Goes Episcopal’
Yonkers Police Officer Acquitted in Body Slam Incident Caught on Video
Published 1, May 29, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 4 Comments
Yonkers police officer Wayne Simoes, 39, has been acquitted by a jury, which reviewed this videotape of Simoes body slamming Irma Marquez, 44, face first into the floor — breaking her jaw and knocking her unconscious at a restaurant.
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Canning Ms. Rusty: English Teacher Fired For Writing Racy Fictional Novel
Published 1, May 29, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Society , Torts 7 Comments
Another teacher has been fired for activities outside of school. Leonora Rustamova, 39, (known as Ms. Rusty) taught English at Calder High School in England and was a successful teacher until she wrote a book that the school found a bit too racy. “Stop! Don’t Read This” is a fictional story about students at the school but includes sex and drug references as well as the name of headmaster Stephen Ball.
Continue reading ‘Canning Ms. Rusty: English Teacher Fired For Writing Racy Fictional Novel’
Confirming Nonsense: Both Liberals and Conservatives Distort Debate Over Sotomayor
Published 1, May 28, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 99 Comments
The debate over Judge Sonia Sotomayor continues to rage this week. What is remarkable is how much is being said and how little substance can be found in the coverage. One would think that the law of averages alone would guarantee that some substantive points would be hit, if only by accident. It is becoming increasingly clear that, once again, we will not have a substantive and civil review of the qualifications of a Supreme Court nominee. Neither conservatives nor liberals seem to want (or are willing to tolerate) objective discussion of Sotomayor’s qualifications or opinions. For what it is worth, I would like to discard some of the most often heard arguments in the vain hope that we might still achieve some level of reasonable discourse in this debate.
Continue reading ‘Confirming Nonsense: Both Liberals and Conservatives Distort Debate Over Sotomayor’
Video: Chinese Motorist Tosses Man Threatening to Jump From Bridge
Published 1, May 28, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 9 Comments
Earlier, we discussed the story involving a Chinese man who was upset with a man holding up traffic by threatening to jump from a bridge. This video of the incident has been found.
Continue reading ‘Video: Chinese Motorist Tosses Man Threatening to Jump From Bridge’
Israel Moves To Criminalize Statements Against Israel’s Right to Exist
Published 1, May 28, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 30 Comments
Legislators in the Knesset gave initial approval to a law that would make it a crime to deny the right of Israel to exist — mandating a year in prison for such an exercise of free speech.
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Funeral Home Operator Accuses of Abandoning Four Bodies in Building Since 2006
Published 1, May 28, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society , Torts 3 Comments
In torts, we have seen a steady line of cases related to the abuse or mishandling of corpses. However, this Indiana case is off the charts. Rev. Reginald Burrell and his parishioners from Northlake Church of Christ went to their newly purchased building only to find four bodies abandoned from 2006.
Continue reading ‘Funeral Home Operator Accuses of Abandoning Four Bodies in Building Since 2006′
Olson and Bois Team Up on Proposition 8 Challenge
Published 1, May 27, 2009 Constitutional Law , Courts , Lawyering , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 26 Comments
Theodore B. Olson, the U.S. solicitor general under Bush and his lawyer in Bush v. Gore, and David Boies, who represented former vice president Al Gore in that case, have joined forces to challenge Proposition 8 in federal court after this week’s loss in the California state court system.
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Chicago Police Officer Involved in Hit and Run Given Four Hours Before Taking Breathalyzer
Published 1, May 27, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 17 Comments
Chicago Police Officer Richard Bolling was charged in a hit and run that killed a 13-year-old Trenton Booker who was riding his bicycle. In such cases, standard procedures calls for a breathalyzer as soon as possible. However, Bolling’s colleagues gave him four hours and, when they administered the test, he registered 0.079 — miraculously just under the 0.08 limit.
The Thin Silent Line: New Murder Trial Ordered After Three Former and Current Police Officers Take the Fifth
Published 1, May 27, 2009 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Society 9 CommentsWhat happen when you hold a trial and the police are the ones who take the Fifth? That question was answered by Cook County Circuit Judge Clayton Crane who ordered a new trial for Gangster Disciple member Cortez Brown, who alleged that he was forced to confess during beatings in custody.
This picture was taken when a family went to put flowers on the grave of their veteran family member.
Royal Governor Eats Raw Seal Heart In Protest of EU Ban
Published 1, May 27, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics , Society 14 Comments
In a truly bizarre scene, Royal Governor General Michaelle Jean, the representative of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II as Canada’s head of state, protested restrictions on seal products by eating the raw heart of a dead seal. It is moments like these that one wonders whether a strong letter and signed picture might have sufficed.
Continue reading ‘Royal Governor Eats Raw Seal Heart In Protest of EU Ban’
California Supreme Court Votes 6-1 To Uphold Proposition 8 and Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
Published 1, May 27, 2009 Constitutional Law , Society , Supreme Court 55 Comments
While buried by the news of the Sotomayor nomination, yesterday was a disappointing day for many of us who favor same-sex marriage. The California Supreme Court voted 6-1 to uphold Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. The only good news for couples is that the Court ruled that the 18,000 unions licensed before the proposition would not be invalidated.
The President’s Pick: A Review of Sonia Sotomator’s Rulings
Published 1, May 26, 2009 Constitutional Law , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 181 CommentsPresident Obama has selected Judge Sonia Sotomayor of United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She has an inspiring life story and gave a moving speech at the White House. She is not the intellectual powerhouse that many academics had hoped for. However, many nominees did not find their voices until after years of service on the Court. I discussed the nomination on this segment of Countdown. [For an update on debunking conservative and liberal attacks in this debate, click here]
Continue reading ‘The President’s Pick: A Review of Sonia Sotomator’s Rulings’
Return of the Romanovs: Obama Creates Yet Another Czar
Published 1, May 26, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 12 Comments
President Obama is about to announce the creation of a “cyber czar” who will have broad authority to develop strategy to protect the nation’s government-run and private computer networks. Obama’s legion of czars has raised concerns among lawmakers about their concentration of power.
Continue reading ‘Return of the Romanovs: Obama Creates Yet Another Czar’
Scientology Officers Stand Trial for Organized Fraud in France
Published 1, May 26, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 21 CommentsScientology is back in court this week. Officials are facing organized fraud charges with $7 million in fines and 10 years in prison — and could be ordered to end their operations in France. The Church is viewed as a criminal organization and a dangerous cult for years in various European nations, here and here.
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The Real Thing: Germany Bans Red Bull Cola After Finding Traces of Cocaine
Published 1, May 26, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 8 Comments
Germany is considering a nationwide ban on the high-energy drink Red Bull Cola after traces of cocaine were found in it. The officials of the states of Hesse and North-Rhine Westphalia have stopped the sales until the drink can be produced sans real coke — to the disappointment of many no doubt.
Continue reading ‘The Real Thing: Germany Bans Red Bull Cola After Finding Traces of Cocaine’
Florida Man Jailed for Four Years After Dispute Over “Junk Protest”
Published 1, May 26, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society 6 Comments
There is a strange case out of Altamonte Springs, Florida this week. Alan Davis was reportedly mad at the city and his neighbors, so he expressed himself by decorating his house and yard with junk from toilets on his roof to airplane parts to a statue of buttockes. He was convicted in 2003 for felony littering and ended up serving four years.
Continue reading ‘Florida Man Jailed for Four Years After Dispute Over “Junk Protest”’
The Saddest Show on Earth: Police Bust Clown in Front of Kids
Published 1, May 26, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 2 Comments
For many kids, clowns are already pretty scary. For the kids at the Ogden 20K Race, their fears were realized when officers of the Wheeling Police Department arrested and cuffed Patricia Ingalls who was in her full clown outfit for a hit and run.
Continue reading ‘The Saddest Show on Earth: Police Bust Clown in Front of Kids’
While the start was a bit shaky, Susan Boyle handed in another remarkable performance this week. While we do not often follow shows (and I have yet to see one of these shows), the video below may be of interest to our bloggers.
Continue reading ‘Susan Boyle Triumphs with Cats Performance’
Report: Bush Told French President Jacques Chirac That Iraq War Was Biblically Ordained With Story of Gog and Magog
Published 1, May 25, 2009 Bizarre , International , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 65 Comments
After the recent disclosure of how Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld used biblical passages as part of the war briefings for President George W. Bush, GQ magazine has an even more disturbing account: Bush lobbied French President Chirac that the war in Iraq was foretold in the bible and told that it was the final struggle with Gog and Magog.
U.S. Holds Journalist For Almost a Year Without Charges or Evidence
Published 1, May 25, 2009 Courts , Criminal law , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Society 15 Comments
The United States has been vocal in its denouncing of the recent arrests of journalists by North Korea and Iran. These countries refuse to comply with American values and legal process, particularly in the treatment of journalists. The biggest difference thus far: North Korea and Iran gave the journalists trials. Reuters cameraman Ibrahim Jassam has been held since September by the U.S. military in Iraq without charges or evidence.
Continue reading ‘U.S. Holds Journalist For Almost a Year Without Charges or Evidence’
Ohio Man Reports Debris Causing Damage on a Local Road — Faces Fines and Threat of Loss of Home by State Officials
Published 1, May 25, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 6 Comments
Paul Holden has learned that the greatest peril of having a blowout on a local highway is not the possible crash but reporting it to state officials. Holden’s truck experienced the blowout on Ohio Route 286 when a six-pound metal road reflector slashed into his tires. When he reported the debris, he started a saga that led to fines and threats from Ohio officials, including the office of Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray.
Laying Hands Upon: Ex-Child Molester Becomes Preacher and Molests Children
Published 1, May 25, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 7 Comments
Police have arrested Billy Masters, 66, reportedly the preacher at Harvest Baptist Church for first-degree sexual abuse of a 12-year-old boy. What is remarkable is that Masters previously was convicted and served time for sodomy of a child.
Continue reading ‘Laying Hands Upon: Ex-Child Molester Becomes Preacher and Molests Children’
Seattle Police Officer Chases Wrongly Identified Suspect and Slams His Head Into Wall — Leaving Him in a Coma
Published 1, May 25, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society , Torts 15 Comments
There is a shocking video showing King County Deputy Matthew Paul slamming the head of Christopher Harris into a wall in the mistaken belief that Harris was a suspect in an assault. Harris, 29, remains in a coma.
Continue reading ‘Seattle Police Officer Chases Wrongly Identified Suspect and Slams His Head Into Wall — Leaving Him in a Coma’
Best wishes to everyone on this Memorial Day weekend.
CSI Real Estate: Producer and Writer Sued Over Use of Realtors as Characters in Show
Published 1, May 24, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Torts 7 Comments
There is a very interesting torts case out of Los Angeles where one of the writer for the CBS show “CSI” has been sued by two real estate agents for allegedly using the show to trash them after a disagreement. Writer and producer Sarah Goldfinger allegedly put the characters of Melinda and Scott Tamkin into a script and even helped select actors who looked like them. The facts do not make this look like a coincidence and, if not, both Goldfinger and the show have much to answer for.
Continue reading ‘CSI Real Estate: Producer and Writer Sued Over Use of Realtors as Characters in Show’
Princess Cruise: Couple Charged With Throwing Chihuahua Out of Window of Moving Car
Published 1, May 24, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 3 Comments
Cousins Jimmy Correa, 24, and Jenny Torres, 31, were arraigned this week in New Bedford, Massachusetts on felony animal abuse charges after they reportedly tossed Princess, a 1-year-old Chihuahua out the window of their speeding SUV. They now want Princess back.
Continue reading ‘Princess Cruise: Couple Charged With Throwing Chihuahua Out of Window of Moving Car’
Critter Ridder Owner Charged in Involuntary Squirrelslaughter Case
Published 1, May 24, 2009 Academics , Criminal law , Environment , Society 19 Comments
Authorities in Hazlet, New Jersey have criminally charged Kathleen Buck, owner of Critter Ridder, for animal cruelty after she caught a squirrel that perished in her trap.
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A Helping Hand: Bystander Walks Over to Suicidal Man on Bridge and Pushes Him Off
Published 1, May 24, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 6 Comments
Beijing was the scene for an bizarre crime. Chen Fuchao was threatening to jump off a bridge and had hel up traffic. Veteran Lian Jiansheng, 66, broke through the police line and went over to Chen and promptly pushed him off the bridge.
Continue reading ‘A Helping Hand: Bystander Walks Over to Suicidal Man on Bridge and Pushes Him Off’
Another Court Denounces Justice Department and Threatens Sanctions
Published 1, May 23, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Justice , Lawyering , Society 31 Comments
The Justice Department is facing yet another possible contempt sanction from a federal judge. This is becoming something of a trend for the Justice Department. One could only imagine the response of the bar to a private law firm with such a record of contempt. The latest threat comes from United States District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker in Al-Haramain v. Obama. This remains one of the most troubling cases from the Bush Administration and the Obama Administration has again yielded to the worst element in the Justice Department in continuing the same policies and practices of its predecessor.
Continue reading ‘Another Court Denounces Justice Department and Threatens Sanctions’
Something Wiki This Way Comes: Catherine Crier Sues To Uncover Name of Alleged Malicious Wikipedia Poster
Published 1, May 23, 2009 Lawyering , Society , Torts 4 Comments
Former Dallas judge and CourTV anchor Catherine Crier has filed a lawsuit against a John Doe who maliciously used a story about another female lawyer to defame Crier on wikipedia. The unknown individual took the facts about attorney Catherine Shelton and, by replacing the last name with Crier’s from a 2007 Dallas Morning News story, to suggest that Crier was accused of murder and had been convicted of shoplifting, served time, and was disbarred.
Continue reading ‘Something Wiki This Way Comes: Catherine Crier Sues To Uncover Name of Alleged Malicious Wikipedia Poster’
Police Refuse to Charge Women Who Allegedly Falsely Accused Taxi Driver of Sexual Assault
Published 1, May 23, 2009 Bizarre , International , Society , Torts 10 Comments
There is an interesting story out of Edmonton, England where police refused to file charges against four women who falsely accused cab driver Soner Yasa of sexual assault. It is an all too familiar story where false rape and assault victims are often not charged as in the infamous case of the Duke Lacrosse team.
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The Price of Liberty: University Bans Democratic Student Organization on Morality Grounds
Published 1, May 23, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 23 Comments
The late Rev. Jerry Falwell always insisted that he spoke for “the moral majority.” However, it appears that his university, Liberty University, is equally interested in silencing what they consider to be the “immoral minority.” The school this week shutdown the the Liberty University College Democrats as inimical to their moral mission. The Republican Student organization was retained.
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Yep, It’s Torture: Video Shows Conservative Radio Host Moving From Torture Denial to Torture Acceptance
Published 1, May 23, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , International , Media , Society 22 Comments
Conservative radio host Erich “Mancow” Muller has been one of the loudest voices denying that waterboading is torture. Like Sean Hannity (who said that he would allow himself to be waterboarded), Muller volunteered for a session to prove the point. Unlike Hannity, Muller fulfilled his commitment. As shown on the video below, in a few seconds, Muller went through the full range of Kübler-Ross of torture from denial to acceptance.
Continue reading ‘Yep, It’s Torture: Video Shows Conservative Radio Host Moving From Torture Denial to Torture Acceptance’
Obama: We Must Uphold Our Principles To Be Safe and Strong
Published 1, May 22, 2009 Academics , Congress , Courts , Criminal law , International , Military , Politics , Society 245 CommentsSpeaking to the graduating class of U.S. Naval Academy, President Barack Obama told the graduates that the best way to protect our nation is to stand up to its principles. I discussed the detainee issue last night on this segment of Countdown.
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Officials Announce Investigation Into Minnesota Police Unit — Within Hours Computer Trackers are Shutoff and Documents Shredded
Published 1, May 22, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 9 Comments
The Star Tribune is reporting that within hours of state officials announcing an investigation into the Metro Gang Force. Officials released a report about missing money and lack of records at the Metro Gang Force, someone turned off a computer showing who enters the building and began shredding documents.
Continue reading ‘Officials Announce Investigation Into Minnesota Police Unit — Within Hours Computer Trackers are Shutoff and Documents Shredded’
Cardinal: The Greatest Sin Is . . .
Published 1, May 22, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 30 Comments
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the departing Archbishop of Westminster, had a few things to say about sin this week in welcoming his replacement. It turns out that the greatest sin is not clergy child abuse, war crimes, ethnic cleansing or the like. The greatest sin? Atheism.
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Magnum Cum Laude: Texas Passes Law Allowing Students and Teachers to Carry Concealed Weapons on Campus
Published 1, May 22, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 45 Comments
The Texas legislature passed a bill to allow college students, teachers, and employees to carry concealed weapons on school grounds. This is the solution found by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, to the problem of the Virginia Tech massacre — fill campuses with firearms.
Five Lawyers Charged Over Settlement of Case Involving Former Detroit Mayor
Published 1, May 22, 2009 Courts , Lawyering , Politics , Society 11 Comments
There have been rare professional charges filed against five lawyers for their role in crafting a secret settlement for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. The lawyers were involved in a $8.4-million lawsuit settlement to conceal text messages that showed that the major and his top female aide had lied about their affair. The lawyers are chief assistant corporation counsel Valerie Colbert-Osamuede; her ex-boss, former city corporation counsel John E. Johnson; city-retained private lawyers Samuel McCargo and Wilson Copeland II, and Mike Stefani, who represented three cops in lawsuits against the city.
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Police Officer Killed After Plowing Into Pickup Truck at 109 MPH Without Seatbelt, Siren, or Lights — Police Charge Other Driver
Published 1, May 22, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 11 Comments
There is a disturbing report out of Las Vegas this week concerning a fatal crash involving a police car. Officer James Manor was driving at 109 mph without either lights or siren on May 7th. The sheriff admits that the speed and manner of Manor’s driving was “excessive and unsafe” — leading to his own death after crashing into the the pickup truck of Calvin Darling. Yet, the police promptly arrested Darling for failing to yield to a police car and driving under the influence (despite the fact that he was not driving under the influence).
Continue reading ‘Police Officer Killed After Plowing Into Pickup Truck at 109 MPH Without Seatbelt, Siren, or Lights — Police Charge Other Driver’
Bring Out Your Dead: City Under Fire For Abuse of Women’s Corpse
Published 1, May 22, 2009 Bizarre , Society , Torts 16 Comments
Tort law has long imposed greater liability for the mishandling of corpses. A story out of Indianapolis seems to beg for such a lawsuit. The Marion County Coroner’s Office was called to retrieve the body of Teresa Smith, 48, who weighed 750 pounds. In front of family, the coroner’s office dragged the body out of the house on her bed and across the lawn — then loaded her on a flat-bed, openback wrecker where she was transported covered in part of a torn-off dirty carpet.
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Weakland: I Did Not Know Sex With Child Was a Crime and Thought Kids Would “Grow Out of It”
Published 1, May 22, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 17 Comments
Recently, we discussed the forthcoming book by former Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, the leading cleric who was accused of date rape and covering up the abuse of children by other priests. The church paid $450,000 in 1998 to a man who had accused him of assault. Now, Weakland insists that he and other priests did not know it was a crime to have sex with children and thought they would not remember or they would “grow out of it.”
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A Law Unto Himself: Obama Promises To Hold Some Detainees Without Trial
Published 1, May 21, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , International , Justice , Lawyering , Military , Politics 67 CommentsPresident Barack Obama today defended his decision to close the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and promptly raised more serious concerns for civil libertarians. In his speech, Obama announced that the country’s “moral authority” demanded closure but then said that his lawyers were working new policies to hold certain detainees indefinitely without trial.
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Two Angry Men: Recently Unsuccessful Juror Excuses
Published 1, May 21, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 11 Comments
There has been a spate of juror problems of late in courts around the country. Grant Faber, 25, in Hillsboro, Oregon (left) is facing contempt charges for walking out of a trial due to “extreme boredom” while Erik Sly, 36, got into trouble in Gallatin county in Montana for writing the court to inform it that he would “rather count the wrinkles on my dog’s balls” than serve on a jury.
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French Judge Censors Magazine to Protect Feelings of Family in Torture Case
Published 1, May 21, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Media , Society 1 Comment
A French judge has ordered a magazine off newsstands for publishing a photo of a Jewish man Ilan Halimi, who was allegedly tortured to death. The alleged culprits are facing trial. Judge Phillipe Jean-Draeher based his decision on the “exceptional” attack by Choc magazine on the feelings of Halimi’s mother and sisters.
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Report: Jesse Jackson Jr. Gave $257,500 of Campaign Funds to Wife
Published 1, May 21, 2009 Congress , Politics , Society 4 Comments
For years, reformers have denounced the use of campaign funds by members of Congress to pay family members for “consulting” and other services. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., however, appears unconcerned about the appearance of such payments: giving $247,500 to his wife, Sandra (known as Sandi). He also reportedly gave $298,927 in cash and in-kind contributions to her successful campaign for city council.
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Extreme Premeditation: 78-Year Old Woman Arrested for Assaulting 84-Year-Old Husband Over Affair 35 Years Ago
Published 1, May 21, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 6 Comments
This will not be a POPS case. A 78-yea-old woman is being held on $70,000 bond after repeatedly beating her 84-year-old husband with a bowl, metal pipe, and carpet cleaner as well as kicking him in the groin. The reason: the long festering anger over her belief that her husband cheated on her 35 years earlier.
Arizona Inmate Dies After Being Left in Outdoor Cell with Temperatures as High as 103
Published 1, May 21, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Torts 33 Comments
Marcia Powell, an inmate at the Goodyear prison in Arizona, died after being left outside during the day in an uncovered chain-link cell in the desert heat. With temperature reaching 103, Powell collapsed and was later pronounced dead.
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Jersey Boys: Former Federal Prosecutor Arrested in Murder of Witness
Published 1, May 21, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Society 4 Comments
Paul Bergrin, 53, a former federal prosecutor, and three others were arrested this week on charges relating to the murder of a witness in a drug case as well as racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering charges. He is also accused of trying to hire a hitman. Prosecutors says that Bergrin had a favorite saying: “He liked to say ‘No witnesses, no case.”
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Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Hero Pilot Discharged for Being Gay
Published 1, May 20, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 56 Comments
The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has claimed another American hero. Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, an F-15E Strike Eagle with nine Air Medals, including one for valor for assaulting an Iraqi ambush position while under heavy anti-aircraft fire has been discharged for liking men instead of women.
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Atta Boy: Police Compliment Man for Excellent Suicide
Published 1, May 20, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 12 Comments
I have to say that was something odd in this story out of London where authorities appear to complement the planning and consideration that David Grant showed in his own suicide.
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Minnesota Mom Flees with Ailing Son To Avoid Chemotherapy
Published 1, May 20, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Religion , Society 12 Comments
Colleen Hauser and her son, Daniel, have disappeared in the wake of losing the court fight to block chemotherapy needed to save Daniel’s life. He is suffering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma and an x-ray on Monday showed that the tumor had grown.
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Five Officers Fired and Face Possible Criminal Charges After Video of Beating Unconscious Suspect
Published 1, May 20, 2009 Criminal law , Society , Torts 29 Comments
A video showing police officers beating an unconscious suspect, Anthony Warren, had led to the firing of five Birmingham officers. The beating occurred after a high-speed chase. An officer turned off the video camera but it still was able to capture the critical footage.
I Have a Dream Lawsuit: King Kids Threaten Lawsuit Over Movie on Martin Luther King Absent Their “Blessing”
Published 1, May 20, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 13 Comments
The King children are at it again: demanding consultation (and presumably payment) for any work on their father. Recently, I wrote a column denouncing the King family’s history of bilking authors, institutions, and even the King Memorial committee for money. Now, two children are objecting to a movie on the life of Martin Luther King Jr, by Dreamworks due to the temerity of the creators not to seek their blessing and permission. They are threatening legal action. If Dreamworks has an ounce of civic pride and love for Martin Luther King, it will tell these King kids to get lost and invite such a lawsuit. Their brother, Dexter, reportedly cut a deal with Dreamworks, which should detail any such payments. I fail to see the basis of such a lawsuit, but also why companies continue to enable this family in controlling and cashing in on King’s legacy.
Pirating to Freedom: Somalis Find Pirating (and Arrest) As Avenue to a Better Life in the West
Published 1, May 20, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 22 Comments
Pirates being tried in the Netherlands are announced that they want to stay in the country — citing such things as the toilets in their cell as just one of the great things about the country. One Dutch professor has suggested that the promise of a better life in the West might be a good incentive for pirates to surrender.
Darwinian Dilemma: Scientists See Fossil As “Missing Link” While Creationist Scientists See Old Dead Monkey
Published 1, May 20, 2009 Academics , Environment , Religion , Society 46 Comments
Scientists have discovered what is being heralded as the long sought “missing link” — a 47-million-year-old fossilized skeleton of a monkey called Ida that is 95% complete. It is believed to show a direct connection between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom. Of course, anyone who has a master’s in creationist science in Texas or runs as a GOP candidate for president can tell you that the researchers have been duped. Since the Earth is only 10,000 years old, the radiometric dating is obviously wrong by roughly 47 million years and evolution is just a god-hating, atheist-advancing theory.
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Study: Happiness is Being Dick Cheney
Published 1, May 19, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Society 35 CommentsA new study by Pew Research has found that the happiest people tend to be older, male Republicans. It turns out that, while sitting in an undisclosed location planning torture, Cheney was gleefully happy. Below are some of the other happiest fellows around.
Federal Jury: Police Officers Did Not Use Excessive Force After Tasering Man 19 Times Leading To His Death
Published 1, May 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 61 Comments
A federal jury in Tennessee ruled that three officers — Jason Creagan, Jonathan Mays and Jaime Scruggs — did not use excessive force in the death of Patrick Lee, 21, at a nightclub in 2005. Lee was tasered 19 times after he was seen acting strangely outside of a nightclub (ironically named the the Mercy Lounge) and allegedly resisted arrest.
Republican Leader Calls Chuck Schumer “That Jew” and Then Makes Things Worse
Published 1, May 19, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 14 Comments
Republican Kim Hendren is the minority leader of the Arkansas state Senate and seems to have a gift for the moronic — if not the antisemitic. Hendren called Schumer “that Jew” in a television interview and then struggled to name a Jew he liked.
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How Can an Egghead Nerd Clear Out a Room Full of Bodybuilders? Just Scream “Urinalysis!”
Published 1, May 19, 2009 Bizarre , International , Society 25 Comments
There was an interesting scene at the Belgian bodybuilding championship when all of the competitors reportedly fled at the appearance of a lab nerd with an anti-doping testing kit. Note: neither of the bodybuilders shown here are accused of doping, but the standards have clearly changed in a few decades.
“Eighty Percent of Success is Just Showing Up”: Woody Allen Settles for $5 Million On Eve of Trial
Published 1, May 19, 2009 Society , Torts 10 Comments
The lawsuit by Woody Allen, discussed earlier, has been settled on the eve of the trial by American Apparel. The clothing manufacturer for using an image of Allen from the 1977 movie “Annie Hall” on billboards without his permission. While American Apparel argued that Allen’s value as a sponsor was virtually worthless due to his personal scandal involving his marriage to Soon-Yi Previn. The company paid $5 million to settle the claim — half of what Allen demanded and a handsome sum for such a case given the short-lived advertisement campaign.
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Arizona Man Accidentally Kills Himself During Gun Safety Demostration
Published 1, May 19, 2009 Bizarre , Society 48 Comments
Samuel Benally Jr., 26, of Phoenix, Arizona wanted to show how dangerous it is to keep loaded guns in the house. He succeeded too well. Benally, who thought that his own gun was unloaded, put a 9mm to his head and pulled the trigger — killing himself in front of the two neighbors.
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Grade Inflation: Magazine Says Brooklyn Law School’s Ranking Was Inflated By Omission of Part-Time Student Scores
Published 1, May 19, 2009 Academics , Society 5 Comments
U.S. News & World Report’s chief rankings officer Bob Morse has released a statement on the controversy over Brooklyn Law School’s rankings. Morse has confirmed that the school inflated its ranking by not reporting part-time students but the magazine will not adjust the ranking this year.
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Guatemalan Attorney Murdered After Predicting His Own Death In Video
Published 1, May 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society 8 Comments
For all of the economic and social pressure of this time, lawyers in the United States still have much to be thankful for. In moments of doubt, they need only consider the plight of lawyers in other countries like Guatemalan lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg, who was killed recently. Rosenburg predicted his own murder in an amazing video (below) after alleging high level corruption in the government.
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Bewitching Protest: Accused Nigerian Child Witches Protest Abuse
Published 1, May 18, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 13 Comments
In past blogs, we have been keeping track of the horrible fate of children and women in Nigeria and other parts of Africa accused of witchcraft. Belief in witches is common in Africa and shown recently with disclosures about one of Gov. Sarah Palin’s favorite preachers. Now, these children are protesting to try to get the world to pay attention to their plight and to get the government to act.
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Locked and Loaded: Man Arrested With 30,000 Bullets Claims To Be Target Enthusiast
Published 1, May 18, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 34 Comments
Keni Garcia in Haverhill, New Hampshire really really love target practice. The native of the Dominican Republic told police that he had 30,0000 bullets to fuel his love for target practice.
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Onward Christian Soldier: Donald Rumsfeld Reportedly Sent Briefing Booklets on Iraq War to Bush Containing Inspirational Biblical Sayings
Published 1, May 18, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , International , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 35 Comments
GQ has an array of daily briefing booklet sent by Donald Rumsfeld to George W. Bush on the Iraq war and the war on terror that featured Biblical sayings. This is the reading prepared for a president who called the war on terror a “crusade.” Such Biblical inspirational sayings as “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him…To deliver their soul from death” were coupled with triumphant pictures for the President’s daily briefings. The covers read like a Sunday school workbook for an adolescent student.
Prosecutors Still Opposing DNA Access for Prisoners Despite New Laws
Published 1, May 18, 2009 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics , Society 17 Comments
We have seen a number of cases on this blog where prosecutors fought efforts by prisoners to obtain DNA tests that might prove their innocence — only to be proven innocent once the tests were performed. Prosecutors are rarely denounced for these reprehensible efforts. The story in the New York Times indicates that prosecutors are continuing to oppose such testing even in states that passed new laws guaranteeing such testing.
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Alba Gu Bra! Scottish Student Accused of Crossdressing By Wearing Kilt
Published 1, May 18, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Society 24 Comments
Scottish Americans are outraged this morning with a story of a Utah principal who told Gavin McFarland, 14, that his wearing a kilt at a high school was inappropriate and might constitute “cross dressing.” The result has been a scene out of Braveheart: The Battle for Rocky Mountain Junior High where tprincipal Craig Jessop has replaced Longshanks as the freedom-crushing tyrant. Just wait until Jessop learns that the Scottish call to arms is Alba gu bra!
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Descent Into Crime: Montreal Woman Handcuffed and Thrown into Cell for Failing To Hold Escalator Handrail
Published 1, May 18, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 14 Comments
Bela Kosoian, 38, is a handrail felon. The mother of two was taking an escalator down to the Montreal subway on her way to Université du Québec à Montreal, where she studies international law. She ended up handcuffed and held in a small cell for not holding the handrail on the escalator.
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While police dogs are often the focus of torts lawsuit, this training video of one dog leaping over a car at a felon firing a weapon is pretty amazing.
Continue reading ‘Nice Doggy’
Texas School District Resolves Controversy Over Christian Groups Distributing Bibles Outside of Schools By Inviting Them Inside
Published 1, May 17, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 54 Comments
The Frisco Independent School District in Texas was faced with complaints about Gideon volunteers hanging around outside of schools to pass out bibles to children. They solved the problem by inviting them into the school where free bibles are now made available to the students — a move that has caused some parents to object.
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Lawyer Bites Expert: Defense Lawyer Conduct Private Sting Operation to Show Flaws in Expert Testimony
Published 1, May 17, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering 7 Comments
Now this is a fascinating story. For decades, defense attorneys have complained about faux forensic experts who will support any theory or connection of the prosecution. Some of the most controversial are so-called “bite experts,” dentists who claim to match teeth marks on victims and objects to defendants. Attorney Christopher Plourd decided that he had had enough and arranged his own sting operation to show that these paid experts make the evidence fit any theory.
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Hidden Phone Charges: Texas Inmate Gets 60 Years For Possession of Cell Phone
Published 1, May 17, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Politics , Society 13 Comments
Derrick Ross took the term “cell phone” a bit too literally. Ross, 38, acquired a cell phone and charger while serving time at Coffeild prison in Texas. Due to Texas habitual offender laws, he has received an absurd 60 years for the violation.
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Court Overrules Parents in Religious Refusal of Chemotherapy for 13-Year-Old Boy
Published 1, May 16, 2009 Courts , Politics , Religion , Society 59 Comments
Minnesota Judge John Rodenberg has ruled in the case of Daniel Hauser, 13. We discussed this case earlier regarding the religious objections that the parents raised to chemotherapy for Daniel’s cancer –even though he has a 90 percent chance of survival with the treatment and little or no change of survival without it.
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Gingrich: House Has “Obligation” to Investigate Pelosi
Published 1, May 16, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Criminal law , Politics , Society 83 Comments
Newt Gingrich found a new level of hypocrisy this week in insisting that the Congress has “an obligation” to investigate Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I have been highly critical of Pelosi who at a minimum appears to have abandoned her duties of oversight for political convenience and at worst is outright lying. However, Gingrich who says that Pelosi is acting in a “despicable, dishonest and vicious” way, does not believe that there is any need to call for an investigation into torture and the commission of both federal and war crimes.
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OMG: Witness Says NP to Texting But Judge Says STBY
Published 1, May 16, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Society 11 Comments
We have another incident of texting in court. Miami Judge Scott Silverman went justifiably ballistic when he discovered a witness, Gavin Sussman, messaging another witness in the courtroom. He declared a mistrial in the contracts case.
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Police Arrest “Pantielover” With Pornography Showing Abuse of Babies
Published 1, May 16, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 17 Comments
What is most striking about Dennis Lee Garthus, 42, is not just that he wins the contest as the man who most looks like a freaked out sex offender. It is not that he is habitual offender. It is that his most recent arrest was for downloading (with the screen name “Pantielover”) pornography involving 1 and 2 year old babies. While nothing should surprise me at this state in my criminal defense career, I did not even know that was pornography involving 1 or 2 year old babies.
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Morehouse Student Allowed to Graduate After Shooting Another College Student and Leading Guilty
Published 1, May 16, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 18 Comments
There is a truly disturbing story out of Atlanta, Georgia. Morehouse College student Joshua Brandon Norris shot another college student Rashad Johnson three times at a party. This weekend, Norris will be allowed to graduate after receiving an unbelievable light plea bargain while Johnson is at home recovering from his wounds.
Haymaker: Panetta Contradicts Pelosi and Says That She Was Fully Briefed
Published 1, May 15, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 114 Comments
CIA Director Leon Panetta struck back at Speaker Nancy Pelosi today in a memorandum to CIA employees saying that she was fully and truthfully briefed in 2002. He indirectly accuses Pelosi of “making hay out” of the CIA and misrepresenting her briefing for political purposes. I discussed the Pelosi story last night on this segment of Countdown.
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Bush 2.0: Obama To Continue Military Tribunals
Published 1, May 15, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Justice , Lawyering , Military , Politics , Society 30 Comments
President Barack Obama continued his replication of the Bush policies today with the disclosure that he will now restart the controversial Bush tribunal system — now to be called the Obama tribunal system. This follows Obama’s adoption of an even more extreme theory of executive privilege in court, the reversal of the decision to comply with a court order and turn over abuse photographs, the continuing effort to extinguish dozens of public interest lawsuits on privacy violations, and the proposed adoption of the Bush policy of holding detainees indefinitely without trial, here. In the meantime, he and Attorney General Eric Holder continue to block the appointment of a special prosecutor despite mounting evidence of war crimes committed by the prior administration. I will be discussing these recent developments tonight on Countdown.
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Report: Cheney Called for the Torture of Iraqi Prisoner to Establish Link Between Al Qaeda and Iraq
Published 1, May 15, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Justice , Politics , Society 59 CommentsA former high-ranking state department official has come forward with the explosive report that then Vice President Dick Cheney called for the torture of an Iraqi prisoner to establish a link between al Qaeda and Iraq in the midst of the political controversy over the misrepresentations that led to the Iraq invasion. Cheney was one of the main figures pushing this justification, which was found based on false intelligence. Lawrence Wilkerson, chief of staff for then-Secretary of State Colin Powell, adds yet another piece of evidence that the torture program was not based on a “ticking bomb” justification and was not based on the faux legal opinions of lawyers like Judge Jay Bybee and Professor John Yoo.
Bait and Switch: Investigative Report Finds 85 Percent of Tested Restaurants Substituted Cheaper Fish in Dishes
Published 1, May 15, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Society 18 Comments
There is an interesting investigative report this week out of Kansas City. The local NBC station tested the fish in 20 restaurants to see if they were actually serving the fish on the menu. Seventeen restaurants were found to switch the fish with cheaper types while charging for such higher value fish as salmon.
Disgraced Archbishop Turns Author: Rembert Weakland to Release Book on Gay Lifestyle
Published 1, May 15, 2009 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 8 Comments
The former head of the Milwaukee archdiocese, Archbishop Rembert Weakland, 82, is about to publish a memoir on his gay lifestyle as a Catholic priest and sexual scandal. “A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church: Memoirs of a Catholic Archbishop” will be released in June.
Ship of Fool: Billionaire Tamir Saphir’s Yacht Seized While Loaded With Endangered and Exotic Animal Parts
Published 1, May 15, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International 7 Comments
One of the wealthiest Americans has been fined after his enormous yacht was found loaded with dead exotic and endangered animals and animal parts. Tamir Saphir’s yacht was something out of Dr. Moreau’s island — loaded with stuffed dead animals and skins and carved ivory.
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