Res ipsa loquitur ("The thing itself speaks")
SUBMITTED BY LAWRENCE RAFFERTY, GUEST BLOGGER
Now that the end of the year is just hours away, I thought it would be nice to put into writing some of the New Years resolutions that I have for 2011. This year has been a year of highs and lows for myself and for the country. These resolutions are my hopes and dreams for myself, the country and the world in the coming year.
Boy, New Mexico governors really stick together . . . even after 130 years. On his last day in office, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico refused to pardon Billy the Kid for the killing of Sheriff William Brady in Lincoln County, New Mexico despite his conclusion that William H. Bonney was indeed promised such a pardon by then Governor Lew Wallace.
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
I decided to dust off another old case that I found in my Fairy Tale Crimebusters File. You may remember my previous post about a wolf, a hunter, and a little lass who wore a red riding hood–Crime & Punishment: Cross-Dressing Criminal Meets His Maker!
Today, I have a tale in verse of a poor fatherless boy who disobeyed his mother and later robbed a man of gigantic proportions…three times!
About the thief who robbed the sleeping giant:
It was Jack, a boy who’s self-reliant.
He climbed the beanstalk near his shack
And stole some gold coins in a sack.
He raced back home and spent the money
On chocolate cookies, milk, and honey.
Happy New Year’s Eve to all of our blog family. We will be spending New Year’s Eve at home this year — preparing for our annual New Year’s party on January 1st. I will be toasting to everyone on our extended blog family.
I saw this story on Reddit and it raises a lot of unanswered questions. The Examiner below reports that the video was taken by the wife of Gary Grana, 33, who was arrested for firing a crossbow in his yard at a target. Grana ends up under a pile of officers after a rather large number of officers respond to the call.
Continue reading ‘Lincoln Nebraska Police Shown Arresting Man For Firing Crossbow at Target in Backyard’
The video below has resulted in the arrest of a Brooksville Florida police officer, Detention Sgt. David Dixon, after he was shown punching an inmate in the face for no apparent reason. The sheriff said that man was just “running his mouth” and did not deserve to be punched at the Hernando County Jail.
Continue reading ‘Florida Officer Arrested After Video Shows Him Punching Inmate’
Christopher Blackstone, 25, seems intent to make the worst people of 2010 year before time runs out. Upset that his girlfriend, Talitha Peterson-Hooks, 25, left their apartment during an argument and then refused to take his calls, he proceeded to stomp her puppy to death and sent her a text message saying “If you would have answered your phone, your dog would still be alive.”
It is becoming abundantly clear why Kelsey Grammer did not play a lawyer on television. The Frasier star is about to divorce his third wife, Camille Donatacci, who reportedly refused a $30 million settlement because it did not include child support or alimony. He did not have a prenup. However, Grammer, 55, wants to hurry along the divorce so he can marry his fourth wife, 29-year-old Kayte Walsh. However, he is again refusing to do a pre-nup because he is certain this time that they are meant for each other. The case is a textbook account of the limits on lawyers being able to protect clients from themselves.
Continue reading ‘Hope Over Experience: Kelsey Grammer Preparing for $50 Million Divorce Payout To Third Wife While Refusing Pre-Nup With Fourth Wife To Be’
The Innocence Project is reporting that Robert Stinson is eligible for only $25,000 of compensation in Wisconsin after serving 23 years in prison for a crime that he did not commit. The outrageously low compensation is the result of a statutory compensation level that has not been changed since 1913.
Continue reading ‘Wisconsin Man Given Only $25,000 For 23 Years in Jail for Murder That He Did Not Commit’
Dr. Michelle Ferrari-Gegerson, 37, has died in a bizarre case with product liability implications. Police say that Ferrari-Gegerson was accidentally strangled by a electronic neck massager on Christmas Eve when her necklace got caught in the massager.
Continue reading ‘Florida Doctor Allegedly Strangled By Neck Massager’
In one of the most high-profile rape convictions in history, a three-judge panel of the Tel Aviv district court found former Israeli president Moshe Katsav guilty of multiple charges of rape and sexual harassment yesterday. While obviously painful for any country, the conviction does show a commitment to blind justice in Israel where high-ranking officials are not given effective immunity seen on other countries in the region.
Continue reading ‘Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav Convicted of Rape’
Arthur Sedille has a difficult criminal defense to prove at trial. Sedille admits that he shot to death his wife in Oklahoma City. However, he insists that he was merely engaging in fantasy sex play with a gun that he thought was unloaded. It wasn’t.
Continue reading ‘Oklahoma Man Attempts Fetish Defense to Murder’
Andrew John Bornen, 16, was killed while lying in the middle of the road of a busy street outside of Ipswich, Australia. Bornen was not engaging in some high school prank. He was lying face down in the middle of street with his hands cuffed behind him at the insistence of the police. The prosecutors have decided that no charges will be filed against the Queensland officers.
Continue reading ‘Prosecutors Refuse to Bring Charges of Any Kind After Police Leave 16-Year-Old Boy Handcuffed and Lying Facedown in Street . . . Only To Be Run Over’
Rev. Sandra McGriff, head of The Church of the Living God and one of the members of a powerful political family in Dallas, has been accused of breaking into the home of a parishioner on Christmas Eve to steal more than $10,000 worth of property, including fur coats, designer purses and electronics. She denies the allegations.
Continue reading ‘Leading Evangelist Preacher in Dallas Arrested For Allegedly Breaking Into Parishioner’s Home to Steal Furs and Designer Purses’
Newspapers are reporting that the United States State Department under Hillary Clinton made the extraordinary decision to refuse assistance requested by the United Arab Emirates into the assassination of a top Hamas commander. Israel’s Mossad is widely viewed as responsible for the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhoh, which broke a host of international and domestic laws. The reports are based on Wikileaks documents and again suggests that the Administration misled the public in its position on the assassination.
A court in Saudi Arabia has ruled that an angry text message sent by a husband to his wife proclaiming himself divorced is binding. The man said he was just mad and did not mean it but the wife was thrilled and insisted that she was now free. The Court agreed that the SMS is a binding divorce in the Kingdom.
Continue reading ‘OMG We’re Divorced: Saudi Court Allows Divorce By Text Message’
I have the very sad duty of reporting that Eric Fatla, one of my first-year evening law students has died in Chicago. Eric was 26 years old. I have been informed that Eric died today shortly after 1 p.m. from the severe injuries that he sustained in his fall at the Union League Club in Chicago shortly before Christmas. I cannot express the profound sadness over the loss of Eric who was a brilliant young man with an extraordinary background and an even brighter future. As shown by the outpouring of comments on this blog and other messages sent directly to the family, Eric’s tragedy has left many in shock and disbelief. We have lost a good friend and a wonderful person at George Washington and he will be long missed by those who knew him.
Continue reading ‘The Passing of Eric Fatla’
Submitted by Guest Blogger, Lawrence Rafferty
After a wonderful Christmas weekend spent with my family and my two Grandsons, and after celebrating the Bears victory over the Jets, it is time to get back to work. I was not surprised to read that the Republican minority in the United States Senate have been trying to prevent President Obama’s nominations for the Federal Judiciary from receiving a vote on the Senate floor. However, I was shocked to see the extent of the intentional obstruction. The Obama Administration has the lowest judicial confirmation record since before the Carter administration. Almost one of every nine judicial judgeships is currently without a Federal judge on the bench. How could a minority in the Senate derail the nominations of so many judges to the Federal bench?
President Barack Obama has finally received praise for his terror policies . . . from Bush officials. Two of the officials commonly named as responsible for allegedly criminal acts during the Bush Administration, former National Intelligence Director retired Vice Admiral Michael McConnel and former Central Intelligence Agency Director Michael Hayden, are heaping praise on Obama for going even farther than George Bush in his policies. Now, there is an ignoble accomplishment.
Continue reading ‘Bush Officials Praise Obama For Going Further Than Bush in Terror Crackdown’
We have often followed torts and criminal cases alleging different forms of professional practice without a license. This one, however, is a bit of a surprise. Chikayoshi Hishiki, 55, and two associates were arrested for violating Japan’s Medical Practitioners Law by providing coffee enemas without a license.
Continue reading ‘Japanese Police Arrest Three Men For Unlicensed Provision of Coffee Enemas’
In West Hartford, Connecticut, Francheska Terrero, 19, is accused of a truly seasonal crime: assault with a Christmas tree. Terrero is accused to using the tree as a weapon (as well as a cellphone) against her parents.
Continue reading ‘Fir Flying: Daughter Attacks Parents With Christmas Tree’
In Rochester Hills, Michigan, prosecutors have brought a highly controversial case — criminally charging a man for reading his ex-wife’s emails without her permission. Leon Walker, 33, could receive five years for the common act of logging on to his wife’s email, an act of snooping that disclosed that she was having an affair with another man. This is the first known time where a spouse or ex-spouse has been prosecuted under the law without any evidence of commercial theft. Yet, the office of Jessica Cooper (left) appears to want to create new precedent that would radically expand the reach of the law.
Continue reading ‘Michigan Man Criminally Charged After Reading Wife’s Email’
The Chinese government has cut off access of lawyers to leading human rights advocate, Liu Xianbin, 42. He was charged in June for subversion for “incitement to subvert state power” for his articles that included his reflections on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and the arrest of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo.
Continue reading ‘China Cuts Off Access Of Lawyers to Leading Human Rights Advocate’
A survey conducted of people in England established this year that, for the first time, the majority of that nation are not religious. Fifty-one percent of those polled reported that they have no religion — a sharp contrast to the same poll conducted in 1985 when 67% said that they were Christians.
Continue reading ‘For God and Country: England Now Non-Religious Nation For First Time in History’
One of the most unique beauty competitions was held this week. About 20,000 camels are competing in the Mazayin Camel beauty competition as part of the Al Dhafrah Festival. You can pick up a looker for prices reaching millions of dirhams or just watching the curvaceous Camelus.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
FAIR and its legal arm, Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), have been busy. FAIR and IRLI have been hopping state-to-state helping local governments craft anti-immigration ordinances, like Arizona’s infamous SB 1070. Arizona’s legal fees have already exceeded $1 million.
Desperately needed tax payer funds are being used by local governments to fight legal challenges to the ordinances drafted with the assistance of IRLI.
Continue reading ‘Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
For your listening pleasure, we have The Ronettes in glorious STEREO!
Best wishes to everyone celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. Continue reading ‘Merry Christmas To All’
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Here’s a poem I wrote and some information about the candy cane:
CANDY CANE
Stuffed
in my green felt stocking
I find
a striped stick of sweetness,
red as Rudolph’s nose,
white as Santa’s beard.
I crinkle open my peppermint present…
let my tongue celebrate
the wintry taste of Christmas.
I am afraid that I have some devastating news for the George Washington community. Late last night, shortly before leaving for midnight mass in Chicago, I learned that evening law student Eric Fatla had a horrible accident while visiting with his family in Chicago. He reportedly fell four stories and suffered traumatic brain injury. The family is reaching out to his friends and asking for prayers. He is given less than a five percent chance of survival and the next two days are critical.
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
University of Oklahoma researchers are conducting DNA testing on bone fragments found on
a remote and deserted Pacific Island to determine if they belong to Amelia Earhart. Earhart and navigator, Fred Noonan, were lost on July 2, 1937, attempting a trans-global fight aboard the Electra. A massive search involving the U.S. Navy revealed nothing but weak or unintelligible signals presumably from the Electra were received. Now we may know why.
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Continue reading ‘Merry Christmas from the Birds, Beasts, & Bugs’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
With the new year comes the beginning of the 2012 presidential race. Outgoing Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty is making his move. He’s written a book, and he’s written a recent op-ed article for the Wall Street Journal. That article is so devoid of facts that Pawlenty has been awarded the “Pants on Fire” rating on PolitiFact’s Truth-o-meter.
This should make him a shoo-in for the Republican nomination.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Presented for your listening enjoyment, Darlene Love in glorious STEREO! Hope Santa brought you headphones/earbuds.
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Season’s Greetings from Jack & Rudy: A Holiday Poem
(Jack is my daughter’s yellow Lab and Rudy is the cat she got two Christmases ago.)
Jack loves Christmas. Woof! Woof! Woof!
Rudy loves it too. Mew! Mew! Mew!
Can’t wait to get their presents—
Some biscuits and a bone,
Some catnip and a ball of yarn,
Some meat-scented cologne.
Jack and Rudy love their tree—
Its ornaments and lights,
The gold star at its tippy-top
Glistening and bright.
Some judges are lionized for their record of moving cases along. Nevada judge Valerie Vega, however, is being ridiculed when she pushed jurors to work through the night in a murder case so that the trial would not interfere with her vacation plans. It appears that things that happen with Vegas do not stay with Vega.
Continue reading ‘Justice Delayed is a Judicial Vacation Denied: Judge Orders All-Nighter For Jury in Murder Case To Accomodate Her Vacation Plans’
In what could be one of the most significant regulatory changes since its founding, the EPA has moved toward imposing limits on greenhouse gases with a finding that such gases now present a “serious problem . . . for future generations.” The move could have widespread environmental benefits apart from climate change in forcing more fuel efficient cars and greater limitations on power plants and industrial sources.
Continue reading ‘EPA Moves Toward Limits on Greenhouse Gases’
Televangelist and one-time Republican presidential candidate Pat Robertson came out on his show “The 700 Club” in opposing the criminalization of marijuana. As someone who has historically preached about bringing down fire and brimstone on sinners, the concern over tokers came as something of a surprise and sent his handlers into a wild spin with the media.
Continue reading ‘Reefer Madness: Rev. Pat Robertson Speaks Out Against Criminalization of Possession of Pot’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Texas Civil Rights Project attorney James C. Harrington has filed a lawsuit in United States District Court against the Kilgore [TX] Independent School District and softball coaches Rhonda Fletcher and Cassandra Newell. The suit was brought on behalf of the mother of the minor daughter, referred to as S.W. The suit alleges that the coaches violated the daughter’s fourteenth amendment right to privacy by disclosing the girl’s sexual orientation to her mother.
The KISD claims their policy mandates that teachers reveal students’ sexual orientation to their parents.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Rep. Barney Frank pwns CNSNews reporter Nicholas Ballasy.
H/T: Media Matters.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Today we have The Ronnettes in glorious STEREO!
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Passing through Colerain Township just north of Cincinnati, 41-year-old plumber Scott Lane, saw his nightmare unfold. His springtime cross-country trip was uneventful up to this point, but now he faced the fear that awakens motorcyclists from their sleep – a careening car crossing into his lane and heading straight for him. At the wheel, 24-year-old Amber Schwartz, her blood infused with morphine and oxymorphine, was feeling neither pain nor anxiety. Despite laying the bike down, the crash was unavoidable.
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Police in Lancashire, England, have been investigating a series of strange home burglaries. It appears the perpetrators of the burglaries like to target homes with hot tubs. The burglars sneak onto people’s property, soak in the spas, and then enter the homes and steal from their victims.
To date, there have been four such burglaries. The “hot tub gang” has allegedly stolen thousands of pounds worth of cash and goods—including a 42-inch plasma television, a laptop computer, and a Nintendo Wii games console.
Continue reading ‘“Hot Tub Gang” in England Avoids Getting into Hot Water with Police’
A federal lawsuit has been filed against Hamilton County (Ohio) Sheriff deputies by John Harmon, a diabetic who was suffering from dangerously low sugar levels when he was allegedly tasered and “violently dragged from the vehicle, thrown on the ground, kicked in the head by a boot, and stomped mercilessly while lying on his back.”
A 13-year-old boy in Oklahoma City was arrested in class in possession of a . . . wait for it . . . here it comes . . . a permanent marker. That’s right, Roosevelt Middle School teacher DeLynn Woodside, 50, had the boy arrested when finding him with a permanent marker in violation of a city ordinance.
Continue reading ‘Indelible Education: Teacher Has Middle School Student Arrested for Use of Marker’
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Following the worst economy in a generation, Americans this year are poised to hand away $48 billion to the needy. In what must have pure capitalists scratching their heads, charitable donations are up more than 30% over last year. In fact, 74% of Americans are participating in the benevolence according to Convio Inc.’s annual year-end giving report.
Continue reading ‘“Greedy” Americans Donate $48B This Holiday Season’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Disappointed that the remastered Beatles box set had She Loves You in mono? We offer The Beatles in glorious STEREO!
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
2010 could have been the last Christmas for two-year-old Nathan Saavedra of Carpenterville, Illinois. Suffering from a rare birth defect known as “Prune Belly Syndrome,” the toddler faced months of dialysis to stave off the deleterious effects of a failing urinary tract and an uncertain future. Reading about the child’s sad prognosis in the Elgin Courier-News, prompted 38-year-old Chris Doing into “doing” something. Inspired by his own grandmother’s posthumous gift of her organs, Doing contacted the local hospital to volunteer his kidney for the child.
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
An Ohio Judge and two public defenders are in the Spirit. Hearing the plight of a formerly homeless woman attempting to expunge her record of a minor felony, the three came up with the $57.00 needed to pay her restitution and allow the Cleveland native a new lease on life. Said Judge Timothy McCormick, “it seemed like the easiest and best thing to do, especially given the season.” Amen.
Source: msnbc.com
~Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
In one of the great civil liberties victories of our age, President Barack Obama this morning signed the formal repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell — an obnoxious policy of discrimination put into effect under President Bill Clinton. At the time, many of us criticized Clinton for not having the courage to reject discrimination against gays and lesbians — even if we lost the fight on principle. Instead, we have had this insidious and hypocritical policy in place — resulting in the discharge or rejections of thousands of brave citizens. It is now relegated to the dustbin of history with the other discriminatory policies once embraced by our nation.
The New York Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a golfer who failed to yell “Fore” and blinding another golfer in one eye. Dr. Anoop Kapoor and Dr. Azad Anand were playing on a nine-hole Long Island course in October 2002 when Kapoor took the swing without the warning. Anand was hit in the head and sued. However, the court found that he had assumed the risk by going on the golf course — even with a “shanked shot.”
Continue reading ‘Legal Mulligan: New York Court Rules Against Golfer Blinded By Fore-Less “Shanked Shot”’
Many of us have questioned some of the response targeting Wikileaks and the dangers that they pose to journalists and free speech on the Internet. The CIA, it appears, agrees: naming its effort the “Wikileaks Task Force” or WTF.
Continue reading ‘WTF on the Wikileaks Crackdown? The CIA Agrees’
The Arizona state supreme court has suspended attorney Cynthia Leyh over a conflict of interest and other misconduct in her representation of her convicted boyfriend, Walter Stringer.
Well, our friend Lottakatz has certainly stirred up a hornet’s nest. Various posters on the blog have contacted me about the sudden surge of over 100 votes on Legal Satyricon to take it from just 15 votes to the lead in the ABA competition. There was a surge of over 100 votes in less than an hour. I have discouraged (and even deleted) a few postings on the issue to keep the matter civil. After all, this is just a fun distraction for bloggers and we tend to have more fun than most. However, with some sleuthing, Lottakatz appears to have found a campaign of misinformation on pro-gun sites where an alleged regular on LS claims that I am a leading anti-gun advocate. The false representation promptly made opposition to our blog as cause celebre for gun rights advocates. Given the emails from our regulars, I wanted to address the controversy.
Continue reading ‘Misinformation Campaign Alleged in ABA Journal Competition’
We have been following a spate of cases (here and here and here and here and here and here)where police officers have shot family dogs in what some are calling over-reactions to such animals. The latest is “Boomer,” a golden retriever who barked at an officer and ran toward him. The Clayton County Police officer “ordered the dog to stop” and then shot and killed it. The dog had an electric fence and was still near the front porch when shot.
Continue reading ‘Georgia Police Officer Kills Family Dog in Controversial Shooting’
Afshan Azad, 22, is a talented and beautiful actress who played Padma Patil, a classmate of Harry Potter in the Harry Potter series. She is now achieving equal notoriety in court after she sought protection from her father and brother who allegedly threatened her life over a association with a male Hindu. Her family is Muslim and allegedly wanted her to accept an arranged marriage. Her father — Abul Azad, 53– allegedly threatened her life and called her a “slag” and a “prostitute.” She also accused her brother — Ashraf, 28 — of making threats against her life. However, she then refused to give testimony in court as if the entire incident were wiped away with a memory charm.
Continue reading ‘Harry Potter Star in Court After Father and Brother Allegedly Threaten Her Life and Demand Arranged Muslim Marriage’
Law professors David Rudovsky of the University of Pennsylvania and Leonard Sosnov of Widener University have won an extraordinary verdict: $5.2 million in compensatory and punitive damages for defamation by West Publishing. At issue was a shoddy 2008 pocket part issued under their names. Rudovsky (left) called the update a “poorly researched ‘sham’ pocket part.”
Sufia Begum, 50, has become the latest victim of Sharia justice. The Bangladeshi woman died after being publicly caned for an alleged extramarital affair with her stepson.
Continue reading ‘Bangladeshi Woman Dies After Caning For Adultery’
We often discuss jury nullification in class, but usually such a controversial decision to refuse to convict someone on clear evidence of guilt comes at the end of a trial. Not in Montana this month when potential jurors announced that they would not convict a person of possession of a small amount of marijuana regardless of the evidence. In polling the potential jurors, District Judge Dusty Deschamps found only 5 of 27 were willing to convict someone on a small possession of pot.
Continue reading ‘Pre-Trial Jury Nullification? Potential Jurors in Montana Excused After They State That They Would Not Convict On Possession of Small Amount of Marijuana’
A new report found that drinking water in 35 cities across the United States contain hexavalent chromium, a probable carcinogen. The report of the Environmental Working Group, is the first nationwide analysis of hexavalent chromium in drinking water to be made public.
Continue reading ‘Carcinogen Found in Drinking Water of 35 Cities Across U.S.’
There is an interesting case out of Perkins, Oklahoma where Federal Reserve officials reportedly ordered a small bank (The Payne County Bank) to remove religious Christmas displays. I fail to see the authority of Federal Reserve officials to limit the free speech to a bank, particularly religious-based speech. If the bank wants to marginalize non-Christian customers through sectarian displays, I think it has a constitutionally protected right to do so. What it cannot do is actually discriminate in the establishment or handling of accounts.
Continue reading ‘Federal Reserve Bank Examiners Demand Removal of Crosses and Merry Christmas Buttons at Oklahoma Bank’
For Republican legislators in Iowa, it was not enough that three state supreme court justices who voted to strike down a ban on gay marriage were recently defeated in their reelection bids after being targeted by conservatives. Now, legislators want to impeach the remaining four justices from the unanimous decision.
Continue reading ‘Iowa Legislators To Impeach Iowa Justices Who Voted For Same-Sex Marriage’
SUBMITTED BY LAWRENCE RAFFERTY, GUEST BLOGGER
Earlier today, Vice President Joe Biden appeared on Meet the Press and gave David Gregory an interesting answer to Gregory’s questions concerning our exit strategy in Afghanistan. The Vice President not only confirmed that the Obama Administration still plans on beginning a drawdown of troops from Afghanistan starting in July of 2011, he also stated that we will complete the departure from Afghanistan in 2014. “We’re starting it in July of 2011. And we’re gonna be totally out of there, come hell or high water, by 2014.” http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/meet-press-biden-says-2014-were-out-a Leave it Vice President Biden to answer the question with such flowery language.
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
David (Nal) has been kind enough to provide us with some classic Christmas songs at the Turley Blawg to help get us into a holiday mood. I thought I’d add my two seasonal cents with a recipe for a delicious almond cake that I often make for holidays and special occasions. The cake is rich and moist. It calls for just four tablespoons of flour. I serve it with homemade raspberry sauce and whipped cream. It’s a favorite with family and friends.
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
A Massachusetts appeals court has let the sexually adventurous breathe a sigh of relief. When confronted with a man, discretely called ”John Doe,” who alleged rather forcefully that his penis had been “fractured” by a particularly vigorous night of love-making, the Court accorded no relief. Doe alleged that his partner, Mary Moe (a pseudonym, I hope), had negligently engaged in sexual intercourse with him thereby fracturing his privates and rendering him “procreatively” dysfunctional. Damages for the injury were claimed of Ms. Moe, who defended Continue reading ‘Doe v. Moe: There is No Negligent Sexual Intercourse in Boston’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Recently, Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), the next chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, told the Birmingham News, “my view is that Washington and the regulators are there to serve the banks.” As part of that service, Republican members of the bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, that was established to examine the causes of the current financial and economic crisis, are rewriting the history of the crisis.
They want to blame Fannie and Freddie.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Presented for your listening enjoyment, The Crystals, in glorious STEREO!
SUBMITTED BY LAWRENCE RAFFERTY, GUEST BLOGGER
Earlier in the week, the legislation that would have provided medical help for 9/11 first responders was killed by Republicans. I was shocked to see that any political party would be against getting medical help for true American heroes. You can imagine my surprise when I found out who was helping the Republicans defeat this humanitarian bill. The United States Chamber of Commerce was quietly working behind the scenes to make sure this bill was defeated. The immediate question that came to my mind was why? Why wouldn’t the Chamber want the heroes of 9/11 to get the medical help that they need to fight the many health problems that they have incurred due to their work on 9/11 at Ground Zero? Continue reading ‘WHAT DOES THE US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE AGAINST 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS?’
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
NOTE: A correction has been made to this post.
This afternoon, the United States Senate voted to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell—a policy that banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military for seventeen years. According to CBS News: “Eight Republicans joined nearly every Democrat to vote for repeal. The Republicans voting for repeal were Sens. Scott Brown (Mass.), Susan Collins (Maine), Olympia Snowe (Maine), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), John Ensign (Nev.), Richard Burr (N.C.) and George Voinovich (Ohio).”
The final vote was 65-31.
SUBMITTED BY LAWRENCE RAFFERTY, GUEST BLOGGER
I recently read that U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is coordinating a crash course on the Constitution for the new members that will be joining the House in January. I was a little surprised that one of the guest speakers for that course will be Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. While it is not unusual for Supreme Court Justices to interact with members of Congress, it disturbs me that Justice Scalia will be meeting with the Tea Party Caucus behind closed doors. These very same members of the Tea Party Caucus have very definite ideas and opinions on current national issues that may reach the Supreme Court in the near future. This recent article in Bloomberg suggests that Justice Scalia’s presentation will “…focus on separation of powers, said Kathy Arberg, the Supreme Court’s spokeswoman.” http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-15/scalia-will-deliver-speech-before-bachmann-s-tea-party-caucus.html Continue reading ‘IS IT ETHICAL ERROR FOR JUSTICE SCALIA TO MEET THE TEA PARTY CAUCUS?’
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Across the Pond: This week, Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, was released on bail from a London prison. Assange will remain under “mansion arrest” at the 600-acre estate of Vaughan Smith, a London restaurateur and former war correspondent. He plans to fight extradition to Sweden where he would face sex crimes allegations.
Back Here at Home: Bradley Manning, the 22-year-old U. S. Army intelligence specialist who has been accused of leaking classified documents to Wikileaks, has been held
in solitary confinement at the marine brig in Quantico, Virginia, for five months. Before being transferred to Quantico, Manning was held in a military jail in Kuwait for two months. Manning will face a court martial on charges that he provided Wikileaks with classified information in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Continue reading ‘Bradley Manning: The Forgotten Person in the Wikileaks Affair’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Orin S. Kerr
Kurt T. Lash
That would be Judge Henry Hudson who recently struck down the Minimum Essential Coverage Provision of the Affordable Care Act that requiring all citizens obtain health care coverage, here. In one corner we have Orin S. Kerr, professor of law at The George Washington University Law School. In the other corner we have Kurt T. Lash professor of law at The University of Illinois College of Law.
It is Necessary and Proper that you read on.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Ken Jennings holds the record for the longest winning streak on Jeopardy! Brad Rutter holds the record for the most money won on Jeopardy!, nearly $3.3 million. The two are being challenged by an IBM computer named “Watson.” The three matches will air Feb. 14-16.
Continue reading ‘I’ll Take Potent Potables for $1000, Alex’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger.
For you listening enjoyment, we have Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans in glorious STEREO! I hope Santa has brought you headphones/earbuds.
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
The Feds have arrested 35-year-old Californian, Marc Knapp, for trying to sell an F-5B fighter jet to Iran. Knapp was nabbed in a government sting operation that crisscrossed the country from Pennsylvania to California and even ranged to Budapest, Hungary. For his part, Knapp was unconcerned that the nation that once promised ”Death to America,” and is reputedly looking for a nuclear weapons capability might acquire an US-made fighter jet.
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Even free marketeer Republicans are sick of it – literally. Rep. Darrell Issa, (R., Calif.), has asked U.S. regulators to look into J & J’s use of a contract manufacturer to make Rolaids antacids that were recalled for quality problems. Issa has requested a probe of J & J product and identified the contract manufacturer as Best Sweet, a Mooresville, N.C., maker of confectionary-based consumer health-care products.
Continue reading ‘Has Johnson & Johnson Become Dumb & Dumber or Just Lax and Laxer?’
Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Hawaii’s unparalleled marching band.
Continue reading ‘Now This Is A Kick Off’
When Malcolm Alarmo King went to Theo Lacy jail in Orange County, he was shocked by the menu: salami sandwiches. A fit former model, King demanded a healthier meal. At the suggestion of his attorney, Fred Thiagarajah, he claimed double portions of kosher (non-salami) meals as part of his belief in Festivus — made famous by a “Seinfeld” episode. To surprise of many, Judge Derek G. Johnson agreed and ordered the special meals to celebrate Festivus.
Continue reading ‘California Judge Orders Special Meals For Inmate To Celebrate “Festivus”’
Attorney Robert Yousefian has brought suit against two Glendale (Cal.) police officers and his estranged wife in a case that reads like a made-for-tv movie. Yousefian was arrested on drug and assault charges by Glendale Police Officer Michael Lizarraga, whom was allegedly having an affair with Yousefian’s wife. He was prosecuted and acquitted of all charges and claims that his wife, Lizarraga, and police Det. Petros Kmbikyan conspired to set him up.
Continue reading ‘Attorney Claims Wife’s Lover Arrested Him and Planted Drugs in Failed Frame Up’
Former Anaheim police officer Bradley Stewart Wagner, 62, is going to jail for four years after pleading guilty to sexual assaults against various women. His chosen victims were illegal immigrants whom he threatened to deport if they did not have sex with him.
Continue reading ‘Former Police Officer Sent to Prison After Sexually Assaulting Illegal Immigrants’
We have another encouraging statement from our ally, Afghan President Hamid Karzai who told Gen. David H. Petraeus, U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry and other top Western officials in Kabul that one of his greatest enemies is the United States and that he wished he had gone with the Taliban when he had a chance. Previously, if you recall, Karzai stated that he wanted to actually join the Taliban in fighting the United States, so this is just a reminder.
Continue reading ‘With Friends Like This: Karzai Again Proclaims that He Wishes He Was With The Taliban Instead of the United States’
An Italian court increased the sentences for 23 CIA agents convicted in absentia for abducting an Egyptian imam as part of the US “extraordinary rendition” program. While President Obama has promised that no one involved in the torture program would be prosecuted and has refused to extradite the CIA employees to Italy, the Italian courts have refused to ignore the violation of Italian laws by the United States.
Continue reading ‘Italian Court Increases Sentences For CIA Agents in Kidnapping/Torture Case’
Recently I added Versailles (and more specifically its director, Jean-Jacques Aillagon) to our ignoble list of “Things That Tick Me Off.” Now, Aillagon has succeeded in securing a second appearance on this list with the news that he had decided to convert part of Versailles into a hotel. That’s right. To raise money for his plans for the historical site, Aillagon is moving into the hotel business. This is after his widely condemned effort to become an art museum with the obnoxious placement of works by Takashi Murakami throughout the palace.
Continue reading ‘Things That Tick Me Off: Versailles II’
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been again criminally charged. This time, he is not only facing a massive federal indictment for corruption but his co-defendants will include his father and three associates over millions of dollars that went to contractors. After his prior conviction, Kilpatrick has not exactly proven an ideal parolee.
Continue reading ‘Former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Indicted . . . Again’
One of the reasons for opposition the European Union was the ability of EU courts to dictate social policies within different countries. This issue is likely to come to a head for some critics with the ruling this week by the European Court of Human Rights that Irish abortion laws violate the rights of a woman seeking abortions in Britain.
Continue reading ‘European Court Rules Woman’s Human Rights Were Violated in Being Denied Abortion in Ireland’
There is a bizarre case in Oregon where a prosecutor has been sentenced to jail for allegedly seeking sex from a woman in a child-support case. Rand E. Overton, Lincoln County deputy district attorney, agreed to a plea deal involving statements made to a women seeking child-support. In a rare sentencing, Overton will actually go to jail for 30 days for the statements and receive two years probation.
New York’s WABC/Channel 7 weather forecaster Heidi Jones was arrested for making a false rape claim to police. Jones claimed that she fought off a hispanic male who pulled her into the bushes while she was jogging in Central Park.
Continue reading ‘Arrest With Chance of Jail: Television Weather Forecaster Heidi Jones Arrested For False Rape Claim’
New Jersey is dealing with a novel strike. New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto had gone on strike in protest to what he believes is the unlawful appointment of a temporary replacement for Justice John Wallace, who was not re-appointed by Gov. Chris Christie. Rivera-Soto believes that there is no authority for such an appointment and has refused to participate in cases with the interloper.
Continue reading ‘New Jersey Justice Goes On Strike Over Appointment of Temporary Justice’
In the annals of thefts, this may be the coldest crime since the Grinch Stole Christmas. Burglars in Mesquite not only stole wrapped Christmas gifts but the Rusaw family’s dog, Candy, for good or bad measure.
Continue reading ‘Taking Candy From a Child: Thieves Steal Family’s Christmas Gifts and Their Dog’
This is very cool. Astronomers have released new information that they believe shows the existence of an “ice volcano” on Saturn’s moon Titan.
Continue reading ‘Meet Sotra: Titan’s Ice Volcano’
In our ongoing coverage of blasphemy prosecutions, the case of Gregory Luke, 64, in Indonesia is a standout. The retired Californian engineer is charged with blasphemy for allegedly turning off a speaker system during Ramadan playing prayers throughout the night. He denies that he did so, but the allegation was enough for a crowd to tear apart his home on Lombok island and Luke to be arrested.
Continue reading ‘Californian Engineer Charged With Blasphemy After Allegedly Turning Off Loud Speaker At Mosque’
This video contains very disturbing footage. What is striking is how brave and calm the school board members, particularly Bay City Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt, prove under pressure. The gunman has been identified as Clay A. Duke.
Continue reading ‘Video: Florida Gunman Shoots At School Board Before Shooting Himself’
Attorney Dominique A. Buttitta, 32, is not someone to leave at the altar. Buttitta is suing Vito V. Salerno, 31, after he back out of a wedding that cost her nearly $100,000 and considerable embarrassment.
Continue reading ‘With This I Do Sue: Attorney Sues Man Who Jilted Her Days Before Wedding’
It was a horrific video. The victim was standing innocently in the street in Champaign-Urbana when a city bus is shown swerving to hit him. The victim literally seems to explode — piece flying under and over the bus. The bus driver has now resigned, but the snowman will never see Christmas.
While every snow flurry or cool snap is often cited as evidence of the folly of “global warming” by critics, scientists at the NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies have released data showing that 2010 now ranks as the hottest climate year on record.
Continue reading ’2010 To Be Hottest Year On Record’
We have been following the grotesque sentencings handed down under Sharia law’s medieval principle of “an eye for an eye,” including the recent variation of a spine for a spine. One such case previously discussed involved an Iranian court ordering that acid be dropped in the eyes of an Iranian man after he blinded the husband of his lover. Now, that sentence has been reviewed and upheld by Iran’s highest courts as perfectly proper under Sharia law.
Continue reading ‘Eye for An Eye: Iranian Supreme Court Upholds Sentence To Pour Acid In Eyes of Defendant’
This week, I watched the Daily Show interview with former Joint Chiefs of Staff retired General Hugh Shelton about his new memoir. What was most striking was his disclosure that a Clinton cabinet member suggested ordering a U.S. pilot to fly low in a U2 surveillance flight over Iraq in order to be shot down. The U.S. would then use the staged pretext to start a war with Saddam Hussein. What Shelton described is a proposed crime of horrendous proportions. However, he has not revealed the name of the cabinet member or whether Bill Clinton was aware of this proposed criminal act.
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