Arizona Republican candidate and state lawmaker Pamela Gorman appears to be running for a position on a SWAT Team in this video where her skills with machines guns and pistols are highlighted.
Continue reading ‘Gunning for Votes: Arizona Republican Shown as a Weapon of Mass Destruction in Video’
Archive for June, 2010
Gunning for Votes: Arizona Republican Shown as a Weapon of Mass Destruction in Video
Published 1, June 30, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 35 CommentsAustralian Prime Minister Refuses To Pretend Belief in God
Published 1, June 30, 2010 International , Politics , Society 78 Comments
While both Democratic and Republican politicians have continued to campaign on faith-based politics, Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard has declared that she will not pretend to believe in God to appease religious voters.
Continue reading ‘Australian Prime Minister Refuses To Pretend Belief in God’
Report: Body Scanner Radiation Is 20 Times Greater Than Previously Believed
Published 1, June 30, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , International , Science 8 Comments
Al Qaeda appears to have found a way to endanger millions of people around the world. According to a new report, the full body scanners being used in airports around the world have a dosage of radiation that is 20 times greater than previously announced. Scientists warn of a possible increase in skin cancer.
Continue reading ‘Report: Body Scanner Radiation Is 20 Times Greater Than Previously Believed’
“Don’t Taze My Granny”: Oklahoma Police Respond to Medical Call And Allegedly Proceed to Repeatedly Taser Bedridden 86-Year-Old Woman
Published 1, June 30, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 12 Comments
El Reno, Oklahoma police are under criticism this week due to a case alleging that officers tasered a bedridden 86-year-old woman, Lona Vernon. Officer Thomas Duran said he ordered his colleagues to hit the old lady with 50,000 volts after she took a “more aggressive posture in bed.”
Continue reading ‘“Don’t Taze My Granny”: Oklahoma Police Respond to Medical Call And Allegedly Proceed to Repeatedly Taser Bedridden 86-Year-Old Woman’
South Korean Parliament Approves Chemical Castration for Sex Offenders
Published 1, June 30, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 8 Comments
South Korea’s parliament voted yesterday to approve chemical castration as punishment for convicted child sex offenders. This was a reaction to a 2008 case when a 58-year-old man raped and assaulted an 8-year-old girl.
Continue reading ‘South Korean Parliament Approves Chemical Castration for Sex Offenders’
Vampires! Colorado Woman Crashes in an Encounter With the Undead
Published 1, June 30, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 17 Comments
Now, this is a road danger that few Driver’s Ed class prepare you for. A woman in Fruita, Colorado crashed into a canal. Police ruled out alcohol. The cause? Vampires.
Continue reading ‘Vampires! Colorado Woman Crashes in an Encounter With the Undead’
Egyptian Police Drag Blogger From Internet Cafe and Allegedly Beat Him To Death on Alexandria Street
Published 1, June 29, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 36 Comments
The European Union has called for an investigation into the death of Khaled Said, 28, at the hands of Egyptian police, who pulled him out of an Internet cafe.
Marilyn Monroe’s Chest and Pelvis X-Rays Sell for $45,000
Published 1, June 29, 2010 Bizarre 10 Comments
This x-ray would not normally attract much attention but for the subject: Marilyn Monroe. This week, three x-rays of Monroe’s chest and pelvis were sold in auction for $45,000.
Continue reading ‘Marilyn Monroe’s Chest and Pelvis X-Rays Sell for $45,000′
Oklahoma State University Fires Employee For Spending On Extracurricular Items
Published 1, June 29, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law 9 Comments
The Oklahoma State University was shocked recently to learn that a university employee was able to use a university credit card to buy tens of thousands of dollars of lingerie, sex toys and other personal items. Cynthia Low, 44, allegedly used the taxpayer-funded card to buy an impressive amount of such items before being caught.
Continue reading ‘Oklahoma State University Fires Employee For Spending On Extracurricular Items’
Polka or Perish: Scientists Line Up To Dance Their Degrees
Published 1, June 29, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Science , Society 9 Comments
Professors around the world are collectively known as high school geeks who couldn’t dance (even if we could find someone willing to dance with us). Now, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has announced the third annual “Dance Your Ph.D” where scientists do interpretive dances based on their fields of study.
Continue reading ‘Polka or Perish: Scientists Line Up To Dance Their Degrees’
Tough Audience: CEO Passes Out During Biden Speech
Published 1, June 28, 2010 Bizarre , Politics 15 CommentsFirst there was the confrontation with a manager over an ice cream cone and taxes. Now, Jim Campbell, the President and CEO of General Electric’s Appliance and Lighting Division, passed out during a speech by Biden.
Continue reading ‘Tough Audience: CEO Passes Out During Biden Speech’
Supreme Court Rules Against Christian Law Students
Published 1, June 28, 2010 Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 23 Comments
In another 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled against Christian law students at Hastings Law School in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez. Justice Ginsburg ruled that Christian students must adhere to non-discrimination policies if they are to accept funding or benefits from the school.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Rules Against Christian Law Students’
Supreme Court Extends Second Amendment to the States
Published 1, June 28, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 86 Comments
In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court has effectively struck down Chicago’s gun law and extended its earlier ruling on the Second Amendment to all states as a fundamental right. It is the decision that some of us anticipated as consistent with past rulings on fundamental rights. The impact will be considerable as all states will now have to respect the individual right of gun ownership under the Second Amendment.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Extends Second Amendment to the States’
Show Time: Kagan Hearings Begin Today
Published 1, June 28, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Supreme Court 26 Comments
Today the Senate will begin one of the longest running Kabuki shows in history. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearings — a process long ridiculed for its ritualized and exaggerated content. The big question is whether Kagan will abandon her previously stated position that nominees should have to answer substantive questions on their views — a rejection of the so-called “Ginsburg Rule.” I will be commenting on the confirmation process at noon on MSNBC and later on Countdown.
Continue reading ‘Show Time: Kagan Hearings Begin Today’
L.A. Driver Hits Disabled Man and Then Does Donuts To Shake Him Off Windshield
Published 1, June 28, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 3 Comments
A driver in Los Angeles hit and killed Tyrone Jones, 38, and (according to the victim’s family) did donuts to try to shake him off the window.
Continue reading ‘L.A. Driver Hits Disabled Man and Then Does Donuts To Shake Him Off Windshield’
Reports Of My Death Have Been Greatly Corroborated: Mexican Singer Killed After Denying Death Rumor
Published 1, June 28, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 8 Comments
Mexican country singer Sergio Vega, known as “El Shaka,” performed “narcocorridos” — songs that celebrated the lives of drug lords. Singing narcocorridos can anger rival drug gangs and result in such killings.
Continue reading ‘Reports Of My Death Have Been Greatly Corroborated: Mexican Singer Killed After Denying Death Rumor’
Philadelphia Jury Rules City Cannot Evict Boy Scout Chapter
Published 1, June 28, 2010 Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 11 Comments
A federal jury has given the Boy Scouts a major victory: ruling that Philadelphia cannot evict the organization under a non-discrimination law. I have written about this case previously, including a column on the tension between non-discrimination laws and free association.
Continue reading ‘Philadelphia Jury Rules City Cannot Evict Boy Scout Chapter’
Texas Federal Court Upholds Denial of Certificate to Institute for Creation Research Graduate School
Published 1, June 28, 2010 Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Science , Society 54 Comments
Creationists have lost a major battle after a federal court in Texas upheld a decision by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to deny the Institute for Creation Research Graduate School a certificate of authority to offer master’s degrees in science. We have previously discussed this new “science” degree.
Carp Czar: Durbin Asks Obama For A New Position To Take On the Asian Carp
Published 1, June 28, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Science 11 Comments
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D., IL) is calling for yet another czar in an already czar-heavy administration. This appointee might feel a bit insecure and self-conscious around the Afghanistan Czar, Border Czar, and Car Czar. He would be the Carp Czar tasked with tackling the influx of Asian carp in Lake Michigan. The greatest challenge will be to keep from confusing the Carp Czar and the Tarp Czar (Herb Allison).
Continue reading ‘Carp Czar: Durbin Asks Obama For A New Position To Take On the Asian Carp’
Biden Calls Manager a “Smart Ass” For Asking Him to Lower Taxes
Published 1, June 27, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Politics , Society 37 CommentsThis is why our Vice President is God’s gift to reporters and YouTube fans. In a visit to an ice cream shop this week, the manager asked him to lower taxes and Biden responded by calling him a smart ass.
Continue reading ‘Biden Calls Manager a “Smart Ass” For Asking Him to Lower Taxes’
This is perhaps the greatest example of restraint by any creature . . .
Officers Tackle Jogging Teenagers in Search of Felons
Published 1, June 27, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 9 Comments
A case in Ohio has triggered charges of racism over the treatment of two kids. DeAngelo Mattox, 16, and Nechia, 12, have filed complaints that they were out for a jog when police tackled them, put guns in their faces, and handcuffed them. Police were looking for felons.
Continue reading ‘Officers Tackle Jogging Teenagers in Search of Felons’
Double or Nothing: California Moves to Stop Welfare Recipients From Using Cash to Gamble
Published 1, June 27, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 29 Comments
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has moved to stop a legitimately disturbing trend: welfare recipients using state-issued debit cards withdrew welfare payments as cash from casino floors. Since October 2009, welfare recipients have withdrawn more than $1.8 million in taxpayer cash on casino floors.
Continue reading ‘Double or Nothing: California Moves to Stop Welfare Recipients From Using Cash to Gamble’
Two Census Manager Fired For Creating over 10,000 Fake Census Forms
Published 1, June 27, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 5 Comments
Brooklyn Census Bureau managers Alvin Aviles and Sonya Merritt have been fired for allegedly staying at home and making up census information with the use of phone books and the Internet. Officials believe that at least 10,000 such manufactured forms were submitted by Aviles and Merritt.
Continue reading ‘Two Census Manager Fired For Creating over 10,000 Fake Census Forms’
This is what happens when the stadium camera catches you napping at a sporting event.
Continue reading ‘The Danger of Napping At A Sporting Event’
This week’s winner of the Pet of the Week is this beautiful creature, Charlie. The proud pet of Malcolm, Charlie is all personality, though a menace to slow-moving birds. If you are interested in nominating a pet (any species allowed), you can find the questions here.
Continue reading ‘Bloggie Doggie: Meet Charlie, Our Pet of the Week’
“Not Kosher”: Rabbis Warn Kagan Confirmation Would Lead To New “Sodom and Gomorrah”
Published 1, June 26, 2010 Uncategorized 15 Comments
Rabbi Yehuda Levin, spokesman for an alliance of 850 Orthodox members of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, has denounced Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan in not just political but Biblical terms.
Continue reading ‘“Not Kosher”: Rabbis Warn Kagan Confirmation Would Lead To New “Sodom and Gomorrah”’
North Korea Demands $65 Trillion From U.S. For Being a Meanie
Published 1, June 26, 2010 Bizarre , International 23 Comments
Cash-strapped North Korea has also its economic woes: it is demanding $65 trillion in compensation for six decades of hostility. That is over $12 trillion a decade and over $1 trillion a year. They could have told us and we would have shown all our hostility in a more efficient period like a year.
Continue reading ‘North Korea Demands $65 Trillion From U.S. For Being a Meanie’
So a cop and a horse walk into a bar . . .
Continue reading ‘So a Cop and a Horse Walk Into a Tampa Bar . . .’
Video Shows Officer Working For BP and Preventing Filming of Headquarters
Published 1, June 25, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 108 CommentsThere has been considerable controversy over BP preventing journalists and activists to film in public areas — showing the damage of the recent spill on animals and the environment. BP has no authority to do so, but it continues (as in this video) to prevent filming at various locations.
Continue reading ‘Video Shows Officer Working For BP and Preventing Filming of Headquarters’
Prison Guard Fired For Posing For Playboy
Published 1, June 25, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 18 Comments
We have been following a line of cases where teachers (and here and here and here and here and here), city managers, lunch ladies, police officers (and here), coaches, students and others have been fired for lawful conduct committed in their private lives. These cases are also occurring abroad in countries like England. We can now add Jessie Lunderby, a 21-year-old jailer in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Washington County Sheriff’s officer has been suspended after she participated in a nude photo shoot for playboy.com.
Continue reading ‘Prison Guard Fired For Posing For Playboy’
Drunk Driver Opens Last Beer While Waiting To Be Cut Out of Overturned Car
Published 1, June 25, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 10 Comments
Paul Nigel Sneddon, 47, is not someone to allow a wreck to stop him from enjoying a beer. Sneddon was trapped in his overturned car after driving drunk in Wellington, NZ. Since he had to wait for rescue crews to cut him out of the car, he proceeded to open one last beer because he had “nothing better to do.”
Continue reading ‘Drunk Driver Opens Last Beer While Waiting To Be Cut Out of Overturned Car’
Drunk Chicago Cop Threatens Cabbie at Gunpoint . . . So Colleagues Give Him Back His Gun and Release Him Without Charges
Published 1, June 25, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 19 Comments
Chicago police officer John Killackey, 32, will only receive probation and community service after pulling a gun on a cabbie during a fare dispute. Critics have charged that the sentence for aggravated assault and theft was too light — though he only faced a one year maximum jail sentence. This is because he was only charged with two misdemeanors.
Continue reading ‘Drunk Chicago Cop Threatens Cabbie at Gunpoint . . . So Colleagues Give Him Back His Gun and Release Him Without Charges’
The [Early] Rising Sun: Sleeping Japanese To Slow Global Warming
Published 1, June 25, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics , Science , Society 15 Comments
Next time you see a sleeping Japanese, do not wake him . . . he is saving the planet. The Japanese government has launched a campaign asking people to go to bed and get up extra early in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Of course, it is not clear what carbon footprint will be left by the likely increase in births associated with forcing couples into their beds for longer periods.
Continue reading ‘The [Early] Rising Sun: Sleeping Japanese To Slow Global Warming’
Mannequin Mascetomies: Iranian Officials Reportedly Ordering Removal of Breasts From Mannequins
Published 1, June 24, 2010 Bizarre , International , Religion 19 Comments
There is another bizarre account from Iran where the government has been cracking down on “baldy veiled women.” It appears that it is not just actual women who offend Sharia-sensibilities. There is a photo running on the web that allegedly shows how Iran’s religious police are giving double mascetomies to mannequins to avoid the appearance of breasts in public.
Continue reading ‘Mannequin Mascetomies: Iranian Officials Reportedly Ordering Removal of Breasts From Mannequins’
Salon: Author Details Controversy at LA Times Over Article on The Israeli Lobby and Denial of the Armenian Genocide
Published 1, June 24, 2010 Bizarre , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 42 Comments
Author Mark Arax has written an article in Salon that details allegations against the Los Angeles Times in killing a story on how the Israeli lobby was helping efforts to deny the Armenian genocide in exchange for Turkey’s support of Israel. Despite the focus on media issues on this blog, I am embarrassed to say that I was unaware of the controversy until this column.
Continue reading ‘Salon: Author Details Controversy at LA Times Over Article on The Israeli Lobby and Denial of the Armenian Genocide’
Texas Officer Charges Homeowner With “Illegal Photography” For Taking His Pictures During An Alleged Unlawful Entry
Published 1, June 24, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Society 44 Comments
We have another case of a citizen arrested for photographing police. Francisco Olvera says that he was charged in Seeley, Texas with “illegal photography” when a police sergeant followed him into his own home, and he objected and took the officer’s photo with his cell phone.
Continue reading ‘Texas Officer Charges Homeowner With “Illegal Photography” For Taking His Pictures During An Alleged Unlawful Entry’
Report: 1,300 Inmates Wrongly Given Over $9 Million in Homeowner Tax Credits
Published 1, June 24, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 3 Comments
The Treasury Department has learned that roughly 1,300 prison inmates wrongly received more than $9 million in tax credits for homebuyers as part of the Administration’s stimulus effort. These unique homebuyers included 241 inmates serving life sentences.
Continue reading ‘Report: 1,300 Inmates Wrongly Given Over $9 Million in Homeowner Tax Credits’
Floaters: Surfers and Swimmers Complain Over Lack of Notice of Sewage Release Along Miami Beaches
Published 1, June 24, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 15 Comments
Swimmers and surfers in Miami are a bit put out this week after they learned that 20 million gallons of raw sewage was released along beaches without adequate notice to the public. It brings a new meaning to the surfer term “floater.”
Continue reading ‘Floaters: Surfers and Swimmers Complain Over Lack of Notice of Sewage Release Along Miami Beaches’
Chattanooga Officer Suspended Over Arrest of Husband Rushing Wife To Emergency Room
Published 1, June 23, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 29 Comments
Chattanooga police officer Jim Daves has been suspended in the controversy over his arrest of Eric Wright, the husband who ran red lights to get his critically ill wife to the emergency room. As we discussed earlier, Daves allegedly blocked Wright from carrying in his wife to the ER and later charged him with a variety of criminal acts, including evading arrest for staying by his wife’s side.
Continue reading ‘Chattanooga Officer Suspended Over Arrest of Husband Rushing Wife To Emergency Room’
Veiled Threat: Iranians Issue Warnings To 62,000 “Badly Veiled Women” and Confiscate Cars
Published 1, June 23, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion 6 Comments
We have been following the Iranian crackdown on “badly veiled” women. It now appears that at least 62,000 women have been issued warnings about their failure to properly cover their hair in the Shiite holy province of Qom.
Continue reading ‘Veiled Threat: Iranians Issue Warnings To 62,000 “Badly Veiled Women” and Confiscate Cars’
Two Chicago Men Intentionally Strike Bicyclists For Fun and Receive Probation for Aggravated Battery
Published 1, June 23, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
Erik Fabian, 20, was sentenced this week in Chicago for an outrageous prank where he and his friend, Armando Reza, 18, took turns striking bicyclists with their car. He pleaded guilty and received a relatively light sentence of two years probation for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and leaving the scene of an accident.
Continue reading ‘Two Chicago Men Intentionally Strike Bicyclists For Fun and Receive Probation for Aggravated Battery’
Battle of the Briefs: Naked Cowboy v. Naked Cowgirl
Published 1, June 23, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 6 Comments
The Naked Cowboy has previously fought against rivals to protect his unique brand in New York. Now, however, he is facing a new menace: the Naked Cowgirl. It sounds like a struggle more befitting the Garden of Eden than Madison Square Garden but both naked cow people are pulling out their briefs.
Continue reading ‘Battle of the Briefs: Naked Cowboy v. Naked Cowgirl’
Firefighters Suspended For Performing Emergency Resuscitation on St. Pauli Girl
Published 1, June 23, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 5 Comments
In British Columbia, firefighters bravely saved a half-dozen victims in a blaze and were suspended for performing emergency resuscitation. Canadian Mounties are investigating the firefighters, who pulled kegs of beer from a burning hotel and then tapped a couple of the kegs in celebration.
Continue reading ‘Firefighters Suspended For Performing Emergency Resuscitation on St. Pauli Girl’
BP: The Disaster is the Relief
Published 1, June 23, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics , Society 18 Comments
As BP flacks try to stem criticism of Tony Hayward going yachting during the crisis in the gulf, many have surmised that Hayward and his staff are living on a different planet. That seemed confirmed by Planet BP — the company’s in-house magazine — which quoted a local seafood businessman as saying “[t]here is no reason to hate BP” and insisting that “[m]uch of the region’s [nonfishing boat] businesses — particularly the hotels — have been prospering because so many people have come here from BP and other oil emergency response teams.”
Continue reading ‘BP: The Disaster is the Relief’
Drill, Baby, Drill: Obama’s Deep-Drilling Moratorium Lifted By Federal Court
Published 1, June 22, 2010 Congress , Courts , Politics , Society 44 Comments
A New Orleans federal judge lifted the six-month moratorium imposed on deepwater drilling by President Barack Obama after the BP spill. In New Orleans, U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman found that the administration had failed to satisfy requirements for notice and comment from industry. The case is Hornbeck Offshore Services LLC v. Salazar, 2:10-cv-01663(E.D. La.).
Continue reading ‘Drill, Baby, Drill: Obama’s Deep-Drilling Moratorium Lifted By Federal Court’
The Dutch city is now famous not just for its cheese, but its “decoy Jews” In an effort to combat attacks on Jewish citizens, the police are disguising officers as Jews to capture anti-Semitic hooligans.
Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Expansive Reading of Material Support Law
Published 1, June 22, 2010 Constitutional Law , Courts , International , Lawyering , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 29 Comments
The Supreme Court rejected first amendment claims and upheld a federal law on providing “material support” to foreign terrorist organizations in Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project. The material support law (found in the 1996 Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA)) is the darling of prosecutors and widely ridiculed by civil libertarians for allowing virtually any act to be classified as material support. The ruling is a victory for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and a loss for civil liberties. Notably, however, even the conservatives on the Court found the interpretation of the Obama Administration to be too extreme.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Expansive Reading of Material Support Law’
Ohio Officer Sentenced to Ten Years in Shooting of Unarmed Motorcyclist
Published 1, June 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 9 CommentsWe have been following the case of Ohio officer Thomas White who shot an unarmed motorcyclist, Michael McCloskey, Jr. The crime was captured on the video below. White was sentenced this week to 10 years in prison for the shooting which left McCloskey paralyzed two years ago
Continue reading ‘Ohio Officer Sentenced to Ten Years in Shooting of Unarmed Motorcyclist’
You Got An A! Law Schools Retroactively Increase Grades of Students to Make Them More Attractive in Job Market
Published 1, June 22, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Society 28 Comments
Students at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles suddenly got smarter. The law school has increased the grade point averages — retroactively — across the board to make graduates more attractive in a tough job market. Loyola is not alone in such grade revisionism.
Most Eligible Murderer: Peruvian Women Send Marriage Proposals to Van der Sloot
Published 1, June 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 5 Comments
It appears that allegedly murdering two young women in Aruba and Peru makes you something of a chick magnet. Murder suspect Joran van der Sloot, 22, has received multiple marriage proposals from Peruvian women. In the meantime, one woman (his mother) says “he is not right in the head.”
Continue reading ‘Most Eligible Murderer: Peruvian Women Send Marriage Proposals to Van der Sloot’
Text M for Murder: Judge Killed By Husband Who Then Texts Son With News Before Killing Himself
Published 1, June 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 7 Comments
In Rowlett, Texas, Juvenile Judge Belinda Loveland, 52, was shot and killed by her husband Richard Loveland, 59. Richard then texted his son, a doctor in Galveston, with the message “I think I just killed your mother.” According to police, he then shot himself.
The Los Angeles Police Department has taken the unusual step of releasing this video to ask citizens to identify some of the individuals who went on a rampage after the recent victory of the Lakers over the Celtics.
Police Officer Reportedly Blocks Couple From Entering Emergency Room And Later Charges Husband With Evading Arrest for Staying With Ailing Wife
Published 1, June 21, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 45 CommentsAline Wright probably thought that she had enough tough breaks in her life when her husband rushed her to the emergency room in Chattanooga. Aline is a cancer survivor, amputee, she was showing signs of a stroke and her new husband Jesse Wright ( a nurse technician) ran her to the emergency room. Then she ran into an officer from the Chattanooga Police Department.
High Beemer: Drunken Dallas Officer Shown on Video Firing Weapon in Police Car
Published 1, June 21, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 13 CommentsOff-duty Dallas officer Beemer, 27, is facing a misdemeanor charge of discharging a weapon after she fired a revolver in a squad car after being picked up drunk by colleagues.
Continue reading ‘High Beemer: Drunken Dallas Officer Shown on Video Firing Weapon in Police Car’
West Virginia Officer Fired For Not Removing Marine Corps Tattoo
Published 1, June 21, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 17 Comments
The firing of Christopher Piggott, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and former Parkersburg firefighter, has caused a free speech and due process controversy in West Virginia. Piggot was fired because he would not have a Marine Corps tattoo removed from his forearm.
Continue reading ‘West Virginia Officer Fired For Not Removing Marine Corps Tattoo’
As part of our public service duty here at the Turley blog, I give you examples of how not to start your grill this summer in thirty seconds or less.
Continue reading ‘How Not to Start Your Grill’
Happy Father’s Day to all on the Turley Blog (and even those on other blogs). I was awakened this morning with breakfast in bed by the four kids with grits, fried eggs, applewood bacon, and toast. We are going for a long hike in the mountains.
Continue reading ‘Happy Father’s Day’
One has to be careful when reaching for your hat in a dark closet.
Continue reading ‘Just Hanging Around’
Praying Mathis: Detroit School Board President Asks to Retract Resignation After Scandal
Published 1, June 20, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 7 Comments
We have been following the continuing scandals and criminal indictments of Detroit leaders. Now, we can add Detroit School Board President, Otis Mathis. Mathis is accused of fondling himself during meetings with Superintendent Theresa Gueyser. He apologized for his conduct, promised to seek help, and then resigned. He is now seeking to rescind his resignation.
Continue reading ‘Praying Mathis: Detroit School Board President Asks to Retract Resignation After Scandal’
Zuckerberg Faces Possible Death Sentence For Hosting “Draw Muhammad Day” On Facebook
Published 1, June 20, 2010 Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 23 Comments
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is facing a possible death sentence in Pakistan for hosting the “Draw Muhammad” day contest. Pakistani police have opened an investigation under a section of the penal code that carries the death sentence for blasphemy against the “prophet” Mohammed. Tragically, President Barack Obama can be cited by the Pakistanis as supporting such blasphemy laws — and their enforcement.
How does it feel to know that little Luiz Otavio is less than two years old and can dance you under a table?
Continue reading ‘Samba Baby’
This is Mouse, our pet of the week — nominated by Cathy M. With a ball fetish and a libertarian streak, she reigns supreme today above all animals great and small. Congratulations to Mouse and Cathy M. If you are interested in nominating a pet (any species allowed), you can find the questions here.
Continue reading ‘Bloggie Doggie: Meet Mouse, Our Pet of the Week’
Canadian Prosecutors Consider Criminal Charges Against Four Officers in Taser Death
Published 1, June 19, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 6 CommentsA special Canadian prosecutor will consider criminal charges against four officers after an investigation found that they were not justified in tasering a Polish immigrant who later died. Robert Dziekanski was tasered five times at Vancouver airport in 2007.
Continue reading ‘Canadian Prosecutors Consider Criminal Charges Against Four Officers in Taser Death’
Iranian Clerics Call For Increased Crackdown on “Badly Veiled Women”
Published 1, June 19, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 9 CommentsIranian clerics are campaigning for a continued crackdown on “badly veiled women” who are being compared to drug traffickers. Ironically, conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is being described as something of a libertine for suggesting that the government may try to emphasize a “cultural campaign” over the recent public measures taken against women who have been pulled from cars or off the street due to hair showing beneath their veils.
Continue reading ‘Iranian Clerics Call For Increased Crackdown on “Badly Veiled Women”’
From China With Love: Prosecutors Crackdown on Condom Counterfeiters
Published 1, June 19, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 8 Comments
We have seen dangerous Chinese products reach the United States ranging from children’s toys to drywall to baby food. Now, officials are warning that millions of fake Trojan condoms have made it to U.S. markets — raising the risk of exposure to disease or unwanted pregnancies.
Continue reading ‘From China With Love: Prosecutors Crackdown on Condom Counterfeiters’
Zero Tolerance, Zero Intelligence: School Bans Eight-Year-Old’s Patriotic Hat Due to Use of Tiny Soldiers
Published 1, June 18, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 32 Comments
David Morales, 8, thought that he had put together a cool hat to honor American troops when his class was asked to make special hats for a meeting with another second-grade class from another school. Officials at Tiogue School in Coventry, Rhode Island, however, quickly banned the hat. The reason? He placed a few small plastic soldiers on the rim and the tiny soldiers had tiny guns . . . and the school has a zero tolerance for guns.
Crisp Justice: Man Jailed For Blowing Bubble in Court
Published 1, June 18, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 8 Comments
Mirza Zukanovic, 20, was sent to jail in Australia this week for blowing a bubble in court. Magistrate judge Rodney Crisp wants 30 days in jail for Zukanovic to break him of his bubble habit.
Continue reading ‘Crisp Justice: Man Jailed For Blowing Bubble in Court’
BP Chief Hayward Apologizes to House While Rep. Barton Apologizes for Apologizing to Hayward
Published 1, June 18, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Environment , Politics , Society 34 Comments
Tony Hayward, the chief executive of BP, appeared in the House of Representatives to apologize again for the destruction caused by his company. In the meantime, Rep. Joe Barton , R-Arlington, apologized for apologizing earlier to Hayward.
Phobia Realized: Woman Seeking to Overcome Fear of Primates Is Attacked on “Monkey Island”
Published 1, June 18, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International 9 Comments
Dee Darwell, 56, had a lifelong fear of primates due to the British woman being raised in a house with her father’s chimpanzee pet — which she described as “positively evil.” Darwell finally decided to overcome her phobia by going to Thailand to visit “Monkey Island” — where she was promptly attacked by monkeys and repeatedly bitten.
Continue reading ‘Phobia Realized: Woman Seeking to Overcome Fear of Primates Is Attacked on “Monkey Island”’
GOP Candidate Alleges Conspiracy Between Government and BP in Causing Spill
Published 1, June 18, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Politics , Society 25 CommentsPreviously, we saw Rush Limbaugh suggest the Gulf spill was caused by sabotage by environmentalists to stop drilling offshore (and to avoid major oil spills in the future). Then, Sarah Palin joined in to argue that indeed the oil spill was the fault of environmentalists and their laws protecting the oceans. Now, the theme is being picked up by candidates. This week, GOP candidate Bill Randall alleged possible collusion between the government and BP in causing the spill. Randall is running for the 13th Congressional District seat in North Carolina.
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Police Officer Responds to False Burglary Call — Releases Dog on 10-Year-Old Boy
Published 1, June 17, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 18 Comments
There is a disturbing account in Gainesville, Florida where an officer released a police dog on a ten-year-old boy who was subsequently bitten. It turns out that a burglary call was made by a woman with mental issues and that the boy was merely riding his bike in the area.
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Southwest Airlines Employee Finds Package With Roughly 60 Human Heads
Published 1, June 17, 2010 Bizarre 10 Comments
A Southwest Airlines employee reported a rather novel and alarming package on a flight to Fort Worth — a box filled with as many as 60 human heads.
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Ashkenazi and Sephardi Unite Over Separation: Israeli Supreme Court Under Fire For School Ruling
Published 1, June 17, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 20 Comments
The Israeli Supreme Court has become embroiled in another religious controversy. Last week, the Court struck down subsidies for religious students. Now, tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews are protesting in various cities after the Court ordered the jailing of some Ashkenazi parents of European descent who refused to send their daughters to a school with girls of Middle Eastern, or Sephardi, descent. Ironically, both groups are protesting the order.
Indian Family Tortures and Kills Couple After Daughter Marries Lower Caste Man
Published 1, June 17, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 20 Comments
We have another shocking honor killing. The murder of a couple identified as Asha and Yogesh occurred outside Delhi when the family of Devi took revenge for her marrying a man from a lower caste. Even after his arrest, her uncle Omprakash Saini, proclaimed “I’m not sorry. I would punish them again if given a chance.” The bodies showed signs of torture before they were killed.
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Not Recommended By 9 Out of 10 Dentists: Boy Pulls Tooth With Rocket
Published 1, June 17, 2010 Bizarre , Society 12 CommentsThis boy was not satisfied with the door knob approach to tooth pulling and decided to modernize the concept with a rocket.
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One Husband Too Many: Colorado Woman Charged With Marrying Soldier While Husband Deployed in Iraq
Published 1, June 17, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Military 11 Comments
Authorities in Colorado Springs, Colorado have brought a relatively rare bigamy case against Tammy Ann Wilson-Patton, 29. She is the wife of Eugene Alton Patton Jr., who returned from a thirteen-month deployment in Iraq to find his wife married to another soldier at Fort Carson.
Israeli Supreme Court Strikes Down Subsidy for Yeshiva Students
Published 1, June 16, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 6 Comments
The Israeli Supreme Court handed down an important ruling this week — striking down benefits for older yeshiva students. Married yeshiva students are given support payments that supply them with a state subsidized income.
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New York Couple Arrested in Fake Kidnapping
Published 1, June 16, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 8 Comments
In New York, Stephanie Benatatos, 21, and Zifiris (John) Valsamis, 24, have been arrested in an effort to fake their own kidnapping to get money from Benatatos parents. What is striking is the ransom amount: $400.
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Video: Police Officer Punches Woman in Face After Stop Over Jaywalking
Published 1, June 16, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 39 CommentsSeattle recently addressed a controversy of police stomping on a man. Tensions have reignited in Seattle after the posting of this video showing a police officer punching a 17-year-old woman in the face after stopping people for jaywalking. Two very different views of the video have emerged. You be your own judge.
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Inclement Weather or Divine Critique: Lightning Destroys Massive Jesus Statue in Ohio
Published 1, June 16, 2010 Bizarre , Religion , Society 19 Comments
In Monroe, Ohio, the evangelical Solid Rock Church just north of Cincinnati had something of an unexpected divine intervention. The church had erected a “King of Kings” statue that towered over the surrounding area — 62 feet tall and 40 feet wide at the base. This week lightning struck the statue — destroying it and spreading the fire to the adjacent amphitheater.
Man Taunts Hells Angel Gang Members, Throws Puppy At Them, and Escapes on Stolen Bulldozer
Published 1, June 16, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 8 Comments
A German man outside of Munich has been arrested after a bizarre scene where he stormed into a clubhouse of Hell’s Angels, dropped his pants and threw a puppy at gang members. He then stole a bulldozer and tried to make an extremely slow getaway.
Do Laws Matter?
Published 1, June 15, 2010 Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Environment , International , Justice , Media , Politics , Society 117 Comments
Below is today’s column exploring the growing anger of voters and the possible linkage of controversies ranging from the bank bailouts to immigration to the BP oil spill.
The Smokeless Churchill: Musuem Displays Picture With Churchill’s Iconic Cigar Airbrushed Away into History
Published 1, June 15, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , International 9 Comments
A London Museum has triggered a controversy when it displayed an iconic picture of Sir Winston Churchill on its exterior with his equally iconic cigar airbrushed away into history. The well-known photograph shows Churchill with the cigar firmly in his clenched teeth, but the visitors to the exhibit Churchill’s Britain At War Experience are greeted with a smoke-free version. I suppose Churchill himself would take it in good humor and simply repeat his prior observation that “once in a while you will stumble upon the truth but most of us manage to pick ourselves up and hurry along as if nothing had happened.”
Nevada Woman Sentenced to Life Imprisonment For Kissing 13-Year-Old Boy and Putting His Hand on Her Breast
Published 1, June 15, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Society 21 Comments
In Nevada, the sentence of Michelle Lyn Taylor, 34, is attracting considerable debate. Taylor was convicted of lewdness with a minor under 14 after kissing a friend’s 13-year-old child, putting his hand on her breast, and offering to have sex with him. Her sentence? Life in prison.
Mountain Tragedy: Woman Killed by Lightning Shortly Before Boyfriend Was To Propose to Her
Published 1, June 15, 2010 Bizarre , Society 6 Comments
This story is absolutely horrific. In Western North Carolina, Richard Butler went with his girlfriend, Bethany Lott, 25, on a hike to the top of a mountain. His plan was to propose to her at the top. However, when they reached the top, lightning struck and killed Lott.
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Alleged Strangler to Police: “If You Were Married, You Would Understand”
Published 1, June 15, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 4 Comments
In New Port Richey, Florida, Christopher Bukowski, 39, had a curious defense for the officers after being arrested for trying to choke his wife: “If you were married, you would understand.”
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International Red Cross Denounces Israeli Blockade of Gaza As Violation of International Law
Published 1, June 14, 2010 Constitutional Law , Courts , International , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 54 Comments
The respected International Committee for the Red Cross has released a statement denouncing Israel’s blockade of Gaza as a violation of international law.
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Pressing the Flesh: Democratic Congressman Assaults College Student Outside Pelosi Fundraiser
Published 1, June 14, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society , Torts 49 Comments
The amazing videotape below shows an encounter of Rep. Etheridge (D, NC-02) with college students outside a Nancy Pelosi Fundraiser. The students are presumably conservative activists but Etheridge quickly turns physical after the students ask the congressman to confirm that he supports the Obama agenda.
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Hooters Booms: The Women of Hooters Step Forward To Clean Up Gulf Oil Spill
Published 1, June 14, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society 11 Comments
With a series of failures in the Gulf in dealing with the BP spill and complaints over the lack of action from the government, help has finally arrived by one of the most trusted groups in America: the Hooter girls. Hooters has announced that its employees will be donated their torn pantyhose to help absorb the oil — that is over 100,000 pairs pantyhose.
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Woman Shoots Herself To Take Medical Treatment For Her Shoulder
Published 1, June 14, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 12 Comments
For those who do not believe we need health reform, they might want to talk to Kathy Myers, 41. Myers had a painful shoulder injury that had gone without medical attention because she lacked insurance. She was told that she would only be treated for emergency or life-threatening injuries . . . so she shot herself in the upper arm.
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Man Chases Kite Over Rock Outcroppings and Dies After Falling into Ocean
Published 1, June 14, 2010 Bizarre , Society 7 Comments
Dennis Keith Brockus, 45, in Oregon died in an example of the danger of flying kites near cliffs or rock outcroppings. Brockus was reportedly chasing his kite when he fell off rocks and into the ocean.
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Connecticut Man Sentenced for DUI Despite Effort to Destroy Evidence By Drinking His Own Urine
Published 1, June 14, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 2 Comments
Dionysus (or Dionysos) of Greece was a God who was ready to drink most anything for a good time, particularly wine. Dionisio of Connecticut, however, may have out done him. After killing a man in a drunk driving incident, Gregory Dionisio, 22, decided to get rid of the evidence by drinking his own urine. It didn’t work. This week he was sentenced to five years in jail for killing Thomas Fleming, 50.
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I just saw these pictures on Reddit: proof that there is hope in the world for opposites to attract and natural enemies to live in harmony.
Polish Police Arrest First Suspect in the Dubai Assassination
Published 1, June 13, 2010 Criminal law , International , Society 4 Comments
Things may have gotten more serious for Israel in the ongoing controversy of the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai. Interpol is looking for the agents involved in the operation with the aid of pictures from their false travel documents. Now, one of the alleged Mossad agents involved has been arrested in Poland and is being sought for extradition to Germany.
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Hero or Felon? Police Charge River Guide For Trying To Rescue 13-Year-Old Girl
Published 1, June 13, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 21 Comments
Ryan Daniel Snodgrass, 28, would be a hero in most people’s book. However, the guide with Arkansas Valley Adventures was arrested by the Clear Creek sheriff’s office after he swam to a stranded 13-year-old rafter who fell off her boat in Colorado. Officers ordered no one to help the young rafter until a county rescue team was ready. Sheriff Don Krueger (left) is reportedly considering additional charges against another guide.
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A Kiss Before Flogging: Saudi Police Sentence Man to Jail and Flogging for Kissing Friend in Mall
Published 1, June 13, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 5 Comments
A Saudi court has sentenced a man to four months in prison and 90 lashes for kissing a woman in a mall. This is yet another example of the Sharia based legal system in the Kingdom and the continued work of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
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Sunday Times: Japanese Officials Bought Votes on International Whaling Commission With Aid and Prostitutes
Published 1, June 13, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International , Politics , Society 3 Comments
The London Sunday Times has published the results of an investigation that allegedly show that officials from six countries were involved in a scheme by Japanese officials to buy votes on the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
Bloggie Doggie: Meet Dallas, Our Pet of the Week
Published 1, June 12, 2010 Animals , Society 6 Comments
This beautiful creature is Dallas Winston, or Dally. He is the faithful companion of Tim Hanner and was named for Dallas Winston of The Outsiders. He is described by Tim as “lovable and loyal one minute and tough as nails (and a tad scary) the next.” He is described by Tim as “a showboat.” If you are interested in nominating a pet (any species allowed), you can find the questions here.
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China has apparently rescinded a visa restriction on bald Taiwanese visitors. Officials in Xiamen imposed a rule barring entry permits to bald people out of concern that they could more easily disguise themselves.
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