The House floor was the scene of some heated exchanges after Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) took the floor to address the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
Continue reading ‘YouTube Hit: Weiner Confronts GOP on Health Care’
Archive for July, 2010
YouTube Hit: Weiner Confronts GOP on Health Care
Published 1, July 31, 2010 Bizarre , Congress 147 CommentsShifting the Burden: Man Who Was Found Bouncing Naked and Masturbating on Trampoline Given No Jail Time
Published 1, July 31, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 17 Comments
For our criminal defense attorneys, most of us would like to secure a deal like the one given to James Burden, 55, in Falkirk, England. Burden was found bouncing naked on a woman’s trampoline while masturbating. He then got down and walked naked toward the terrified woman. Giving him only probation, the Court warned Burden that the “[b]reach the probation in any way and you may be removed from the community.” It appears that bouncing naked on trampolines while masturbating is not enough to remove you from the community.
Free Cable and Cud: Couple Finds Goat in Hotel Room
Published 1, July 31, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , Torts 7 Comments
A couple of guests at the FairBridge Inn & Suites returned to their hotel room to find everything in order except one small detail: the live goat.
Continue reading ‘Free Cable and Cud: Couple Finds Goat in Hotel Room’
Misery Loves Company: Rangel Accuses Other Members of Same Conduct Alleged in Case
Published 1, July 31, 2010 Congress , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 20 Comments
Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) is going for the nuclear option on his defense: publicly accusing his colleagues of the very same conduct that is the basis for his own ethics charges. He is basically grabbing on to other members like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and saying “If I go over, you are going with me.”
Mississippi Courts Confronted with Array of High-Profile Alienation of Affection Lawsuits
Published 1, July 30, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 16 Comments
We have previously followed alienation of affection lawsuit — difficult tort actions that are not recognized in most states. Mississippi appears to be cornering the market on such lawsuits this month with lawsuits involving two political different prominent individuals, including Democratic Party chairman Jamie Franks. The state Supreme Court has also released an interesting opinion on whether a law firm can be a defendant in an alienation lawsuit.
Continue reading ‘Mississippi Courts Confronted with Array of High-Profile Alienation of Affection Lawsuits’
Report: Powerful Catholic Priest Fathered and Abused Children
Published 1, July 30, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion 26 Comments
Jason Berry has an amazing account of how a powerful Catholic priest, Father Marcial Maciel, was allowed to not just sexually abuse young seminarians but both father and abuse his own children. These allegations surfaced in a Connecticut lawsuit. Maciel died in 2008.
Continue reading ‘Report: Powerful Catholic Priest Fathered and Abused Children’
Mom Arrested Smuggling Drugs to Son in Prison
Published 1, July 30, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 13 Comments
We just saw how a mother bear came to the rescue of her captured cub on video. Loretta Cottey, 53, presents a distinctly human variation of that story after Ohio police arrested her for allegedly attempting to bring drugs to her son in the Warren Correctional Institute.
Continue reading ‘Mom Arrested Smuggling Drugs to Son in Prison’
“Jewish Money” List: Rep. McMahon Criticized For Releasing List of Opponent’s Jewish Contributors
Published 1, July 30, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Society 13 Comments
There is a bizarre dispute brewing in New York where Rep. Mike McMahon is being criticized for his publication of a list of his opponent Mike Grimm’s Jewish contributors.
“All I Asked You Was To Watch The Cub . . . “
Published 1, July 29, 2010 Animals , Bizarre 11 CommentsThis video is going viral of a mother bear saving her cub from a net. This is solely offered as a cute distraction from our more troubling posts today.
Continue reading ‘“All I Asked You Was To Watch The Cub . . . “’
Rape Charges Dropped After IPhone Allegedly Yields “Deleted” Messages Showing Consensual Relations
Published 1, July 29, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 5 Comments
While England has backed away from extending anonymity to rape defendants (as with rape victims), Australia has a new false rape case involving two anonymous parties. Notably, however, the woman is not being charged with a false report despite the allegation that she may have tried to destroy evidence that the sex was consensual. The evidence was reportedly found among an IPhone’s deleted messages.
Continue reading ‘Rape Charges Dropped After IPhone Allegedly Yields “Deleted” Messages Showing Consensual Relations’
Sherrod To Sue Breitbart
Published 1, July 29, 2010 Constitutional Law , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society , Torts 227 Comments
Earlier we discussed the grounds for former Agriculture Department employee Shirley Sherrod to sue Andrew Breitbart and other individuals involved in the posting of a misleading video that led to her resignation. She has now announced her intention to sue.
Apocalyptic Politics Debuts on Fox
Published 1, July 29, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 49 CommentsIn this clip, former Governor and Fox News anchor Mike Huckabee has a matter-of-fact conversation with Moral Majority co-founder Tim LaHaye on whether “we are living in the end times.” LaHaye explains that Obama is pushing us “closer to the apocalypse”
Utah Supreme Court Overturns Jeffs Conviction
Published 1, July 29, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Religion 23 Comments
The Utah Supreme Court has unanimously overturned the conviction of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs. The Court ruled that the trial court erred in its instructions to the jury and specifically the instruction regarding lack of consent. Jeffs was sentenced to two consecutive terms of five years to life (a rather bizarre range for a determinate sentence).
Continue reading ‘Utah Supreme Court Overturns Jeffs Conviction’
D.C. Judge Hits NLJ With Prior Restraint Order
Published 1, July 28, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Lawyering , Media 38 Comments
There is a major first amendment case brewing in Washington, D.C. The National Law Journal was hit with a temporary restraining order from D.C. Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff preventing it from publishing facts that its journalists found in publicly available documents. The court blocked the NLJ from revealing the name of a government agency investigating POM Wonderful, a pomegranate juice maker. After signing what appears to be an unconstitutional order, Bartnoff is quoted as saying “If I am throwing 80 years of First Amendment jurisprudence on its head, so be it.”
Continue reading ‘D.C. Judge Hits NLJ With Prior Restraint Order’
Tennessee Lt. Governor Questions Whether Muslims Are Protected Under Religious Clauses
Published 1, July 28, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 73 Comments
Tennessee Lt. Gov. (and Republican gubernatorial candidate) Ron Ramsey has added an alarming new position to the race. He has stated that he is not convinced the Constitution protects Muslims under the guarantee of freedom of religion.
No Schill For Mantooth: Daughter Runs Campaign Against Father’s Run for Judgeship
Published 1, July 28, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 6 Comments
Oklahoma judicial candidate John Mantooth may defeat his opponents but not before he defeats the campaign launched by his daughter Jan Schill and his son-in-law against him.
Continue reading ‘No Schill For Mantooth: Daughter Runs Campaign Against Father’s Run for Judgeship’
Preacher Seeks To Exorcise Demon From High School Teams
Published 1, July 28, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 15 Comments
Pastor Donald Crosby of Warner Robins, Georgia is fighting to get the Devil out . . . of his son’s high school. The Warner Robins High School has a Demon mascot and Crosby is leading the fight to exorcise the Demon from the school’s sporting events.
Continue reading ‘Preacher Seeks To Exorcise Demon From High School Teams’
Ahmadinejad v. The Octopus
Published 1, July 28, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 20 Comments
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has taken on another evil world figure . . . Paul the Octopus. That’s right, Ahmadinejad is incensed by Paul after he again picked the winner of the World Cup.
Priest Accused of Drowning Baby During Baptism
Published 1, July 27, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 5 Comments
This criminal case in Moldova may be unique. Father Valentin is accused of accidental homicide after he allegedly drowned a baby during a baptism. The video is below ( pictured on left shows standard Orthodox baptism).
Continue reading ‘Priest Accused of Drowning Baby During Baptism’
Blagojevich’s Lawyer Vows to Go To Jail Over Closing Argument
Published 1, July 27, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics 30 Comments
Sam Adam Jr. is under a threat of jail from Judge James B. Zagel in the trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Zagel has ruled that Adam cannot refer to witnesses whom the government conspicuously did not call to trial — even though prosecutors referred to non-appearing witnesses. Adam said he was prepared to go to jail over the issue.
Continue reading ‘Blagojevich’s Lawyer Vows to Go To Jail Over Closing Argument’
Police Taser Autistic Teen and Then, After Family Complains, Return and Arrest Teen
Published 1, July 27, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 17 Comments
The Hawthorne City Council is considering a $300,000 settlement in a case were its police tasered an autistic teenager and then, after the family filed a complaint with the department, returned a week later and arrested the teenager.
Night Shift: Prisoners Given Guards’ Guns and Cars To Work As Hitmen During Nights
Published 1, July 27, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 10 Comments
There is an amazing story out of Northern Mexico where jailers not only allow prisoners out at night to work as hitmen, but allegedly gave them their own service weapons and vehicles to do the night work.
Continue reading ‘Night Shift: Prisoners Given Guards’ Guns and Cars To Work As Hitmen During Nights’
American Taliban: Church Announces “International Burn a Koran Day”
Published 1, July 27, 2010 Bizarre , Religion , Society 50 Comments
The Dove World Outreach Center, based in Gainesville, Fla. is observing the anniversary of the September 11th attacks this year in the most offensive and irreligious way possible — Terry Jones and his flock will burn a Qur’an (Koran). Jones is the author of “Islam is of the Devil.”
Continue reading ‘American Taliban: Church Announces “International Burn a Koran Day”’
Kepler Mission Reveals As Many As 140 Possible Earth-Like Planets
Published 1, July 26, 2010 Academics , Environment , Science 146 Comments
The recently activated Kepler Mission is already paying off great dividends. The deep space observatory has reportedly found up to 140 planets that may be habitable, Earth-like bodies. This is just after six weeks on the job.
Continue reading ‘Kepler Mission Reveals As Many As 140 Possible Earth-Like Planets’
England Backs Down From Extending Anonymity To Rape Defendants
Published 1, July 26, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Justice 6 Comments
In a reversal under pressure, the English Justice Ministry has decided that it will not treat both the accused and the accusing parties in rape cases equally. The Ministry had indicated that it would grant anonymity to those accused of rape just as the alleged victims are given anonymity. Under pressure from both the Labour Party and female MPs, the Ministry has backed down.
Continue reading ‘England Backs Down From Extending Anonymity To Rape Defendants’
Swiss Court Rules Naked Hiking Is Lawful
Published 1, July 26, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International 9 Comments
Sometimes it is better for justice to be blind. A Swiss court has lifted a fine against a hiker who insisted on encountering nature Au Naturale. The ruling of the court in Appenzell in Northern Switzerland is being hailed as a victory for human rights — and fueled calls for nudist trails (on the model of nudist beaches). The defendant used the pseudonym Puistola Grottenpoesch (one could come up with some better options in English like Bare Necessities or Trail Mix).
Police Arrest Alleged “A.L.F. Lone Wolf”
Published 1, July 26, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 21 Comments
Walter Edmund Bond, 34, is so committed to being a vegan that he tattooed the word across his neck. It was a useful identifying feature when officers arrested him for allegedly burning down a sheepskin factory in Colorado. However, it gets even more bizarre.
Continue reading ‘Police Arrest Alleged “A.L.F. Lone Wolf”’
Tired of having those guys with dirty rags and squeegees clean your windshield at stoplights and then demand money. This may be the answer.
Chinese Officials Apologize For Mistaking Senior Leader’s Wife for an Average Citizen — And Beating Her
Published 1, July 25, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 8 Comments
Chinese officials are very upset at a terrible mistake made by police officers. The officers beat a woman outside of a government office. Nothing strange there. Officers routinely beat Chinese citizens who try to present petitions for relief to the government as a deterrent. It turns out, however, that this was Chen Yulian, the wife of a provincial law enforcement officer. She had come to go out to lunch with her husband. The local Communist Party Chief appeared aghast — not with beating citizens of course but that an elite party member was given the same treatment: “Our police officers never realized that they beat the wife of a senior leader.”
Report: Alarms Were Disabled Before BP Explosion to Allow Workers To Sleep
Published 1, July 25, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Society , Torts 12 Comments
A new report suggests that warning systems on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig were turned off at the time before the explosion because alarms were keeping workers awake.
Continue reading ‘Report: Alarms Were Disabled Before BP Explosion to Allow Workers To Sleep’
Belt-Tightening: German Legislator Calls For Taxing the Obese
Published 1, July 25, 2010 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 35 Comments
A conservative German legislator, Marco Wanderwitz, has called for a formal tax on citizens determined to be obese. Wanderwitz insists that obese people are imposing public costs that are unreasonable — akin to polluting industries.
Continue reading ‘Belt-Tightening: German Legislator Calls For Taxing the Obese’
Meet Robert Rizzo, the 13 Million Dollar Man
Published 1, July 25, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 21 Comments
Meet Robert Rizzo, California’s $13 million man. Yesterday, we discussed how, while Rizzo and two of his colleagues have resigned from their positions with the small town of Bell (where Rizzo was pulling in a salary of roughly $800,000 a year), they will still be able to collect millions in pension. In Rizzo’s case, his $650,000 annual pension could yield $13 million in twenty years.
Continue reading ‘Meet Robert Rizzo, the 13 Million Dollar Man’
For Whom The Bell Tolls: City Manager Could Receive $13 Million in Pension Funds
Published 1, July 24, 2010 Bizarre , Politics 39 Comments
Three administrators in Bell, California have resigned after the national outcry over their inflated salaries. Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo was found to be making $787,637 a year — roughly twice the salary of President Obama — to oversee a city of less than 40,000 people. Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia and Police Chief Randy Adams also resigned. However, it now appears that Rizzo is entitled to $650,000 a year in pension. It is not clear why the mayor and other officials have not joined the ranks of the recently resigned.
Continue reading ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls: City Manager Could Receive $13 Million in Pension Funds’
Two Inmates Escape Prison as Dummy Guards Look On
Published 1, July 24, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 5 Comments
Two prisoners in Argentina, Walter Pozo and Cesar Andres, made a less than impressive escape from a prison after they discovered that the towers were guarded by dummies with footballs for heads. Budget cut backs led the prison to replace guards in 13 out of 15 towers with the dummies, who they named “Wilson” after the movie “Cast Away.”
Continue reading ‘Two Inmates Escape Prison as Dummy Guards Look On’
IFelon: Thief Tracked Down and Arrested After Snatching IPhone During GPS Demonstration
Published 1, July 24, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 7 CommentsHoratio Toure, 31, picked the wrong time and place to engage in some felonious conduct. Toure saw a woman using an IPhone and snatched it out of her hand while peddling away on his bike. The problem is that the woman was demonstrating the new GPS feature on the phone and promptly helped the police track down Toure.
Continue reading ‘IFelon: Thief Tracked Down and Arrested After Snatching IPhone During GPS Demonstration’
Possessed By a Genie: Saudi Man Chained to Bed For Six Years
Published 1, July 24, 2010 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 14 Comments
A Saudi father has chained his 29-year-old son to his bed for more than six years because he is possessed by a female genie. Many of us went through the same period of possession after exposure to “I Dream of Jeannie” during our critical adolescent years.
Continue reading ‘Possessed By a Genie: Saudi Man Chained to Bed For Six Years’
Rangel To Stand Trial On Ethics Violations
Published 1, July 23, 2010 Congress , Politics , Society 44 CommentsFormer Ways and Means Chairman, Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D., NY) will be tried on serious charges of ethics violations after he rejected the findings of the Ethics Committee, including the alleged failure to declare up to $831,000 in assets and use of his office to raise money for a center named after himself.
Continue reading ‘Rangel To Stand Trial On Ethics Violations’
“I Wanna Be Your Man”: Beatles Impersonators Sue Beatles Impersonators For Their Impersonation of Beatles
Published 1, July 23, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 19 Comments
This may be the most quintessential Vegas lawsuit. The Fab Four out of Nevada has been impersonating the Beatles in musical tributes. They are now effectively suing the Fab 4 of Colorado for impersonating them impersonating the Beatles. The Nevada Fab Four insist that the Colorado Fab 4 look too much and sound too much like them — in looking and sounding like the Beatles. Got it?
Continue reading ‘“I Wanna Be Your Man”: Beatles Impersonators Sue Beatles Impersonators For Their Impersonation of Beatles’
Vatican Rocked By New Scandal Involving Partying Priests
Published 1, July 23, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society , Torts 23 Comments
There is a new scandal involving Catholic priests this week after the Italian magazine showed priests partying at gay bars and having casual sex.
Continue reading ‘Vatican Rocked By New Scandal Involving Partying Priests’
Qantas Screaming Child Lawsuit Reportedly Settles
Published 1, July 23, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 17 Comments
There is an interesting torts lawsuit involving Qantas Airline. American tourist Jean Barnard has sued after she was seated next to a screaming three-year-old boy who proceeded to scream so loud that she said blood ran from her ear and she became deaf. The parties announced that they may have reached a settlement this week.
Continue reading ‘Qantas Screaming Child Lawsuit Reportedly Settles’
Please Go In New York: Newark Stops Ordering Toilet Paper
Published 1, July 23, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 17 Comments
We previously saw how New Jersey was shutting down bathrooms on its non-toll roads. Now, if you were holding it for Newark, think again. Mayor Cory Booker has ordered city officials to stop buying toilet paper as well as other cuts. That message is “go in New York.”
Continue reading ‘Please Go In New York: Newark Stops Ordering Toilet Paper’
Federal Court Dismisses Prosecution Under Stolen Valor Act
Published 1, July 22, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Military , Politics , Society 10 Comments
I have previously written about my view that the Stolen Valor Act is unconstitutional. Now a federal judge (a bit more important) has reached the same conclusion in the case of Rick Glen Strandlof.
Continue reading ‘Federal Court Dismisses Prosecution Under Stolen Valor Act’
Officer Resigns After Visit To “Bridget the Midget”
Published 1, July 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 8 Comments
Stoughton (Mass.) police officer Richard P. Bennett, 28, got into big trouble after he decided he had to see “The World’s Smallest Porn Star” while on duty. Bennett stopped by Alex’s Gentleman’s Club to watch “Bridget the Midget” Powers, a 3-feet nine-inch tall stripper/porn star. He has now resigned from the force.
Continue reading ‘Officer Resigns After Visit To “Bridget the Midget”’
Transient Man Arrested After Re-Opening Bar and Selling Drinks
Published 1, July 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 38 Comments
A California man has been arrested for a fairly unique crime; breaking into a closed bar, re-opening it, and serving drinks for days. Travis Kevie, 29, is a transient in Auburn, California who spotted the shuttered Valancia Club and decided to go into the bar business. The thing that proved his undoing was the media.
Continue reading ‘Transient Man Arrested After Re-Opening Bar and Selling Drinks’
Air France Flight Attendant Confesses To Robbing Passengers
Published 1, July 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 5 Comments
A Flight attendant appears to have taken a unique approach to “Making the sky the best place on Earth” (“Faire du ciel le plus bel endroit de la terre”). The 47-year-old flight attendant identified only as Lucie R. is accused of waiting for people to go to sleep in business class between France and the Far East and then robbing them of thousands of euros in cash, cards and jewelry.
Continue reading ‘Air France Flight Attendant Confesses To Robbing Passengers’
When Amish Kids Go Bad
Published 1, July 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 11 Comments
In Leon, New York, Levi Detweiler, 17, allegedly took police on a chase leading to a crash and arrest. Just another joy-riding crazy teen? Not exactly, the vehicle was a horse and buggy and Detweiler is an Amish boy who was fleeing the cops for an unknown reason in a very slow getaway.
Continue reading ‘When Amish Kids Go Bad’
German Court Rejects Defamation Case After Finding Teacher To Be Rabbit-Phobic
Published 1, July 21, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , International , Society , Torts 7 Comments
A German court has issued a notable ruling in the case of the Rabbit-phobic teacher. The court rejected a defamation case by a teacher against a 16-year-old student who spread rumors that the teacher was terrified of rabbits. The court concluded that teacher was in fact rabbit-phobic.
Continue reading ‘German Court Rejects Defamation Case After Finding Teacher To Be Rabbit-Phobic’
Police Officer Shoots Man in Groin with 50,000 Volt Taser
Published 1, July 21, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 12 Comments
Peter Cox, 49, is seeking possible legal action after an officer shot him in the groin with a 50,000 volt taser. The officer from the police department in Bridgwater, Somerset insists that it was an accidental discharge.
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Can Sherrod Sue Over Edited NAACP Tape?
Published 1, July 21, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Politics 839 CommentsThe controversy continues over a video of Georgia director of Rural Development Shirley Sherrod at the NAACP. Sherrod, and many supporters, have objected that the tape from the NAACP event was clearly edited to cut off her comments to mislead the viewers. Andrew Breitbart released the video but insists that he did not edit it. The question is whether Sherrod can sue over the video. Most criticism is focusing on Andrew Breitbart who released the video on his media sites. Raw Story released the full video without the editing. In response, Breitbart told Fox News “this is not about Shirley and Andrew.” He appears half right given the growing condemnations directed at him.
Continue reading ‘Can Sherrod Sue Over Edited NAACP Tape?’
Israeli Arab Man Convicted of Rape For Assuring Lover He is Jewish
Published 1, July 21, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion 49 Comments
There is a disturbing case out of Israel where an Israeli man of Arab origin has been convicted of rape after having consensual sex with a woman after he allegedly told her he was Jewish and looking for a lasting relationship. Sabbar Kashur, 30, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by a Jerusalem court.
Continue reading ‘Israeli Arab Man Convicted of Rape For Assuring Lover He is Jewish’
For Whom the Bell Tolls: Outrage After Small Town Discovers City Manager Makes Almost $800,000 a Year
Published 1, July 21, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 39 CommentsThere is an amazing story out of Bell, California where citizens in the small city of 38,000 are outraged at news that Chief Administrative Office Robert Rizzo makes almost $800,000 a year and its police chief Randy Adams makes $457,000. As a point of comparison, Los Angeles (with a population of 3.8 million people) pays its police chief roughly half what Bell pays its Chief of Police. There have been calls for the resignation of Mayor Oscar Hernandez and other city officials.
Continue reading ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls: Outrage After Small Town Discovers City Manager Makes Almost $800,000 a Year’
GOP Trust Airs Anti-Muslim Ad in Opposing New Manhattan Mosque
Published 1, July 20, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 31 CommentsA group called the National Republican Trust Pac is airing this disturbing ad to fight the construction of a mosque near ground zero in Manhattan.
Continue reading ‘GOP Trust Airs Anti-Muslim Ad in Opposing New Manhattan Mosque’
Georgia Agricultural Official Resigns After Controversial Speech at NAACP Conference
Published 1, July 20, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 75 CommentsConservative bloggers are expressing outrage over comments at the recent NAACP conference made by Georgia director of Rural Development Shirley Sherrod. After watching the video, I think they have good reason to be outraged. While Sherrod has claimed that the remarks were “misconstrued.” While Media Matters has raised valid concerns over the fairness of the view as edited, the comments still contain racist elements. She has now resigned.
Continue reading ‘Georgia Agricultural Official Resigns After Controversial Speech at NAACP Conference’
United Reportedly Dumped Passengers From Flight Based on How Much They Paid for Tickets
Published 1, July 20, 2010 Bizarre , Society 17 Comments
The Consumerist has an interesting story this week reporting that United Airlines allegedly over-sold a flight and then dumped passengers based on how much (or little) they paid for their tickets.
BP Accused of Lobbying For Release of Lockerbie Bomber To Secure Oil Rights
Published 1, July 20, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International , Politics , Society 9 Comments
Just when you thought British Petroleum (BP) could not get more unpopular. As tests indicate a leak and massive readings of methane release at the Gulf spill site, reports have indicated that it was BP that lobbied for the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi in order to secure a lucrative oil deal from Libya. BP it appears (as its slogan says) “to make the day a little better” for al-Megrahi and a lot better for BP investors.
Continue reading ‘BP Accused of Lobbying For Release of Lockerbie Bomber To Secure Oil Rights’
Now Everyone Shift To Your Right: Millions of Muslim Indonesians Discover That They Have Been Praying Toward Africa
Published 1, July 20, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Science 10 Comments
Millions of Muslims in Indonesia have been praying to Africa, but not by choice. The Indonesian Ulema Council had Muslims praying West to what they thought was the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It turns out that Mecca is Northwest.
Continue reading ‘Now Everyone Shift To Your Right: Millions of Muslim Indonesians Discover That They Have Been Praying Toward Africa’
Monkeys on a Plane: Mexican Man Arrested With Titis On His Body
Published 1, July 20, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society 12 Comments
Roberto Sol Cabrera was not simply “glad to see” customs officials at the Mexico City International Airport. Upon being searched, suspicious officials found 18 monkeys around his waist.
Continue reading ‘Monkeys on a Plane: Mexican Man Arrested With Titis On His Body’
Health Care: Turns Out To Be A Tax After All
Published 1, July 19, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Justice , Media , Politics , Society 179 CommentsIf you recall, one of the most steadfast public positions of the Democrats and the Obama White House during the health care debate was that the legislation did not constitute a tax. President Barach Obama expressly denied that the legislation was a tax in pushing for its approval. Now, however, his administration is seeking to defend the law on the basis that it is . . . you guessed it . . . a tax.
Continue reading ‘Health Care: Turns Out To Be A Tax After All’
Scotland’s Crime of “Outraging Public Decency”
Published 1, July 19, 2010 Criminal law , International , Politics 15 Comments
Scotland reportedly is about criminalize sending anyone an “indecent communication” without their consent. It is one of the new crimes covered by a law against “Outraging Public Decency.”
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It may be hard to believe but this man — Jesse Thornhill, 28 — had trouble with his landlord. Thornhill was arrested after allegedly trying to run over his landlord.
Continue reading ‘Scariest Mug Shot Ever’
Chateau Jiahu: It’s Not Just New, It’s Neolithic!
Published 1, July 19, 2010 Bizarre , Science 16 Comments
First there was the discovery of the oldest drinkable champagne in the World. Now, Dogfish Head brewery has released the oldest beer in the world made from ingredients found in a Neolithic burial site in China — beer with an original expiration date of around 7,000 BC. It is now the basis of Chateau Jiahu. They may want to steal the slogan from Abbott Beer: Some Things Get Better Given Longer.
Continue reading ‘Chateau Jiahu: It’s Not Just New, It’s Neolithic!’
New York hotels and stores continue to experience an outbreak of bed bugs. The most recent is Victoria’s Secret, which was forced to close for a de-bugging.
Continue reading ‘Victoria’s Secret? Bed Bugs’
It is a well-known fact that dogs and cars are quite competitive in holding Marty Feldman look-a-like contests These are two of the ranking contenders.
Hooked on Hookahs: Hamas Bans Women From Smoking Water Pipes
Published 1, July 18, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 34 Comments
In Gaza, police are cracking down on the latest public scourge: women smoking water pipes (or shisha or hookahs). Citizens were handed an announcement that the Hamas government was now banning women from smoking water pipes because it leads to divorces.
Continue reading ‘Hooked on Hookahs: Hamas Bans Women From Smoking Water Pipes’
Man Arrested After Claiming To Have Had Sex With “Christie Brinkley”
Published 1, July 18, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 7 Comments
A Florida man has been arrested in a bizarre crime. Armand M. Pacher, 64, a former insurance executive, is accused of sex with his Great Dane that he named Christie Brinkley. He was nabbed after allegedly complaining to a veterinarian’s office that the passion appears to have left his love life with Christie.
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Palin Aide Criticizes Romney Aide for Attacking Palin Anonymously — But Insists on Anonymity
Published 1, July 18, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 27 Comments
The irony of this Politico story is hard to miss. Politico is reporting on a dust up between the Palin and Romney camps after an aide for Mitt Romney stated anonymously that Sarah Palin is “not a serious human being.” A Palin aide immediately charged forward to denounce aides speaking anonymously to criticize his boss — the aide of course insisted on anonymity.
Montreal Bans Pamela Anderson’s Body Parts
Published 1, July 18, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 20 Comments
In a surprising move, Montreal officials have barred this campaign using Pamela Anderson’s picture marked up like a butcher shop diagram display. The city has denied permits for the display with the caption "All animals have the same parts. Have a heart — Go vegetarian."
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Aged and Chilled: Divers Find Oldest Known Champagne at Botten of the Baltic
Published 1, July 17, 2010 Bizarre , Society 20 Comments
Divers have found a cache of the oldest known champagne from the 18th century — believed to be Veuve Clicquot champagne from between 1772 and 1785.
Continue reading ‘Aged and Chilled: Divers Find Oldest Known Champagne at Botten of the Baltic’
Rep. Towns Introduces Resolution Condemning Arrest of Citizens Filming Police Officers
Published 1, July 17, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 10 Comments
We have been following cases of citizens arrested for videotaping police officers — often during abusive arrests. Now, Rep. Edolphus Towns (D. N.Y.) has introduced a resolution to denouncing the arrests. While it is refreshing to see at least one member who is motivated to take action in the face of these abusive arrests, the resolution will have no binding impact on these departments.
Continue reading ‘Rep. Towns Introduces Resolution Condemning Arrest of Citizens Filming Police Officers’
Canadian Judge Releases Mother Who Strangled Daughter With Scarf
Published 1, July 17, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 4 Comments
There is a controversial ruling in Calgary, Canada where Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Sal LoVecchio has released a mother who strangled her daughter Aminat, 14, (shown left) with a scarf despite the fact that he rejected her self-defense claim. Aset Magomadova will not spend a day in jail for the crime.
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Teacher in Norfolk Resigns After Complaints Over Her Rubbing Holy Oil on Students
Published 1, July 17, 2010 Bizarre , Religion , Society 27 Comments
A Norfolk teacher has resigned after it was confirmed that she was rubbing “holy oil” on students and their desks during school at Jacox Elementary School.
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Erin Andrews Sues Marriott and Radisson Hotels Over Peeping Tom Videos
Published 1, July 16, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 21 Comments
ESPN star Erin Andrews has filed an interesting torts lawsuit against various hotel chains after a man was able to videotape her in her hotel room. Michael David Barrett was sentenced to 30 months after pleading guilty in a harassment case in federal court in Los Angeles. Now Andrews is claiming negligence against these hotels for their lack of privacy and security.
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Partner Accused of Sexual Harassment Sues Accusing Associate Lawyers
Published 1, July 16, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society , Torts 10 Comments
A leading partner at a Toronto law firm has filed a $2.3 million lawsuit against former associates Adrian Jakibchuk, a fourth-year lawyer, and Sarah Diebel, a second-year lawyer, after they accused him of sexual harassment. The firm, Mathews, Dinsdale & Clarke, advises companies on sexual harassment claims and David Cowling, the partner, has sued two junior lawyers, who have left the firm, for defamation and intentional interference with economic relations.
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Four-Year-Old Boy Dies During Exorcism
Published 1, July 16, 2010 Bizarre , International , Religion , Society 31 Comments
The Russian media is reporting that Dmitry Kazachuk, 4, died during an exorcism in the Primorye region. Doctors believe the boy had pneumonia. No one by the shaman was present with the boy when he stopped breathing.
Ultra-Orthodox Rabbis May Soon Be Given Control Over Defining Who Is Jewish in Israel
Published 1, July 16, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Media , Religion , Society 38 Comments
Alana Newhouse has an interesting op-ed in the New York Times about a move in the Israeli Knesset that would give the Orthodox rabbinate control of all conversions in Israel. The authority (extending to matters of all Jewish births, marriages and deaths) would allow ultra-Orthodox (or Haredi rabbis) to define who is Jewish under standards that could exclude a significant portion of the population.
North Carolina Man Arrested After Beating His Girlfriend in Hospital Room While She Was Delivering Their Baby
Published 1, July 16, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 14 Comments
Marquevious Jabar Bell, 20, appears to have flunked out of Lamaze classes. Instead of soothing sounds and helpful counting of breaths, The North Carolina man beat his girlfriend while she was delivering their child in the hospital room.
Connecticut Police Shoot Family Dog in Controversial Arrest
Published 1, July 15, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 5 Comments
A family in Connecticut is alleging that police shot their dog for no reason in front of their children during a misdemeanor arrest. Police came to the house of Michael Dadio, Sr. to arrest him. He was mowing the lawn and his girlfriend’s kids were playing in the back yard when they tasered Dadio and shot the dog.
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Philadelphia Officers Arrested in Drug Conspiracy
Published 1, July 15, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 44 Comments
Three Philadelphia police officers have been arrested in an ambitious alleged conspiracy to steal 300 grams of heroin from an alleged drug supplier and then sell the drugs to another drug dealer. The problem is that the second dealer was a DEA agent as was the money launderer. Arrested are officers Robert Snyder, 30 (shown left); Mark Williams, 27; and James Venziale, 32.
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Nadler Denounces Obama’s Failure to Prosecute Bush Officials For Torture
Published 1, July 14, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Military , Politics , Society 162 Comments
In an interview with Raw Story, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) denounced President Barack Obama for blocking any investigation or prosecution of torture under the Bush Administration as inviting ‘tyranny.”
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Human Rights Commission To Remove Language Referring to New Zealand as Secular State Under Pressure From the Catholic Church
Published 1, July 14, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 15 Comments
In an astonishing concession under pressure from the Catholic Church, the New Zealand Human Rights Commission has agreed to remove language from a draft report that simply stated that New Zealand is a secular state and that religion was only for the “private sphere.”
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Another Chinese product has been recalled due to harmful contaminants. Children’s jewelry sold to pre-teen girls in stores like Justice and Limited Too have been found to have high levels of cadmium.
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France Parliament Votes to Ban the Burqa
Published 1, July 14, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 80 Comments
The French Parliament has voted to become the second country (Belgium) to ban full burqas. The lawmakers voted to make it illegal for women to wear a full burqas or nijab in public. It is a direct assault on religious freedom from a nation that helped define the basic rights of all humans.
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Scientology Targets CNN’s Anderson for Coverage on Church
Published 1, July 14, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 10 Comments
The Church of Scientology has launched a campaign against Anderson Cooper for his coverage of controversies surrounding the church. The church has released a glossy magazine on Cooper entitled “History of Lies.”
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Oakland Police Announce They Will Not Respond To Burglary, Grand Theft, and Other Crimes
Published 1, July 13, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics 274 Comments
Oakland’s police chief Anthony Batts has announced that Oakland Police will not responded to 44 different crimes if planned layoffs occur at midnight. It was useful for Batts to announce the categories in advance for criminals to chose from a criminal dim sum list of free crimes including grand theft, burglary, vehicle collision, identity theft and vandalism.
Bubble Bust: Toronto Officer Claims Assault When Bubble Touches Him
Published 1, July 13, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 147 CommentsWe have seen police charge everything from flatulence to a hug to a pillow attack as assault. However, this Toronto officer tells a young woman that if one of her bubbles touches his uniform, he will arrest her for assault. She is later shown being arrested.
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Former Bikini Model Loses Tort Claim Over Use of Photo in Movie
Published 1, July 13, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts , Uncategorized 7 Comments
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge O. Peter Sherwood has put an end to an interesting tort lawsuit over the use of a picture in the movie “Couples Retreat.” Former bikini model Irina Krupnik was disgusted when the movie showed actor Jon Favreau’s character masturbating to her picture and claimed that such use went beyond what was agreed to in a contract. She demanded $10 million but, according to Judge Sherwood, she will receive nothing.
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Muslim Attack Hindu Families After Boy Drinks Water In Front of Pakistani Mosque
Published 1, July 13, 2010 Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion 16 Comments
Islamabad, Pakistan is dealing with murder that seems the Middle East version of the water fountain scene in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.. Muslims attacked Hindus and forced dozens to flee their homes in Sindh province after a young Hindu boy committed the offense of drinking water from a cooler outside of a mosque.
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Report: King Arthur’s Round Table Discovered
Published 1, July 12, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society 23 Comments
Researchers have announced that they believe that they found the location of the famed round table of King Arthur. They believe it was not in a castle and not actually a table but a Roman-built structure designed to house up to 1000 knights. It was, however, round.
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Swiss Refuse To Extradite Roman Polanski
Published 1, July 12, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 40 Comments
In a surprising rebuke to the United States, the Swiss have decided to block the extradition of filmmaker Roman Polanski on the curious grounds “that it was not possible to exclude with the necessary certainty a fault in the US extraditionary request.” Putting aside that the reason is incomprehensible, the decision appears to affirm that there are two different systems of justice for celebrities and non-celebrities.
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English Schools To Stop Swimming Practices for Muslim Students to Avoid Swallowing Water During Ramadan
Published 1, July 12, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 6 Comments
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has issued directives to school officials to accommodate Muslim students during Ramadan, including canceling swimming lessons, tests, and sex ed classes.
Scientists Accuse Obama Administration of Continuing Political Manipulation of Science
Published 1, July 12, 2010 Politics , Science , Society 65 Comments
Scientists have gone public with allegations that the Obama Administration has continued the practice of the Bush administration in blocking scientists and ignoring scientific conclusions for political reasons.
Bangladesh Police Accused of Murder of Man Who Could Not Pay Bribe
Published 1, July 12, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 3 Comments
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has released a disturbing account in its monitoring of abuses by police in that country. The AHRC alleges that Babul Kazi, a mechanic, was tortured to death after he was unable to pay bribes to the police. Babul was arrested with the two men who worked for him in his auto-ricksaw. Kazi was later brought to the hospital dead and showing signs of torture.
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Since I am in Vancouver for a speech, I had to select this picture for our Sunday animal pic.
Pentagon Questionnaire on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Called Homophobic
Published 1, July 11, 2010 Bizarre , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 22 Comments
The Pentagon has sent out a questionnaire for troops, including questions on how they feel about the lifting of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ban. The questions have been challenged as homophobic and designed to enrage the troops. The military insists that it is merely trying to gather data on the views of the troops and was not trying to trigger a backlash.
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Zombies! Witnesses Describe Car Filled With Undead in Oregon Crash
Published 1, July 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 7 Comments
First there was the sighting of a vampire after a crash on the roads of Colorado. Now, witnesses have come forward to report of a car of zombies who first crashed their car on Interstate 84 and then got out and walked around.
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Illinois Professor in Catholic Studies Fired After Student Objects That Teachings Constitute Hate Speech
Published 1, July 11, 2010 Academics , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 69 Comments
There is an interesting controversy at the University of Illinois where the university has fired adjunct professor Dr. Kenneth Howell for teaching why homosexual acts violate natural moral law under the tenets of the Catholic church. Howell taught courses on the Catholic faith at the St. John’s Catholic Newman Center. He was fired after a student labeled his statements “hate speech.”
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If Pets Are Criminal, Only Criminals Will Have Pets
Published 1, July 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 25 Comments
San Francisco’s Commission of Animal Control and Welfare has proposed a ban on the sale of any pets with the exception of fish. The new ordinance would make it unlawful to sell dogs, cats, hamsters, mice, rats, and other pets.
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Justice Thomas Reportedly Outraged By Nephew Being Punched and Tasered In New Orleans
Published 1, July 10, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 48 Comments
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is reportedly outraged and may be heading down to New Orleans after his nephew, Derek Thomas, was punched and tasered at a Louisiana hospital after refusing to put on a gown.
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Ashes to Ashes, Flush to Flush: Belgium Considering Dissolving Rather than Burning Bodies
Published 1, July 10, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society 24 Comments
Belgium will soon be giving people a funeral more befitting deceased goldfish than people. Undertakers are planning to dissolve dead bodies in caustic solutions and then flush them into the sewers.
Evil Clown: Mexican Clown Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting Stepdaughter
Published 1, July 10, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 6 Comments
If you (like me) had a certain fear of clowns as a kid, Pedro Artega Velazquez, 53, should re-ignite those fears. In the world’s most creepy mug shot, Velazquez is shown after his arrest for allegedly assaulting his teenage stepdaughter.
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