It appears that in Alabama, belief in evolution is now a disqualifying factor for candidates for public office. Alabama gubernatorial candidate Bradley Byrne is being attacked in the ad below for once saying that evolution “best explains the origin of life.”
Continue reading ‘Byrne, Baby, Byrne: Alabama GOP Candidate is Attacked on Believing in Evolution and Suggesting That Some Parts of the Bible May Not Be Literally True’
Archive for May, 2010
Byrne, Baby, Byrne: Alabama GOP Candidate is Attacked on Believing in Evolution and Suggesting That Some Parts of the Bible May Not Be Literally True
Published 1, May 13, 2010 Politics , Religion , Society 49 CommentsEnglish Police Force Man to Remove Poster Calling Cameron a “Wanker”
Published 1, May 13, 2010 Uncategorized 18 Comments
We have another story out of England raising questions about increasing limitations on free speech. In this case, David Hoffman, 63, placed a poster in his window that showed David Cameron and the word “wanker.” He was handcuffed by police on election day and forced to remove offensive campaign literature from his home.
Continue reading ‘English Police Force Man to Remove Poster Calling Cameron a “Wanker”’
Knocked Down To Planetary Private: Jupiter Mysteriously Loses A Stripe
Published 1, May 13, 2010 Environment , Science 20 Comments
Jupiter appears to have had something of an unexpected face lift. After the planet moved behind the Sun for three months, it emerged without one of its signature red stripes — leaving scientists searching for an explanation. In military ranks, this would indicate a drop from planetary corporal to private.
Continue reading ‘Knocked Down To Planetary Private: Jupiter Mysteriously Loses A Stripe’
Once I saw this sign on Reddit, I was not sure if it was meant to ask people to remain on the surface of the water or to beware of Jesuses.
Continue reading ‘Beach Sign: Walk Do Not Run On The Water’
LawDragon has released the results of its increasingly popular survey of the top lawyers in America. The Top 500 Lawyers includes many familiar names from Carter Phillips to Gerry Spence to Antonin Scalia. I was fortunate to again make the list and appreciate everyone who stuffed the ballot boxes.
Continue reading ‘LawDragon Selects The Top 500 Lawyers in America’
Specter Twice Thanks His Fellow Republicans At Major Democratic Dinner
Published 1, May 12, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 29 Comments
Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) has been struggling to convince Democrats that he is now one of them after switching parties with the shifting polls in his state. He did not help himself at a major dinner this week by twice thanking the Allegheny County Republicans. The problem is that he is not only running as a Democrat but the event was put on by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee as its annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.
Continue reading ‘Specter Twice Thanks His Fellow Republicans At Major Democratic Dinner’
While many of us have been busy pulling out our Night Shift Workers Day decorations from the attic, some may not be aware of the holiday. Congress has also designated this Receptionist Day. The question of the day is the following: if you have a receptionist who works nights, should you bring two bouquets of flowers or pick which aspect of his or her employment you want to celebrate?
Continue reading ‘Happy Night Shift Workers Day’
Palsy or Abuse? Disabled Lawyer Accused of Slapping Judge
Published 1, May 12, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering 12 Comments
A disabled lawyer, Hippocrate Mertsaris, 35, has been criminally charged with sexual abuse and harassment for allegedly slapping a Taxi and Limousine Commission judge on the rear end. His lawyer insists that his client had an involuntary movement due to his cerebral palsy.
Continue reading ‘Palsy or Abuse? Disabled Lawyer Accused of Slapping Judge’
Kagan’s Palin Moment? White House Does Away With Journalists For Kagan’s First Interview as a Nominee
Published 1, May 12, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 31 Comments
The White House appears to have found the solution to Sarah Palin’s problem with pesky press and embarrassing interviews. The White House posted Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s first “interview” on its website and decided it would be better without an actual journalist.
Continue reading ‘Kagan’s Palin Moment? White House Does Away With Journalists For Kagan’s First Interview as a Nominee’
Supreme Monopoly: Kagan’s Nomination Confirms The Lack of Educational Diversity on The Court
Published 1, May 12, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Congress , Courts , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 31 Comments
Below is today’s column (one of two columns today on the Supreme Court) addressing the troubling exclusion of schools other than Harvard and Yale on the Supreme Court — a type of academic cartel that is damaging to both that institution and our educational and legal systems generally. Click here for the other column in USA Today. Time Magazine also ran a long story on the reliance on graduates from Harvard and Yale, here.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Monopoly: Kagan’s Nomination Confirms The Lack of Educational Diversity on The Court’
Rolling Papers: Texas Man Arrested After Police Find Pot Wrapped In Legal Papers From Prior Drug Arrest
Published 1, May 12, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 5 Comments
Matthew Ray Creel, 21, has a curious legal file. Police in Santa Fe found marijuana stuffed inside papers in his car — his deferred adjudication order for possession of marijuana from March.
Continue reading ‘Rolling Papers: Texas Man Arrested After Police Find Pot Wrapped In Legal Papers From Prior Drug Arrest’
I found this CBS story to be truly amazing. Dave Hartsock is a skydiving instructor who jumped in tandem with Shirley Dygert of Teague, Texas. When their first chute failed to open and the second chute became tangled, Hartsock positioned himself under Dygert to break her fall. They both survived but Hartsock is paralyzed for life.
Continue reading ‘Meet Dave Hartsock’
Thieves Steal Cross That Was The Subject of Recent Supreme Court Ruling
Published 1, May 12, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Military , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 22 Comments
Only a month after the Supreme Court ruled that a 7-foot-tall metal cross could remain as the Mojave Desert War Memorial, it has been stolen. The 75-year-old war memorial disappeared overnight from the National Park Service site.
Continue reading ‘Thieves Steal Cross That Was The Subject of Recent Supreme Court Ruling’
The Confirmation Process: No Way To Select The Judicial MVP
Published 1, May 12, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Society , Supreme Court , USA Today 13 Comments
Below is today’s USA Today column on the confirmation process. This is one of two columns today (the other column ran in the L.A. Times) on the Kagan nomination.
Continue reading ‘The Confirmation Process: No Way To Select The Judicial MVP’
D.A. Clears Police Officer Who Killed Innocent Man Wearing Same Color Shirt As Robbery Suspect
Published 1, May 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 15 Comments
The District Attorney has cleared Chino police Cpl. Claudia Lisner in killing an innocent man, Daniel Balandran, 23, because he was wearing the same colored shirt as a suspect in a pizzeria robbery.
Itchy Trigger Finger or Simple Suicide? Russian Officer Reportedly Shoots Himself In The Head By Scratching Nose With Loaded Gun
Published 1, May 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 9 Comments
Russian investigators have concluded that a 23-year-old police officer killed himself when he scratched his nose . . . with a loaded gun. The officer was found under his desk with a fatal head wound.
Continue reading ‘Itchy Trigger Finger or Simple Suicide? Russian Officer Reportedly Shoots Himself In The Head By Scratching Nose With Loaded Gun’
Captured Pirates Presumably Dead After Russians Release Them 300 Miles From Shore Without Navigation Equipment
Published 1, May 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 22 Comments
The Russian government was reportedly unhappy with international legal obligations in their trial of pirates captured off of Somalia — particularly with the possible demand of the pirates to stay in Moscow. Their solution? They let the pirates go . . . 300 miles from shore after removing all of their navigation equipment. They are now presumed dead.
Indian Fatwa Issued Against Women Working With Men and Hair Dye
Published 1, May 11, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 9 Comments
India’s economic boom has resulted in not just tremendous growth in the country but tremendous advances for women. Now, however, Muslim clerics have issued a fatwa to bar women from working or mixing with men in the workplace. The clerics also took time to condemn hair dye as unIslamic.
Continue reading ‘Indian Fatwa Issued Against Women Working With Men and Hair Dye’
Samsung Sues Columnist Over Lampoon
Published 1, May 11, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Society 8 Comments
We have been following the lawsuit (now dropped) against a writer in England by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) for his criticism of their profession. Now, Samsung is suing a columnist for making from of its executives, who have been involved in a series of criminal cases and controversies. Michael Breen with the Korea Times is being sued for defamation for a parody by the electronic giant. The company is pursuing both civil and criminal charges against Breen — a move that seems to struggle to confirm the arrogance and heavy-handedness alleged in the column.
Obama Nominates Elena Kagan
Published 1, May 10, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Society , Supreme Court 123 CommentsPresident Barack Obama said he wanted to honor the legacy of Associate Justice John Paul Stevens with his nominee. If so, he has chosen to honor it in the breach with a nominee who is likely to dismantle a significant part of Stevens’ legacy. As with Justice Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama has decided to nominate someone who is demonstrably more conservative than the person she is replacing on some issues –potentially moving the Court to the right. I discussed on the nomination on this segment of Countdown.
All A Twitter: Chavez Hires 200 People To Tweet For Him
Published 1, May 10, 2010 Bizarre , International , Media , Politics 124 Comments
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has hired 200 people to help him tweet as part of his account “chavezcandanga,” which has more than 237,000 followers. He has much to tweet about as inflation has now reached 30 percent in the country, which Chavez blames on the “bourgeoisie.”
Continue reading ‘All A Twitter: Chavez Hires 200 People To Tweet For Him’
Iran Hangs Five “Enemies of God”
Published 1, May 10, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 11 Comments
Iran hanged on Sunday five militants convicted of bombing government offices and a gas pipeline. What is fascinating is that such militants, including a woman Shirin Alamhouli, are defined by the medieval Iranian system as “enemies of God.”
Continue reading ‘Iran Hangs Five “Enemies of God”’
This is why Mother’s Day should not just be confined to humans.
Continue reading ‘In Praise of Mothers of All Kind’
Happy Mother’s Day to all! We have always prided ourselves on having the best mothers at this blog. While we have respect for those other mothers, our mothers are demonstrably a cut above your average run-of-the-mill mother.
Continue reading ‘HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY’
Pennsylvania Board: Don’t Forget To Drink on Mother’s Day
Published 1, May 9, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 5 Comments
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board wants you to think not just about Mama today but getting Mama toasted. The board is airing radio ads promoting the virtues of alcohol consumption on Mother’s Day — not exactly what those Mothers at MADD had in mind.
Continue reading ‘Pennsylvania Board: Don’t Forget To Drink on Mother’s Day’
Glenn Beck had some warm words not only for his advertisers but mothers everywhere this week. When Beck broke off from this radio show to plug his sponsor — Teddy Bear Co. — he not only panned the company’s Mother’s Day products but Mother’s Day in general.
Continue reading ‘Happy Mother’s Day From Glenn Beck’
Polish Singer Prosecuted for Insulting Religion in Poland
Published 1, May 9, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion 10 Comments
Dorota Rabczewska, 26, known as “Doda”, is the latest victim of a shift in the West against free speech and associational rights. Doda is being prosecuted for blasphemy for comments that she made without regard to religion.
Continue reading ‘Polish Singer Prosecuted for Insulting Religion in Poland’
Final Date: Italian Government Holds Divorce Fair for Separating Couples
Published 1, May 9, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 5 Comments
Getting divorced? Italians have one last date for couples: the divorce fair. The fair allows separating couples to explore life coaching, beauty tips and avoiding stalker former spouses.
Continue reading ‘Final Date: Italian Government Holds Divorce Fair for Separating Couples’
Shock Video: “I’m Going to Beat the [expletive] Mexican Piss Out of You Homey”
Published 1, May 8, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 23 Comments
Below is a shocking video of Seattle police kicking a man on the ground after he was apprehended in an alleged robbery. A male officer is heard calling the man racial slurs as he kicks him: “I’m going to beat the [expletive] Mexican piss out of you homey. You feel me?”
Continue reading ‘Shock Video: “I’m Going to Beat the [expletive] Mexican Piss Out of You Homey”’
One of our regular bloggers has sent in a picture of Molly in the first of our newest feature of the pets of the people of the Turley Blog. Each Saturday we will feature one such lucky pet, so send me pictures and information by email to make your own pet an Internet star! For the questions, click here.
Continue reading ‘Bloggie Doggie: Meet Molly’
Illinois Woman Convicted Of Killing Motorcyclist After Driving While Doing Nails
Published 1, May 8, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 9 Comments
A jury found Lora Hunt, left, guilty of causing an accident that killed motorcyclist Anita Zaffke, right, by doing her nails while driving.
Continue reading ‘Illinois Woman Convicted Of Killing Motorcyclist After Driving While Doing Nails’
Separate and Not Equal: Michigan School Limits Field Trip To Black Students
Published 1, May 8, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 25 Comments
Mike Madison, the principal of Dicken Elementary School in Ann Arbor, Mich., is under fire for a field trip to visit a rocket scientist that was limited to black students. He insisted that he was just trying to improve the lower performance of black students through the special race-based program.
Continue reading ‘Separate and Not Equal: Michigan School Limits Field Trip To Black Students’
After Blocking Image of Muhammad, Comedy Central Announces Series on Jesus Christ
Published 1, May 8, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Media , Society 37 Comments
Comedy Central has rightfully been condemned for censoring “South Park” after extremists made implied threats due to the showing of the image of Muhammad. Yet, the network is now reportedly developing a whole animated series around Jesus Christ, who is also routinely shown on “South Park.”
Continue reading ‘After Blocking Image of Muhammad, Comedy Central Announces Series on Jesus Christ’
Grading for Goudeau: Louisiana Teacher Sues To Be Able To Give Failing Grades
Published 1, May 8, 2010 Academics , Animals , Politics , Society 11 Comments
Sheila Goudeau was reportedly brought in to Riveroaks Elementary School to help the school raise grades and do better in the Louisiana Educational Assessment Test (LEAP) annual certification. The former nominee for teacher of the year, however, was allegedly told by the school’s principal, Shilonda Shamlin, that she was not allowed to give anyone failing grades.
Continue reading ‘Grading for Goudeau: Louisiana Teacher Sues To Be Able To Give Failing Grades’
Censor De Mayo: School Orders Students To Remove American Flag Tee-Shirts On Cinco De Mayo
Published 1, May 7, 2010 Academics , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 37 Comments
Oak High School In Morgan Hill, California is now ground zero for a free speech controversy after five students were told to turn their tee-shirts with American flags inside out and remove flag bandannas from their heads. The reason was that it was viewed as inappropriate on Cinco de Mayo day.
A Star is Born: New Telescope Captures the Formation of RCW 120
Published 1, May 7, 2010 Academics , Science 13 Comments
This is an amazing picture taken by the Herschel space observatory of a massive star forming — many times the size of our own sun.
Continue reading ‘A Star is Born: New Telescope Captures the Formation of RCW 120′
Anti-Homosexual Minister Threatens Lawsuit After Papers Reveal Trip With Gay Male Escort
Published 1, May 7, 2010 Bizarre , Religion , Society , Torts 40 Comments
Various Internet sites are claiming to “out” Rev. George Alan Rekers, a Baptist minister with a long anti-homosexual history of writings and sermons. For his part, Rekers is threatening a defamation lawsuit after stories appeared that he had hired a 20-year-old young man to travel with him from a gay escort site.
Continue reading ‘Anti-Homosexual Minister Threatens Lawsuit After Papers Reveal Trip With Gay Male Escort’
Suspicious Package: Security Officer Attacks Colleague Over Jokes About The Size of His Genitalia in Body Scanner
Published 1, May 7, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 31 Comments
It appears that terrorism is not the only subject you should not joke about at airport security posts. Rolando Negrin, 44, was arrested for aggravated battery after he allegedly attacked a colleague after a supervisor joked about his . . . well . . . under-sized carry-on after he walked through one of the new body scanners in a training exercise.
Continue reading ‘Suspicious Package: Security Officer Attacks Colleague Over Jokes About The Size of His Genitalia in Body Scanner’
Lieberman Unveils Citizenship Stripping Bill
Published 1, May 6, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Justice , Military , Politics 54 Comments
Senator Joseph Lieberman has unveiled his new legislation to allow Americans to be stripped of their citizenship if the State Department concludes that they are associated with a terrorist organization. As chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Lieberman has authority to push the bill which will be introduced also in a house version by Republican Charlie Dent and Democrat Jason Altmire. The legislation, in my view, is facially unconstitutional in its current form. I discussed this story on the segment below on MSNBC Countdown.
Continue reading ‘Lieberman Unveils Citizenship Stripping Bill’
New York Woman Accused of Stealing Lawyer’s Wallet While Awaiting Arraignment
Published 1, May 6, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering 6 Comments
In Mineola, New York, Shoma Otto, 23, allegedly wanted a bit more out of legal assistance. She is accused to stealing a lawyer’s wallet while waiting to be arraigned on an earlier theft charge.
Continue reading ‘New York Woman Accused of Stealing Lawyer’s Wallet While Awaiting Arraignment’
The Big Deal: William Shatner Earned $600 Million for Priceline Ads
Published 1, May 6, 2010 Bizarre , Society 10 Comments
William Shatner is known to warn that you cannot “argue with the Big Deal.” He appears to be right. Due to a decision to take shares rather than money for his ad appearances for Priceline, Shatner has reportedly made $600 million.
Continue reading ‘The Big Deal: William Shatner Earned $600 Million for Priceline Ads’
Barking Mad: Far-Right Parliamentary Candidate Captured on Video in Fist Fight With Asian Men
Published 1, May 6, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics 12 Comments
This video is a glimpse into the tensions in England over immigration policies — an uncomfortable comparison to our own growing domestic conflicts. The video shows a fight between some Asian men and British National Party parliamentary candidate Bob Bailey in Barking, England.
SWAT Team Raids Family Home, Shoots The Family’s Two Dogs In Front of a Seven-Year-Old Child, Finds Only a Small Amount of Pot — And Charges Father With Child Endangerment
Published 1, May 6, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 49 Comments
The video below of a SWAT team raiding a home in Columbia, Mo. has raised questions over the actions of police officers and charges brought against a family. In the video, the officers shot the family’s two dogs (including one in front of a seven-year-old child) on a drug raid that only netted a small amount of marijuana. Nevertheless, the father Jonathan Whitworth was charged with drug possession and child endangerment.
Continue reading ‘SWAT Team Raids Family Home, Shoots The Family’s Two Dogs In Front of a Seven-Year-Old Child, Finds Only a Small Amount of Pot — And Charges Father With Child Endangerment’
Obama Administration Exempted BP From Environmenal Impact Statement
Published 1, May 6, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society 21 Comments
Environmentalists are still fuming over the fact that President Barack Obama ignored warnings from NOAA about major spills from offshore rigs before he opened up the East Coast to drilling. Now, it turns out that the Administration exempted BP from doing an environmental impact statement and accepted dismissive accounts regarding the potential for spills.
Continue reading ‘Obama Administration Exempted BP From Environmenal Impact Statement’
Lieberman to Propose Citizenship-Stripping Law
Published 1, May 5, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Society 51 CommentsGreg Sargent at the Washington Post is reporting that Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will be proposing a new law that could potentially strip Americans of their citizenship if they’re involved with foreign terrorist organizations. The limited details revealed today are enough to send a chill down the spine of civil libertarians around the country. I will be discussing this issue tonight on Rachel Maddow’s show.
Continue reading ‘Lieberman to Propose Citizenship-Stripping Law’
Federalism and Health Care: A Response to Senator Orrin Hatch
Published 1, May 5, 2010 Academics , Congress , Constitutional Law 19 Comments
In a recent speech before the Heritage Foundation, Senator Orrin Hatch (R, Utah) cited one of my column’s stating that I consider the claim of federal jurisdiction in the health care litigation to be a threat to federalism. That is certainly true (here). However, Senator Hatch then added that I had come to change my views over the course of the debate. That last addition is not accurate so I thought I would offer a brief response.
Continue reading ‘Federalism and Health Care: A Response to Senator Orrin Hatch’
Ohio State Refuses To Supply Counsel for Arrested Student Journalist
Published 1, May 5, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Lawyering , Media , Society 11 Comments
Alex Kotran is a photo-journalist working for the Ohio State Lantern where he is studying. He was on the scene when cows broke out of their pens and roamed around campus. He was promptly arrested for criminal trespass and the Ohio State University is now refusing to supply him with counsel. The school has basically told Kotran that he can wait until the cows come home, but he is on his own.
Continue reading ‘Ohio State Refuses To Supply Counsel for Arrested Student Journalist’
Rights Group Accuses Judge Rotenberg Center of Torture
Published 1, May 5, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Politics , Science 17 Comments
Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) has filed a disturbing report with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture alleging that the Judge Rotenberg Center for the disabled in Massachusetts is engaging in the torture of disabled children through electric shocks and restraints.
Continue reading ‘Rights Group Accuses Judge Rotenberg Center of Torture’
He’s a Biter: Georgia Man Arrested for Biting Two Eight-year-Old Girls
Published 1, May 5, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 12 Comments
When we deal with child torts in class, I always note that all kids are either biters or spitters. Gordon Kent Nelson, 44, shows that some adults also fall into one of these categories. Nelson has been arrested for allegedly biting two 8-year-old girls on two separate occasions.
Continue reading ‘He’s a Biter: Georgia Man Arrested for Biting Two Eight-year-Old Girls’
Married Couple in Dubai Win Appeal After Arrest for Having Sex in Car
Published 1, May 5, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 3 Comments
A newly married Pakistani couple in Dubai won an appeal to overturn their conviction after police arrested them for having sex in their car. The problem was that the car windows were black-out and police had to knock repeatedly to get the couple to roll down the window.
Continue reading ‘Married Couple in Dubai Win Appeal After Arrest for Having Sex in Car’
Ok, I admit that I am a fan of really bad Westerns, so this video of Bob Munden — perhaps the fastest draw in the World — seemed worth sharing.
Living Art: Texas Man Arrested After Parading Naked Above Billboard
Published 1, May 5, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 7 CommentsJames Apple, 24, has a different idea of how to expose himself to art. The Fort Worth man climbed up a billboard for the Museum of Living Art and walked around naked — slowing traffic for nearly five hours.
Continue reading ‘Living Art: Texas Man Arrested After Parading Naked Above Billboard’
Obama Administration Ignored Warnings From NOAA That It Was Underestimating Risks of Spills
Published 1, May 4, 2010 Academics , Environment , Politics , Science , Society 88 Comments
Officials at NOAA told the Obama Administration that it was underestimating the rate and risk of spills before the President announced his controversial decision to open up coastal areas to drilling in March. Analysts also noted that there were serious problems in responding to spills.
Continue reading ‘Obama Administration Ignored Warnings From NOAA That It Was Underestimating Risks of Spills’
When You Prick Us Do We Not Bleed? Court Rules That Citizens Can Use Profane References for the Police
Published 1, May 4, 2010 Criminal law , International , Politics 6 Comments
Waverley Local Court magistrate Robbie Williams has ruled that citizens in South Wales are free to use “prick” in referring to police officers. The ruling ends the prosecution of science student Henry Grech, 22, who used the word to describe Senior Constable Adam Royds during a confrontation.
Continue reading ‘When You Prick Us Do We Not Bleed? Court Rules That Citizens Can Use Profane References for the Police’
Florida Senator Under Attack For Looking At Nude Pictures During Abortion Debate
Published 1, May 4, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 11 Comments
Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton (FL) has learned that one has to be careful what one views on the Senate floor. He is being attacked for looking at porn during the abortion debate in Florida.
Continue reading ‘Florida Senator Under Attack For Looking At Nude Pictures During Abortion Debate’
Get (Somewhat) Crazy: Court Dismisses Counts in “Jersey Shores” Lawsuit But Allows Case To Continue
Published 1, May 4, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 6 Comments
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Joseph L. Foster has rejected an effort to dismiss a lawsuit involving MTV’s hit reality show “Jersey Shore” — known for its “Get Crazy” theme song. The lawsuit alleges that the producers engaged in a “criminal enterprise” by profiting from showing fights that they provoked between cast members.
Continue reading ‘Get (Somewhat) Crazy: Court Dismisses Counts in “Jersey Shores” Lawsuit But Allows Case To Continue’
GOP Candidates For Congress Brag About Abusing Gays During With Their Military Service
Published 1, May 4, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 15 Comments
Republican candidates in the 8th Congressional District appeared to brag this week about abusing gays in the military during their military service. Physicians (and congressional candidates) Ron Kirkland of Jackson and George Flinn of Memphis appear to limit that business to not doing harm in their hippocratic oath to patients.
Supreme Court Closes Front Doors To Visitors In The Name of Security
Published 1, May 4, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 32 CommentsThe Supreme Court justices have voted to end one of the most important symbols of American justice: the open doors of justice at the Supreme Court building. Visitors have always entered through the massive doors which represented the access of citizens to our legal system. In yet another case of security trumping all other considerations, the justices voted to close the doors to citizens (and to use new doors located in a more secure location).
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Closes Front Doors To Visitors In The Name of Security’
Baltimore Police Arrest Couple Asking For Directions to the Interstate
Published 1, May 3, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 29 Comments
Joshua Kelly and Llara Brook, of Chantilly, Virginia are new converts to Mapquest. The couple was returning from watching the Baltimore Orioles beat Kansas City when they became lost trying to find the interstate – a very common occurrence for people not familiar with Baltimore. Their mistake was assuming that Officer Natalie Preston was there to help them. When they pulled over to ask her for directions, she gave them a ticket for running a stop sign and then refused to give him even a hint of how to get back on the interstate. When they then tried to ask another officer, Preston allegedly pulled over and not only prevented that officer from giving directions, but proceeded to arrest the couple for trespass. I just saw this story from 2006 and I am trying to determine its current status.
Continue reading ‘Baltimore Police Arrest Couple Asking For Directions to the Interstate’
Shaker Down: Chicago Woman Sues Salon After Falling Through Its Front Window After Trying To Kick Her Husband
Published 1, May 3, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 21 Comments
Melanie Shaker had gone out to dinner and had been drinking with her husband when she became angry with him on the walk home. She tried to kick her husband, lost her footing, and fell through the front window of Fases Salon. She is now suing the salon for failing to anticipate falling drunken and clumsy people by installing safety glass. She is also suing the hospital that treated her and the trust that owns the property.
Continue reading ‘Shaker Down: Chicago Woman Sues Salon After Falling Through Its Front Window After Trying To Kick Her Husband’
Police Arrest Man in England For Calling Homosexuality a Sin
Published 1, May 3, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 14 Comments
We have another case of a religious person being jailed for denouncing homosexuality. In England, Dale McAlpine was charged with causing “harassment, alarm or distress” after a homosexual police community support officer (PCSO) overheard him stating that he viewed homosexuality to be a sin.
Continue reading ‘Police Arrest Man in England For Calling Homosexuality a Sin’
Florida Police Defend Decision to Jail Grandmother Who Slapped Granddaughter For Telling Her To F*** Off
Published 1, May 3, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 37 Comments
Theresa Collier, 73, is a grandmother in Largo, Florida who was arrested after she slapped her granddaughter for swearing at her. Felicia Collier, 18, repeatedly told her grandmother to f*** off and then called the police when the grandmother slapped.
Continue reading ‘Florida Police Defend Decision to Jail Grandmother Who Slapped Granddaughter For Telling Her To F*** Off’
Winterized Mammoths: Scientists Find a Type of “Anti-Freeze” Blood Helped Mammoths Survive the Cold
Published 1, May 3, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , Society 10 Comments
This is really cool. Scientists believe that they have found a protein — hemoglobin — in mammoths that had adapted to release oxygen into their bodies like a type of “anti-freeze blood” to allow the animals to survive harsh winter conditions.
Continue reading ‘Winterized Mammoths: Scientists Find a Type of “Anti-Freeze” Blood Helped Mammoths Survive the Cold’
Rush to Judgment: Limbaugh Suggests Gulf Spill May Have Been Caused By “Envionmental Wackos”
Published 1, May 3, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics 152 Comments
As the government deals with what may prove the worst oil disaster in the history of the country in the Gulf of Mexico, oceanographer and chemical engineer Rush Limbaugh has gone public with his theory that “enviornmental wackos” may be responsible and that pouring oil into the ocean is something that the ocean can handle naturally with intervention by the government. He also insisted that oil spills are natural and should not cause undo concern.
Pet of the Week: A Call for Bloggie Doggies (and Other Post-Worthy Pets)
Published 1, May 2, 2010 Animals 31 CommentsTags: Animals
Given the response over our new addition of Molly Turley, I have decided to create a new category for our bloggers to share pictures and stories of their pets. I will select one posting each Saturday.
Continue reading ‘Pet of the Week: A Call for Bloggie Doggies (and Other Post-Worthy Pets)’
The Bill Gates of felines.
Vatican Takeover: Controversial Mexican Order To Be Taken Over By Papal Envoy
Published 1, May 2, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 15 Comments
Pope Benedict XVI has moved to take over a Mexican Catholic order that is responsible for widespread abuses of children. The order’s founder, Rev. Marcial Maciel, abused children and fathered three children with two women. He died in 2008.
Continue reading ‘Vatican Takeover: Controversial Mexican Order To Be Taken Over By Papal Envoy’
Burka Bans: France Moves to Fine People Forcing Women to Wear Burkas While Belgium Approves First Public Ban on the Burka
Published 1, May 2, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 12 Comments
France is about to propose a law that would fine anyone who forces a woman to wear a burka (burqa). Such individual would face a fine of €15,000 (£13,000). In the meantime, in Belgium legislators passed Europe’s first ban on the burka in public.
Video: Christians Stops Hindu Prayer in Senate
Published 1, May 2, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Religion 26 CommentsBecause this occurred before this creation of this blog, we have never reviewed this video from 2007. In an outrageous act of religious intolerance, a visiting Hindu priest was stopped twice from offering the opening prayer in the United States Senate.
Continue reading ‘Video: Christians Stops Hindu Prayer in Senate’
Tenton Man Fells Neighbor With Arrow Over Parking Dispute
Published 1, May 2, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 8 Comments
Robert Wood, 41, allegedly takes parking very very seriously. While his neighbor, Anthony Giovannini, 35, thought he was struck in the back by a rock thrown into his house this week, he soon noticed an arrow sticking out of his back. Police eventually arrested Wood who has had disputes with Giovannini over parking spaces.
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Small is Beautiful: Papua Police Ban “Enhanced” Officers
Published 1, May 2, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 12 Comments
In our coverage of police related stories, this one is a bit odd. Police officers in Indonesia’s Papua now must be politically and anatomically correct. Faced with problems associated with local measures of male personal enhancement, the department is following the global business model of downsizing.
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How Not To Make An Impression on Your Girlfriend’s Mother: Indiana Man Arrested For Allegedly Running Over Woman After Dispute Over the Car Radio
Published 1, May 1, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 13 Comments
Brent Heitz, 30, likes his music loud and apparently doesn’t like his girlfriend’s mother at all. After Connie Farr told Heitz to turn down the music in his car, Heitz reportedly ran her over and left her on the road.
Continue reading ‘How Not To Make An Impression on Your Girlfriend’s Mother: Indiana Man Arrested For Allegedly Running Over Woman After Dispute Over the Car Radio’
Georgia Man Charged With Strangling Dachshund
Published 1, May 1, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society 13 Comments
A dog may be a man’s best friend, but some men are a dog’s worst menace. Dewayne Green, 49, is accused of taking out his anger on a 2-year-old Dachshund named Rocky who was left with a fractured skull and broken bones. He strangled and beat the dog in front of his two young children.
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Report: Christian Barber Beaten and Sodomized for Trimming Beard of Sunni Teenager
Published 1, May 1, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 14 Comments
There is a disturbing report out of Pakistan that a Christian barber was beaten and then sodomized by eight Muslim men after he agreed to trim a Muslim teenager’s beard in violation of Sunni traditions. Marwat Masih, 29, was hospitalized and his shop destroyed by local Muslims for the trimming.
Palin Hacker Convicted on Two Counts
Published 1, May 1, 2010 Criminal law , Politics , Society 12 Comments
David Kernell, 22, the college student and son of a Democratic Tennessee state legislator who hacked into the e-mail account of Sarah Palin was convicted Friday on two counts. After four days of deliberations, a federal jury found Kennell guilty of obstruction of justice and unauthorized access of a computer, a misdemeanor. He faces 20 years in jail, though the sentence is likely to be much less. I will be discussing the case this morning on ABC Good Morning America.
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