It is a numismatists’ dream come true. The Chilean mint has issued thousands of 50-peso coins with Chile misspelled as C-H-I-I-E instead of C-H-I-L-E. The manager of the Chilean mint has been dismissed.
Continue reading ‘“CHIIE” Coins Become Instant Collectors’ Item — And National Embarrassment’
Archive for February, 2010
“CHIIE” Coins Become Instant Collectors’ Item — And National Embarrassment
Published 1, February 12, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society 14 CommentsSurvival of the Fittest: Raptor Eats Cheerleader on Charles Darwin Day
Published 1, February 12, 2010 Bizarre , Society 27 CommentsThere must be some National Association of Cheerleaders filing a complaint over this, but it is pretty funny. The important thing is that it demonstrates the concept of natural selection and the survival of the fittest on Charles Darwin Day.
Continue reading ‘Survival of the Fittest: Raptor Eats Cheerleader on Charles Darwin Day’
Video: Three Seattle Metro Guards Watch As Teenagers Rob and Beat Girl In Front of Them
Published 1, February 12, 2010 Criminal law , Politics , Society , Torts 22 CommentsThis video is perfectly mind blowing. Three security guards in a Seattle Metro bus tunnel are shown watching a group of teenagers beat and rob a 15-year-old girl and do nothing to stop it beyond calling 911.
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Florida School Officials Scrap Plan Give Away $350,000 Worth of Free iPods
Published 1, February 12, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 24 Comments
For those who are suspicious of the massive stimulus payments to states, they need look no further than the Polk County school district where officials announced that they would give away $350,000 of free iPod Nanos. After media coverage, the school has backed down from its not-so-stimulating plan.
Continue reading ‘Florida School Officials Scrap Plan Give Away $350,000 Worth of Free iPods’
Heal Thyself: Doctor Sent to School After Swearing At Obese Patient
Published 1, February 12, 2010 Bizarre , Society 30 Comments
A surgeon in New Zealand has received a formal reprimand for using bad language in telling a severely obese patient to change her lifestyle. I wonder what the doctor in New Zealand said (in today’s story) after the teenager stole his puppy back to keep him from being euthanized, here. Hopefully, it was something like “Oh fiddlesticks, now I will never be paid.”
Continue reading ‘Heal Thyself: Doctor Sent to School After Swearing At Obese Patient’
Passing the Buck: Teenager Steals Dog to Prevent It From Being Euthanized
Published 1, February 12, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 9 Comments
Police in New Zealand have an interesting necessity defense to deal with in a theft case. Bronson Stewart’s puppy, Buck, was hit by a car and neither Stewart, 19, or his father could afford the money to pin the puppy’s broken leg back together or the lower price to have the leg mputated. While the family (which is on welfare) offered to pay $3.50 a week, the vet declined and said that it was best to euthanize Buck because he was in agony. That is when Stewart took matters into his own hands.
Continue reading ‘Passing the Buck: Teenager Steals Dog to Prevent It From Being Euthanized’
LAWDRAGON: VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE LAWYERS
Published 1, February 11, 2010 Academics , Lawyering , Media , Society 26 Comments
For many, voting for your favorite lawyers is akin to voting for your favorite parasitic worm, but LawDragon has announced the roughly 3,000 lawyers who made the cut as National Finalists to the annual selection of the top 500 lawyers. I am thankful to have been nominated (here), but the greatest interest is who is also on the list and not on the list of finalists.
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Rap Sleet II: Pennsylvania Man Arrested for Blowing Snow on Plow Driver
Published 1, February 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 6 Comments
If Charles Gill and Ryan Knight are looking at five years for throwing a snowball at a snow plow, one can only imagine what they would get using a weapon like a snow blower — a difference akin to a single-shot .22 caliber hand gun and a Thompson machine gun. Steve Negri may soon learn the answer to that question: he is accused of blowing snow on a plow driver.
Continue reading ‘Rap Sleet II: Pennsylvania Man Arrested for Blowing Snow on Plow Driver’
Obama Administration Blasts British Court For Disclosing Abuses at Guantanamo Bay
Published 1, February 11, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Military , Politics , Society 21 Comments
The Obama Administration has taken the rare step of criticizing a British court. Why? Because the court released a few paragraphs of a report that confirmed our abuse and torture of detainees. Spokesman Ben LaBolt denounced the release of the information and threatened to cut off access of the British to classified information in the future. Note these paragraphs do not appear to reveal any new classified technique, but rather confirm our violations of international law — evidence that the Obama Administration has been refusing to release.
Continue reading ‘Obama Administration Blasts British Court For Disclosing Abuses at Guantanamo Bay’
Welcome to the Black Hole
Published 1, February 11, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Environment , Science 13 Comments
No, this is not a story about Congress. A new program shows what scientists believe it would look like to approach a black hole. Now, you can experience the light show without the inconvenience of being crushed to the size of a pea by the gravity.
Continue reading ‘Welcome to the Black Hole’
Iowa Legislator Seeks To Bar Courts From Using Precedent or Case Law
Published 1, February 11, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Society 47 Comments
Republican Iowa legislator Jason Schultz has introduced legislation to rid the state courts of the scourge of . . . precedent.
Continue reading ‘Iowa Legislator Seeks To Bar Courts From Using Precedent or Case Law’
Cat Starts Fire in Family Home . . . Dog Saves Family
Published 1, February 11, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Society 15 Comments
It is no secret that I am a dog person and I have taken heat for my warnings about a widespread cat conspiracy to enslave humans (here). However, you cannot ignore the story out of Lake Worth, Florida where Bubba, a Golden Retriever, saved a sleeping family by alerting them to a fire . . . that they believe was started by the family cat.
Continue reading ‘Cat Starts Fire in Family Home . . . Dog Saves Family’
“You Say You Want A Revolution”: How To Reform Our Political System
Published 1, February 11, 2010 Academics , Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 67 Comments
This month, members of Congress have introduced an amendment to the Constitution to reverse a recent ruling by the Supreme Court to allow Congress to regulate corporation engaged in political speech. Constitutional reform is no simple task. However, if we are finally ready to amend the Constitution to achieve political reform, why not make some real changes to our system? The proposed amendment would do little but return us to the status quo before the decision in Citizens United which (in case you have a short memory) was hardly a period of celebrated good government. To paraphrase the Beatles’ song, if “you say you want a revolution,” this is not it but there is a way.
Before we can change the system, we have to change our attitude passivity and collectively declare “enough.” While our leaders control the political branches, they do not control the political process itself. That is controlled by the Constitution, which remains in control of the people, in our control. It is not too much speech or too much money that is draining the life from this Republic. It is a lack of faith in ourselves to force change without the approval or support of our leaders. If we are going to go through the constitutional amendment process, then let’s make it worth our while and achieve real political change in this country.
Below is today’s column on fundamental reforms that could change not just Congress but our political system. I discussed the column on this segment on National Public Radio.
Continue reading ‘“You Say You Want A Revolution”: How To Reform Our Political System’
Dog-Eat-Dog: Westie Mugged in New York City
Published 1, February 10, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society 18 Comments
The snow, it seems, has turned New York into a dog-eat-dog struggle. Donna McPherson says that someone mugged her 10-year-old Westie outside of a supermarket — stealing Lexie’s green wool coat, with leather trim and belt.
Continue reading ‘Dog-Eat-Dog: Westie Mugged in New York City’
Sharia Court Grants Annulment to Arab Ambassador After Veiled Wife Turns Out To Have Facial Hair and Crossed Eyes
Published 1, February 10, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 30 Comments
In Dubai, an Arab ambassador was given an annulment by a Sharia court from a woman who he claims used a niqab to hide her crossed eyes and facial hair. He claims to have only met the woman a few times before their marriage and she always wore a veil. He accused her mother of showing him a picture of her sister to induce the marriage. He also asked, as an alternative if the divorce was not granted, that the court to order her to undergo hormonal treatments for her “beard.”
Continue reading ‘Sharia Court Grants Annulment to Arab Ambassador After Veiled Wife Turns Out To Have Facial Hair and Crossed Eyes’
The Myth of Adonis: Indian Star Claims Heathrow Staff Passed Around Copies of His Full-Body Scan Pictures
Published 1, February 10, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society , Torts 10 Comments
Security officials have been struggling to assure travelers that full-body scans at airports are completely private and that records are destroyed immediately. Those claims were undermined this week with allegations that airport employees copied and distributed pictures of Indian film star Shahrukh Khan in his naked body scanner at Heathrow. Just last week, UK Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said “it is very important to stress that the images which are captured by body scanners are immediately deleted after the passenger has gone through the body scanner.”
Continue reading ‘The Myth of Adonis: Indian Star Claims Heathrow Staff Passed Around Copies of His Full-Body Scan Pictures’
Rap Sleet: JMU Students Arrested for Felonious Snowballing
Published 1, February 10, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Society 23 Comments
If you see these men on the streets, you are advised to be cautious and avoid eye contact Charles Gill and Ryan Knight, both 21, are felonious snowballers. The James Madison University students were arrested in Harrisburg when they threw a snowball at a city plow, which hopefully could handle the hits. The snowplow driver was aghast and called police. The men then threw snowballs at the officer’s unmarked vehicle. Of course, in Washington, our detectives go directly to the use of their handguns to warn snowballers, here.
Continue reading ‘Rap Sleet: JMU Students Arrested for Felonious Snowballing’
Canadian Court Sentences Brother to Two Months in Jail for Beating Sister with Power Cord After She Tried to Celebrate Birthday at Nightclub
Published 1, February 10, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 4 Comments
A Somali refugee in Canada, Ibrahim Osman, 23, received a remarkably light sentence of two month for beating his sister with a power cord and threatening to shave her hair off when she tried to go a nightclub to celebrate her birthday. He considered dancing at clubs to violate Islamic standards for women.
Worm Watchers: Chinese Dieters Turn to Swallowing Roundworms to Lose Weight
Published 1, February 10, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 4 Comments
Chinese public health officials are trying to discourage residents from joining the latest craze in weight loss: swallowing eggs of Ascaris worms – giant intestinal roundworms to literally eat away your fat. It is the inverse of Weight Watchers: rather than giving dieters meals, the dieters are the meals.
Continue reading ‘Worm Watchers: Chinese Dieters Turn to Swallowing Roundworms to Lose Weight’
London Calling: British Investigators Want to Interview Bush Officials on the Iraq War
Published 1, February 9, 2010 Congress , International , Military , Politics , Society 25 Comments
It appears that American citizens curious about why we went to war in Iraq may soon get some answers . . . from London. The British inquiry into the war is now heading into a more advanced stage after the testimony of Tony Blair. Notably, the English want to interview Bush officials. I discussed the topic on this segment of MSNBC Countdown.
Top London Commander Jailed for Assaulting and Falsely Arresting Man
Published 1, February 9, 2010 Criminal law , International , Society , Uncategorized 14 Comments
Metropolitan Police Commander Ali Dizaei, 47, has long been a star in the London force. The highest ranking most senior Asian officer and former head of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, Dizaei’s career came to an end this week after being sentenced to four years in jail for assaulting and falsely arresting a man in a dispute over £600.
Continue reading ‘Top London Commander Jailed for Assaulting and Falsely Arresting Man’
Man Dies After Being Tasered in Arizona
Published 1, February 9, 2010 Criminal law , Society 22 Comments
We have another taser related death. This one is out of Arizona where Mark Andrew Morse, 36, began to have breathing problems after being tasered by a highway patrol officer. He later died.
Continue reading ‘Man Dies After Being Tasered in Arizona’
The Bare Necessities: English Man Faces Life In Jail Over Nudist Conduct
Published 1, February 9, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 16 Comments
Stephen Gough, 50, is presenting something of a dilemma for English police. Gough likes to go out in the buff and refuses to wear clothing. As a result, when he is released for walking around naked, he promptly strips and is promptly re-arrested. The result appears a vicious loop where Gough could spend the rest of his days in jail.
Continue reading ‘The Bare Necessities: English Man Faces Life In Jail Over Nudist Conduct’
William J. Clinton Foundation Found in Violation of Better Business Bureau Standards
Published 1, February 9, 2010 International , Politics 6 Comments
Bill Clinton has had his share of criticism over receiving fees in shady deals (here) and raising tens of millions of dollars from foreign sources while Hillary Clinton serves as Secretary of State (here and here). He is now facing a stinging report from the Better Business Bureau, which has found that his foundation does not meet seven of its key criteria. Clinton is now spearheading fundraising for Haiti.
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To Kafir With Love: Christian Teacher Sues London School for Discrimination Over Alleged Hateful Statements From Muslim Students
Published 1, February 9, 2010 Academics , International , Politics , Religion , Society 7 Comments
There is an interesting story out of England where a teacher is suing the school system for failing to take action after he made various complaints over Muslim students who direct anti-Christian language toward him and praised the 9-11 hijackers. Nicholas Kafouris, 52, is suing his former school for racial discrimination. It appears that things may be a bit tougher since the days of Mark Thackeray in East London in “To Sir With Love.”
Twelve-Year-Old Girl Seeks Divorce From Eighty-Year-Old Man in Saudi Arabia
Published 1, February 9, 2010 Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion 5 CommentsState-sanctioned child abuse continues in Saudi Arabia. This month, a 12-year-old girl is trying to secure a divorce from her 80-year-old husband in Saudi Arabia. Not only was the marriage consummated but the man is a family member on her father’s side. Both the girl and mother opposed the marriage.
Continue reading ‘Twelve-Year-Old Girl Seeks Divorce From Eighty-Year-Old Man in Saudi Arabia’
My Way Killings: Police Are Dealing With An Increase in Attacks Over Bad Karaoke
Published 1, February 9, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 3 Comments
Police in the Philippines, Malaysia and other countries are trying to deal with a new rash of crime: Karaoke or “My Way” murders. People are being shot and stabbed over bad karaoke and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” appears to be a common trigger for violence.
Continue reading ‘My Way Killings: Police Are Dealing With An Increase in Attacks Over Bad Karaoke’
Snack Attack: Obama Administration Set to Seek Ban on Vending Machines With Sugarly Snacks and Drinks
Published 1, February 8, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Society 64 Comments
President Barack Obama is preparing to ask Congress to ban vending machines of sugary snacks and drinks. It could raise another fight over federalism.
Continue reading ‘Snack Attack: Obama Administration Set to Seek Ban on Vending Machines With Sugarly Snacks and Drinks’
Say Goodbye to the Dentist’s Drill . . . And Hello to the Acid Syringe
Published 1, February 8, 2010 Science , Society 10 Comments
This might not sound like much an improvement, but the hated dentist’s drill is about to be replaced with the “acid syringe.” Pick your poison, drill or acid. Sounds like something from the Marquis de Sade school of dentistry.
Continue reading ‘Say Goodbye to the Dentist’s Drill . . . And Hello to the Acid Syringe’
T is For Torture: Soldier Allegedly Waterboards Four-Year-Old Daughter After She Fails To Recite Alphabet
Published 1, February 8, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Military , Society 45 Comments
Soldier Joshua Tabor is accused to using “enhanced interrogation” techniques perfected by the Bush Administration (aka torture) as a parenting skill with his four-year-old daughter. When she failed to recite the alphabet correctly, Tabor allegedly held her under water as a corrective measure.
Continue reading ‘T is For Torture: Soldier Allegedly Waterboards Four-Year-Old Daughter After She Fails To Recite Alphabet’
OK, Maybe Our Snow Is Not That Deep After All . . .
Published 1, February 8, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , International 30 CommentsThis certainly puts our 33 inches of snow into better perspective. These men are enjoying the Russian version of cliff diving in Acapulco.
Continue reading ‘OK, Maybe Our Snow Is Not That Deep After All . . .’
Florida Police Officer Arrested For Allegedly Writing Fraudulent Tickets
Published 1, February 8, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 4 Comments
Florida police officer Paul C. Lawrence, 38, allegedly was so good in combating traffic violations that he did not wait for them to occur before ticketing citizens. Lawrence has been charged with giving tickets to people who were not even in the state, let alone on the highway.
Continue reading ‘Florida Police Officer Arrested For Allegedly Writing Fraudulent Tickets’
Study: This Blog May Save Your Life
Published 1, February 8, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , International , Science , Society 6 Comments
A recent study raises an alarming concern over people blogging on other sites. Scientists at Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London have found that people can die from boredom. The logical conclusion is that regularly blogging at this site is not simply a social but medical necessity.
Continue reading ‘Study: This Blog May Save Your Life’
Palin Ready to Run Against “Hopey, Changey” Policies With Combination of Oil and God
Published 1, February 8, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 124 CommentsLike many bloggers, I find Palin irresistible to watch like a primate without an opposable thumb: a reverse evolutionary wonder that is able to function despite the obvious advantages of other competing mammals. The Tea Party convention (covered adoringly by Fox) was no disappointment with Palin proclaiming that she is prepared to run against Obama and his “hopey, changey” policies. When asked about her priorities for the nation, she quickly rattled off three priorities, including oil/gas exploration and an Administration that openly seeks “divine intervention” so that we can prosper again.
Staying Snow Positive During the Snowpocalypse
Published 1, February 7, 2010 Environment , Society 6 CommentsBeing snowed in is simply a matter of attitude. Meet Bailey the Snow Dog.
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Seeing Red Over Blue Slipping
Published 1, February 7, 2010 Columns , Congress , Military , Politics , Society 3 Comments
In light of today’s controversy over Sen. Richard Shelby’s hold on 70 nominations (here) due to a disagreement over Air Force tankers, this 2001 column may be of interest.
Continue reading ‘Seeing Red Over Blue Slipping’
Sen. Shelby Accused Of Blocking 70 Nominations Over Air Force Tanker Deal
Published 1, February 7, 2010 Congress , Military , Politics , Society 38 Comments
Senator Richard Shelby really likes air tankers. Shelby reportedly is blocking 70 nominations in a dispute over the long-controversial Air Force tanker deal. This contract has been criticized for years as wasteful and unnecessary. Shelby is supporting the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company against Boeing in the dispute because the Europeans are promising to build the tankers in his state.
Continue reading ‘Sen. Shelby Accused Of Blocking 70 Nominations Over Air Force Tanker Deal’
Perdition in Pink: Religious Groups Protest Release of Pink Quija Board
Published 1, February 7, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 26 Comments
Religious groups are sounding the alarm over the release of a soul-sucking, spirit-crushing new product released by those heathens at Hasbro. It is a pink version of the Ouija board that has corrupted millions of children in this country and turned them into satanic, soulless zombies. All that for just $19.99!
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Hoosick? Matthew Beck is One Sick Dog Catcher
Published 1, February 7, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society 4 Comments
Matthew Beck, 46, may be a dog’s nightmare. He was the dog catcher for the town of Hoosick, New York. He has pleaded guilty to shooting stray dogs that he found and burying them in his barnyard manure pile.
Continue reading ‘Hoosick? Matthew Beck is One Sick Dog Catcher’
Semper Fraud: Two False Heroes Challenge The Constitutionality of The Stolen Valor Act
Published 1, February 7, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Media , Military , Society 18 Comments
Previously, I have questioned the constitutionality of the Stolen Valor Act, which criminalized false claims of military medals and decorations. Now, two cases in Colorado could become a test for viability of the act — an appropriate forum given it is the home state of Rep. John Tony Salazar who was the chief sponsor of the 2005 law. The cases involve two men, Xavier Alvarez and Rick Glen Strandlof (shown left) who are challenging the law as a violation of their first amendment rights. Both claimed to be decorated Marines. Dan Elliott has an interesting article on these cases in The Los Angeles Times.
Continue reading ‘Semper Fraud: Two False Heroes Challenge The Constitutionality of The Stolen Valor Act’
Mammals Join Together During the Snowpocalypse
Published 1, February 6, 2010 Bizarre , Environment 100 Comments
At times like this, mammals must stick together. Now, if only I can get the wildlife to shovel the two feet of snow on my driveway.
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Jenny Craig to Slim Down Claims: Weight Watchers Wins Fight With Rival on Fat Claims
Published 1, February 6, 2010 Society , Torts 3 Comments
Weight Watchers International Inc. has announced that it has reached a settlement with Jenny Craig to end its advertisement campaign stating that its pre-packaged meals were found superior to those of Weight Watchers.
Continue reading ‘Jenny Craig to Slim Down Claims: Weight Watchers Wins Fight With Rival on Fat Claims’
The Good Faith Defense: Cherie Booth (Wife of Tony Blair) Under Fire For Sparing Man Due to the Fact That He is Religious
Published 1, February 6, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , International , Politics , Religion , Society 16 Comments
After her husband former Prime Minister Tony Blair declared secularists to be an equal or greater danger than terrorists (here), his wife Cherie Booth is under fire for granting leniency to a man accused of criminal assault because he is religious. Her statement in court would suggest that, if the man were an atheist or agnostic, such leniency might not be appropriate.
Continue reading ‘The Good Faith Defense: Cherie Booth (Wife of Tony Blair) Under Fire For Sparing Man Due to the Fact That He is Religious’
Not So Sharpie: New York Police Arrest Lime-Green Marker Menace
Published 1, February 6, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 24 Comments
The New York authorities have finally caught up to Alexa Gonzalez, who saw her open life of crime end with an arrest in her junior high school in Queens. Gonzalez was caught doodling on her desk with erasable marker and promptly cuffed and taken downtown.
Continue reading ‘Not So Sharpie: New York Police Arrest Lime-Green Marker Menace’
How To Light a Cigarette With Only an AK-47
Published 1, February 6, 2010 Bizarre , Society 13 CommentsIn our category of useful things to know, I give you how to light a cigarette if you are caught in the desert with no matches and only an AK-47.
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Family Group Accused of Using False Picture of Lesbian Couple
Published 1, February 6, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 47 Comments
Scott Maxwell at the Orlando Sentinel has an extraordinary story about the lengths that social conservatives and anti-gay advocates will go to block the adoption of children by gay couples. Vanessa Alenier and her partner, Melanie Leon, are affluent and loving parents who were awarded custody of a child who was in their foster care in Florida. One problem for the Florida Family Policy Council, it appears, is that they are also attractive, so (on the left) is the picture the council posted with their calls for opposition to the adoption while (on the right) is the actual couple.
Continue reading ‘Family Group Accused of Using False Picture of Lesbian Couple’
Frozen Water or Snowpocalypse? Washington Descends Into Panic With Approaching Storm
Published 1, February 5, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Society 92 Comments
This is getting a bit out of control, folks. I know that I am a Chicago native with a snow attitude but people in this town are doing everything short of sacrificing their young to please the Snow God.
Heinz Drops Classic Ketchup Packet and Destroys The Hopes and Dreams of Children Around the Country
Published 1, February 5, 2010 Bizarre , Society 11 Comments
In a shocking development, Heinz company is about to issue a new package for ketchup. No one seems to realize the clear import of this thoughtless corporate act for children across the country.
New York Court to Decide Whether Human Genes Can Be Patented
Published 1, February 5, 2010 Science , Society 7 Comments
There is an interesting case developing in New York where a court is being asked to declare that companies cannot patent human genes. The case involves a patent claim by Myriad Genetics, and the University of Utah Research Foundation, In 1994, the company and foundation isolated the DNA sequence for the BRCA1 and later the BRCA2 genes — mutations that greatly increase a woman’s chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The patent protects a test that the company and foundation are selling to detect the genes.
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Flasher Identified By His Pronounced . . . Tooth
Published 1, February 5, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 6 Comments
In what may be something of a disappointment for Ian Rushing, 27, women identified the Oregon man as the alleged “St. Helens Flasher” by his pronounced bad tooth.
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Aged Shackleton Scotch: Crates Found Buried in Arctic Ice Under Shackleton’s Shack
Published 1, February 5, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , International , Science , Society 22 Comments
For those of us who are Sir Ernest Shackleton groupies, this story is wonderful. Five crates of whisky and brandy belonging to Shackleton have been recovered from under the Antarctic ice after 100 years. Just for the record, as we wait to receive our estimated 30 inches of snow today, I am burying crates of my favorite wine under the house for the regulars of my blog to recover after my demise.
Sixteen-Year-Old Turkish Girl Buried Alive in Honor Killing
Published 1, February 5, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Science , Society 15 CommentsWe have another Islamic honor killing, but this one adds a horrific element: burying the victim alive. Turkish police believe that the 16-year-old girl was buried alive in south-eastern Turkey in a town called Kahta.
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Obama Administration Claims Right to Kill Americans Suspected of Terrorism
Published 1, February 4, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Military , Politics , Society 268 Comments
Today in a congressional hearing, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair acknowledged that the U.S. may, with executive approval, deliberately target and kill U.S. citizens who are suspected of being involved in terrorism. I discussed this story in the segment on MSNBC Countdown below.
Continue reading ‘Obama Administration Claims Right to Kill Americans Suspected of Terrorism’
Self-Help Guru James Ray Arrested
Published 1, February 4, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 19 Comments
We have been following the criminal investigation into the deaths at a sweat lodge run by self-help guru James Ray. Ray has now been arrested Wednesday and charged with manslaughter in deaths of three people at the Arizona sweat lodge ceremony.
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Goth Cats: Woman Convicted of Animal Cruelty for Piercings
Published 1, February 4, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 24 Comments
There is an interesting case out of Pennsylvania where a dog groomer has been convicted of animal cruelty for ear and neck piercings. It is the defense of Holly Crawford that makes the case particularly notable.
Continue reading ‘Goth Cats: Woman Convicted of Animal Cruelty for Piercings’
Soft on Sharia? Saudi Arabia Gives Rape Victim 100 Lashes But Is Outdone By Bangladesh Which Gives Rape Victim 101 Lashes
Published 1, February 4, 2010 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 11 Comments
Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh seem to be vying for which country is the most repressive in the application of Islamic Sharia law. The Saudi courts have ordered a Filipino woman to be lashed 100 times after she was raped. The Bangladesh courts outdid their Saudi counterparts and ordered a girl lashed 101 times for being raped. At what point does the Obama Administration publicly denounce these countries for systemic human rights violations against women?
Clarence Thomas Defends Recent Ruling on Campaign Finance
Published 1, February 4, 2010 Academics , Constitutional Law , Courts , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society 29 Comments
Associate Justice Clarence Thomas appeared to take on President Obama this week in discussing the ruling in Citizens United — contradicting the President’s portrayal in the State of the Union. In my view, the President did overstate the holding (not unheard of in the halls of Congress), but I continue to despair over the increasing public role played by justices (here). In my view, Thomas should not be engaging in such a public debate and should allow these decisions to speak for themselves.
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Houston Judge Resigns After Claims of Bias Against Domestic Abuse Victims
Published 1, February 4, 2010 Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics , Society 12 Comments
Harris County criminal Court-at-Law Judge Reagan Helm has resigned after protests over his allegedly taunting remarks to victims of domestic violence. Helm, 68, reportedly admitted to suffering from dementia and having “medical issues.” He was accused of extreme bias against women in these cases. In one instance, Helm told men accused of domestic abuse that these women have them “by the balls.”
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The Problem With Trolls: Florida Police Arrest Three “Trolls” Demanding Payment to “Cross the Bridge”
Published 1, February 4, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 21 Comments
Police in Florida have been dealing with the long-ignored menace of trolls. While we are all taught how to trick trolls in the “Three Billy Goats Gruff,” the victim forgot the “rob-me-when-I’m-fatter” trick when Jimmy Lee Morris (27), Dylan Patrick O’Shea (18), and Christopher L. Johnson (24) demanded that he “pay a toll to the troll.”
Fighting Crime . . . One Statistic A Time: Brooklyn Police Accused of Fixing the Books
Published 1, February 3, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 11 Comments
There is an interesting investigation in Brooklyn where Internal Affairs is looking into allegations that Brooklyn police officers refused to take criminal complaints and downgraded crimes to lower crime statistics. It brings a new meaning to officers warning people not to become a statistic.
Continue reading ‘Fighting Crime . . . One Statistic A Time: Brooklyn Police Accused of Fixing the Books’
Family Research Council’s Peter Sprigg Calls For Preservation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” . . . And The Criminalization of Homosexuality
Published 1, February 3, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Media , Military , Society 101 CommentsFamily Research Council’s Peter Sprigg does not appear quite ready to accept gays serving the country in the military. On Hardball, he not only opposed the elimination of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy but argued that all gays should be arrested as criminals.
Faith-Healing Parents in Oregon Convicted of Negligent Homicide
Published 1, February 3, 2010 Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 537 Comments
A church in Oregon has the infamous reputation of killing children in the name of faith. Now, two parents — Jeff and Marci Beagley — have been found guilty of negligent homicide. Their case was discussed in this prior column. It is a welcomed charge (often religious parents are given lesser charges in the death of their children due to faith-healing), but the likely sentence is likely to be relatively low given the history of this church and the loss of life.
Continue reading ‘Faith-Healing Parents in Oregon Convicted of Negligent Homicide’
Pay Misty for Me: Courts Mull Over Restitution Payments to Victims of Child Pornography From Possessors
Published 1, February 3, 2010 Criminal law , Justice , Politics , Society 7 Comments
In a disgusting pornographic collection called “the Misty series,” a little girl named Amy was photographed by her uncle who then distributed the pictures worldwide on the Internet. As discussed earlier, now an adult, Amy has succeeded to securing restitution not from her uncle but from a man who was found in possession of the pictures. As reported by John Schwartz in the New York Times article below, it has raised serious questions from lawyers and law professors (including myself) but the Obama Administration is now supporting such claims.
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Spray-On Glass is Coming
Published 1, February 3, 2010 Academics , International , Science , Society 17 Comments
It appears that a Turkish company has perfected the invention of “liquid glass” in a breakthrough that will likely make it and its German patent holder fantastically wealthy. With the United States pouring billions into these wars (while cutting educational budgets) and countries like China spending equally on new research (here), we will increasingly be the consumers rather than the inventors of such new technology.
France Refuses Citizenship to Moroccan Man Who Forces Wife To Wear Veil
Published 1, February 3, 2010 Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 8 CommentsFrance has been stepping up its opposition to the Muslim tradition of women wearing full veils. It has not only moved toward a ban in public places, but it has now denied citizenship to a Moroccan man for his attitude toward women, including forcing his wife to wear a veil.
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This video shows the ugly face of the goose peril being ignored by our leaders.
Continue reading ‘Goose, Goose, . . . Duck!’
Early Draft of Constitution Found
Published 1, February 2, 2010 Academics , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 70 Comments
Lorianne Updike Toler, lawyer and head of the Constitutional Sources Project in Pennsylvania, has found a rare early draft of the United States Constitution in the hand of James Wilson. It is a major historical and legal find at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
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Yes, it is time for the world’s most famous rodent to fixate the nation with his shadow-phobic response. It appears that good people of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania have rejected the demand of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to free Phil into the wild and get a robotic groundhog (which presumably would detect a shadow through sensors).
Sex, Surfing, and the SEC: Investigation Finds Workers Surfing For Porn on Government Computers
Published 1, February 2, 2010 Bizarre , Society 29 Comments
Ever wonder what those guys at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission were doing during the financial market meltdown. A recent investigation uncovered more than two dozen SEC employees and contractors were surfing for porn on their computers, including one supervisor who made more than 1,800 attempts to look up pornography in a 17-day span.
Tenant Calls Police After Landlord Found Naked On Her Couch . . . Landlord Evicts Tenant
Published 1, February 2, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 3 Comments
If you feel that your landlord is a pain, you may want to consider the alternative. Meet Ivan Rak, 45, who was arrested after being found naked on the couch of a tenant. The tenant says that Rak has been harassing her and later evicted her in Lorain, Ohio.
Police Run Over Woman’s Dog and Then Charge Her For Damage To Cruiser
Published 1, February 2, 2010 Bizarre , International , Torts 23 Comments
When Heidi Schwank, 65, was told by police that her Australian Shepherd Robby had been hit by a car on the highway in Germany, she was predictably upset. However, she became incensed later when she learned that Roddy was intentionally run over by the police and then presented with a bill for the damage to the car.
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Death Cat: Staff At Nursing Home Claim To Have Cat That Predicted Over 50 Deaths
Published 1, February 2, 2010 Bizarre , Science , Society 19 Comments
Even for cat lovers, Oscar the Cat is not a welcomed sight in your bed at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The unsociable cat is known to curl up in bed with only one type of patient: those who have only hours to live.
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Study: All You Need To Run Is A Pair Of Feet
Published 1, February 2, 2010 Academics , Environment , Science 8 Comments
While the old adage said “all you need to run is a pair of shoes,” researchers have found (and reported in Nature magazine) that all you need is a pair of feet. In their study, the researchers found that, before the invention of shoes, humans ran differently . . . and better.
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Washington Woman Allegedly Killed as “Warlock” in Wiccan Murder
Published 1, February 1, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 20 Comments
Police in Everett, Washington are dealing in a rather bizarre murder where Eric Christensen allegedly kiled Sherry Harlan, 35, for breaking a “Wiccan blood oath” by texting another man on her cellphone. Christensen, 40, allegedly cut up her body and distributed it around Snohomish County. Text-based blood oath violations were presumably not one of the original Wiccan problems but all religions have to adapt to modern technology.
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Gibbs: KSM Will Be Tried, Convicted, and Executed
Published 1, February 1, 2010 Uncategorized 53 Comments
We have previously noted the problem with President Barack Obama assuring the public that people like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) will be convicted. After the previous such incidents (here), many of us noted that a president is expected to avoid such comments which are inimical to a fair trial and sitting an unbiased jury. Now, in the video below, White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs has decided to pick up the role as the Red Queen to promise not just a conviction but execution for KSM.
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Between a Rock and A Hard Place: Baltimore Woman Accused of Raising Money for Cancer Victim and Then Keeping It
Published 1, February 1, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 17 Comments
Donna Rock is accused of one of the lowest possible crimes: raising money for a 5-year-old girl with cancer and then keeping the money for herself. This week, Rock was arrested and charged with theft of the money raised for Serena Lambert.
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Police Set Man On Fire With Taser — Again
Published 1, February 1, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 5 Comments
Police in Perth are investigating a case where officers accidentally set a 44-year-old man on fire after shooting him with a taser. The man has previously doused himself and his house with fuel and was threatening to light himself on fire. This is the second such case for the city’s police, here, in less than a year.
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“God Hates Signs”: Westboro Protest Triggers Theater of the Absurd
Published 1, February 1, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 31 Comments
The good people at The Laughingsquid showed the world how to deal with fanatics like the hate-mongering Westboro Church crowd. Westboro loves to show up at funerals and other events with large signs proclaiming such things as “GOD HATES FAGS.” A bunch of counter-demonstrators showed up recently with signs of their own proclaiming such things “I WAS PROMISED DONUTS” and “GOD HATES SIGNS.”
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