The D.C. Council has unanimously approved a law that makes it a crime to wear a mask while protesting outside of a resident. This bizarre law was passed because animal rights activists have been protesting outside of residences in Washington. The problem is that the law could be used to curtail free speech and gives the police another arbitrary basis to arrest protesters.
Continue reading ‘D.C. Council Unanimously Criminalizes Wearing Masks During Residential Protests Over Objections of Civil Libertarians’
Archive for November, 2010
D.C. Council Unanimously Criminalizes Wearing Masks During Residential Protests Over Objections of Civil Libertarians
Published 1, November 30, 2010 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 86 CommentsRussian Duma Acknowledges That Stalin Personally Ordered Katyn Massacre
Published 1, November 30, 2010 Academics , International , Media , Military , Politics , Society 22 Comments
While democracy appears on the skids in Russia as Putin expands his power, there is one sliver of good news coming out of Moscow. The Duma has finally acknowledged that it was Josef Stalin himself who ordered the murder of roughly 20,000 Polish officers, intellectuals, and leaders in the forests of Katyn.
Continue reading ‘Russian Duma Acknowledges That Stalin Personally Ordered Katyn Massacre’
Grandmother Tortured and Burned To Death in Ghana as Witch
Published 1, November 30, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 10 Comments
We have another witch burning in Africa. Madam Hemmah, 72, is a grandmother who was burned to death — allegedly at the instigation of an evangelist preacher, Pastor Samuel Fletcher Sagoe, 55. Many evangelists in Africa believe in witches. Indeed, one of Sarah Palin’s favorite ministers described himself as a witchhunter from Kenya.
Continue reading ‘Grandmother Tortured and Burned To Death in Ghana as Witch’
Birds of a Feather: Gay Activists Protest Decision to Force Two Male Vultures To Nest With Females
Published 1, November 30, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics 20 Comments
Two German vultures have found themselves on the front lines of gay rights after zookeepers discovered their same-sex relationship and proceeded to force them to go straight with female vultures. After the two male partners (Guido and Detlef) were forced to nest with females rather than each other, gay activists mounted a campaign alleging zoological homophobia.
Continue reading ‘Birds of a Feather: Gay Activists Protest Decision to Force Two Male Vultures To Nest With Females’
Top 100: ABA Top Blog Competition Begins
Published 1, November 29, 2010 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Environment , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Supreme Court , Testimony , Things That Tick Me Off , Torts , Uncategorized , USA Today 134 Comments
It is that time of the year for our annual blawgletting — the ABA top blog competition. We have once again been selected as one of the top 100 legal blogs (of over 3000) and nominated for the IMHO (opinion) category and it is time to release our minions upon the field of blog battle. Vote here to defend our way of life and the future of the planet.
Rep. King Calls For Wikileaks To Be Declared Terrorist Organization And For Assange To Be Prosecuted As Spy
Published 1, November 29, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 62 Comments
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), the incoming chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, has called for WikiLeaks to be officially designated as a terrorist organization. This would, of course, allow the same designation for The New York Times and other organizations to be declared terrorists for publishing leaked stories on torture, secret prisons, or the Pentagon Papers.
McCaskill and Graham Call For Prosecution in Wikileaks Case
Published 1, November 29, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Criminal law , Politics , Society 171 Comments
While the world is reacting to leaks indicating that Saudi Arabia is funding Al Qaeda and Clinton ordered diplomats to engage in espionage, Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have called for the prosecution of those responsible for the leaks.
Continue reading ‘McCaskill and Graham Call For Prosecution in Wikileaks Case’
Trove of 271 Picasso Paintings Found in House of Retired Electrician
Published 1, November 29, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 12 Comments
In what could prove one of the interesting lawsuits over art ownership in decades, the estate of Pablo Picasso has filed suit against a retired French electrician and his wife after they came forward with 271 previously unknown works by the artist. The estate is claiming illegal receipt of the works — a nice way of saying they were stolen. Pierre Le Guennec, 71, says that they were all gifts.
Continue reading ‘Trove of 271 Picasso Paintings Found in House of Retired Electrician’
Man Falls To Death During Bears-Eagles Game in Chicago
Published 1, November 29, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 13 Comments
The victory of the Bears over the Eagles yesterday was marred by the death of a fan at Soldier Field — the second recent death at a major sporting event this month. The man has been identified as Stewart Haverty, 23.
Continue reading ‘Man Falls To Death During Bears-Eagles Game in Chicago’
Perfect Stocking Stuffer: The New Quantum Logic Clock
Published 1, November 29, 2010 Academics , Science 4 Comments
Finally, I can throw out that cheap atomic clock in my basement. For years, I have been complaining that, no matter how much I tweak by atomic clock, it is always off a second every billion years. Now, for that difficult to buy for family member who has everything, James Chou and his colleagues at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, have developed a laser-controlled quantum logic clock that oscillates at a frequency of 1.12×10^15 times per second — a million times faster than the speed of light. The only problem is that it does not tell time and does not yet come in a wrist version. However, these researchers brilliantly released the clock before Christmas.
Continue reading ‘Perfect Stocking Stuffer: The New Quantum Logic Clock’
Some of you may remember Dirty Dog!: A Sunday Pooch Poetry Post about my daughter’s yellow Lab Jack who is a bit of a rascal. Jack is frisky. He loves to chew on all manner of objects. It’s doesn’t matter whether the objects are edible or not.
Jack has a younger brother—a cat named Rudy. Rudy is also “out of control” at times…just like his elder sibling. Rudy loves to tease Jack in a number of ways—including hiding behind walls, waiting for Jack to come around the corner, and then swatting Jack in the face with his paw.
A Fowl Idea, A Furtive Glance, A Little Turkey Down His Pants
Published 1, November 28, 2010 Uncategorized 23 Comments
Deon Williams, a 19-year-old from Brooklyn, was caught shoving a 12-pound Boar’s Head turkey breast down his sweatpants on a store surveillance video. The teen then waddled out of the Fine Fare Grocery in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Alerted by cashier Michelle Benjamin of the teen’s “fowl” deed, the store butcher, Sergio Marte, chased after the poultry poacher and demanded that he return the turkey. Williams dumped the filched fowl and then punched the butcher in the jaw when he bent over to retrieve it.
Continue reading ‘A Fowl Idea, A Furtive Glance, A Little Turkey Down His Pants’
GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has stated that his principal goal is to cause Obama to lose in 2012. Tangible improvements in the economy are key to Obama’s reelection. If, as the GOP claims, Obama’s policies are bad for the economy, then the GOP should give him everything he proposes and reap the political benefits in the 2012 election. If, on the other hand, the GOP fears that Obama’s policies will revitalize the economy, then those policies must be obstructed in any way possible.
The April raising of the debt ceiling will show if the GOP priority is the economy or their own political ambitions.
Rush doesn’t like GM, whom he calls Obama Motors. GM is unionized, from a state with two Democratic Senators, and bailed out by the Obama Administration. So when GM came out with the Volt and Motor Trend magazine named it their 2011 car of the year, Rush was incredulous. How dare Motor Trend not share his bias against GM!
Rush questioned the integrity of Motor Trend and one of the magazine’s editors, Todd Lassa, responded:
Sunday cool video time.
-David Drumm (Nal)
Today we have Little Eva in glorious STEREO! Music by Carole King, back when songs had melodies and people actually sang. If you not listening with headphones/earbuds, you might as well get some. I’ve got a lot of stereo yet to go.
-David Drumm (Nal)
Take My Scalia, Please!
Published 1, November 27, 2010 Bizarre , Courts , Justice , Lawyering , Supreme Court 17 Comments
Just ran across this gem. Who is the funniest Supreme Court Justice? A 2005 study reported in the New York Times has the answer. Boston University Professor J.D. Wexler has conducted a survey of the transcripts of SCOTUS oral arguments, and … drum roll, please … Justice Antonin Scalia is the semi-official “Court Jester,” with 77 laughs. Justice Stephen Breyer came in second with 45, and Justice Ginsburg quipped in just four laughs. Bringing up the rear was the “Harpo Marx” of the troupe, Justice Clarence Thomas, who added zero Continue reading ‘Take My Scalia, Please!’
Texas Priest Alleged to Have Sought Hit Man to Kill Teen Boy Who Accused Him of Sexual Abuse
Published 1, November 27, 2010 Criminal law , Religion 23 Comments
John Fiala, a 52-year-old Roman Catholic priest, has been charged with soliciting a hit man to kill a teenager who had accused him of sexual abuse. Fiala, who was arrested on November 18th, is being held on $700,000 bond.
Earlier this year, the priest was named in a lawsuit brought by the teen’s family. The boy’s parents accused the priest of sexually abusing their son—and of forcing the young man to have sex with him twice at gunpoint.
The Tea Party Meaning of Thanksgiving: Socialism Doesn’t Work
Published 1, November 27, 2010 Uncategorized 226 Comments
The Tea Party sees Thanksgiving as a morality tale about finding salvation in Capitalism. The Pilgrims were failed Socialists who turned to Capitalism for survival. Only after foregoing communal ownership of property and allowing private ownership did the colony prosper. (Communism could also have been used, but socialism is the bogey meme du jour.)
The actual historical details are much more interesting than the Tea Party myth.
Continue reading ‘The Tea Party Meaning of Thanksgiving: Socialism Doesn’t Work’
see more Political Pictures
-David Drumm (Nal)
To get you in the holiday mood, we have The Ronettes in glorious STEREO! This is the first of the Phil Spector Christmas offerings so you’ll want to use headphones/earbuds to experience the “room of sound” that stereo offers.
-David Drumm (Nal)
Poor Bathroom Etiquette: Pregnant Woman PO’ed Over Denial of Bathroom Privileges
Published 1, November 27, 2010 Bizarre , Courts , Justice , Lawyering , Things That Tick Me Off , Torts 13 Comments
Long Island resident, Lindsay Ekizian, has filed an interesting case in Manhattan (NY) Supreme Court alleging that the Hammerstein Ballroom callously failed to allow her use of its restroom. The 35 weeks along mother-to-be asked politely if she could use the bathroom as she was filing out of the establishment after seeing a comedy act. Rebuffed at first, she explained to the manager that she was pregnant (wonder why that needed to be explained) and was in desperate need. “There’s a bathroom at the end of the block,” came the compassionate reply according to the plaintiff. Unable to make it to the nearby diner, Ms. Ekizian suffered an indignity best left to the imagination. Not sure of the theory of liability (intentional infliction emotional distress?), but if there ever was a case with jury appeal here it is.
Source: New York Post
–Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
How A “Corporate Bailout” Cost Britain A Nation: The Real Boston Tea Party
Published 1, November 27, 2010 International , Politics , Society 15 CommentsAuthor’s note: Last week’s entry on American History was so well-received, I thought another might be of interest:
During the cold night of December 16, 1773, several dozen radicals, face-painted to resemble Mohawk Indians, stole aboard three American vessels moored in Boston Harbor christened the Dartmouth, Beaver, and Eleanor. There, the band broke open 340 chests of Chinese tea belonging to the East India Company and tossed the contents overboard. Popular myth has it that the act was widely celebrated in the colonies as an act of defiance and that it was all about higher taxes on tea. Both myths are decidedly … well, mythical.
Continue reading ‘How A “Corporate Bailout” Cost Britain A Nation: The Real Boston Tea Party’
Rhea’s Secret: For the First Time, Oxygen Found on Another World
Published 1, November 26, 2010 Academics , Science , Society 40 Comments
There is an amazing reported discovery of oxygen for the first time. The Cassini probe found traces of oxygen on Saturn’s moon, Rhea.
Continue reading ‘Rhea’s Secret: For the First Time, Oxygen Found on Another World’
England Arrests 15-Year-Old Girl For Allegedly Burning Koran
Published 1, November 26, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 35 Comments
England has continued its move toward comprehensive blasphemy prosecution with the arrest of a 15-year-old girl for inciting religious hatred by allegedly burning a copy of the Koran (Qur’an) — and showing the act on Facebook. I have written in columns and blog entries (here and here and here) about this dangerous trend in the West as citizens are arrested for blasphemy laws.
Continue reading ‘England Arrests 15-Year-Old Girl For Allegedly Burning Koran’
Orthodox Archbishop Charged With Sexual Assault
Published 1, November 26, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion 8 Comments
Archbishop Kenneth William Storheim of the Orthodox Church in America, has been arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault in Canada. Families have demanded an investigation into Storheim, 64, for two years without success.
Continue reading ‘Orthodox Archbishop Charged With Sexual Assault’
Man Escapes Jail By Squeezing Through Cell Bars
Published 1, November 26, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 15 Comments
Kristopher Allen White, 23, knows how to get himself out of a tight squeeze. White was able to force his body through bars in his cell that were only four and a half inches apart at the Haywood County Jail.
Continue reading ‘Man Escapes Jail By Squeezing Through Cell Bars’
I wanted to wish all of our virtual family at the blog a Happy Thanksgiving. I am particularly thankful for the regulars on this blog who have made this site a place for civil and reasoned discussion and debate. This is my favorite holiday and I hope that each of you will have a great time today.
Continue reading ‘HAPPY THANKSGIVING’
In celebration of Thanksgiving, I give you our annual Turkey Torts of a few potential and actual lawsuits from this holiday. From deep-fried Turkeys to salmonella salads, the holiday gives personal injury lawyers a great deal to be thankful for.
Small Bladder, Short Flight: Passenger Pulled Off Flight For Excessive Potty Breaks
Published 1, November 24, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 22 Comments
Previously, we saw that going to the potty too long is a security risk if you are Muslim or of Middle Eastern descent or appearance. Now, going too many times is a security risk. A passenger on U.S. Airways from Fort Lauderdale to Denver was pulled off a plane after passengers reported that he went to the bathroom too often during the flight. It turned out he had to go to the bathroom a lot.
Continue reading ‘Small Bladder, Short Flight: Passenger Pulled Off Flight For Excessive Potty Breaks’
Professor Confronts Cheaters At University of Central Florida
Published 1, November 24, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Society 68 CommentsProfessor Richard Quinn of University of Central Florida delivered this lecture after discovering that at least one-third of the class had cheated on a midterm exam.
Continue reading ‘Professor Confronts Cheaters At University of Central Florida’
Fubar in Kandahar: Afghan and American Officials Discover That They Have Been Negotiating With Imposter for Months
Published 1, November 24, 2010 Bizarre , International , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 20 Comments
You know those high-level negotiations with the Taliban in Afghanistan that have been touted by both the Afghan and U.S. governments? Well, it turns out that they are not so high level. In fact, the negotiator may not be with the Taliban at all. The man with whom we have been negotiated as “Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour,” one of the most senior commanders in the Taliban movement, turns out to be a nutter from Pakistan who probably could not believe everyone was negotiating with him to design the new Afghanistan. To make this FUBAR complete, one Western official admits “we gave him a lot of money.”
Continue reading ‘Fubar in Kandahar: Afghan and American Officials Discover That They Have Been Negotiating With Imposter for Months’
Prostitution May Become Legal This Saturday in Ontario
Published 1, November 23, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion 606 Comments
To the delight of civil libertarians and libertarians alike, the Canadian courts have been leading the world in dealing with conflicts between privacy principles and morality legislation. I am serving as an expert in the review of Canadian polygamy laws in British Columbia. In the meantime, the Ontario Superior Court may allow three prostitution laws to die this Saturday.
Continue reading ‘Prostitution May Become Legal This Saturday in Ontario’
Cedric the Entertainer: Anti-Facebook Preacher Admits To Orgies and Infidelity With Church Members
Published 1, November 23, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 12 Comments
Rev. Cedric Miller is best known as the pastor who ordered his flock to discontinue their Facebook accounts because they are avenues for sin and a “portal to infidelity.” It turns out Miller didn’t really need a portal . . . he didn’t have to leave the church for infidelity. Miller has admitted to having sexual relations with a church assistant, his assistant’s wife, and Miller’s wife — sometimes at the same time. Miller warned last week that Facebook could ruin your marriage. Who needs Facebook?
Continue reading ‘Cedric the Entertainer: Anti-Facebook Preacher Admits To Orgies and Infidelity With Church Members’
Murder or Mayhem: The Life and Death of Skeeter
Published 1, November 23, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 8 Comments
Police in Lakeland, Florida have a classic whodunit on their hands after finding the corpse of a local named Skeeter under a motor home. Polly Boykin, 52, was arrested for the death of the cat but has claimed “self defense” in shooting Skeeter. A court will have to decide whether Skeeter was the hunter or the hunted.
Continue reading ‘Murder or Mayhem: The Life and Death of Skeeter’
Woman Leaves Former Husband for Another Man Ten Years Ago and Then Returns to Sue Him For Millions in Lottery Wins — And Succeeds
Published 1, November 23, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society 11 Comments
Nigel Page, 44, can tell you about the meaning of adding insult to injury. Ten years ago, Wendy Page, 43, left Nigel for another man. She would have nothing to do with him until he suddenly changed in her eyes: after she saw him on television winning the £56million Euromillions jackpot lottery. She proceeded to call a lawyer and demand £8 million. When Nigel offered to put £2 million in a trust for their daughter, she reportedly balked and demanded the money for herself as well as an increase in child support. She succeeded in an out-of-court settlement. She will receive £2 million from the man she left for another man (who lacks a winning lottery ticket). The reason is a loophole in English divorce law that should be closed.
Continue reading ‘Woman Leaves Former Husband for Another Man Ten Years Ago and Then Returns to Sue Him For Millions in Lottery Wins — And Succeeds’
Would You Like Possession With That Popcorn? Catholic Exorcist Blames Harry Potter With Spate of Demonic Possessions
Published 1, November 22, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Religion , Society 38 Comments
The latest Harry Potter movie is greeted by movie theaters as a record blockbuster and kids as the long-waited sequel. For one person, however, it is the start of the new season of demonic possessions. Father Thomas J. Euteneuer explained in an interview this week that Harry Potter has opened the gates of Hell for millions and triggered a spate of possessions that keep him busy.
Doing an Ed Rooney: New York Principal Charged With Trespass in Showing Up At Home of Two Boys Who Failed To Appear At School
Published 1, November 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 14 Comments
There is an interesting case out of Chester, New York where Chester Academy Principal Ernest Jackson has been charged with criminal trespass after he followed the lead of the character of Ed Rooney in the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and went to the house of two kids who did not show up at school. Unlike the movie, he has been charged and suspended.
Continue reading ‘Doing an Ed Rooney: New York Principal Charged With Trespass in Showing Up At Home of Two Boys Who Failed To Appear At School’
New York Hospital Sued After Amputating Woman’s Legs During Routine Surgery
Published 1, November 22, 2010 Society , Torts 14 Comments
Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York is being sued in a horrific case of alleged medical malpractice after Stacy Galette went in for a simple gynecological procedure and came out a double amputee.
Continue reading ‘New York Hospital Sued After Amputating Woman’s Legs During Routine Surgery’
Bee Keeper Allegedly Shoots Himself After Setting Up Snare Gun For Honey-Loving Bear
Published 1, November 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society , Torts 18 Comments
John Frost allegedly bagged himself in setting up a snare gun to shoot a bear in Loveland, Colorado. The bear had recently knocked over Frost’s beehive and stolen some of his honey. Police believe Frost set up a shotgun with a tripwire and then tripped the wire.
Biden: The Kiddies in Kandahar Are Getting Soooo Big
Published 1, November 22, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 18 Comments
The Afghan leaders have been struggling to throw off the impression that they are merely lackeys to the American government or worse. Vice President Joe Biden did not exactly help that image by describing them on Larry King as like children to the American parentage. Biden told Larry King “Daddy is going to start to take the training wheels off in October — I mean in next July, so you’d better practice riding.” That should go over well with the kiddies in Kandahar.
Continue reading ‘Biden: The Kiddies in Kandahar Are Getting Soooo Big’
If it’s Sunday, it’s time for a cute puppy video.
-David Drumm (Nal)
We have previously discussed the North Face/South Butt lawsuit, here. It was a lawsuit of the piracy/parody type, with one side claiming piracy and the other claiming parody. It seems that the two sides have come to an agreement to turn the other cheek.
Today we have Terry Stafford in glorious STEREO! An excellent creation best appreciated with headphones/earbuds.
-David Drumm (Nal)
Bar Medical Clinic Shutdown: “Doctor” Has a Lot To Get Off Chest
Published 1, November 21, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Justice 38 Comments
Kristina Ross, 37, is the kind of person city officials love to hate. Determined, driven, and passionate about her desire to do something good for women’s bodies in spite of red tape, Ross now sits in a Boise, Idaho jail for undertaking a task usually reserved for men in their twenty’s. Ross, it seems, has taken the health care crisis into her own hands and decided to bring medical exams to the masses. The only problem is that her impromptu breast exams in local bars were not sanctioned by the Idaho Department of Health which has this archaic requirement that healthcare professionals actually be licensed to do what they do. As a result Ross is charged with two Continue reading ‘Bar Medical Clinic Shutdown: “Doctor” Has a Lot To Get Off Chest’
America’s Other 9/11: Ferguson and the Shot Not Heard ‘Round The World
Published 1, November 20, 2010 Military , Society , Uncategorized 26 Comments
Mention 9/11 and we are instantly catapulted into the past with keen memories of where we were and what we were doing. It is a monumental day in American history, both for its infamy and for the honor on display in the response. So too, was another September 11, 1777.
Continue reading ‘America’s Other 9/11: Ferguson and the Shot Not Heard ‘Round The World’
Don’t want to go through the TSA’s full body scan or porn-o-scan? The TSA has an alternative: “enhanced” pat-downs. These pat-downs gropings have one objective – coerce you into going through the body scanner.
T-shirts with the logo on the left are available here.
Today we have Herman’s Hermits in glorious STEREO. It’s hard to find the Hermits in stereo, and an excellent job was done on this creation.
-David Drumm (Nal)
Crime & Punishment: Cross-Dressing Criminal Meets His Maker!
Published 1, November 20, 2010 Uncategorized 37 Comments
I’m in Orlando attending the annual convention of the National Council of Teachers of English. I was a presenter at two sessions on Friday. I was so busy for several days preparing for my presentations that I didn’t have time to research stories and write-up posts about them for the Turley Blawg this weekend. I decided to dust off an old case that I found in my Fairy Tale Crimebusters File. It’s a tale of a horrible crime against humanity committed by a dastardly lupine villain who enjoyed preying on Homo sapiens of all ages. Fortunately, the two crime victims in this case were rescued and the gluttonous perpetrator of the evil deed was swiftly—and capitally—punished.
In the Case of Little Red Riding Hood:
A wily wolf waited in the wood.
He coaxed sweet Red to pick wildflowers,
Then sneaked away and GULP! devoured
Dear old Granny, jumped in bed
With Granny’s bonnet on his head.
Continue reading ‘Crime & Punishment: Cross-Dressing Criminal Meets His Maker!’
(Below) River Dance Closes Lincoln Tunnel
Published 1, November 20, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Society 7 Comments
A Florida dance troupe is learning the cultural ways of the Big Apple after they ditched their cars in the Lincoln Tunnel and dashed away on foot wearing camo. Seems our tiny dancers were late for a TV appearance on BET’s “106 & Park” show. Those lovers of dance, the Port Authority police and the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force gave chase. The Tunnel was shut-down for 45 minutes during rush hour. Even with the rousing police escort, the dancers were late and headed back to Jacksonville still undiscovered but famous nonetheless.
Continue reading ‘(Below) River Dance Closes Lincoln Tunnel’
Can You Hear Me, Major Tom: Scientists Discover First Extra-Galactic Planet
Published 1, November 20, 2010 Science 16 Comments
Artist rendering of New Planet
Hot on the heels of the first capture on an atom of anti-matter in a magnetic “bottle,” scientists now say they’ve discovered the first planet formed outside of the Milky Way. The online edition of the journal “Science” reports that a planet has been found orbiting “our” Star HIP 13044. The new planet is a remnant of an ancient galaxy that collided with the Milky Way and is a mere 2000 light years away. What makes the find intriguing is that, unlike planets in our solar system, the new planet contains Continue reading ‘Can You Hear Me, Major Tom: Scientists Discover First Extra-Galactic Planet’
Delightfully Tacky Yet Unrefined: Hooter’s Security Roughs Up Granny Over Bill
Published 1, November 20, 2010 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Torts 7 Comments
Hooters Restaurants likes to promote their orange-hotpanted waitresses with the provocative tied-up teeshirts as, “delightfully tacky yet unrefined.” The slogan might be applied to its security guards too, if a fiesty grandma gets her way. After disputing an errant appetizer on her bill from a Chicagoland Hooter’s, 54-year-old Livier Torres was manhandled by off-duty Oak Lawn Police Officer Joseph Schmidt as she tried to pay. Part-enforcer, part-social engineer (Schmidt reportedly told Torres daughter, “All you people are the same” in an apparent reference to their Mexican heritage.), the fearless crime fighter called for back-up against the marauding grandma — when a headlock and pinning her to the ground wouldn’t suffice. Despite a paucity of video Continue reading ‘Delightfully Tacky Yet Unrefined: Hooter’s Security Roughs Up Granny Over Bill’
London Mayor Tells Bush To Stay Out of Londontown — Will International Shunning Become Prosecution?
Published 1, November 19, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Media , Military 99 Comments
Boris Johnson, the conservative Mayor of London, has declared George Bush a persona non grata — asking him to stay out of London with his new torture-touting memoir. The question is whether such international shunning will become actual effort to prosecute Bush, who just confessed to war crimes. I discussed the controversy on Countdown.
London Police Officer Charged With Manslaughter After Yelling At Driver Caused Heart Attack
Published 1, November 19, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 4 Comments
There is a fascinating case out of England where an officer has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a woman died following a road-rage argument. Christine Roche, 64, had a heart attack at the wheel after being confronted by the unnamed off-duty officer who was yelling at her for clipping his car mirror. The yelling reportedly induced the heart attack and led to the manslaughter charge.
Continue reading ‘London Police Officer Charged With Manslaughter After Yelling At Driver Caused Heart Attack’
Smile! Anti-Matter Finally Isolated and Photographed
Published 1, November 19, 2010 Academics , Science , Society 10 Comments
International physicists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, have a photo of perhaps the most camera-shy element in the universe: anti-matter. In an incredible breakthrough, CERN was able to capture atoms of antimatter for a tenth of a second.
Continue reading ‘Smile! Anti-Matter Finally Isolated and Photographed’
Study: One in Five U.S. Adults Suffer From Mental Illness
Published 1, November 19, 2010 Science , Society 30 Comments
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued the results of a national survey that found more than 45 million Americans, or 20 percent of U.S. adults, had some form of mental illness in 2009. Of those, 11 million had a serious mental illness.
Continue reading ‘Study: One in Five U.S. Adults Suffer From Mental Illness’
Senator Rockefeller Suggests Taking Fox and MSNBC Off The Air To Make Citizens Feel Better About Congress
Published 1, November 19, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Media , Politics 47 CommentsIn this video, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) suggests that he would like to see both FOX and MSNBC taken off the air so that people felt better about Congress and their government. This is coming from a Senator who led the effort to kill dozens of public interest lawsuits suing telecommunication companies for violations of their privacy and supported the effort to bar any investigation into the torture program. The problem, it seems, is the new coverage.
Ghailani Acquitted On Major Terrorism Charges — Rep. King Responds With Call To Change Legal System
Published 1, November 18, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Media , Military , Politics , Society 130 Comments
The trial of alleged Al Qaeda accomplice Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani has resulted in an acquittal on all major terrorism charges in New York. Ghailani was charged with crimes related to the 1998 suicide bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa that killed 224 people, including 12 Americans. I will be discussing the verdict tonight on Hardball.
Montgomery Police Officer Given $185 Ticket After Paralyzing 14-Year-Old Boy
Published 1, November 18, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 19 Comments
A Montgomery County police officer Jason Cokinos is back walking the beat after hitting and paralyzing 14-year-old Luis Jovel Jr. Cokinos was speeding to his off-duty job when he hit Jovel and received only a $185 speeding ticket. The county paid $400,000 in damages.
Continue reading ‘Montgomery Police Officer Given $185 Ticket After Paralyzing 14-Year-Old Boy’
Arpaio Found To Have Abused Office To Target Critics — Proceeds To Make Steven Seagal a Deputy
Published 1, November 18, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 14 Comments
An independent prosecutor has found Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas had no basis for their public-corruption charges against critics and judges who sought to curtail their abuse of their offices. Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon reached the same conclusion as virtually all outside observers, including this blog. In the meantime, Arpaio continues his use of this office to pander to public sentiments and legitimize vigilantism. He announced this week that he had added “Hulk” star Lou Ferrigno and actor Steven Seagal to his anti-immigration posse.
New York Police Nab Chess Felons in Park
Published 1, November 18, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 10 Comments
New York Police swept into a park in bulletproof vests to arrest men trying to kill royals including two kings, two queens, four knights and even four bishops. The men had set up chess boards in a park that was empty at the time. It turns out that they were sitting in an area restricted to children or adults with children. They were given summons to appear to answer for their crimes in court and not allow to “castle” laterally to a nearby park.
Continue reading ‘New York Police Nab Chess Felons in Park’
Bristol Palin Triggers Rampage in Wisconsin
Published 1, November 18, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 24 Comments
Bristol Palin has been implicated in a rampage in Dane County, Wisconsin. Her latest alleged victim from her appearance on Dancing with the Stars is Steven N. Cowan, 66. Cowan shared the view of millions that Palin was not much of a star and even less of a dancer. So, when she again escaped being voted off the show, Cowan snapped. He grabbed his shotgun and shot his own television. His wife fled after he demanded his handgun (presumably for a tradition coup de grâce she ran and returned with the police.
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As expected, outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has prevailed in retaining the top leadership position — a surprise move after many, if not most, pundits expected she would resign after the devastating loss of at least 61 seats and record low popularity ratings for both herself and Congress.
Constitutional Nightmare: New Jersey Town Bars Sleeping in Public
Published 1, November 17, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 21 Comments
The city of Roselle, New Jersey has passed a new law criminalizing the act of sleeping in public. Police Chief Paul Morrison insists that he is only going to use it against homeless people but that may be a statement that city lawyers will come to regret in court.
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California Principal Blocks Ambulance Sent to Help Student To Protect Recently Remodeled Field
Published 1, November 17, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society , Torts 38 Comments
Parents in San Jose, California are upset over an astonishing decision made by a high school principal to stop an ambulance from driving onto a football field to help an injured player at Del Mar High School on October 29th. The principal Liz Seabury reportedly says she was following district orders to protect the school’s recently remodeled field from motorized vehicles.
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Lens Louse: NYU Professor To Have Camera Installed In Back of His Head
Published 1, November 17, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , International , Society 25 Comments
NYU Professor Wafaa Bilal finally has the solution for all of those spit balls that come flying whenever he turns his back in class: he is having a camera implanted in the back of his head. That’s right, a camera. It is part of a project commissioned by a new museum in Qatar which will broadcast the live images to museum visitors.
Continue reading ‘Lens Louse: NYU Professor To Have Camera Installed In Back of His Head’
Alito Criticized For Participation In Another Conservative Fundraiser
Published 1, November 16, 2010 Bizarre , Courts , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 50 CommentsLast night on Rachel Maddow, I discussed the controversy over Supreme Court justices attending political fundraisers. Specifically, Justices Scalia, Thomas, and Alito have been criticized for their participation in such events. Most recently, Justice Samuel Alito was identified by Think Progress at a fundraiser for American Spectator. Alito reportedly said that “it’s not important” that he attends such events. I disagree.
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Pennsylvania Passes New Castle Doctrine Law
Published 1, November 16, 2010 Criminal law , Politics , Society 50 Comments
We have long followed trend toward “Make My Day” and “Make My Day Better” laws (also known as “Castle Doctrine” laws) allowing homeowners to kill anyone who invades their homes (here). Some of us have been very critical of these laws as unnecessary and based on a misrepresentation of both the criminal and common law. Citizens are being told that they could be sued for defending their homes from invaders. Now politicians in Pennsylvania have latched on a new gimmick: a law called “stand your ground” that allows people to use lethal force to defend their homes from the outside.
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Parody or Pilfering? Court to Decide What’s What (In The Butt)
Published 1, November 16, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Society 51 Comments
Brownmark Films is suing “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker in a case that seems right out of one of the South Park scripts. The court will decide whether Stone and Parker stole copyrighted material from “What What (in the Butt) — a music video that went viral. They are accused of stealing the idea from the website CollegeHumor, but the show insists that this is simply protected parody.
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Hold the Fries: Did Burger Joint Get Raw Deal on Moby Dick Nuisance?
Published 1, November 15, 2010 Bizarre , Lawyering , Society , Torts 23 Comments
Steptoe & Johnson has prevailed against a burger restaurant, Rogue States, after the law firm complained that the fumes from the restaurant made them all smell like short-order cooks. Indeed, one of the firm’s “rainmakers” even reportedly threatened to resign from the firm if the burger smells were not removed from his office. D.C. Superior Court judge John Mott ruled that Rogue States was indeed responsible for a nuisance and must either abate the odors or close down.
Continue reading ‘Hold the Fries: Did Burger Joint Get Raw Deal on Moby Dick Nuisance?’
Maryland Attorney General Seeks $60 Million Fine Against GOP Consultant
Published 1, November 15, 2010 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 6 Comments
Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler has moved to fine a GOP political consultant to former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (left) for thousands of false calls to suppress the vote in the recent governor’s race to help out Ehrlich. Republican political consultant Julius Henson and his company Universal Elections sent out thousands of calls to convince Democratic voters to stay at home by telling them that they had already won the election. Also named is employee, Rhonda Russell, who reportedly taped the message — which Gansler alleges violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by not identifying who was behind the messages.
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Hate Speech or Free Speech? Michigan Teacher Challenges Discipline Over Removal of Two Students From Economics Class
Published 1, November 15, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 41 Comments This is a terrific speech given by 14-year-old Ann Arbor student Graeme Taylor who is defending Howell High School teacher Jay McDowell, who was disciplined after throwing out two students for anti-gay statements. The controversy, however, gets a bit murkier on closer examination for free speech advocates.
Continue reading ‘Hate Speech or Free Speech? Michigan Teacher Challenges Discipline Over Removal of Two Students From Economics Class’
Do You Want Butter With That Bronson?
Published 1, November 15, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 16 Comments
In England, four prison officers were injured after discovering Charles Bronson naked in a gym and covered in butter. Ok, this might need a bit of explanation. Bronson, it turns out, is England’s most violent prisoner — a man who has spent nearly all of the last 36 years in prison for one violent crime or another. On this effort, he decided to butter himself to make it more difficult for guards to grab him — it worked. It took 12 guards to finally subdue the greased con.
Continue reading ‘Do You Want Butter With That Bronson?’
In Manchester, New Hampshire, a woman has learned the costs of vanity . . . well at least vanity plates. Bonnie Usher, 43, allegedly was careful to hide her face in a hooded sweatshirt when she robbed a Rite Aid. The problem was the getaway car: her car boasted vanity plates reading “B-USHER.” It did not take long for the police to arrive at her house and recover the cash.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?—I See Anti-Marxists Looking at Me!
Published 1, November 14, 2010 Academics , Constitutional Law , Courts 48 Comments
Part I
Earlier this year, the Texas State Board of Education removed children’s author Bill Martin Jr. from a proposal to include him in the third-grade curriculum section. Martin would have been put on a list of authors who had made cultural contributions—along with Laura Ingalls Wilder and Carmen Lomas Garza—until board member Pat Hardy made the motion to toss out Bill Martin’s name. You see, Hardy had learned that “Bill Martin” had written an adult book that contains “very strong critiques of capitalism and the American system” from another board member named Teri Leo.
It was while Leo was researching Bill Martin on the Borders.com Web site that she discovered that he had written a book called Ethical Marxism. Leo alerted Hardy to her discovery in an email. Hardy explained: “She said that that was what he wrote, and I said: ‘ … It’s a good enough reason for me to get rid of someone.’ “
Continue reading ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?—I See Anti-Marxists Looking at Me!’
Hannity & Barton on Con Law: Required Reading at Tea Parties
Published 1, November 14, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law 34 Comments
Minnesota Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has a knack for saying just the right thing. She famously educated Chris Matthews on the merits of guilt by association saying ”…usually we associate with people who have similar ideas to us, and it seems that it calls into questions what Barack Obama’s true beliefs, and values, and thoughts are…I am very concerned that he [Barack Obama] may have anti-American views.” Now, Bachman is inviting conservative commentator Sean Hannity and Christian evangelical author David Barton to teach lawmakers the nuances of Constitutional law. Bachmann originally considered Supreme Court Justices Scalia or Clarence Thomas but neither could match Hannity’s honorary degree (he dropped out of two colleges) from the late Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, or Barton’s religious education BA degree from Oral Roberts Univerity.
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Say It Is So, Joe!
Published 1, November 14, 2010 Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Things That Tick Me Off , Uncategorized 20 Comments
Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been the right-wing poster boy for tough law enforcement. Subjecting his prisoners to spoiled food, tent villages in scorching heat, pink underwear, and then launching criminal investigations against public officials who challenged him just added to his “Walking Tall,” tough-cop credentials among his backers. He also is the moving force behind Arizona’s tough anti-immigration law backing Governor Jan Brewer in her “Show Me Ze Papers” campaign against Mexican immigrants. Now it seems the worm has turned, and Maricopa County officials are wondering why Arpaio needs to keep two sets of books.
Today we have The Beach Boys in glorious STEREO! Best enjoyed with headphones/earbuds to get the full stereo effect.
-David Drumm (Nal)
Better Say Your Prayers, Father!
Published 1, November 13, 2010 Criminal law , International , Religion 11 Comments
Some of you may recall reading Professor Turley’s recent post about a Massachusetts priest who allegedly stole more than $80,000 from his parish to support his pornography habit. Well, there’s a new story about a priest in Spain who is alleged to have saved more than 20,000 pornographic images of children on his computer.
Earlier this week, Professor Turley wrote a post about the “Twinkie Diet.” That story inspired me to pen a silly poem on the subject of Mark Haub’s junk food regimen for losing weight.
Eating junk food every day
Can melt your excess pounds away.
Count calories—it’s simple as that—
And you’ll be able to shed your fat.
Here is Mark Haub’s Twinkie diet—
Go on. I recommend you try it.
Here’s how to begin:
Pop a vitamin.
Drink a protein shake.
Eat a cream-filled cake.
Chew a brownie too.
Chug a Mountain Dew.
Carolee Bildsten (left), 56, of Gurnee Illinois, has been charged with aggravated assault for threatening a Chicago police officer with a “rigid female pleasure device.” The officer was unharmed as he deftly deflected the devilish device.
John Boehner, the presumptive next Speaker of the House, is standing firm on his call for extending the Bush tax cuts, for everyone, permanently. Compare that with David Axelrod who said that the Obama Administration, in order to get tax cuts for the middle-class, would accept an across-the-board tax cut, temporarily.
What happened to the Obama position of not extending the tax cuts for the billionaires? POOF!
Today we have The Kinks in glorious STEREO! Hope you haven’t mothballed your headphones/earbuds.
-David Drumm (Nal)
Careful What You Witch For: US Bishops Need More Exorcists
Published 1, November 13, 2010 Bizarre , Religion , Society 11 Comments
Overwhelmed by the demand for exorcisms, U.S. Roman Catholic bishops are putting out the word that “Exorcists Need Apply” and that training in Baltimore is being held today. Down to only six U.S. exorcists the “Good Shepherds” hope to raise that number to 122. Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, thinks each parish should have their own Exorcist in residence. You might remember that Bishop Paprocki said, when asked about who was responsible for the sexual abuse crises in the Catholic Church, that “the scandal was at least in part influenced by the Devil’s taking advantage of the moral weaknesses and psychological instability and sickness of the pedophiliac priest-abusers.” Like my idol, comedian Flip Wilson, I see a pattern here — the Devil Made ‘em Do It.
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Snow Globe Causes Airport Evacuation: Can Garden Troll Hysteria Be Far Behind?
Published 1, November 13, 2010 Bizarre , Society 9 Comments
It was cinematic magic when a dying John Foster Kane uttered the famous word, “Rosebud,” as he let fall the snow globe down the stairwell shattering it into scores of broken pieces. Officials at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, aren’t movie buffs it seems. When a TSA employee spotted the suspicious orb in some checked baggage she alerted State Police who evacuated the terminal. Once it was determined that Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was submerged in water and glitter, instead of nitroglycerine, order was restored and flights were again whisking their way to all parts of the real globe.
Source: Courant.com
–Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Tiger, Tiger, Burning Not So Bright
Published 1, November 13, 2010 Animals , Criminal law , Environment , International , Justice , Science 4 Comments
William Blake may have stood in awe of the ferocity and power of the great cat, but modern man sees quite a different thing. British-based Traffic International, a wildlife preservation group, reports that despite the international ban on the sale of tiger parts, over 1000 tigers have been illegally killed in the past decade. An analysis of seizures of tiger parts — from whole skins to claws, penises, and skulls — yielded the conservative estimate. India, home to half of the world’s tigers, leads all nations with 276 seizures uncovering parts from more than 530 tigers killed. Many Pacific rim nations are not far behind in tiger deaths. Tiger parts are used in many cultures for decoration, traditional medicines and good luck charms.
Source: Daily Mail
–Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Seventh Circuit Allows “Death By Taser” Suit to Proceed
Published 1, November 13, 2010 Courts , Justice , Lawyering , Science , Society , Torts 14 Comments
Reversing a lower court grant of summary judgment, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed a Wisconsin couple’s “Death by Taser” suit to proceed to trial against the police and Town and Village of Mukwonago, Wisconsin. Their son, 29-year-old, Nickolos Cyrus, suffered from a bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and was well-known to the police for prior delusional — but non-criminal — episodes. When the young man was reported missing, police located him on a construction site. His parents allege that Nickolos was passive, unarmed, and had no history of violence such that multiple taser shocks would be needed to subdue him. The police respond that multiple taserings were a reasonable use of force under the circumstances and that his death was unforeseen.
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Middle School Student Told To Remove American Flag To Avoid Racial Tensions
Published 1, November 12, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 127 Comments
There is another bizarre story out of our public school system where a school official at Denair Middle School in Sacramento, California told 13-year-old Cody Alicea to remove an American flag from his bike because of fears that it would trigger “racial tensions.” According to this interview with the Superintendent, Cody has now been informed that he can display the American flag after a review of the supervisor’s decision — and a national outcry.
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San Francisco Bans Happy Meals and Other Fast-Food Meals Served With Toys
Published 1, November 12, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Science , Society , Torts 384 Comments
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors have approved a ban on Happy Meals and other fast-food servings that fail to meet nutritional standards. While sympathetic to the motivations behind the legislation, I have serious questions over the constitutionality (and logic) of the ban.
Continue reading ‘San Francisco Bans Happy Meals and Other Fast-Food Meals Served With Toys’
New Policy Questioned After Chinese Officials Face Huge Butt Costs
Published 1, November 12, 2010 Bizarre , International 12 Comments
Chinese officials in the central city of Xianyang thought that they had a simple means of solving the problem of cigarette butts on the streets: offer residents money for each butt collected and turned in as part of its effort to win the “National Clean City” award. After all, they were offering only 5 fen (less than a penny) for each cigarette butt. That was before residents sent in over 7 million butts and demanded payment.
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Meet Mark Siebenmorgen: Our Mugshot of the Week
Published 1, November 12, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 20 Comments
Yes, this will be our mugshot of the week. Not since the mugshot of Sirius Black from Azkaban has a prisoner made such an impression. Mark Siebenmorgen, 46, was arrested in Milwaukie, Oregon for terrorizing town residents. Who would have guessed?
Continue reading ‘Meet Mark Siebenmorgen: Our Mugshot of the Week’
Blowing Your Stack: Ohio Demolition Goes Bad As Children Run To Escape Falling Power Lines
Published 1, November 12, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Torts 18 CommentsThe decision to use explosives to take down the 275 foot smokestack of Edison’s Mad River Power Plant in Ohio seemed like the perfect event for children until . . .
New Report Details Obama Administration’s Editing of Scientific Report on Oil Spill and Misleading Statements By Carol Browner
Published 1, November 11, 2010 Congress , Environment , International , Politics , Society 40 Comments
Another report (this time from the Inspector General’s Office of the Interior Department) has been published detailing the Obama Administration’s editing of a scientific report to downplay the damage caused by the BP oil spill. The new information also reaffirms the clearly misleading statements made by Obama’s energy adviser, Carol Browner — an issue previously discussed on this blog.
Boehner Promises To Fly Commercial As Speaker
Published 1, November 11, 2010 Congress , Politics , Society 53 Comments
Speaker Nancy Pelosi was criticized on this blog and other sites for her failure to end various corrupt practices such as pork and congressional travel. Indeed, Pelosi added jets to ferry members abroad on junkets and used a personal governmental jet to go back and forward to California. Now, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) has announced that he will take commercial flights. Regardless of whether you opposed the GOP in the elections, it is important to give credit to such reforms. Boehner is to be commended for this symbolic change.
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I have been reading the rave reviews for our guest bloggers — David Drumm, Elaine Magliaro, and Mark Esposito — from last week. This was a trial effort to follow up on suggestions for a couple days in which some of our regulars might also post on the blog. Given the success of last week, I have offered to let David, Elaine, and Mark post on weekends. They have agreed to do so. This weekend will be the first such installment.
Continue reading ‘Weekend Specials At The Turley Blog’
Blue Plate Special: Scientist Finds New Lizard Species on Dinner Plate
Published 1, November 11, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , International , Science , Society 8 Comments
Researchers in Vietnam recently sat down for a simple meal and ended up with a scientific feast. They were staring at a plate of cooked lizard but they had never seen this species before. It turns out to be a unique species of female lizards who are able to reproduce themselves by cloning. The perfect radical feminist species.
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China Sentences Food Safety Advocate to Over Two Years in Prison
Published 1, November 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International , Politics , Society , Torts 8 Comments
The Chinese have jailed another activist. This time the victim is Zhao Lianhai, the father of a child sickened by one of the country’s food safety scandals. At least six children died from melamine-tainted milk in 2008 and Zhao’s son was injured. More than 300,000 children were left with kidney problems. Zhao has been demanding answers. He just received one in the form of a 2½ years in prison sentence for “disturbing social order.”
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Obama Fights To Preserve Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Before Supreme Court
Published 1, November 11, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Military , Politics , Society 65 Comments
President Barack Obama continued his effort to preserve the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in a filing before the United States Supreme Court. A trial court had imposed an injunction to halt the discriminatory policy. The Administration could have allowed the injunction to stand pending an appeal but succeeded in getting the order reversed. Now, it is defending its intention to continue to discriminate against gays and lesbians in an appeal to the Supreme Court.
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