In Arizona, police say that they arrested Tanya Nareau, 33, after she allegedly traded her 2-year-old daughter for a gun.
Continue reading ‘Tots for Toys: Mother Allegedly Trades Child for Gun’
Archive for January, 2010
Tots for Toys: Mother Allegedly Trades Child for Gun
Published 1, January 14, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 8 CommentsHistory in the Unmaking: Publisher Drops The Beaver As Magazine Name
Published 1, January 14, 2010 Bizarre , International , Media , Society 13 Comments
First there was the Wisconsin Tourism Federation changing its name to avoid the confusion with another usage of WTF, here. Now, Canada’s second-oldest magazine, The Beaver, is changing its name because it continues to be confused with porn sites and filtered out on computers.
Continue reading ‘History in the Unmaking: Publisher Drops The Beaver As Magazine Name’
Supreme Court Votes To Ban Telecasting of Same-Sex Trial
Published 1, January 14, 2010 Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Society 19 Comments
In a rare rebuke to a trial judge, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to block the planned telecasting of the trial over the constitutionality of Proposition 8 (the ban on same-sex marriage). The vote broke down along ideological line with the five conservatives ruling that Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, presiding over the trial, had not given the public enough time to comment on the telecasting before issuing his order. The ruling came in Hollingsworth vs. Perry, 09A648.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Votes To Ban Telecasting of Same-Sex Trial’
Pat Robertson: Haitians Were Punished By God for “Pact With the Devil”
Published 1, January 14, 2010 Bizarre , International , Media , Religion , Society 383 Comments
Rev. Pat Robertson often attributes horrific events to God’s wrath as when he explained that the 9-11 attacks and the Katrina disaster were punishments for our sins. Now, Robertson has proclaimed that the earthquake in Haiti was sent by God to punish Haitians for a “pact with the Devil” made to overthrow the French.
Continue reading ‘Pat Robertson: Haitians Were Punished By God for “Pact With the Devil”’
Most of Port-au-Prince Reportedly Destroyed; PM Says Over a Hundred of Thousand May Be Dead
Published 1, January 13, 2010 Environment , International , Society 39 Comments
The news continues to grow worse out of Haiti, where U.S. observers are now saying that most of Port-au-Prince has been destroyed in the devastating quake.
Boston Police Arresting People For Filming Them on Streets As Invasive of Their Privacy
Published 1, January 13, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Society 21 Comments
After criticizing police in England for arresting people for filming them and buildings (here), it appears that the police in Boston have embraced this abuse and have started arresting people for the crime of filming them in the streets. Just ask Simon Glik, a lawyer who was arrested for filming officers in what he viewed as an excessive use of force.
Continue reading ‘Boston Police Arresting People For Filming Them on Streets As Invasive of Their Privacy’
Shiva Got Your Tongue? Man Slices Off Tongue To Become Father
Published 1, January 13, 2010 Bizarre , Religion , Society 8 Comments
Mukesh Kumar, 28, has a curious way to impregnating his wife: he cut off his tongue to petition the Hindu God Shiva for a child.
Continue reading ‘Shiva Got Your Tongue? Man Slices Off Tongue To Become Father’
New Hampshire Moves Toward Repealing 200-Year-Old Adultery Law
Published 1, January 13, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics , Religion , Society 4 Comments
New Hampshire appears to be moving toward repealing its 200-Year-Old adultery law. It is obviously long overdue. I have previously written how these laws are clearly unconstitutional, here and here.
Continue reading ‘New Hampshire Moves Toward Repealing 200-Year-Old Adultery Law’
A Tale of a Fateful Trip: Man’s Complaint Referring to Gilligan’s Island Results in Aborted Flight and Criminal Charges
Published 1, January 13, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Society 14 Comments
A flight to Hawaii from Portland, Oregon was turned around after a flight attendant was given what they said was a potentially threatening note. Joseph Hedlund Johnson was arrested for the note, which seems to make not a reference to an act of terrorism but ‘Gilligan’s Island.”
Man Allegedly Attacks Elderly Greeter in Florida. . . Walmart Fires Greeter
Published 1, January 13, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 34 Comments
Witnesses and an elderly Wal-Mart greeter say that Skyler Lowery, 23, attacked Ed Bauman, 69, while he was watching the front door of a Wal-Mart in Palm Bay, Florida. The video below seems to confirm their story and the police charged Lowery. However, that did not stop Wal-Mart from firing Bauman.
Continue reading ‘Man Allegedly Attacks Elderly Greeter in Florida. . . Walmart Fires Greeter’
Bank of America Allegedly Forecloses on Wrong House, Cuts Off Power, and Locks Out Couple . . . But Insists Lawsuit Has “No Merit”
Published 1, January 12, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 23 Comments
Dr. Alan Schroit and his wife had a truly scary Halloween in Galveston, Texas this year. When they went to their home to get ready for a party the next day, they found the locks changed and needed the police to get into the house. They then found putrid food due to the electricity being turned off. It turns out the Bank of America foreclosed on the wrong home, but the Bank’s counsel still claims Schroit’s lawsuit is “has no merit.” Hmmmm.
Geez, it is getting to the point that you cannot go to any movie without putting your ever-lasting soul in jeopardy. After giving a thumb down to the movie New Moon, the Vatican is now panning Avatar as a threat to the true faith. Joining the Pontiff is a Chicago Alderman who opposes the movie for making Marines look like corporate guns for fire, here. The Marine Corps itself has turned movie critic in panning the film, here. It would strongly suggest “From Here to Eternity” as an alternative.
OMG TARFU in CT: Court Deputy Breaks Leg While Trying to Stop Texting
Published 1, January 12, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
According to police, Demonte T. Jones, 18, has texted himself into a criminal charge. Anne Arundel court deputies say that Jones was texting in court and got into a wrestling match with deputies — resulting in one suffering a broken leg.
Continue reading ‘OMG TARFU in CT: Court Deputy Breaks Leg While Trying to Stop Texting’
Call me a softie, but I find this really cool. A young boy wrote a letter to the cartoonist John Kricfalusi, the creator of Ren & Stimpy. Instead of just blowing him off, he sends this illustrated letter.
Continue reading ‘Cartoonist Sends Letter to Young Boy’
Mark McGwire Comes Clean on Steriod Use
Published 1, January 12, 2010 Congress , Criminal law , Politics , Society 32 Comments
Mark McGwire has come clean about playing dirty with steroids. In the statement below, he admits to using steroids during the season when he broke the home run record in 1998.
Police Arrest Florida Man Who Beat Wife While She Was Driving and Caused Rollover
Published 1, January 12, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 7 Comments
We have yet another case out of Port St. Lucie to add to our library, here. According to police, Dwight Robotham, 33, decided to beat his wife as she was driving the car. The result was a rollover for the couple and a criminal charge for Robotham.
Continue reading ‘Police Arrest Florida Man Who Beat Wife While She Was Driving and Caused Rollover’
From the Litter Box to the Jury Box: Cat Called for Jury Duty in Boston
Published 1, January 12, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 20 Comments
Sal Esposito may have some difficulty in voir dire before he actually sits on a jury. His constant licking himself may alone attract the ire of the Court. Guy and Anna Esposito were surprised this week when their cat, Sal, was called for jury duty.
Continue reading ‘From the Litter Box to the Jury Box: Cat Called for Jury Duty in Boston’
Same-Sex- Marriage Trial Begins in San Francisco
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Religion , Society 19 Comments
The ultimate odd couple David Boies and Theodore B. Olson have opened up their case against Proposition 8 in California to fight for the right of same-sex couples to marry. The opening arguments occurred this morning in the United States District Court in San Francisco. I will be discussing the case on the BBC tonight.
Continue reading ‘Same-Sex- Marriage Trial Begins in San Francisco’
Turley Blog Wins . . . Second Place in ABA Competition
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Uncategorized 18 Comments
We won the highly coveted second place in the ABA blog competition, according to the results sent this afternoon. Many have long argued that they would prefer the second place slot. Just ask Avis executives or the Biden staff. Congratulations to all of the winners The Legal Satyricon (IMHO), Volokh Conspiracy (Legal Theory), Above the Law (News), TalkLeft (Justice), and the other winners. I encourage you to look at not just the winners but the many wonderful blogs with links, here.
Continue reading ‘Turley Blog Wins . . . Second Place in ABA Competition’
OOPS: BBC Reporters Breaks Unbreakable Phone on Television
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Society 7 Comments
This is an example of the perils of televised challenges. This BBC reporter at the CES convention responds to a challenge from a CEO to break the unbreakable phone and proceeds to do so.
Continue reading ‘OOPS: BBC Reporters Breaks Unbreakable Phone on Television’
Blago: I’m Blacker Than Barack Obama
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 54 Comments
First Harry Reid says that President Obama is a “light-skinned negro” (here) and now former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has announced that he’s “blacker than Barack Obama.”
Mother Waves Knife At Men Peering Through Window at Her Home . . . And Receives Warning From Police
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Society 14 Comments
The TV presenter and former model Myleene Klass is justified to be a bit confused. When she was confronted by teenagers staring at her and banging on her window, she grabbed a knife and waved it at the intruders. Rather than complimenting Klass on thinking fast, the police issued her a formal warning not to do that again.
Footnote Filibuster? Obama Re-Nominates Johnsen for OLC
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Lawyering , Politics , Society 10 Comments
President Obama has renominated Indiana Law Professor Dawn Johnsen to head the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. She is opposed by Republicans over her views on subjects like abortion. Much of the criticism over Johnson focuses on a single footnote in a brief — a further example of how the confirmation process works to winnow out anyone how has ever uttered an interesting or provocative thought.
Continue reading ‘Footnote Filibuster? Obama Re-Nominates Johnsen for OLC’
Former Deputy White House Counsel Charged With Attempted Murder
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Uncategorized 11 Comments
In a startling development, former Bush White House Counsel John Michael Farren, 57, has been charged with the attempted murder of his wife, Mary Farren, who is also a lawyer. The crime allegedly occurred at their Connecticut home in a rage-filled argument.
Continue reading ‘Former Deputy White House Counsel Charged With Attempted Murder’
BBC: Human Sacrifice Is On The Rise in Uganda
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 7 Comments
We have been following the killing of people in Africa – from children accused of witchcraft to albinos for magical potions — due to traditional African medicines and beliefs. Now, the BBC has documented how human sacrifice is on the rise in Uganda. To its credit, the government has admitted that human sacrifice is on the rise and has taken steps to crackdown on the practice.
Continue reading ‘BBC: Human Sacrifice Is On The Rise in Uganda’
This is Either a Really Tall or Really Stupid Driver . . .
Published 1, January 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 8 Comments
Richard Anthony Flores Jr., 25, appears to want a convertible but could only afford a sun roof. Police say that Flores tried to obscure his plates before this stunt was captured on traffic cameras. It didn’t work.
Continue reading ‘This is Either a Really Tall or Really Stupid Driver . . .’
If this does not show a cross species link with non-humans, I do not know what proof is needed.
Continue reading ‘One in Every Crowd’
Lost Address: President Obama Delays State of the Union Speech To Defer to “Lost” Episode
Published 1, January 10, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 32 Comments
For much of the week, the White House has been dealing with an unspeakable looming crisis. No, it is not terrorism or global warming. The State of the Union speech was scheduled for Feb. 2nd . . . the same night ABC was kicking off the final season of “Lost.” The White House has announced that the State of the Union will have to wait.
Continue reading ‘Lost Address: President Obama Delays State of the Union Speech To Defer to “Lost” Episode’
Lethal Lips: Police Arrest Man Who Shut Down Newark With a Kiss
Published 1, January 10, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 19 Comments
Haisong Jiang, 28, may not want to talk about his particular criminal charge while in the cellblocks waiting arraignment. It turns out that Jiang was the man who went under a security rope at Newark airport to give his girlfriend one last kiss goodbye . . . and sent the entire airport into a security alert that stranded thousands.
Continue reading ‘Lethal Lips: Police Arrest Man Who Shut Down Newark With a Kiss’
English Woman Raped in Dubai Hotel By Waiter Only To Be Arrested With Her Fiancé for Illegal Drinking and Sex Before Marriage
Published 1, January 10, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 13 Comments
We have another outrage under Sharia law. In Dubai, a 23-year-old woman from London was assaulted by a waiter in a hotel toilet. She was celebrating her engagement with her boyfriend. The Muslim woman of Pakistani descent and her boyfriend went to the police and were themselves promptly arrested for “illegal drinking” and having sex outside of marriage.
Continue reading ‘English Woman Raped in Dubai Hotel By Waiter Only To Be Arrested With Her Fiancé for Illegal Drinking and Sex Before Marriage’
New Book: Reid Refers to Obama as “Light-Skinned Negro” While Bill Clinton Says He Would Have Been Serving Him Coffee a Few Years Ago
Published 1, January 10, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 10 Comments
While many people are chatting up a storm about Majority Leader Harry Reid reference in Game Change to President Obama as a “light skinned” black man “with no Negro dialect,” Ben Smith has pulled out two other notable sections, including Bill Clinton objecting to Ted Kennedy that “A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee.”
Scientific Breakthrough: Engineers Develop Automatic Ball Toss For Dog Owners
Published 1, January 9, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Society 27 CommentsEver wonder why no one has solved the problem of having to raise your arm repeatedly on the couch in order to throw a ball to your dog? Well, finally scientists have tackled the problem.
Continue reading ‘Scientific Breakthrough: Engineers Develop Automatic Ball Toss For Dog Owners’
City Settles False Arrest Case of Married Grandmother
Published 1, January 9, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 64 Comments
New York has settled a case were a Brooklyn grandmother who was walking to a hospital after an asthma attack was arrested for prostitution. Monica Gonzalez, 41, will receive $35,000.
Continue reading ‘City Settles False Arrest Case of Married Grandmother’
Felonious Fillings: Alleged Burglar Caught With Bag of Teeth in Seattle
Published 1, January 9, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 6 Comments
Shane Carlson, 26, has a long record of burglaries and office break-ins, but police say that he has recently turned to a more specialized form of theft: teeth. Perhaps responding to Glenn Beck’s continual hawking of gold as an investment, Carlson has been allegedly stealing teeth and filings for the gold from dental offices. He was captured with a bag of teeth in Seattle.
Continue reading ‘Felonious Fillings: Alleged Burglar Caught With Bag of Teeth in Seattle’
God is My Co-Agent: TSA Employee Announces That He Is God at LAX
Published 1, January 9, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 60 Comments
If you are tired of dealing with TSA employees who act like God Almighty, you may want to stay out of LAX where one agent announced that he is in fact God and his orders divine.
Continue reading ‘God is My Co-Agent: TSA Employee Announces That He Is God at LAX’
Plaintiffs Fight Effort to Limit Reforms in World Bank Protest Trial
Published 1, January 9, 2010 Academics , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society 3 Comments
Last night, the Plaintiffs in the World Bank/IMF protest case filed our opposition to the summary judgment motion filed by the District in the World Bank/IMF protest case. The District is trying to use a proposed settlement in another case to bar us from seeking more comprehensive reforms (or equitable relief) at the trial in September. As lead co-counsel in the Chang case (with my colleague Daniel Schwartz of Bryan Cave), I am limited in what I can say on the case. However, to reduce calls to my office, I am posting the filings below.
Continue reading ‘Plaintiffs Fight Effort to Limit Reforms in World Bank Protest Trial’
Preservation Through De-Militarization: Endangered Species Found in Korean DMZ
Published 1, January 8, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , International , Military , Politics 7 Comments
I wonder what graduate student is going to get this field assignment. Dozens of endangered species have been found in the demilitarized zone between Koreas. The Dear Leader is unlikely to prove a budding naturalist.
Continue reading ‘Preservation Through De-Militarization: Endangered Species Found in Korean DMZ’
The Ultimate Cold Case: Authorities Subpoena Man in 1982 Tylenol Case
Published 1, January 8, 2010 Criminal law , Justice , Society 6 Comments
Federal authorities have subpoenaed James W. Lewis in an investigation of the 27-year-old case of the poisoning of Tylenol capsules that led to the deaths of four women, two men and a 12-year-old girl, died in 1982 in the Chicago area.
Continue reading ‘The Ultimate Cold Case: Authorities Subpoena Man in 1982 Tylenol Case’
Lawyer Accuses Federal Judge of Catholic Bias and Misconduct; Judge Hits Lawyer With $110,000 Sanctions
Published 1, January 8, 2010 Bizarre , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 24 Comments
There is an interesting sanction imposed by U.S. District Judge William Zloch against Florida lawyer Loring Spolter for filings accusing him of having religious bias and engaging in potentially criminal conduct. Spolter was hit with $110,000 in sanctions for his filings over the course of 42 months to try to get Zloch to step down from employment cases due to his religious beliefs and those of his clerks. While Spolter accuses Zloch of a Catholic bias, Zloch dismisses his filings as “[c]onjecture and fantasy of this sort are usually scrawled on loose leaf and filed by inmates.”
Continue reading ‘Lawyer Accuses Federal Judge of Catholic Bias and Misconduct; Judge Hits Lawyer With $110,000 Sanctions’
Red Dawn: Governor’s Adviser Fired For Calling First Ladies “Window Dressing”
Published 1, January 8, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 9 Comments
A former adviser to Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons has been fired for insulting first ladies everywhere in an off-the-cuff statement about how Governor Gibbons’ divorce is not a major issue because first ladies like Dawn Gibbons are merely “window dressing.”
Continue reading ‘Red Dawn: Governor’s Adviser Fired For Calling First Ladies “Window Dressing”’
Scientists Find Footprints from 395 Millions Years Ago . . . Creationists See Another Muddy Mistake
Published 1, January 8, 2010 Academics , Environment , International , Society 61 Comments
Scientists have dated “hand” and “foot” prints in Poland that may be the oldest ever found of a four-legged creature. The prints were left in the early Middle Devonian period roughly 400 millions years ago. Of course, for creationists, who insist that the Bible shows that the Earth is only 6,000 years old, these are just muddy footprints and the scientists are off by 394,994,000 years in their calculations.
Got Melamine? Chinese Officials Accused of Covering Up Tainted Milk
Published 1, January 8, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International , Politics , Society , Torts 5 Comments
The Chinese government is again being accused of not acting swiftly enough to shutdown another company producing tainted food. The most recent scandal follows the 2008 case where the government allowed melamine-tainted infant formula to sicken 300,000 babies (and causing death for six babies). The same chemical is involved in the shutting down of the Shanghai Panda company, which produces condensed milk and milk powder.
Continue reading ‘Got Melamine? Chinese Officials Accused of Covering Up Tainted Milk’
I just saw this on Reddit and thought it was too cool not to share.
Continue reading ‘A Water Drop’
Nine Lies: Man Arrested After Killing and Skinning Cat for Memorial
Published 1, January 8, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society 4 Comments
In Florida, Jason Alkire, 26, is accused of killing his cat and then skinning it in an effort to create a memorial. Police insist that the cat did not have nine lives, but Alkire allegedly had almost as many lies to explain why he was caught with a pocket knife skinning a house cat.
Continue reading ‘Nine Lies: Man Arrested After Killing and Skinning Cat for Memorial’
Kiss Shuts Down Newark Airport
Published 1, January 7, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society 33 CommentsIt appears that the security scare that led to shutting down Newark was due to a last minute kiss by a man who stepped over the line of a checkpoint. The amorous gesture led to a pile up at the airport and has now doubt led TSA to recommend kissing zones for passengers.
Continue reading ‘Kiss Shuts Down Newark Airport’
Officer Rolls Jeep and is Allegedly Found With Open Liquor Bottle While Smelling of Alcohol . . . But Is Not Charged After She Refuses Sobriety Test and Other Officers Deny Smelling Alcohol
Published 1, January 7, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 88 Comments
Questions are being raised about the handling of a Bartlett, Tennessee police officer who was found off-duty in an accident where she rolled over her jeep, which contained an open liquor bottle. EMTs reportedly smelled alcohol and Officer Teresa Brignole refused a sobriety test. However, the officers at the scene supported her in saying that they did not smell alcohol and she was not charged with DUI.
Continue reading ‘Officer Rolls Jeep and is Allegedly Found With Open Liquor Bottle While Smelling of Alcohol . . . But Is Not Charged After She Refuses Sobriety Test and Other Officers Deny Smelling Alcohol’
Minnesota GOP Senate Candidate Calls President Obama a “Power Hungry Arrogant Black Man”
Published 1, January 7, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 106 Comments
Mike Parry, a GOP candidate for the state senate, has apologized for tweets calling President Obama a “Power Hungry Arrogant Black Man” and asking “whats with the Dems and Pedophiles?”
Continue reading ‘Minnesota GOP Senate Candidate Calls President Obama a “Power Hungry Arrogant Black Man”’
Family Sues Funeral Home After Grandmother’s Brains Are Returned With Personal Items
Published 1, January 7, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 10 Comments
An unnamed family in New Mexico has filed a lawsuit after a horrific discovery among the bag of personal belongings returned to them by the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory in Espanola Valley: the brains of their deceased grandmother.
This Dwarf May Kill You
Published 1, January 7, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics , Society 97 Comments
Looking for something else to worry about, consider T Pyxidis . . . it may be the end to all of us.
Accenting the Positive in Polygamy: South African President Marries Fifth Wife in Zulu Ceremony
Published 1, January 7, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Society 20 Comments
South African president Jacob Zuma has decided to accent the positive in marrying his fifth wife (he is currently married to three other women). He tied the knot for the fifth time and is now married to three women. Zuma insists that his polygamist lifestyle is more “honest” than leaders who simply cheat with mistresses.
Continue reading ‘Accenting the Positive in Polygamy: South African President Marries Fifth Wife in Zulu Ceremony’
Plaintiffs in World Bank Protest Case File for Forensic Expert
Published 1, January 6, 2010 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Society 4 Comments
This week, the Plaintiffs in the World Bank/IMF protest case filed a notice with the Court on the appointment of a forensic expert to investigate the destruction of evidence in the case. As lead counsel in one of the two cases (with my colleague Daniel Schwartz of Bryan Cave), I am limited in what I can say on the case. However, to reduce calls to my office, I am posting the filings below.
Continue reading ‘Plaintiffs in World Bank Protest Case File for Forensic Expert’
Chicago Police Considers Dropping Entrance Exam To Increase the Number of Minority Officers
Published 1, January 6, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 30 Comments
A police officer in the Chicago Police Department sent this story to me. It appears that the CPD is moving oward dropping the entrance exam for officers to add more minority officers and avoid legal battles over applicants rejected on the basis of the exam.
Continue reading ‘Chicago Police Considers Dropping Entrance Exam To Increase the Number of Minority Officers’
While this picture may look like a bunch of stars, but it comes close to a time machine. The picture taken by the Hubble Space Telescope has reached back 13.2 billion years to reveal baby galaxies after the Big Bang.
Japanese Whaling Ship Cuts Off Bow of Environmentalist Ship
Published 1, January 6, 2010 Environment , International , Politics , Society 18 Comments
Sea Shephard’s hi-tech anti-whaling speedboat Ady Gil was virtually cut in half by a Japanese ship running interference for whalers this week. The Japanese Shonan Maru hit the speedboat during one of the confrontations at sea. At video of the ship is found at the site below.
Continue reading ‘Japanese Whaling Ship Cuts Off Bow of Environmentalist Ship’
Please Check Your Carry-On: Slovakian Police Plant Explosives and Contraband on Unwitting Airline Passengers . . . Leading to the Arrest of Innocent Irishman
Published 1, January 6, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 13 Comments
There is a bizarre case out of Ireland where a 49-year-old man was arrested after being found with contraband and an explosive at the airport. It turns out that the Slovakian police planted the explosives and contraband on passengers at the Bratislava Airport, but did not bother to tell the Irish authorities.
Continue reading ‘Please Check Your Carry-On: Slovakian Police Plant Explosives and Contraband on Unwitting Airline Passengers . . . Leading to the Arrest of Innocent Irishman’
Fur Flies Over Advert: PETA Runs AD With Picture of First Lady Without Permission
Published 1, January 6, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Environment , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society 5 Comments
PETA’s new ad featuring Carrie Underwood, Tyra Banks, Oprah Winfrey and the First Lady bills them as “among the most stylish and influential women in America” who “all refuse to wear real fur.” The First Lady also refuses to make such endorsements. The ad raises questions over the use of celebrity images without consent and possible appropriation of name or likeness in torts.
Continue reading ‘Fur Flies Over Advert: PETA Runs AD With Picture of First Lady Without Permission’
France To Make Psychological Abuse in Marriages a Crime … With Electronic Monitoring
Published 1, January 6, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 18 CommentsThere is an interesting debate occurring in France over a law that will make the country the first to criminalize “psychological violence” within marriage. A spouse who engages in psychological abuse will be criminally charged and potentially forced to wear “electronic tagging.”
Tennessee Judge Reprimanded and Sued For Policy of Forced Drug Tests Based on Courtroom “Hunches”
Published 1, January 5, 2010 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society 19 Comments
Tennessee General Sessions Judge Durwood Moore has a curious view of the fourth amendment and the doctrine of judicial notice. Moore is the subject of a judicial ethics complaint and lawsuit after he had an observer in his courtroom arrested and forced to do a urinalysis. Moore insisted that this is simply his routine practice when he has “a hunch.”
Iranian Court Orders Economics Journalist Jailed for Over Seven Years and Flogged
Published 1, January 5, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 60 Comments
AFP is reporting another outrage out of the Iranian legal system where a journalist Bahman Ahmadi Amoui has been sentenced to over seven years in jail and a flogging with 34 lashes. Amoui was a critic of Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s economic policies.
Continue reading ‘Iranian Court Orders Economics Journalist Jailed for Over Seven Years and Flogged’
Gestational Surrogates Win Custody Rulings in Michigan and New Jersey
Published 1, January 5, 2010 Constitutional Law , Society 22 Comments
There is a significant ruling out of New Jersey on the rights of gestational surrogate who gave birth to twin girls who are not genetically related to her. Angelia G. Robinson, agreed to have the children in 2006 for her brother, Donald Robinson Hollingsworth and his spouse, Sean Hollingsworth. The men arranged for the use of an anonymous donor’s eggs and fertilized with sperm from Sean Hollingsworth. The decision follows a similar win by a gestational surrogate in Michigan.
Continue reading ‘Gestational Surrogates Win Custody Rulings in Michigan and New Jersey’
Dope for Dummies: New York Distributes Guide on How To Best Shoot Herion
Published 1, January 5, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 13 Comments
New York officials are under fire this week for spending $32,000 on a guidebook for heroin users on how to shoot up.
Continue reading ‘Dope for Dummies: New York Distributes Guide on How To Best Shoot Herion’
“Tase The Baby”: Florida Man Allegedly Uses Baby As Human Shield
Published 1, January 5, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 8 Comments
We have another contestant for Worst Person in the World. Jorge Garcia, 39, in Florida was confronted by police for acting strangely and told to get out of his car. When he refused an officer pulled out his stun gun. That is when Garcia allegedly used an infant as a human shield. He reportedly told the officer “Tase the Baby.’
Continue reading ‘“Tase The Baby”: Florida Man Allegedly Uses Baby As Human Shield’
Boy Killed By Stray Bullet While In Church With Family on New Year’s Eve
Published 1, January 5, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
The parents of Marquel Peters, 4, probably thought that there was no more safe place than their church in Decatur, Georgia on New Year’s Eve. They were wrong. While he was playing a video game at his parent’s feet, a bullet came through the roof of the church and killed Marquel.
Continue reading ‘Boy Killed By Stray Bullet While In Church With Family on New Year’s Eve’
Fox Expert: Strip Search All Muslim Men Between The Ages of 18-28
Published 1, January 4, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , International , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 150 CommentsRetired Lt. General Tom McInerney appeared on Fox News to offer his own proposal for making air travel safer: strip search all Muslim men between 18 and 28. That’s right, strip search every Muslim male at the airport.
Continue reading ‘Fox Expert: Strip Search All Muslim Men Between The Ages of 18-28′
Pierre Sarkozy Makes “Miraculous Escape” From Mudslide . . . By Staying At Party
Published 1, January 4, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics , Society 5 Comments
French officials have been heralding the amazing escape of the eldest son of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Pierre, after a mudslide killed 64 people on the Isle of Pigs in Brazil. It was certainly an amazing and terrible mudslide but the escape was a bit less remarkable.
Continue reading ‘Pierre Sarkozy Makes “Miraculous Escape” From Mudslide . . . By Staying At Party’
Excuse Me, Waiter, I Asked for Mousse Not Moose
Published 1, January 4, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 4 Comments
In Manhattan, Raina Kumra has an interesting personal injury lawsuit. While eating at the White Slab Palace restaurant, her meal was interrupted when a 150-pound Moose head with three-foot antlers fell on her.
Continue reading ‘Excuse Me, Waiter, I Asked for Mousse Not Moose’
Georgia Parents Arrested For Giving Kids Tattoos
Published 1, January 4, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 54 Comments
We previously saw the prosecution of a California father who gave his son a gang tattoo, here. Now in Georgia, parents Patty Jo Marsh and her husband, Jacob Bartels have been arrested for giving their children tattoos using a home-made tattoo device.
Continue reading ‘Georgia Parents Arrested For Giving Kids Tattoos’
Theft of Auschwitz Sign Connected To Wealthy British Nazi Sympathizer
Published 1, January 4, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 3 Comments
Polish police have recovered the stolen sign from above the entrance gate of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp. The infamous sign reads “Arbeit Macht Frei” (“Work Sets You Free”) and was recovered in three pieces after thieves dumped it in the woods while being pursued by police. The 16-foot sign was reportedly destined for a wealthy Englishman and Nazi sympathizer as a collectable.
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This Week on Fox: Brit Hume Tries To Convert Tiger
Published 1, January 4, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 49 CommentsFox News’ Brit Hume raised a few eyebrows with his advice this week on Fox Sunday when the subject of Tiger Woods came up. Hume stated that the question of whether Woods can recover from his scandal “depends on his faith” and specifically the need for him to dump his Buddhist faith for Christianity.
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Now this is the way to remove snow.
Continue reading ‘The Real Polar Express’
This should be shown in slow motion, of course.
What Do You Think of This Painting?
Published 1, January 3, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society 48 Comments
Do you like this painting? Well, it was painted by a six-year-old named Kieron Williamson.
Scientists Call For Dolphins to Be Given “Non-Human Person” Status
Published 1, January 3, 2010 Academics , Environment , International , Society 27 Comments
Scientists are seeking greater protection of dolphins as “non-human persons” in light of research showing that they are the second most intelligence species after humans. They specifically argue that the continued use of the animals for amusement is morally unacceptable. They might want to start with the Japanese, who cherish an annual massacre of dolphins as a cultural tradition (shown below).
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Muslim Man Attempts To Kill Kurt Westergaard With Axe At His Home
Published 1, January 3, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 14 Comments
Danish political cartoonist Kurt Westergaard faced a horrific scene with his 5-year-old granddaughter when they had to hide in a “panic room” inside his home after a man smashed in his front door while wielding an axe and a knife. The 28-year-old Somali then attacked responding police, who shot him. Westergaard is the creator of the cartoons of Muhammad that triggered worldwide protests and led to calls for his death by Muslims.
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Chavez Orders Rationing of Electricity
Published 1, January 3, 2010 Environment , International , Politics , Society 21 Comments
While Hugo Chavez spends wildly on a military build up and cracks down on free speech and the free press in Venezuela (here), he has ordered the rationing of electricity in the oil-rich country. Chavez blames not his policies but waste of businesses for the crisis.
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Nomination Goes Southers: TSA Nominee Caught in False Statement to Congress
Published 1, January 3, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Society 13 Comments
The Obama Administration’s nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is facing some serious questions after the release of a letter showing that he had intentionally or inadvertently misled Congress over his violation of privacy laws while at the FBI. While the Democrats are continuing to support Erroll Southers, civil libertarians have great misgivings over the controversy.
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Now this appears to be the only verified picture of father time.
Continue reading ‘Father Time’
Gaddafi’s Son Allegedly Beats Wife in London Hotel, Breaks Her Nose, and Then Invokes Diplomatic Immunity
Published 1, January 2, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Society 19 Comments
Moutassim Gaddafi, son of Libyan Leader Muammar al-Qaddafi (aka Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi) (shown left), claimed diplomatic immunity after English police came to his hotel room and discovered his wife — 29-year-old model Aline Skaf — with a broken nose after an alleged argument with Gaddafi, 33. The Libyan bodyguards were arrested after they refused to allow the police to enter the £4,000-a-night suite at Claridge’s in Mayfair at about 1.30am on Christmas Day. This was not part of the description of life for beautiful women recently given by his father, here, in Italy.
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Ninth Circuit Rules Officer Can Be Sued For Taser Injury
Published 1, January 2, 2010 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Society 10 CommentsThe Ninth Circuit has handed down a major ruling that allows an officer to be sued for injuries sustained from the use of a taser. The unanimous panel ruled that Carl Bryan could sue over his injuries resulting from the use of a taser in 2005 by former Coronado, Calif., police officer, Brian McPherson.
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The Leaning Tower of Liuzhou
Published 1, January 2, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society 5 CommentsA Chinese demolition company inadvertently turned a 22-floor residential building into a leaning tower for the city of Liuzhou in southern China.
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Poll: 58 Percent of Americans Want Underwear Bomber To Be Tortured
Published 1, January 2, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Society 158 CommentsA new Rasmussen poll reveals that 58% of people polled would like to see Flight 253 bombing suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tortured for information. It is not just an indictment of our values but another byproduct of President Obama’s blocking of any independent investigation and prosecution of torture under the Bush Administration. By protecting Bush officials, Obama is reinforcing their argument that such measures are merely controversial and not crimes.
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The good thing for this Japanese operator is that with this many people, you only have room for a teaspoon of water.
Continue reading ‘Ultimate Human Wave’
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Published 1, January 1, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Environment 24 Comments
Happy New Year to all of our blogging family. This has been a remarkable year for the blog. We are now solidly in the top ten legal blogs, according to the AVVO rankings and we have over doubled our number of visits from last year. The success is almost entirely due to our regulars who bring insight, humor, and passion to legal and policies issues every day. I cannot thank you enough.
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Laying Hands on the Faithful: Pastor Rick Warren Calls for a Million Dollars from the Faithful
Published 1, January 1, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Religion , Society 40 Comments
First, there was Rod Parsley saying that Satan has been messing around with his bank accounts and needs a massive infusion of cash to fight his demonic plan, here. Now, fellow Evangelical pastor Rick Warren has asked for roughly a million dollars from his faithful due to a few end of the year shortfalls in cash flow. Given these calls to the faithful, I wish to add my own discovery of a demonic plan to deny me of ready cash and call upon everyone on this blog to send me money immediately to fight for righteous and redemptive blogging.
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Music To Die For: British Authorities Believe that Teenager May Have Been Killed By Loud Music
Published 1, January 1, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , International , Society 8 Comments
British teenager Tom Reid had just enrolled in college and went to a nightclub to celebrate. He never made it out alive and authorities believe that the loud bass may have killed him by affecting his heart rate. They believe that Reid had a rare genetic disorder known as long QT syndrome.
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Mad Dog Versus Zen Cat: The Classic Battle Captured on Video
Published 1, January 1, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Media , Society 12 Comments This just may be the coolest cat I have ever seen.
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