Best wishes to all on this Memorial Day. We are camping today in the Shenandoah but my thoughts will be with my late father, Jack Turley, who served in the Pacific with the Navy and all of the others who served and continue to serve this country.
Continue reading ‘Happy Memorial Day’
Archive for May, 2010
Fifteen-Year-Old Girl Raped By Leading Church Member — Then Forced To Apologize to Congregation and Shipped Out of State
Published 1, May 31, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 63 Comments
An arrest in New Hampshire has revealed a shocking story of a 15-year-old girl who was raped and impregnated by a leading church member at the Trinity Baptist Church in 1997. She was allegedly forced by the church to stand before the congregation and apologize before being taken out of state — and out of the reach of police investigating the rape.
Continue reading ‘Fifteen-Year-Old Girl Raped By Leading Church Member — Then Forced To Apologize to Congregation and Shipped Out of State’
Hollywood Goes Authoritarian: Stone and Allen Long For a Dictator With the Right Stuff
Published 1, May 31, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 19 Comments
Hollywood stars appear to be yearning for some authoritarian relief. This week, Oliver Stone proclaimed his deep admiration of Hugo Chavez, who has stifled dissent and cracked down on journalists in his country. In the meantime, Woody Allen stated that Obama should be given dictatorial powers.
Continue reading ‘Hollywood Goes Authoritarian: Stone and Allen Long For a Dictator With the Right Stuff’
New Zealand Bans Kosher Slaughtering
Published 1, May 30, 2010 Animals , International , Religion , Society 42 Comments
New Zealand’s new Animal Welfare (Commercial Slaughter) Code has banned kosher slaughtering by requiring that all animals slaughtered commercially be stunned prior to killing. The law still allows kosher meat to be imported from other countries.
Continue reading ‘New Zealand Bans Kosher Slaughtering’
This is why men identify with dogs. It just does not make sense. How does this stick do it?
Maryland Police Again Threaten Citizens With Arrest for Filming Them in Public
Published 1, May 30, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 10 CommentsWe have been following how police in the United States and abroad have started to arrest people filming them in public, including today’s story out of California (here). Maryland police continue (in my view wrongly) to claim that recording them in public is a crime in that state as shown in this video from the Preakness.
Continue reading ‘Maryland Police Again Threaten Citizens With Arrest for Filming Them in Public’
The eternal dance between man and dog continues . . .
Homeowners’ Association Foreclosed on Soldier’s Home For Failure to Pay $800 in Fee — Selling the $300,000 Home for $3500
Published 1, May 30, 2010 Bizarre , Military , Politics , Society 56 Comments
When Michael Clauer went to Iraq as a captain commanding over 100 soldiers in Iraq, he was likely contemplating many potential dire consequences, but he probably was not thinking about the threat posed by his homeowners’ association. Because Clauer’s wife did not pay the homeowners’ fees, the association foreclosed on his $300,000 house and sold it for $3,500. They owed only $800. The story reveals the gross abuse allowed under a Texas law which gives such associations the right to foreclose on homes for failure to pay ANY amount — and to foreclose without a court order. Select Management Co., which runs the development, has refused any comment.
Video: Protesters Allege Police Harassed Cyclists and Then Arrested Photographer Recording the Harassment
Published 1, May 30, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 6 CommentsThis video reportedly shows Los Angeles police menacing riders in a “critical mass” bike protest against British Petroleum by sticking out their feet. According to the cyclists, when one person filming the scene objected, he was arrested.
Big Fella’s Baxter Ward is this week’s Pet of the Week.
Report: White House Had Clinton Offer Intelligence Position to Sestak to Drop Out of Race Against Specter
Published 1, May 29, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 26 Comments
After months of evading questions, the White House appears to have confirmed that it did play a leading role in trying to get Rep. Joe Sestak to drop out of the race against now defeated Sen. Arlen Specter. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel reportedly asked former President Bill Clinton to offer an unpaid position on an intelligence board in exchange for Sestak pulling out.
Continue reading ‘Report: White House Had Clinton Offer Intelligence Position to Sestak to Drop Out of Race Against Specter’
The Uncola: Student Prosecuted for Defecating in Soda of Classmate
Published 1, May 29, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 8 Comments
In Camden, New Jersey, a 17-year-old high school student has pleaded guilty to defecating in a classmate’s soda during an auto-shop class.
Continue reading ‘The Uncola: Student Prosecuted for Defecating in Soda of Classmate’
Scientists Announced Breakthrough in Ebola Drug
Published 1, May 29, 2010 Academics , International , Science , Society 6 Comments
In a little reported story, scientists have made a breakthrough in the fight against Ebola — the often fatal “bleeding disease.” Thomas Geisbert of Boston University and a team of researchers have developed an experimental drug that appears to protect monkeys from the most lethal strain of Ebola.
Continue reading ‘Scientists Announced Breakthrough in Ebola Drug’
According to Bill O’Reilly, Columbia Professor Marc Lamont Hill looks like a cocaine dealer. The answer appears to be that all cocaine dealers wear straight dress shirt collars.
Continue reading ‘Why Does This Man Look Like a Drug Dealer?’
Like A Good Neighbor? State Farm Charges Family for Bumper of Car that Killed Their Dog
Published 1, May 28, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Society , Torts 52 Comments
Kim Flemming thought that losing Jake, her 12-year-old yellow Labrador, in Aurora, Ontario was bad enough. That was until she received a letter from State Farm Insurance demanding that she pay for the dented bumper on the car that killed Jake.
Nun Excommunicated After Supporting Abortion To Protect Life of Mother
Published 1, May 28, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 37 Comments
While the Catholic Church may be criticized for covering up crimes by priests and resisting efforts to discipline offenders, it seems to waste to time with errant nuns. Sister Margaret McBride has been excommunicated for the offense of approving an abortion to protect the life of a mother as a senior administrator of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. There does not even appear to be any room for mitigating circumstances in such a case. Bishop Thomas Olmstead (left) immediately excommunicated McBride.
Continue reading ‘Nun Excommunicated After Supporting Abortion To Protect Life of Mother’
Court Orders Additional Jail Time for Couple Arrested in Alleged “Eunuch Wedding”
Published 1, May 28, 2010 Bizarre , Religion , Society 6 Comments
Pakistani fertilizer dealer Malik Mohammad Iqbal, 42, and his eunuch partner “Rani” Kashif, 19, are at the center of a controversy over whether they were throwing a party with other “eunuchs” or throwing a wedding party. They have been charged with trying to wed and unnatural acts under a Sharia-based law.
Continue reading ‘Court Orders Additional Jail Time for Couple Arrested in Alleged “Eunuch Wedding”’
Israel Arrests Activists Yelling Insults at Rahm Emanuel
Published 1, May 28, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 6 CommentsTwo Israeli activists were arrested for shouting insults at White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in Israel this week. The activists spotted Emanuel in Jerusalem’s Old City with his family and shouted “Jerusalem is not for sale.” Heck, Rahm Emanuel is known to say worse stuff in a shower, here. That would be protected speech in the United States, but it appears that you can be arrested for shouting at celebrities and high-ranking officials in Israel.
Continue reading ‘Israel Arrests Activists Yelling Insults at Rahm Emanuel’
Long Beach Police Rush to Save Drowning Man — Run Over Sunbather
Published 1, May 28, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 5 Comments
Long Beach police are investigating a beach tragedy after one of its officers rushed to help a drowning man — only to run over a sunbather and crush his spine.
Continue reading ‘Long Beach Police Rush to Save Drowning Man — Run Over Sunbather’
Please tell me that the father was near the shore still trying to catch even a minnow after hours of fruitless casting.
Continue reading ‘Not Another Fish Story’
Coming to a College Campus Near You: Vodka Eyeballing
Published 1, May 27, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , International , Society 22 CommentsThere was a time when we got things like the Beatles and Monty Python from our British cousins. The most recent import from England, however, is far less redeeming: vodka eyeballing. Upset that vodka shots took too long to be absorbed into their blood streams, British drinkers have discovered that pouring vodka directly into your eye socket results in a faster avenue to inebriation.
Continue reading ‘Coming to a College Campus Near You: Vodka Eyeballing’
BP Official Takes the Fifth While New Details Emerge of Argument Shortly Before The Deepwater Horizon Explosion
Published 1, May 27, 2010 Environment , International , Society , Torts 61 Comments
The legal situation over the Deepwater Horizon explosion appears to be getting more serious as accounts emerged that there was a serious argument between Transocean and BP officials shortly before the blast — with references to the possible use of the blowout preventer. One BP official, Robert Kaluza, has become the first known person associated with the blast to invoke the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination to refuse to answer questions.
Dial M for Murder: Telephone Company Suspends Number Due to Deaths of Prior Owners
Published 1, May 27, 2010 Bizarre , International 7 Comments
It appears 0888 888 888 is the cellphone version of the monkey’s paw — bringing disaster to all those who acquire it. The Bulgarian mobile phone company has removed the number from circulation after all of its previous owners died within the last ten years.
Once again, I will simply note that Cubs fans are the greatest fans in the world.
Amnesty International Issues Report Accusing Israel of War Crimes
Published 1, May 27, 2010 International , Military , Politics , Society 18 Comments
Amnesty International (winner of the Nobel Peace Prize) has issued a 430-page report accusing both Israel and Hamas of war crimes. While few have any illusions about Hamas and its violation of international law, the accusations against Israel are quite damaging and join those of the United Nations investigation by the Goldstone Commission.
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Question of the Day: What is Worse Than an Accident with a Truck?
Published 1, May 26, 2010 Bizarre , Society 15 Comments
Answer: A truck carrying 17 million bees.
A truck hauling 7,000 hives was involved in a four-car accident in Minnesota. A report says that “rescue crews were using fire hoses to douse an angry swarm of bees.” That does not seem like a good way of calming irate bees.
In my younger days, I worked as an assistant to a bee researcher at the Chesapeake Bay Center for Environmental Research in Maryland. We would use smoke to quiet the bees, but that might not appeal to firefighters.
For the full story, click here.
Bank Robbers Destroy Bank, Leave Cash Machine
Published 1, May 26, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 7 Comments
Bank robbers in Germany went a bit overboard with the explosives in trying to break open a cash machine in Malliss. They destroyed the bank. The only thing remaining intact was the bank’s cash machine.
Continue reading ‘Bank Robbers Destroy Bank, Leave Cash Machine’
U.S. Debt: Now Over $13,000,000,000,000
Published 1, May 26, 2010 Congress , Politics , Society 60 Comments
While Congress continues to gush money in Iraq and Afghanistan (and offers to pay for an over $200 million missile system for Israel), U.S. debt is now over $13,000,000,000,000. That is roughly $118,000 per taxpayer.
Continue reading ‘U.S. Debt: Now Over $13,000,000,000,000′
English Court Rules Breast Enlargement Not a Human Right
Published 1, May 26, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International 8 Comments
A 58-year-old British transsexual identified only as “C” lost a unique claim in England when Judge David Bean ruled that the state-funded health service’s refusal to pay for a breast enlargement was not a violation of her human rights.
Continue reading ‘English Court Rules Breast Enlargement Not a Human Right’
Sharia Police in Indonesia To Issue Islamic Skirts To “Offending Women” on Street
Published 1, May 26, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 6 Comments
AFP is reporting that Sharia police in Indonesia’s Aceh province have been armed with 20,000 skirts in its battle against unIslamic figure-hugging or short outfits on women. Women will be told to put on the skirts to adhere to Islamic values.
Continue reading ‘Sharia Police in Indonesia To Issue Islamic Skirts To “Offending Women” on Street’
Senate Rejects Two Proposals To Allow Importation of Low-Cost Drugs
Published 1, May 26, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 10 Comments
The United States Senate yielded again to demands from the powerful pharmaceutical lobby and killed two separate proposals that would have allowed citizens to obtain cheaper drugs in the United States. Both the White House and Congress have been killing such proposals despite the fact that soaring drug costs are crippling many families. The vote was 51-48 on the first bill by Sen. Byron Dorgan (with 25 sponsors).
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Hooked on History: Hayworth Becomes The Latest Casualty of World War II
Published 1, May 25, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 28 CommentsArizona Senatorial candidate and conservative commentator J.D. Hayworth may have some explaining to do to the “greatest generation” and his high school history professor. Hayworth has insisted that the United States never declared war on Germany in World War II — leading to this video. (I must say that with the Frog video on immigration (here), this Arizona election is becoming quite entertaining). As Thomas Jefferson said, “History, in general, only informs us what bad government is.”
Continue reading ‘Hooked on History: Hayworth Becomes The Latest Casualty of World War II’
Washington Post Details Stock Holdings and Trades of Moran
Published 1, May 25, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Society 10 Comments
The Washington Post has an interesting article today on the stock trades of Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.). I have been a long critic of members playing the stock market (here) given the dangers posed by insider information and advantage. With considerable resources tied up in particular areas, members can influence the markets through legislation or anticipate market shifts due to forthcoming changes.
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Florida Man Sentenced to Life for Theft of $4 of Socks
Published 1, May 25, 2010 Criminal law , Society 14 Comments
Dean Rockmore, 48, has the distinction of serving life for the theft of socks. The Daytona Beach man received a mandatory life sentence as a repeat offender after he ran from a store with $4 of socks.
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High School Football Coach Removed After Allegedly Sending Explicit Pictures To His 20-Year-Old Girlfriend
Published 1, May 25, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 9 Comments
Jason Robinson, 32, has been removed as head football coach for the Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida after allegedly sending inappropriate pictures to his 20-year-old girlfriend. The age of the girlfriend makes this story rather interesting since two adults sharing such pictures should not normally be a matter for discipline let alone removal.
George Mason Law School Wins Dismissal of Rotunda Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
Published 1, May 25, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Courts , Lawyering , Society 9 Comments
We have been following the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former George Mason Clinical professor Kyndra Rotunda (wife of constitutional law professor Ron Rotunda) against George Mason Law School and Dean Daniel Polsby (left). This week, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema not only dismissed the sexual harassment claims against Polsby and the school but barred Rotunda from amending her complaint.
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Illinois School Scraps Girl Varsity Basketball Team’s Visit To Arizona
Published 1, May 25, 2010 Academics , Constitutional Law , Media , Politics , Society 29 Comments
There is a growing controversy in Illinois where School District 113 has blocked the Township High School ‘s Girls Varsity Basketball Team from traveling to Arizona in December due to the passage of that state’s controversial immigration law. I was asked to consider the argument of the District that it was compelled to bar such travel as a constitutional matter. While I respect (and share) the concerns of the Board over this law, I do not believe the trip is barred as a matter of constitutional law. Given the hard work of these girls in achieving such a honor, I believe the board should reconsider its decision if they make the championship. While there remain legitimate objections to the law, I do not believe that this bar on travel is compelled as a legal matter.
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The man who shot this video at a Japanese Zoo insists that this is the original and was not altered in any way. You be the judge.
Continue reading ‘Kung Fu Bear’
Polling Poultry: Nevada Bans Chicken Costumes During Upcoming Election
Published 1, May 24, 2010 Bizarre , Politics 74 Comments
It appears that officials will not allow free range chickens to roam on election day in Nevada. Republican Senate candidate Sue Lowden has been ridiculed for her comment about how people used to barter for medical care. Critics have suggested that she was looking back fondly on the way “our grandparents would bring a chicken to the doctor.” Now, officials have banned chicken suits at polling places to stop critics from ridiculing Lowden.
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School’s Out: Gaza Gunmen Burn Girl’s U.N. School for Teaching “Dancing and Immorality”
Published 1, May 24, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion 4 Comments
While religious police in Saudi Arabia are herding Emo girls (here), gunmen in the Gaza Strip have burned down a U.N.-run summer camp for children for educating girls and playing hip hop music.
Continue reading ‘School’s Out: Gaza Gunmen Burn Girl’s U.N. School for Teaching “Dancing and Immorality”’
Mississippi School Disciplines Student For Using Foul Word After Speech Class
Published 1, May 24, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Society 17 Comments
Hinds Community College in Mississippi is receiving some unwanted attention due to a controversy involving the discipline of Isaac Rosenbloom, 30, for using a single foul word in the presence of a teacher after a speech class.
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City of Brotherly Love: Thieves Steal Another Wheelchair From A Disabled Person in Philadelphia
Published 1, May 24, 2010 Criminal law , Society 10 Comments
Just days after we discussed the low-lives who stole a wheelchair and dog from a disabled man in Philadelphia (here), it has happened again. An eight-year-old boy who suffers from cerebral palsy had his wheelchair stolen when he went into his home briefly with his nurse.
Continue reading ‘City of Brotherly Love: Thieves Steal Another Wheelchair From A Disabled Person in Philadelphia’
Herding Emos: Saudi Religious Police Round Up Emo Girls
Published 1, May 24, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 4 Comments
Saudi religious police have declared war on the emo girls. Ten “emos” were rounded up at a coffee shop at the King Abdullah University.
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Meet Jose Lopez Madrigal: Accused Rapist and Nine Time Deportee
Published 1, May 24, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 8 Comments
In Edmonds, Washington, Jose Lopez Madrigal is in jail for alleged rape. He is not unfamiliar with custody, however. Police have learned that Madrigal has been deported nine times.
Continue reading ‘Meet Jose Lopez Madrigal: Accused Rapist and Nine Time Deportee’
This guy appears to be working quite hard to remove his family from the gene pool.
Continue reading ‘How Not To Get Rid Of Your Yard Trash’
Ever wonder why bears steal picnic baskets? Because no one will serve them.
Continue reading ‘No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service’
England To Shield Identities of Alleged Rapists
Published 1, May 23, 2010 Criminal law , International , Media , Politics 33 CommentsRape shield laws have always been controversial with defense counsel and some civil libertarians because they shield the identity of the alleged victim but not the alleged attacker. Now, the coalition government in England appears ready to address that controversy by banning the identification of both alleged victims and criminal defendants in rape cases.
Continue reading ‘England To Shield Identities of Alleged Rapists’
Hopping Mad: Politics in Arizona Goes To The Frogs
Published 1, May 23, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society , Torts 19 CommentsArizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) has turned to humor and an amphibian advocate to make her case to Arizona voters — making fun at critics who have been denouncing the Arizona law without reading it. The video has become a hit and pushed Brewer ahead of her Democratic opponent in the race, Terry Goddard.
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Obama Official Suggests That Government May Not Process Illegal Immigrants Arrested Under Arizona Law
Published 1, May 23, 2010 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society 9 Comments
The Obama Administration appears close to doing what many thought was unthinkable from a political standpoint: opposing the enforcement of federal law for any illegal immigrants caught in Arizona. That appears to be the suggestion of John Morton, assistant secretary of homeland security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an interview this week.
Federal Agents Seize Toy Gun That Can Be Converted Into Semi-Automatic Weapon
Published 1, May 23, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 13 Comments
Now this would make for an interesting foreseeable misuse case. Federal authorities are reporting a toy pellet gun is being converted into a semi-automatic weapon for gang members.
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