Res ipsa loquitur ("The thing itself speaks")
United States District Court Judge Roger Vinson has struck down the entirety of the National Health Care law (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) as unconstitutional. What is most interesting is his decision that the entire act had to be struck down because of the individual mandate provision’s unconstitutionality. Vinson grants declaratory relief but declines to grant injunctive relief.
Continue reading ‘Federal Court in Florida Strikes Down Health Care Law As Unconstitutional’
New Hampshire Rep. Gregory Sorg (R- Grafton County) is being accused of trying to prune the voter rolls of presumed liberal voters by barring college students from voting. His “Voters Attending Institutions of Learning” would tell students to vote back home.
Russian officials are now saying that the suicide bomber called the Black Widow who died on New Year’s Eve was the result of an unexpected text message that set off her bomb too early. It may be the first case of death by spam ever recorded.
Stephanie Jean Came, 21, is accused of not only being ruthless but decidedly cheap. Came allegedly wanted to kill her boyfriend but didn’t have the scratch for hit, so she arranged for a guy to cripple her boyfriend instead for $500 — preferably from the neck down.
Who needs real birds when you can simply pipe them in? Lancaster (CA) mayor R. Rex Parris has announced his desire to have bird sounds played on loudspeakers around the city to make people happier.
Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) joined the ranks of leading Republicans condemning evolution last week. On Bill Maher’s show, Kingston was asked directly if he believed in evolution and announced “I believe I came from God not from a monkey so the answer is no.”
Continue reading ‘Representative: Darwin Be Damned, I’m No Monkey’
Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty, (rafflaw), Guest Blogger
After a great afternoon playing with my grandsons, it is time to get back to “work”. One of the news items that flew under the radar this week was the report that the Pentagon has established a start date for its training to prepare troops for the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that made it through the recent Lame Duck Congress. I was pleasantly surprised that Defense Secretary Gates has moved quickly on the repeal, but I am confused as to why the troops have to be trained to treat everyone equally? Continue reading ‘Why Does the Military Need to “Train” Troops on DADT Repeal?’
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
The new Republican majority in the House of Representatives is moving to make changes in abortion law. The new No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H. R. 5939) has 173 co-sponsors—most of them Republicans. According to The House GOP’s Plan to Redefine Rape, an article in Mother Jones that was written by Nick Baumann, John Boehner (R-OH) considers the bill a top priority for the new Congress. The bill, reportedly, includes a
provision that rewrites the definition of rape.
Federal laws that have restricted the use of government funds for abortions have contained exemptions for pregnancies that resulted from rape and incest and for pregnancies that could endanger the lives of women. Evidently, the new legislation proposes that the rape exemption be limited to “forcible rape.”
Continue reading ‘Rape Redefined and Brought to You by Members of the US House of Representatives’
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Last February, the U.S. Congress passed a one-year extension of three provisions of the Patriot Act that were due to expire. Although there were bills pending in the House and the Senate to amend those provisions—as well as other sections of the Patriot Act—Congress chose to reauthorize the act without making any changes.
This February, the three “sunset” provisions of the Patriot Act are due to expire again. On January 26th, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced legislation that calls for reauthorization of the three provisions. Sensenbrenner’s legislation would extend the “sunset” provisions through December 8, 2011.
Sensenbrenner said: “As the author of the USA PATRIOT Act and its reauthorization in 2005, I fully understand the intense legal scrutiny these provisions have undergone over the last several years and support making them permanent. These three provisions have helped thwart countless potential attacks since the bill was signed into law and are critical to helping ensure law officials can keep our nation safe from attack.”
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Although Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) was being pushed to run for President in 2012, he appears to favor a likely run for Governor of Indiana. Many on the Right consider Pence the candidate to unite the evangelical and social conservatives and the Tea Partyers.
How shallow is the Republican pool of candidates if this is the best they can come up with?
Continue reading ‘Rep. Mike Pence Will Not Run for President’
-Submitted by David Durmm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Woo, a term used by scientific skeptics for pseudoscience, alternative medicine and New Age beliefs, or a person who holds such beliefs.
Walmart, through their website, is selling Oscillococcinum, manufactured by Boiron, to be used “for flu-like symptoms.” Their image of the package shows that the product “Reduces [the] Duration and Severity of Flu Symptoms,” including “Fever, Chills, Body Aches and Pains.”
It does no such thing.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
In memory of the recent passing of his brother David, we present Ricky Nelson in glorious STEREO!
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Rep. Curtis Oda, a Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives, says he wants “to protect people from getting in trouble for doing the right thing.” And the “right thing” according to Oda is killing feral animals. Oda does not think that feral animals should be protected by a law that makes cruelty to animals a felony. He feels that feral animals can pose health risks.
Oda is chief sponsor of House Bill 210 that would change the current law in order to allow the humane killing of feral animals. Two of the killing methods that Oda considers to be humane are clubbing and decapitation.
Continue reading ‘There Oda Be a Law: Feral Animals in Utah, Beware!’
Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty, (rafflaw), Guest Blogger
The other day I came across an article about Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, who has a big idea to save money in the Federal budget. When I read the article I was disappointed because Rep. Bachmann’s idea to save $4.5 Billion from the Federal budget is to take it away from Veterans disability payments. “The Air Force Times reports her plan would slice $4.5 billion from the VA, including reducing 150,000 veterans’ disability compensation and the amount they receive in Social Security Disability Income.” http://thinkprogress.org/2011/01/28/bachmann-veterans/ Now, I am all for saving money from waste and inefficiencies, but Rep. Bachmann’s idea would take it from our wounded heroes! Continue reading ‘Wake up Minnesota’
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
California professional golfer (and former police officer) Lana Lawless is challenging the LPGA’s rule requiring tournament participants to be “female by birth.” The LPGA has ruled, according to Lawless, that as a transgender woman, she is ineligible to compete. The rule seems to fly directly in the face of California’s Unruh Law which holds that all people in the state are “free and equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, or sexual orientation are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.”
Continue reading ‘Playing It Straight: LPGA’s “Female By Birth” Rule Challenged’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
The Florida Bar has filed a complaint with the Florida Supreme Court against attorney John Stemberger, accusing him of violating legal rules of conduct regarding his handling of the Rifqa Bary case. Rifqa Bary was the Muslim girl who converted to Christianity and then ran away from her Ohio home claiming that she was an intended victim of an honor killing. She was returned to Ohio and placed into the custody of Franklin County Children Services, until her 18th birthday on 10 August 2010.
She became a cause célèbre for right wing evangelicals.
-Submitted by David Durmm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Professor Brian Cox, a particle physicist at the University of Manchester and host of Wonders of the Solar System on the Science Channel, has brought the wrath of the Astrological Association of Great Britain upon himself. Professor Cox, on BBC2′s “Stargazing Live” show, said that “astrology is nonsense” and the Association wants the BBC to commit to “making a fair and balanced representation of astrology in the future.”
There’s a lot of money at stake.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Today we have The Cascades in glorious STEREO!
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
For years, the policy reason behind the law’s prohibition against assisted suicide has eluded me. Eureka! I have found the answer – it’s to prevent bear indigestion.
Fugitive and convicted Arizona killer, Tracy Province, had a novel means to accomplish his own demise. Escaping from a Kingman jail with a trio of other desperadoes, Province hatched a plan to drive to Yellowstone Park, shoot up a gram of heroin, and lie down in the national park in an effort to become food for the famous Yellowstone grizzlies.
Continue reading ‘“Grizzly” Death Averted: Bear-icide Stopped by Divine Intervention’
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Mexican drug smugglers are becoming quite creative in their efforts to get marijuana into the U.S. No more low altitude drops from sleek planes in the Florida Everglades a’ la Miami Vice. Today’s smuggler is more into the ”throwback” mode of delivery, so to speak. Invoking the tried and true philosophy of the Middle Ages, catapults have become the air mail vehicle of choice to launch packages of the intoxicating plant into Arizona.
The prosecution has rested in the trial of former New York television executive Muzzammil Hassan, 46, for the beheading of his wife at a television studio. Hassan recently asserted his right to self-representation in the case after having open disagreements with his counsel. We will now see if he actually puts on a case in chief in his own defense. Short of an insanity defense, it is difficult to see a viable defense argument in the case. As discussed below, I am also unsure why some damaging evidence was allowed in the case.
Continue reading ‘Prosecution Rests in Hassan Beheading Case — Was It Appropriate To Use His Silence Against Him at Trial?’
Aurora police officer James Waselkow has been reinstated with back pay after being fired for excessive use of force. Waselkow broke the orbital bone near the right eye of Carla Meza during an arrest and then failed to give her medical treatment. He was later fired after the Chief concluded he had used excessive force and did not have probable cause for an arrest after the domestic violence call.
Continue reading ‘Colorado Police Officer Reinstated With Back Pay After Being Fired For Using Excessive Force and Breaking Six Department Policies’
Ashley Renee Oxendine, 22, is accused of a rather bizarre criminal act in Gainesville. After fighting with her former boyfriend, she not only physically assaulted him but threw his mother’s ashes out the window.
The world has been given another atrocity committed in the name of Islam and Sharia law. The video below (warning graphic content) shows a young couple being stoned to death by a crowd of men. The woman, Siddqa, 25, had been sold into an arranged marriage for $9000. That is perfectly fine under Sharia law. After she ran away with her lover, she and the man were sentenced to be stoned to death as adulterers.
Continue reading ‘Taliban Stones Couple to Death As Adulterers’
The Illinois Supreme Court today reversed the decision (below) of the appellate court and reinstated former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to the mayoral ballot in Chicago. As discussed earlier, the Supreme Court hit on the burden in overturning a factual finding of the lower court.
Continue reading ‘llinois Supreme Court Puts Emanuel Back on Chicago Ballot’
The government is on the verge of doing away with one of its moronic ideas: the color-coded terror alert system. From the outset, many of us objected that this was a system without logic or use — part of an effort to incorporate every American into a terror-obsessed society. Not only did no one know the meaning of the individual colors, few understood what they were supposed to do differently when it moved from blue (guarded) to yellow (elevated). Yet, the government continually informed us as to the color of the day — spending millions on a nonsensical system.
Continue reading ‘Fade to Black: Government Plans To Phase Out Color Threat Alert System’
Many have long wondered: “I know our state bird, but what is our state gun to shoot it with?” Now, in Utah, the uncertainty may soon be over. State lawmakers are moving toward adopting the Browning M1911 as the official state gun.
Continue reading ‘Utah Moves Toward Adopting State Gun’
Cal State Northridge math professor Tihomir Petrov, 43, has been charged with two misdemeanor counts for urinating on the door of a colleague.
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Jim Miklaszewski, Chief Pentagon Correspondent for NBC News, reported on Monday that investigators have not been able to find a direct connection between Bradley Manning, the army private suspected of leaking classified documents to Wikileaks, and Julian Assange. Last month, Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, told MSNBC that he was not sure that Manning was the source for the leaked documents that were posted on his site.
Continue reading ‘Investigators Find No Direct Link Between Bradley Manning and Julian Assange’
Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty, (rafflaw), Guest Blogger
Since Professor Turley is snowbound in the Winter Wonderland, the weekend warriors are back to bring your blood pressure up!
I have been critical of the Right Wing Mass Media for its continual banging of the drum of hate towards President Obama and the Democrats in general. Now, there are times that the Democrats and President Obama should be called on the carpet. For instance, for not confronting the Bush torture crowd and for claiming that the President has the authority to kill American citizens without due process, just to name a couple. However, the civility that President Obama has asked for in his latest speeches, have gone unheeded by many on the Right and some on the Left.
Many defendants work hard to find the right balance between expressions of contrition and innocence before a criminal sentencing. Zaire Page, 24, decided that brevity was the soul of wit and simply told Judge Vincent Del Giudice to “suck his d—.” Del Guidice declined the offer and instead gave him 107 years.
Continue reading ‘Actor Tells Judge To Suck His [Blank] . . . Instead Judge Gives Actor 107 Years’
Wal-Mart is now marketing aging cream and other cosmetics for girls 8-12, including anti-aging creams to avoid that ten-year-old look.
Continue reading ‘Are You An Eight Year Old Girl Worried About Looking Ten? Wal-Mart Has The Answer’
The Office of Special Counsel has found gross and knowing violation of the Hatch Act by the Bush White House and specifically its Office of Political Affairs. The OSC Report found that the Bush White House allowed the office to directly support Republican congressional candidates and even allowed the Republican National Committee to work out of the White House. The violations were found to be a “gross abuse of the public trust.”
Continue reading ‘Report: Bush White House Committed Gross Violations of Hatch Act’
The Missouri Supreme Court has handed down an important ruling on reverse discrimination — upholding an award of more than $2 million for a white prosecutor, Melissa Howard, who was denied a judgeship in 2006 because the Kansas City Council wanted a minority in the position.
For academics, there is no greater sin than the alteration of a historic document. That is precisely what amateur historian Thomas P. Lowry is accused of doing in writing a “5″ over a date of a pardon by Abraham Lincoln – immediately gaining fame for finding the last official act before Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865.
Continue reading ‘Civil War Historian Accused of Altering Lincoln Pardon’
For civil libertarians, the gradual de-evolution of our criminal justice system just got a bit more medieval. Virginia Republican Sen. Emmett Hanger is upset about the prison budget so he has found a way to trim costs by simply castrating sexual offenders. This is the same proposal vetoed four years ago, but there is now a conservative Republican governor in office and some believe it could pass.
Continue reading ‘Sen. Hanger Proposes Castration for Sex Offenders’
Dogs routinely shock their owners by eating everything from documents to dolls. (My dog Molly prefers to eat socks). However, when an one-year-old pit bull named Diamond eat a Bible in England, Miriam Smith, 65, decided to take action. She hanged Diamond with an electrical cord and burned its body.
Continue reading ‘American Woman Charged in England After Hanging and Burning “Devil Dog”’
With surprisingly little coverage from the media, Justice Clarence Thomas has amended his financial disclosure after Common Cause exposed his failure to report his wife’s income for many years — including her payments from conservative organizations.
Continue reading ‘Justice Thomas Amends Disclosure Forms To Reveal Wife’s Income’
Outside Chicago, car salesman John Stone was reportedly fired for the world’s most ill-conceived neck wear: a Packers tie. The sales manager at Webb Chevrolet ordered Stone to remove the tie and when he refused, he fired him.
Utah school officials are in deep debate over a shocking development at the girls basketball game between Christian Heritage High and West Ridge Academy. Drugs? Violence? No, the score. After Christian Heritage High won 108-3, many are crying foul and demanding to know why the CHH coach did not slow his “Crusaders” down and force them to give up points.
Continue reading ‘Crusaders Criticized For Crushing Victory: Girls Basketball Score Leading To Calls for Reform — To Force Closer Scores’
Just when he probably thought that it could not get much worse than losing to the Packers in a home game, Rahm Emanuel has lost his fight to get on the ballot. The court just ruled that he is ineligible.
Continue reading ‘Court: Rahm Emanuel Not Eligible to Run for Mayor’
There is an interesting lawsuit out of Alabama where lawyers have filed a class action against Taco Bell over its claim to serve “beef” in its dishes. In fact, the lawsuit alleges, Taco Bell is serving what are called “beef extenders” and not actual beef as defined by the U.S. government.
This week we have two cases rivaling for the most frivolous litigation of the year. In Pennsylvania, Cathy Cruz Marrero is shown in the video below texting while walking through the mall. Marrero was not looking where she is going and walks right in a fountain. She has now retained counsel. In the meantime, Hubert Blackman of New York City is suing a Las Vegas company after a prostitute failed to give him a full hour of service.
The rivalry between the Bears and Packers and Vikings is intense but largely good-natured. Some, however, take it to a new and disturbing level such as Blake Montpetit, the co-owner of Tiffany Sports Lounge in St. Paul, who announced that he would roast a black bear to show his hatred for Chicago. This comes on the heels of a restaurant owner in Tucson grinding up a lion for tacos.
Continue reading ‘Minnesota Bar Owner Roasts Black Bear To Show Contempt For Chicago’
We have yet another example of the mindless enforcement of zero tolerance for gun play at school. Seven-year-old Patrick Riley used his finger to form a pretend gun and went bang toward a wall. He was promptly suspended from Parkview Elementary in Oklahoma City.
I am beginning to get a rather bizarre view of teaching techniques in England. If you recall, we recently saw how teachers terrorized students with the fake murder of a colleague. Now, teachers including Headteacher Mike Richards at St. Mary’s RC told children that World War III had broken out and, using fireworks, had them cringing in a cellar as a learning experience.
Continue reading ‘School Terrifies Students With World War III Prank’
That is the best I do right now. It is hard for me to express my feelings at this time of utter darkness and despair.
This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the endOf our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I’ll never look into your eyes…againCan you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need…of some…stranger’s hand
In a…desperate land
Continue reading ‘Packers Beat Bears Bears Decide Not To Go To Dallas’
Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw), Guest Blogger
In light of the all the hoopla about President Obama’s upcoming State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, I have been thinking of all of the ideas and issues that I would like the President to address in his talk with the country. Since I am a Bears fan and used to dreaming, here it goes.
Continue reading ‘State of the Union Wishlist’
Here is today’s column in the Washington Post on the controversy over Justice Scalia’s appearance on Monday in a Tea Party Caucus event for new House members. I view the issue as having broader implications for the Court.
Continue reading ‘Scalia and the Rise of the Celebrity Justice: Should Justices Have a Political Base?’
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
JACK: Sheesh, Rudy! It looks like no one will be taking me for a walk today. Football…football…football! That’s all our folks have been talking about around here the past couple of weeks. They’ll be watching NFL playoff games ALL afternoon. What’s an energetic dog like me supposed to do?
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Lei Li, a Chinese Christian whose request for asylum in the United States was denied by an immigration judge in 2005, should be given another chance.
Lei, who became a Christian in 1999, said he was persecuted in China for practicing his faith. He claims he was arrested and beaten “for hosting an underground Christian church in his home.” After his release from police custody, Lei says he lost his job. In 2001, he came to the United States on a visitor visa—but he violated its terms by working.
In 2003, Li applied for asylum in the United States. He filed a petition for withholding from removal under the Convention Against Torture. In 2005, immigration judge Renee Renner rejected Lei’s petition for asylum because she felt he hadn’t answered “basic” questions about Christianity correctly. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Renner didn’t have evidence to make such a judgment.
Continue reading ‘Appeals Court Rules Religious Test Improper in Asylum Case’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Last week, the Fourth District Court of Appeal of the state of Florida issued a ruling denying the motion to suppress. Ruiz v. State of Florida is a drug case dealing with “consent” to search. Freddie Ruiz, charged with trafficking in cocaine and possession of cannabis, moved to suppress, alleging that the evidence was seized unlawfully.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
The Marine Hospital Service was an organization of hospitals dedicated to the care of ill and disabled seamen in the U.S. Merchant Marine, U.S. Coast Guard, and others. The Service was created by an act of the 5th Congress and signed into law on 16 July 1798 by President John Adams. The Marine Hospital Service was the point of origin for the Public Health Service.
The government funded the hospitals by a tax on sailors’ monthly wages.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Today we have Bill Haley & His Comets in glorious STEREO! Everybody get up and dance.
Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw), Guest Blogger
Earlier this week I read on the ACLU website the Appellate Court decision in ACLU, et al v. Department of Defense, et al, which decided you and I are not entitled to learn how our government tortured detainees illegally. “A federal appeals court today ruled that the government can continue suppressing transcripts in which former CIA prisoners now held at Guantánamo Bay describe abuse and torture they suffered in CIA custody. The ruling came in an ACLU Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit to obtain uncensored transcripts from Combatant Status Review Tribunals (CSRTs) used to determine if Guantánamo detainees qualify as ”enemy combatants.” http://www.aclu.org/national-security/court-rules-government-can-continue-suppress-detainee-statements-describing-tort-0 It didn’t surprise me that the ACLU lost this appeal, but what surprised me is the lack of attention this case got in the main stream media. Continue reading ‘Americans Don’t Have the Right to Learn Just How Detainees Were Tortured’
Not to intrude upon our weekend editors, but here is the insulting Packers joke the day.
Continue reading ‘Packers Joke Of The Day’
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Next Tuesday, President Obama will deliver his 2011 State of the Union Address. Rep. Paul Ryan, Republican of Wisconsin and chairman of the House Budget Committee, has been selected to deliver his party’s “official” rebuttal. Not one to let a media opportunity slip by, Rep. Michele Bachmann, Republican of Minnesota and founder of the Tea Party Caucus, has decided that she, too, will deliver her own post-State-of-the-Union-Address address. Her speech will “supplement” Ryan’s GOP rebuttal with a “Tea Party” perspective. It will be webcast on the Tea Party Express Web site and will follow Congressman Ryan’s speech. Anyone wondering why Bachmann is planning to do this?
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
This case was argued before the Supreme Court on 6 Oct. 2010 and we are awaiting their decision. This is the “funeral picketing” case involving Petitioner Albert Snyder, the father of Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder who was killed in Iraq, and Respondent Rev. Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
What saw manufacturer is going to want to build this device? The demonstration in the video doesn’t seem realistic. The finger detection mechanism is the key factor. It would have to work perfectly under a variety of conditions not demonstrated in the video. The manufacturer’s liability insurance could be prohibitive
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
For your listening enjoyment, we have The Animals in glorious STEREO!
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
No more will that little babe with the angel wings shoot his arrows at love struck Iranian couples and promote the “sins” of compassion, passion, and love. The corruption that is red hearts and paper valentines has been officially banned by Iranian officials in homage to hoary Islamic law that proscribes unmarried couples from mingling.
Continue reading ‘There Is No Joy In Tehran-ville: Mighty Cupid Struck Out’
This evening my friend Keith Olbermann announced that he is leaving MSNBC and that Countdown will end this week. His departure will be a great disappoint for millions of viewers but I have little doubt that Keith will continue his unique brand of commentary and coverage in a different forum. I will personally miss our conversations on and off the program. Keith has been a unique voice in our society and I trust that we have not heard the last of that voice on myriad of issues confronting this nation.
Common Cause has sent the letter below to Justice Clarence Thomas raising concerns over his failure to report his wife’s income in prior years. For full disclosure, I have conferred with Common Cause on this nondisclosure issue and participated as an independent expert in the press conference yesterday on the absence of binding ethics rules for the members of the Supreme Court.
Continue reading ‘Justice Thomas Accused of Reporting Violations’
The German Navy has a rare mutiny case on its hands. The case involves students who were training on The Gorch Fock, but rebelled when ordered to climb a 40-metre mast in November. One of the students had previously fallen off the mast and died.
Continue reading ‘Mutiny on the Bounty Gorch Fock’
I saw this extraordinary case on Reddit on the basis for a conviction in a prostitution case. Swedish Soccer goalkeeper Magnus Hedman was reportedly convicted on a charge of buying sexual services because a court found that, even though he did not pay for the services, he should have known the woman was a prostitute by her thick make-up and dress. Hedman insisted that he was drunk at the time at a friend’s party and simply had consensual sex.
Continue reading ‘Swedish Court Convicts Soccer Star of Buying Sexual Services Based on The Woman’s Make-Up and Dress’
A New Zealand woman is proof that no hickey is entirely harmless. The woman experienced paralysis after her boyfriend gave her a hickey on her neck. She is expecting to fully recover . . . as for the relationship, the prognosis is unclear.
Continue reading ‘Woman Hospitalized By Hickey’
Louisville Police Officer Cody Chapelle has been suspended for 13 days after he gave a ticket to a seven-year-old boy who accidentally threw a ball that hit his personal vehicle. He charged the child with criminal mischief in the third degree.
I just participated in a press conference (with Stanford Professor Deborah Rhode) dealing with Common Cause’s letter (below) asking the Justice Department to look into alleged conflicts of interest related to Justices Scalia and Thomas in the Citizens United case. Common Cause identified extremely serious issues related to the participation of Scalia and Thomas in events organized by Koch Industries CEO Charles Koch as well as Ginny Thomas’ involvement in Liberty Central.
Continue reading ‘Should Scalia and Thomas Be Retroactively Recused From Citizens United?’
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley had a special message for non-Christian citizens immediately after his swearing in as governor: believe in Christ or do not consider me your brother.
Continue reading ‘Alabama Governor Tells Voters That They Need To Believe in Jesus To Be His Brother or Sister’
A restaurant in Tucson has hit upon a rather disturbing promotional gimmick: it is taking orders for African Lion tacos. The owner of Exotic Taco y Tequila, Bryan Mazon, sees nothing wrong with serving up lions and admits that he hopes that grinding up lions will bring him some publicity. I just cannot believe that this is the type of publicity that would help — particularly in a college town with plenty of environmentalists and public interest advocates.
Ok, I’m confused. I know that China virtually owns this country by holding billions of our debt. However, I fail to understand the criticism of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for calling Chinese President Hu Jintao a “dictator.” Hu is the head of a government that arrests dissidents, censures news, restricts the exercise of religion, blocks access to information, and does not allow opposing political parties or viewpoints. What was Reid supposed to call him, a voice of freedom?
Continue reading ‘Reid Criticized for Calling Chinese President a “Dictator”’
This video was released by the Salt Lake Tribune of a drug bust gone bad where officers shot and killed Todd Blair, 45, when he appeared holding a golf club. The police had secured a no knock warrant for his roommate — suspected of selling drugs.
Continue reading ‘Utah Police Execute No-Knock Warrant on Home and Shoot and Kill Man Holding Golf Club’
This is a remarkable video that I saw on Reddit of a man diving and fishing. Oh yeah, he also holds his breath for 2:30 minutes.
Continue reading ‘Hold Your Breath . . . Go Ahead Try It’
It is beginning to seem like “blood libel” has become the contemporary term of art. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) took the floor last night to compare the Republicans to Nazi propagandist Goebbels and their arguments to “blood libel.” Since Sarah Palin was just skewered over the use of the term, it will be interesting to see the reaction to this reference occurring just days later over national health.
Continue reading ‘Rep. Cohen Compares Republicans To Nazis and Calls Repeal Arguments to “Blood Libel”’
According to the Washington Post, Fairfax County (where I reside) has agreed to pay $2 million to the parents of an unarmed man who was shot by one of its officers five years ago. Optometrist Salvatore J. Culosi, 37, (shown left) was shot by SWAT officer Deval V. Bullock. Bullock insisted that his gun accidentally went off and he was not charged in the killing.
Continue reading ‘Fairfax Gives $2 Million To Parents of Unarmed Man Shot and Killed By Swat Officer Outside of His Home’
This Pittsburgh case has me confused. Kaleb Miller, 22, has been given a $40,000 settlement after he was pistol-whipped and shot by an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer Paul Abel, 35. Abel was previously charged with drunken driving, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. However, in June, Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning acquitted Abel of the charges in a non-jury trial and then Abel was reinstated to the force. Now, the city is paying damages to Miller.
Continue reading ‘Pittsburgh Settles Case of Man Allegedly Pistol-Whipped and Shot By Drunken Off-Duty Officer . . . The Officer is Reinstated To Force’
In a discovery that is being called “the smoking gun,” Irish media is reporting that they have a 1997 letter from the Vatican warning Ireland’s Catholic bishops not to report all suspected child-abuse cases to police. This was from 1997 — less then 13 years ago in the midst of the scandal. This occurred during the tenure of Pope John Paul II.
Continue reading ‘Vatican Warned Irish Bishops Not To Report Child Abuse in 1997′
The video below has led to the sentencing of a Beaumont, Texas police officer for “official oppression” in the beating of a man at a 2007 traffic stop.
The Washington Post is reporting that the Afghan government is moving to tax U.S. aid to his country — notifying U.S. contractors that the government wants a piece of the aid given . . . to them. The Karzai government is taking this action over the objections of the Administration and conflicting U.S. law. It is also taking this action after Karzai has shutdown corruption investigations against his government. The Karzai family has been denounced as a virtual criminal enterprise with his brothers stealing anything that they can lay their hands on.
Continue reading ‘Biting The Hand: Afghan Government To Tax United States Aid’
Under pressure from women’s groups, English officials recently backed down in giving the same anonymity protections to men accused of rape as they do to their alleged victims. Emma Blunden, 21, of Reading, Berkshire should give them second thoughts. Blunden received two years after repeatedly accusing men of raping her.
Continue reading ‘English Woman Sentenced To Two Years For Accusing Four Men of Raping Her’
We have another Middle Eastern royal on the lam. Various sites are reporting that a Prague court has issued an international arrest warrant for Prince Hamad bin Abdallah bin Thani al-Thani, a Qatari prince convicted of sexually abusing Czech girls.
Justice Gerard Hogan of Ireland’s High Court held a novel hearing on December 27th in his own home. Hogan ordered that the government give a lie-saving blood transfusion to a baby boy born in August 2010. His parents are both Jehovah Witnesses and had refused the procedure to save their son.
Continue reading ‘Irish Justice Orders Baby Saved Over Objections of Religious Parents’
As many of us expected, President Obama’s decision to block any investigation or prosecution of war crimes has led Republicans to rehabilitate George Bush’s legacy. The latest claim came from former Vice President Dick Cheney who previously boasted about the torture program in public — unconcerned about any prosecution from Attorney General Eric Holder. Now, Cheney is boasting that Obama has “learned from experience” that some of the Bush administration’s decisions on terrorism issues.
Continue reading ‘Cheney: Obama Has Adopted Bush Policies on Torture and Gitmo’
This is an amazing story. Brooklyn College student Chinemerem Eze, a Nigerian national, was convinced that her landlord had hidden a camera in her apartment. She complained to school officials, who proceeded to arrange for her being committed to a psychiatric ward . . . Then later she found the camera.
This video was used as evidence in a controversial case in Florida where a judge has ruled that Christopher Comins was justified in shooting two Siberian huskies in a cow pasture who were harassing his cows.
Continue reading ‘Florida Man Acquitted in Shooting of Two Huskies Who Were Harassing Cows’
Hugo Chávez continues his assault on political and legal protections in Venezuela. In a move that has been denounced internationally, including by Amnesty International, Chávez demanded the arrest of Judge María Lourdes Afiuni after she granted bail to an accused banker. He is demanding 30 years in prison even though his prosecutors could find no bribe (as he originally alleged on the radio). Instead, they found “spiritual corruption” and threw her in jail with many convicts that she previously incarcerated.
Continue reading ‘“Spiritual Corruption”: Chávez Jails Judge Who Granted Bail To Banker’
OK, this is bad. Just as many wives are at their wits end with husbands who have turned to couch potatoes during the playoffs, scientists have found another species that made males obsolete. Spanish investigators have discovered that dragonflies are capable of parthenogenesis, asexual reproduction without fertilization by a male. While plenty of women are avid football fans, the announcement of this discovery during the playoffs can only be viewed as a direct threat to the male gender.
Continue reading ‘Are Males Obsolete? Female Dragonflies Go It Alone’
Once again, God has reached down from heaven and blessed his chosen team, the Chicago Bears. In what can only be described as a Biblical contest between Good (Bears) and Evil (Packers), the NFC championship is set for next Sunday.
Continue reading ‘And God said, Let the Bears Bring Forth . . . And It Was So.’
Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw), Guest Blogger
I realize that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter, but when organizations are added to the Federal government’s list of Terrorist Organizations, the Supreme Court has determined that any assistance to that organization is a criminal act. Even a speech in support of that particular group can be a criminal act. http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-1498.pdf http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/03/opinion/03cole.html?_r=1 It seems that in December of 2010, former Attorney General Michael Mukasey along with former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and Rudy Giuliani, a former Mayor of New York City and a former Presidential candidate, all spoke at a conference in Paris in support of the Mujahedeen Khalq. The Mujahedeen Khalq is an Iranian dissident group that the State Department has labeled as a terrorist organization. http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm
Continue reading ‘Are Michael Mukasey, Tom Ridge and Rudy Giuliani Aiding and Abetting the Enemy?’
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Few words have sparked as much emotion on the blog –and may have even cost it a victory lap in the ABA blog voting this year – as the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Seems the history of the Amendment was just as jumbled and ferociously fought, or so contends Law Professor David E. Vandercoy, in his short history of the Second Amendment.
Continue reading ‘Their Rights As Englishmen: A Brief History of the Second Amendment-Part I’
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Tara L. Tobin, a 20-year-old woman from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, decided to “mug” for her mug shot after police arrested her for drunk driving recently.
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Only on rare occasion do I disagree with our host on interpretations of law. On football, well that’s another matter. An unabashed Steeler and AFC fan, I run head long in Professor Turley’s (shall I say it?), obsession with those “Monsters of the Midway,” the Chicago Bears. Today, all that changed.
Continue reading ‘Tacoma Student Sent Home For Wearing Wrong Jersey: Bears Gain New Fan’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
For those not familiar with William Lane Craig (WLC), he is a Christian apologist and a Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He debates atheists and he usually wins. He doesn’t win on the merits of his arguments but he is a skilled debater, while his opponents are not.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
This is a question faced by many municipalities. That question will be answered in Austin, Texas, where two men were arrested this week for DWI while one was riding a horse and the other was riding a mule. It is perfectly legal to ride a horse in downtown Austin. The two were arrested on E. 6th Street, the where-it’s-happening place in Austin.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Today we have Tommy Roe in glorious STEREO!
Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty(rafflaw), Guest Blogger
We have seen and heard on many occasions the Tea Party claim that it desires Congress and the Federal Government to follow the letter of the Constitution instead of reaching beyond the four corners of the document. With that thought in mind, I was intrigued by a recent article on the Think Progress site that reviewed the You Tube video claims made by U.S. Senator Mike Lee of Utah, that Congress’ passage of laws outlawing and restricting Child Labor, was unconstitutional. http://thinkprogress.org/2011/01/14/lee-child-labor/?wpmp_switcher=desktop
Continue reading ‘Are Child Labor Laws Unconstitutional in The Tea Party World?’
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
I thought I’d do a follow-up to my Let Civil Liberties & Freedom Ring! post about the erosion of civil liberties in Britain—which, in my opinion, is akin to what
has been happening here in the United States in the past decade. My inspiration for a second post on the subject was Glenn Greenwald’s most recent piece at Salon—Homeland Security’s laptop seizures: Interview with Rep. Sanchez.
I have been reading about the seizures of cell phones and laptop computers by the DHS. I have found it troubling that our government has no compunction about confiscating the personal property of some of its own citizens without any warrant, probable cause, or suspicion that the citizens may have been involved in a criminal activity.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Navarre, Florida, resident Jackie Trebesh was pulled over by a Santa Rosa County deputy and given a trespass warning after leaving mass at St. Sylvester’s Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze. She was also denied communion during mass. Here crime? Someone said her daughter, Kelly, had improperly disposed of the host in the parking lot.
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