Archive for April, 2011

John Yoo Calls the Kettle Black

Published 1, April 30, 2011 Constitutional Law , Courts , Justice , Politics , Supreme Court 31 Comments

Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty, (rafflaw), Guest Blogger

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama announced that he was considering an Executive Order that would mandate that all contractors who receive Federal money must disclose their political contributions.  Since I am not a big fan of Executive Orders and since President Obama was not a big fan of Executive Orders when he was a candidate, I was not especially enthralled about the possibility of another Executive Order.  However, once I read what the proposed Executive Order was going to do, I have to admit that I embraced it with open arms. Continue reading ‘John Yoo Calls the Kettle Black’

Will the Supreme Court’s Decision in AT & T Mobility v. Concepcion Bring an End to Class Action Lawsuits Against Large Corporations?

Published 1, April 30, 2011 Constitutional Law , Supreme Court 63 Comments

Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger

Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court handed down its ruling in the case of AT & T Mobility v. Concepcion.  The justices split along ideological lines once again. The 5 to 4 decision came down on the side of corporations—and most likely eliminated the right of citizens to band together to bring class action lawsuits against large corporations.

The Concepcion case involved cellphones and a common type of contract that requires customers to press their claims through arbitration instead of through lawsuits. As reported by Robert Barnes in The Washington Post, these types of contracts “which mandate individual rather than group claims, are becoming standard for companies offering loans, cable service, credit cards and even employment.”

Continue reading ‘Will the Supreme Court’s Decision in AT & T Mobility v. Concepcion Bring an End to Class Action Lawsuits Against Large Corporations?’

‘Bama Finally Bids Jim Crow Adieu

Published 1, April 30, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Justice , Society 23 Comments

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Well, the Alabama Senate finally got around to it. A vote Wednesday eliminated Jim Crow laws and other segregationist measures in the State’s 340,000 word constitution that was adopted in 1901. The struck language eliminates requirements for separation of the races in educational institutions and the infamous polls taxes. The vote was 22-9 with all Republican senators voting in favor of the legislation.

Some Democratic legislators opposed the bill as too little, too late. Sen. Linda Coleman, D-Birmingham, said there were still racist problems in Alabama’s constitution, including schools that she said are not equitably funded. “This bill to me is a farce. It’s a smokescreen,” Coleman said. ” Jim Crow is still here…. We know there are disparities,” she added.  Continue reading ‘‘Bama Finally Bids Jim Crow Adieu’

Can Smartphones Be Searched Incident to Arrest?

Published 1, April 30, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Supreme Court 20 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

In the 1969 case Chimel v. California, the Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, held that an “arresting officer may search the arrestee’s person to discover and remove weapons and to seize evidence to prevent its concealment or destruction.” The search also included “the area “within the immediate control” of the person arrested, meaning the area from which he might gain possession of a weapon or destructible evidence.” This case created the Chimel rule allowing warrantless searches incident to a lawful arrest.

Continue reading ‘Can Smartphones Be Searched Incident to Arrest?’

Killer Joe

Published 1, April 30, 2011 Media 6 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

This morning we present The Rocky Fellers in glorious STEREO!

China: Who Will Rid Us of These Meddlesome Monks?

Published 1, April 29, 2011 Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 7 Comments

After arresting hundreds of Christians for attempting to worship in unapproved services, the Chinese have turned to Buddhists for a crackdown that has reportedly taken the lives of two Tibetans. Chinese forces raided the Kirti Monastery (shown left) after accusing monks of disrupting social order and . . . wait for it . . . defaming their religion. That’s right, the government that occupied Tibet, killed Tibetan monks, sent the Dalai Lama in hiding, and destroyed countless temples has accused these monks of defaming their own religion.

Continue reading ‘China: Who Will Rid Us of These Meddlesome Monks?’

Carping Over Cosmetology: Spa Fights For Right To Use Flesh-Nibbling Fish in Arizona

Published 1, April 29, 2011 Bizarre , Society 11 Comments

The Arizona Court of Appeals heard an interesting argument this week that is newsworthy for two reasons. First, there is a legal dispute over whether spa can use live fish to nibble dead skin off the feet of customers. Second, a spa wants to use live fish to nibble dead skin off the feet of customers. The state insists that there is no way to sterilize the Garra Rufa fish, a tiny carp.
Continue reading ‘Carping Over Cosmetology: Spa Fights For Right To Use Flesh-Nibbling Fish in Arizona’

Homeless Mom Charged With Felonies After Lying About Her Address To Get Her Son In Suburban Kindergarten

Published 1, April 29, 2011 Bizarre 20 Comments

Tanya McDowell is a homeless mother who is criminally charged for the crime of lying about her address to get her son into a suburban kindergarten in Connecticut. She is now charged with felony larceny and conspiracy after Housing Authority lawyer, Donna Lattarulo, reported McDowell to the police after suspecting that she was using her babysitter’s address to get her son into the kindergarten.
Continue reading ‘Homeless Mom Charged With Felonies After Lying About Her Address To Get Her Son In Suburban Kindergarten’

Wal-Mart CEO: People Are “Running Out Of Money”

Published 1, April 29, 2011 Society 48 Comments

Not that we need signs of our economic crisis, but Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke made a chilling observation this week at an event talking about the company’s operations. Duke said his customers are simply “running out of money.”
Continue reading ‘Wal-Mart CEO: People Are “Running Out Of Money”’

Pet Companion Animal Peeve: Professor Calls For the Elimination of Such “Derogatory” Terms As “Pet,” “Beast,” “Owner,” and “Wildlife”

Published 1, April 29, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , International 32 Comments

This morning I kissed by co-human carer and fed my companion animal before sitting down to blog on the recent publication by the Revd Professor Andrew Linzey, a theologian and director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. Linzey has denounced the use of the word “pet” and “owner” as derogatory. Don’t even get him started on references to animals as “beasts” or “critters.”
Continue reading ‘Pet Companion Animal Peeve: Professor Calls For the Elimination of Such “Derogatory” Terms As “Pet,” “Beast,” “Owner,” and “Wildlife”’

Florida Police Mistakingly Raid Judge’s Home and Order Family Out of House at Gunpoint During Easter Dinner

Published 1, April 28, 2011 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law 29 Comments

Broward Circuit Court Judge Ilona Holmes probably does not like bringing work back home with her, but sometimes works shows up anyway. Holmes, her sister and her sister’s family were ordered at gun point by several Broward Sheriffs Deputies on Easter Sunday in a botched police raid. The police went to the wrong address. Police were responding to a report of a break-in next door.
Continue reading ‘Florida Police Mistakingly Raid Judge’s Home and Order Family Out of House at Gunpoint During Easter Dinner’

Administration Shuts Down SETI Telescope Array For Lack of Funds — While Continuing Operations in Three Wars

Published 1, April 28, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Science 21 Comments

While the Obama Administration has commenced a third war in Libya and is spending billions every week in military operations from Kabul to Tripoli, it is shutting down various domestic programs for lack of funds. The latest is the Allen Telescope Array — a large number of small satellite dishes that search for extraterrestrial life in Northern California. The prohibitive cost? $1.5 million dollars a year (an additional $1 million is used on data collection and analysis). In the meantime, the Administration is refusing to yield to the latest Afghan official insisting that the country does not want or need U.S. troops and yet another case of an Afghan soldier killing U.S. personnel — this time eight U.S. soldiers and one contractor killed by one of our allies.
Continue reading ‘Administration Shuts Down SETI Telescope Array For Lack of Funds — While Continuing Operations in Three Wars’

Video: Officers Accused of Excessive Force in Melee At Atlanta IHOP

Published 1, April 28, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 16 Comments

Atlanta Police are investigating an incident captured in the video below where an officer is shown first slapping and then punching a woman in an altercation. The woman and her friends insist that they were arrested without cause. The ACLU is calling the case a matter of excessive force.
Continue reading ‘Video: Officers Accused of Excessive Force in Melee At Atlanta IHOP’

Law Student Takes Parents To Court To Force Them To Resume Paying His Allowance

Published 1, April 28, 2011 Academics , Environment , Uncategorized 17 Comments

Having just given my final torts exam last night, this story caught my eye. In Madrid, a 25-year-old Spanish man from Andalusia sued his parents after they stopped giving him allowance money and demanded the resumption of $588 a month.
Continue reading ‘Law Student Takes Parents To Court To Force Them To Resume Paying His Allowance’

We’re The Government, We’re Here To Help You: Pentagon Releases Detains On How To Blow Up New Office Building

Published 1, April 28, 2011 Bizarre , Military 9 Comments

The Pentagon is being criticized for posting the online plans for its new office building in Alexandria, including details on what is needed to blow up the new building. The 424-page Army Corps of Engineers document explains to any web-surfing terrorist how the Mark Center was designed . . . and identifies its vulnerabilities to explosives.
Continue reading ‘We’re The Government, We’re Here To Help You: Pentagon Releases Detains On How To Blow Up New Office Building’

Something Seriously Wrong in Wight: Singer Arrested For Singing “Kung Fu Fighting”

Published 1, April 27, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 48 Comments

We have previously followed the trend against free speech in the West ranging from anti-blasphemy laws (including a resolution supported by President Obama) to hate speech prosecutions for criticizing everything from religion to homosexuality to overweight people. England has been a focus of many of these stories. Now, on the Isle of Wight, musician Simon Ledger, 34, has been arrested after singing “Kung Fu Fighting” and a passing person of Chinese descent cried foul.

Continue reading ‘Something Seriously Wrong in Wight: Singer Arrested For Singing “Kung Fu Fighting”’

Aloha, Birthers: Obama Releases Long Form Birth Certificate

Published 1, April 27, 2011 Constitutional Law , Politics 721 Comments

It turns out Barack Obama is . . . is . . . a citizen. The White House has released President Obama’s long-form birth certificate to put the growing controversy to rest over his birth. Many of us have been critical of the birther conspiracy theories. However, I am not sure why the White House did not do this earlier since it addresses the allegations fully. It will be interesting to see that, now that Obama has produced the certificate, if the movement for state ballot laws declines. While it has been repeatedly stated that the laws are not about Obama, but we will see.
Continue reading ‘Aloha, Birthers: Obama Releases Long Form Birth Certificate’

Philadelphia Officer Chases Man Into His Home and Shoots Him in a Controversial Incident With Neighbor

Published 1, April 27, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 24 Comments

Philadelphia is dealing with a shooting of a man in a dispute with an off-duty police officer. Josh Taylor, 23, was shot in the chest by an eighteen-year veteran of the police force who has not been identified. The officer reportedly claimed that Taylor had a gun, though neighbors insisted that Taylor was on his way to a gun range and did not pull out the weapon.
Continue reading ‘Philadelphia Officer Chases Man Into His Home and Shoots Him in a Controversial Incident With Neighbor’

“Really an Aberration”: NY Officer Pleads Guilty To 100 Armed Robberies, Stealing 250 Kilograms of Cocaine, and $1 Million

Published 1, April 27, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering 47 Comments

Emmanuel Tavarez, 31, was a one-man crime wave. He was also a cop. Tavarez is facing trial after using his NYPD connections to run a crew that dressed up as officers and stole drugs and cash. An eight-year NYPD veteran, Tavaraz is responsible for more than 100 armed robberies of narcotics traffickers. Yet, despite what he agreed was “overwhelming evidence of his client’s guilt, attorney Raymond L. Colon insisted “[f]or all intents and purposes he was a fine officer. This was really an aberration, I think.”
Continue reading ‘“Really an Aberration”: NY Officer Pleads Guilty To 100 Armed Robberies, Stealing 250 Kilograms of Cocaine, and $1 Million’

Throwing Logic and the Law Under The Bus: Texas Bus Driver Given $21,000 After Being Fired for Refusing to Drive Women to Planned Parenthood

Published 1, April 27, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 21 Comments

A bus driver in Texas received an extraordinary $21,000 settlement for conduct that justifiably led to his termination. Edwin Graning received the settlement from the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) in Texas after he was fired for refusing to drive two women to a Planned Parenthood clinic last year. This seems a case of putting the CARTS before the horse in reaching a settlement before the other party has made a viable claim.

Continue reading ‘Throwing Logic and the Law Under The Bus: Texas Bus Driver Given $21,000 After Being Fired for Refusing to Drive Women to Planned Parenthood’

Can You Guess This Man’s Alleged Crime?

Published 1, April 27, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 13 Comments

The problem with being a “huffer” is that the paint can leave a fairly easy marker for police. Kelly Gibson took this mugshot on his 48th arrest for inhaling the toxic chemicals.
Continue reading ‘Can You Guess This Man’s Alleged Crime?’

Death in Truth or Consequences: Woman Mauled To Death By Four Pit Bulls

Published 1, April 26, 2011 Animals , Society , Torts 28 Comments

There is a tragedy in Truth or Consequences, N.M, where Margaret Salcedo, 48, was mauled to death by four escaped pit bulls. The case could present both criminal and civil liability for the owners.
Continue reading ‘Death in Truth or Consequences: Woman Mauled To Death By Four Pit Bulls’

Wisconsin Mayor Tells Agency Heads To Read and Discuss Book By Christian Author With City Employees

Published 1, April 26, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 43 Comments

Waukesha (WI) Mayor Jeff Scrima promised fiscal responsibility in running for office, but he has drawn criticism for his decision to use city funds to buy books of a campaign contributor and Christian author — and telling agency heads to read and discuss the book with city employees.
Continue reading ‘Wisconsin Mayor Tells Agency Heads To Read and Discuss Book By Christian Author With City Employees’

HEY LOOK, THE WHITE HOUSE SEAL IS NOW ON THE TURLEY BLOG!

Published 1, April 26, 2011 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 50 Comments

Keith Cowing is a blogger on Space Ref, a science blog, and was surprised recently to receive a call from the White House. White House staffer Rick Weiss reportedly called to warn him that his inclusion of the seal of Executive Office of the President of the United States violated federal law because it could be viewed as a product endorsement. A review of the blog entry demonstrates the claim to be preposterous in my view and I am unsure why the White House is spending such much time searching for seal misuses rather than . . . let’s see . . . war crimes.
Continue reading ‘HEY LOOK, THE WHITE HOUSE SEAL IS NOW ON THE TURLEY BLOG!’

Illinois Woman Sues After Being Impaled By Tree Branch While Driving in Thunderstorm

Published 1, April 26, 2011 Bizarre , Society , Torts 9 Comments

In Waukegan, Illinois, Helen Miller is suing over what is traditionally viewed as an act of God: a tree branch that fell during a thunderstorm and impaled her in the stomach while she was driving. Such acts normally cut off proximate causation, but she is suing the Vista Health System Surgery and Treatment Center for allegedly failing to properly maintain the tree.

Continue reading ‘Illinois Woman Sues After Being Impaled By Tree Branch While Driving in Thunderstorm’

Guilt By Proclamation: Obama Violates Federal Rules By Declaring Bradley Manning Guilty

Published 1, April 26, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Military 35 Comments

President Barack Obama this week stepped over the line of both protocol and ethics by publicly declaring Bradley Manning guilty of crimes. During a speech, Obama stated Manning “broke the law” to an audience in an act that could be challenged as undue command influence in the military system and violates a long-standing rule of presidents refraining from prejudicing trials. Manning is accused of being the source for the wikileaks material, which have shown that the Administration and prior Administrations have lied to the American people in various areas of policy.

Continue reading ‘Guilt By Proclamation: Obama Violates Federal Rules By Declaring Bradley Manning Guilty’

Meet Edward Reid: They Were Happy and They Clapped Their Hands

Published 1, April 25, 2011 Bizarre , International 17 Comments

For those of you still marveling over Susan Boyle’s surprise performance in 2009, meet Edward Reid who took nursery rhymes to a new level on “Britain’s Got Talent” this weekend.

Continue reading ‘Meet Edward Reid: They Were Happy and They Clapped Their Hands’

Supreme Court Denies Virginia’s Effort To Get Expedited Review

Published 1, April 25, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics 10 Comments

As expected, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s effort to bypass the appellate court has failed with a denial at the United States Supreme Court. The Rule 11 motion was turned down — as it is in the vast majority of cases. The Obama Administration opposed the motion and is expected to continue to try to slow the momentum of the challenge.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Denies Virginia’s Effort To Get Expedited Review’

Public Safety or Prior Restraint? Quran-Burning Pastor Barred From Protesting In Front of Michigan Mosque

Published 1, April 25, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Religion 99 Comments

Even for the most committed civil libertarians, it is hard to work up sympathy for Quran-burning Pastor Terry Jones. However, that is the plight of free speech advocates — you often end up supporting the most obnoxious members of our society. In Dearborn, Michigan, the order barring Jones from protesting utside of the Islamic American Center raises some constitutional concern.
Continue reading ‘Public Safety or Prior Restraint? Quran-Burning Pastor Barred From Protesting In Front of Michigan Mosque’

TSA Screener Arrested For Child Pornography

Published 1, April 25, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 30 Comments

Various people had criticized the new groping searches by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) as assault and, when done on children, something akin to molestation. According to police, one alleged child pornography addict found the TSA the perfect job. TSA Officer Thomas Gordon Jr. of Philadelphia has been arrested for uploading explicit pictures of young girls to an Internet site. What is astonishing is that Gordon posted a photograph of himself in his TSA uniform.
Continue reading ‘TSA Screener Arrested For Child Pornography’

GOP Michigan Senator Proposes Law To Require Foster Kids To Buy Only Second-Hand Clothes

Published 1, April 25, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 38 Comments

Michigan’s Republican State Sen. Bruce Caswell wants the poor to dress appropriately to their station in life — that is, with second-hand clothes. Caswell introduced legislation to require children in the state’s foster care system to buy clothes at stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army under restrictive “gift cards” that would give $79 clothing allowance for the kids. Caswell is the chairman of the DHS Appropriations Subcommittee.

Continue reading ‘GOP Michigan Senator Proposes Law To Require Foster Kids To Buy Only Second-Hand Clothes’

Cacaccino: Civet Droppings Become World’s Most Expensive Coffee

Published 1, April 25, 2011 Bizarre , International , Society 19 Comments

How much do you want that really perfect cup of coffee? This article from Reddit caught me eye. It was not that Kopi Luwak is the world’s most expensive coffee at as much as $3000 a pound (though I have seen other bags offered for as little as $200 a pound, but then again, you have to ask yourself, is it pure civet poop?). It was the unique processing used to produce the beans.
Continue reading ‘Cacaccino: Civet Droppings Become World’s Most Expensive Coffee’

iPhone and Android Tracking You for Apple and Google

Published 1, April 24, 2011 Constitutional Law , Society 38 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

iPhones and Android smartphones regularly transmit their locations back to Apple and Google. The location information is used for the estimated $2.9 billion location-based services market. Location-based advertising targets consumers with location-specific advertising on their mobile devices.

According to research, the HTC Android phone collects location information every few seconds and transmits the data back to Google several times an hour.

Continue reading ‘iPhone and Android Tracking You for Apple and Google’

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Published 1, April 24, 2011 Society 25 Comments

Happy Easter to all of our bloggers and readers that are celebrating today. The bunny came last night for all four kids and even Molly got a basket full of bones and pig ears. The kids are already showing the signs of sugar saturation.

Continue reading ‘HAPPY EASTER!!!’

Gov. Rick Perry Wants Texans to Pray for Rain

Published 1, April 24, 2011 Politics , Religion 20 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) has proclaimed Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. He didn’t ask for any prayers to end the drought or put out the wildfires, he just asked for prayers for rain in the state of Texas. While looking at the weather radar tonight, it was raining somewhere in Texas, so I guess it worked. It’s a miracle.

Continue reading ‘Gov. Rick Perry Wants Texans to Pray for Rain’

Surfin’ Bird

Published 1, April 24, 2011 Media 7 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Love it or hate it, here are The Trashmen in glorious (?) STEREO!

Sean Hannity, Bill Donohue, & The War on Easter: The Turley Blog Edition

Published 1, April 23, 2011 Bizarre , Religion 439 Comments

Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger

All you Christian warriors out there best make ready for battle! Sean Hannity and the Catholic League’s Bill Donohue are now claiming that there is a war on Easter. “Oh no!” you say. “Who would do such a thing?” Why, Lady Gaga, comedian Ricky Gervais, and a few other dastardly demons—that’s who.

I even heard it through the grapevine that the CEO of Easter Bunnies, Inc., is hopping mad. I was told that he’s organized his bunny brigade and worked in co-operation with the president of Hatchling Chicks Corporation to devise a plan to go after anti-Easterites like Lady Gaga and Gervais.

Get your trebuchets ready! I’ll bring eggs. We’re planning to meet in Mister MacGregor’s garden tomorrow at the first light of dawn. We’ll shell the hard-boiled enemies of Easter ova and ova again until they surrender. They won’t know what hit them.

Continue reading ‘Sean Hannity, Bill Donohue, & The War on Easter: The Turley Blog Edition’

Dolphin Receiver Brandon Marshall Stabbed By Wife — Questions Raised Over His Own Possible Criminal Conduct

Published 1, April 23, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 16 Comments

The wife of Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall has been charged with stabbing him in the abdomen with a kitchen knife in Florida. The case could become even more complicated not just for Michi Nogami-Marshall, 27, but for Brandon Marshall.
Continue reading ‘Dolphin Receiver Brandon Marshall Stabbed By Wife — Questions Raised Over His Own Possible Criminal Conduct’

Senator Dick Durbin We Hardly Knew Ye

Published 1, April 23, 2011 Congress , Justice , Politics , Society 42 Comments

Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty, (rafflaw), Guest Blogger

When I hear Illinois Senator Dick Durbin’s name, I usually think of a moderately progressive Democratic Senator.  What I don’t expect to hear from someone with Durbin’s pedigree are statements to the effect that cuts to Social Security are “on the table”.  But that is exactly what he said recently when asked about his work with the so-called Gang of Six. Continue reading ‘Senator Dick Durbin We Hardly Knew Ye’

Standard & Poor’s Downgrades Outlook On US Debt

Published 1, April 23, 2011 Politics 13 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

You remember Standard & Poor’s, they’re the credit-rating agency that blessed the fraud-based mortgage securities issued by Wall Street banks with AAA ratings, deceiving gullible investors around the world. Senator Carl Levin (chair of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations) recently named this company a “key cause” of the economic crisis.

Continue reading ‘Standard & Poor’s Downgrades Outlook On US Debt’

Ayn Rand and Christianity

Published 1, April 23, 2011 Politics , Religion 744 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

The GOP hearts Ayn Rand. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and his father Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), all mention the works of Ayn Rand as being influential in their lives. Even Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas references her work as influence in his autobiography. Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, is an acolyte of Rand’s thinking and knew her personally.

I would like to focus on one aspect of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism, and its implications for Christianity.

Continue reading ‘Ayn Rand and Christianity’

Then He Kissed Me

Published 1, April 23, 2011 Media 13 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Today we offer The Crystals in glorious STEREO!

Ohio: Let Sleeping Police Dogs Lie

Published 1, April 23, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering 12 Comments

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Twenty five year-old Ryan James Stephens will probably never be confused with actors Rex Harrison or Eddie Murphy but he may be the new Dr. Doolittle. Stephens has been charged with violating Cincinnati’s ordinance prohibiting citizens from “talking” to police dogs.

Continue reading ‘Ohio: Let Sleeping Police Dogs Lie’

Odor Of Marijuana Not Enough For Probable Cause

Published 1, April 23, 2011 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Society 18 Comments

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has issued an interesting decision concerning the prerogative of police to order a suspect to exit a car after smelling marijuana smoke coming from within. Seems the opinion turned on the Bay State’s decision to  decriminalized possession of less than one ounce of the wacky weed in 2008.
Continue reading ‘Odor Of Marijuana Not Enough For Probable Cause’

Corpus Delicti: California Gang Member Implicated In Murder By His Own Tattoos

Published 1, April 22, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 8 Comments

Anthony Garcia may be the ultimate example of corpus delicti evidence. The body of evidence in the case is his own body — or least the tattoos on his body that depict the 2004 murder scene where 23-year-old John Juarez was gunned down.
Continue reading ‘Corpus Delicti: California Gang Member Implicated In Murder By His Own Tattoos’

Fast Food, Slow Rescue: McDonald’s Employees Shown Standing By As Woman Is Repeatedly Attacked In Restaurant

Published 1, April 22, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Torts 95 Comments

The disturbing video below shows a women being beaten by two other women as McDonald employees do virtually nothing to help her. While a manager makes a minimal effort to stop the fight, he then walks away and does not offer help to the woman on the ground. The girls then return and resume the beating. Other employees are shown doing nothing but watching the scene. The attack occurred in Baltimore, Maryland. The victim has now been identified as Chrissy Lee Polis, 22, who has been identified as a transgender woman. A manager at the Rosedale McDonald’s said she was “not allowed to speak to a reporter.”
Continue reading ‘Fast Food, Slow Rescue: McDonald’s Employees Shown Standing By As Woman Is Repeatedly Attacked In Restaurant’

Princeton Professor Commits Suicide After Termination of Contract — Raising Questions Over His Treatment By University

Published 1, April 22, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Society 23 Comments

There is a very sad story out of Princeton where Professor Antonio Calvo, 45, has committed suicide after the university refused to renew his contract — a decision that not only meant the loss of his directorship of the Spanish program but his having to leave the United States since the move terminated his visa. He had taught at Princeton for ten years.

Continue reading ‘Princeton Professor Commits Suicide After Termination of Contract — Raising Questions Over His Treatment By University’

Liberté, égalité, beuverie! French Riot Police Threaten Strike . . . To Protect Their Right To Drink On Job

Published 1, April 22, 2011 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 15 Comments

This is the quintessential French story. Anyone who has gone to France knows that you can expect that someone will be striking and shutting down parts of Paris. However, the Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS) police force is taking a stand on a matter of French privilege — the right to drink while on duty. After all, if the French cannot have a glass of wine while fighting terror, the terrorists have won.

Continue reading ‘Liberté, égalité, beuverie! French Riot Police Threaten Strike . . . To Protect Their Right To Drink On Job’

British Tourist Catches Falling Baby in Florida

Published 1, April 22, 2011 Bizarre , International 9 Comments

Helen Beard, an English tourist in Orlando, caught more than a tan in Florida this week. Beard showed that legendary English backbone when she caught a 2-year-old child who fell from a fourth-floor balcony of at the Econo Lodge on International Drive in Orlando. Beard is an inspiration to us all and a fine representative of that stalwart people of Britannia.
Continue reading ‘British Tourist Catches Falling Baby in Florida’

Ensign Announces Resignation From Senate Due To On-Going Investigation Into Affair

Published 1, April 22, 2011 Bizarre , Congress , Criminal law , Torts 22 Comments

Two-term Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., has announced he is resigning from the Senate, effective May 3rd. This follows a prior pledge to remain in the Senate and a rather forced defense that he had not “done anything legally wrong” after he allegedly had an affair with the wife of his top staffer, Doug Hampton.
Continue reading ‘Ensign Announces Resignation From Senate Due To On-Going Investigation Into Affair’

Taking Dogs For a Wok: Chinese Animal Activists Stop Truck Load of Dogs Sent To Slaughterhouse

Published 1, April 21, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , International , Society 21 Comments

The consumption of dogs in China has long been a point of disgust with many Westerners. Animal rights activists have a particularly difficult time in China, but succeeded this week in forcing action to save hundreds of dogs being sent to a slaughterhouse in terrible conditions on a truck from Henan province.
Continue reading ‘Taking Dogs For a Wok: Chinese Animal Activists Stop Truck Load of Dogs Sent To Slaughterhouse’

The Ultimate Floodgate Litigation: Will MRP Realty Be Liable For the “Great Flood of 2011″?

Published 1, April 21, 2011 Bizarre , Society , Torts 14 Comments

Now that Georgetown’s Washington Harbor complex has dug out and dried out after the “Great Flood of 2011,” there remains the question of the liability of MRP Realty, the company responsible for raising the flood walls at the complex. The walls were not raised despite forecasts of flooding.

Continue reading ‘The Ultimate Floodgate Litigation: Will MRP Realty Be Liable For the “Great Flood of 2011″?’

General Electric Profits Up 77% But Company Avoids Paying a Penny in Taxes

Published 1, April 21, 2011 Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Society 110 Comments

President Barack Obama has been unabashed in his close association with General Electric CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt, including naming him to head the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Obama has continued to shower such honors and attention on Immelt despite the fact that GE has avoided paying ANY taxes. Indeed, GE has demanded a tax benefit of $3.2 billion. Now, GE has posted a 77% increase in profits while paying less taxes than any of its factory workers.
Continue reading ‘General Electric Profits Up 77% But Company Avoids Paying a Penny in Taxes’

Camden Police Reportedly Fired Over 30 Rounds To Kill 8-Month-Old Puppy — Hitting Homes and Cars in Terrified Neighborhood

Published 1, April 21, 2011 Criminal law , Society 48 Comments

We have another controversy over a police officer shooting a pet. Sherronda Aycox’s 8-month old blue pit bull Capone was killed in a hail of bullets that also hit vehicles and houses, including one house with a family inside. This is only the latest in a long list of such cases.
Continue reading ‘Camden Police Reportedly Fired Over 30 Rounds To Kill 8-Month-Old Puppy — Hitting Homes and Cars in Terrified Neighborhood’

Kyrgyz Legislators Sacrifice Sheep To Rid Parliament of Evil Spirits

Published 1, April 21, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , International , Politics 12 Comments

And we thought pork belly politics were too much in Congress. In Kyrgyzstan, legislators have sacrificed seven sheep to drive out evil spirits out of the parliament chamber.

Continue reading ‘Kyrgyz Legislators Sacrifice Sheep To Rid Parliament of Evil Spirits’

Things That Tick Me Off: American Airlines

Published 1, April 20, 2011 Bizarre , International , Society , Things That Tick Me Off 42 Comments

It is time for another entry in the category Things That Tick Me Off where I vent against absurdities or abuses that I have personally witnessed. (It is remarkably therapeutic). This week’s winner is American Airlines. Months ago, Leslie and I set out to arrange for a trip that would use our carefully saved frequent flier miles to go to England and France with the four kids. It was the trip we had been planning for years once the kids were old enough to appreciate it and we saved over 700,000 miles to achieve the dream under American’s SkyMiles program. What followed as a nightmare in dealing with American, which seems to have made the “bait-and-switch” a structuring corporate principle.

Continue reading ‘Things That Tick Me Off: American Airlines’

Problem Solved? Florida Agency Spends $14,000 For Superhero Capes For the Unemployed

Published 1, April 20, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 24 Comments

There is a bizarre story out of Florida where officials at an unemployment agency reportedly spent $14,000 to give 6,000 superhero capes to the unemployed. It was part of its “Cape-A-Bility Challenge” featuring a cartoon character, “Dr. Evil Unemployment.”

Continue reading ‘Problem Solved? Florida Agency Spends $14,000 For Superhero Capes For the Unemployed’

Obama (Again) Turns To Al Sharpton in High-Profile Immigration Meeting

Published 1, April 20, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 22 Comments

President Barack Obama previously drew criticism for his embrace of the controversial Al Sharpton in his re-election effort despite Sharpton’s history of race-baiting and alleged corruption. As if to make clear that his prior appearances with Sharpton were not fleeting mistakes, Obama invited Sharpton to a high-profile meeting on immigration reform and White House officials have pushed him to the forefront of supporters for the President. Putting aside the lack of responsibility shown in embracing a character like Sharpton, I am mystified (again) by the lack of political judgment by Obama and his aides. The President is already facing record low polls which so him as an increasing polarizing figure in American politics. The solution? The White House found one of the most polarizing figures in politics to stand by his side.

Continue reading ‘Obama (Again) Turns To Al Sharpton in High-Profile Immigration Meeting’

No Einstein: Tennessee Legislator Falsely Quotes Einstein As Embracing Christianity As Thinking Man’s Religion

Published 1, April 20, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 26 Comments

Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains, TN) is one of the politicians leading the effort to introduce creationism back into schools to rival the teaching of evolution. He may, however, need a bit more time in the classroom on his intellectual sources. As noted on sites like Think Progress, Niceley has confused Albert Einstein with Francis Bacon in his insistence that Einstein discredited atheism and said that a truly thinking man will turn to Christianity.

Continue reading ‘No Einstein: Tennessee Legislator Falsely Quotes Einstein As Embracing Christianity As Thinking Man’s Religion’

McEducation: Kasich Orders Ohio Universities To Look Into Three-Year Degree Programs

Published 1, April 20, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 44 Comments

Oscar Wilde once said that a cynic is “a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” Ohio Gov. John Kasich would appear to be that cynic. He believes that he has found an easy way to dealing with high tuition costs in college — cut the college education itself. In a move that would be a disaster for the quality and standing of Ohio universities and colleges, Kasich wants schools to reduce college educations to three rather than four years to pump out more graduates in a shorter time.

Continue reading ‘McEducation: Kasich Orders Ohio Universities To Look Into Three-Year Degree Programs’

Carney: Obama Was For Signing Statements Before He Was Against Them

Published 1, April 19, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 66 Comments

Jay Carney says President Obama was never against signing statements, just when President Bush “abused” them. In the press conference, Jay Carney seems to morph with John Kerry, who believed he had found safe political ground by noting that he voted for something before voting against it. For his part, Obama morphed into George W. Bush a while back on civil liberties and constitutional issues.

Continue reading ‘Carney: Obama Was For Signing Statements Before He Was Against Them’

Boston District Attorney Demands Removal of Judge Viewed As Being Too Pro-Defendant in Criminal Cases

Published 1, April 19, 2011 Courts , Lawyering , Politics 21 Comments

Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley (left) wants Judge Raymond G. Dougan Jr. (right) removed from criminal cases. Dougan is not being accused of being a drunk, pill-popper, or mentally incompetent. His offense is being too pro-defendant in criminal cases for the tastes of Conley. This appears to becoming a trend of prosecutors seeking to remove judges or boycott (or in one case, arrest a judge) who rule too often against the prosecutors or police.
Continue reading ‘Boston District Attorney Demands Removal of Judge Viewed As Being Too Pro-Defendant in Criminal Cases’

England Continues Crackdown on Anti-Religious Speech: Former British Soldier Sentenced To Jail For Burning Koran

Published 1, April 19, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 19 Comments

A former soldier in England has been sentenced to 70 days in prison for burning a copy of the Koran (Qu’ran) in public. While a detestable act, the prosecution of individuals for the exercise of free speech is equally detestable and part of a growing trend of such prosecutions in the West under blasphemy or hate crime laws.
Continue reading ‘England Continues Crackdown on Anti-Religious Speech: Former British Soldier Sentenced To Jail For Burning Koran’

Kansas Attorney Suspended After Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol and Killing Bicyclist — and Then Leaving Scene of Accident

Published 1, April 19, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering , Torts 16 Comments

Kansas attorney Marc A. Schultz has been suspended from practice due to a car accident that raised serious questions about his fitness for practice. Schultz will be sentenced for involuntary manslaughter after driving under the influence of alcohol in a fourth such violation, killing bicyclist Timothy Roberts, 55, (shown right below) and then leaving the scene of an accident. It is rare for an attorney to be suspended for an accident unrelated to the practice of law. However, the repeatedly DUI violations and leaving the scene raise obvious professional problems for Schulz — in addition to being a felony crime which results in automatic suspension.
Continue reading ‘Kansas Attorney Suspended After Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol and Killing Bicyclist — and Then Leaving Scene of Accident’

“A Bridge Too Far”: Gov. Brewer Vetoes Birther Bill

Published 1, April 19, 2011 Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 109 Comments

In a surprise move for many critics, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed the bill that would have required President Barack Obama and other presidential candidates to prove they were born in the United States before their names could have been placed on the state ballot. We previously discussed the bill and the serious constitutional questions that it raised. A former Secretary of State, Brewer objected to one state imposing such conditions on candidates.

Continue reading ‘“A Bridge Too Far”: Gov. Brewer Vetoes Birther Bill’

“Sorry For All The Mess”: Oregon Audience Applauds As Teen Commits Suicide In Mistaken Belief It Was Performance Art

Published 1, April 18, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 13 Comments

An Oregon audience at open mic night were shocked after applauding what they thought was performance art of a teen pretending to kill himself at the Strictly Organic Coffee Company. It was not a performance, but a suicide. After playing a song called “Sorry For All The Mess,” Kipp Rusty Walker repeatedly stabbed himself in the chest with a six-inch knife.
Continue reading ‘“Sorry For All The Mess”: Oregon Audience Applauds As Teen Commits Suicide In Mistaken Belief It Was Performance Art’

Ambassador and Former Law Professor Doug Kmiec Steps Down After Criticism of His Anti-Abortion Advocacy

Published 1, April 18, 2011 International , Lawyering , Politics , Religion , Society 12 Comments

U.S. Ambassador and former law professor, Douglas Kmiec, has stepped down after a State Department report criticized him for spending too much time writing and speaking about his religious beliefs. Kmiec (who I know and personally like) is a conservative who supported Obama in the election and was rewarded with the position. The report stated that Kmiec spent too much time writing and speaking about abortion and too little in being an ambassador. Kmiec’s appointment occurred at a time when Obama was turning away from growing criticism by liberals — a trend that has only increased with time. Kmiec was a law professor at Pepperdine University and legal counsel to President Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Continue reading ‘Ambassador and Former Law Professor Doug Kmiec Steps Down After Criticism of His Anti-Abortion Advocacy’

Republican Official Sends Racist Pictures of President Obama

Published 1, April 18, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 97 Comments

This clearly racist photo was sent by Marilyn Davenport – an elected member of the central committee of the Republican Party of Orange County and Tea Party activist with the caption “Now you know why – no birth certificate!” Davenport insists it is not racist, just humorous.
Continue reading ‘Republican Official Sends Racist Pictures of President Obama’

Welcome Siding Spring: WISE Captures Three Incredible Images in Space

Published 1, April 18, 2011 Science 6 Comments

As we enjoy this beautiful spring, you might want to look to the sky (far far into the sky). This is the Comet Siding Spring and its ghostly tail was picked up the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, telescope.

Continue reading ‘Welcome Siding Spring: WISE Captures Three Incredible Images in Space’

The Czech is in the Mail: Czech President Accused of Palming Pen

Published 1, April 18, 2011 Bizarre , International , Politics 6 Comments

This video has people talking about whether Vaclav Klaus, the Czech president, knowingly used the five-finger discount to take a ceremonial pen during a state visit to Chile — as 5 million people watched. You be the judge.
Continue reading ‘The Czech is in the Mail: Czech President Accused of Palming Pen’

Why the Tea Party is Dangerous

Published 1, April 17, 2011 Uncategorized 252 Comments

By Mike Appleton (Guest Blogger)

In 1773 the British East India Company was broke.  In an effort to prevent bankruptcy, and the resulting loss of the crown’s investment, the British government eliminated all taxes on domestic tea sales and granted the company a monopoly on tea shipments to the American colonies.  In December of that year radicals boarded ships in Boston harbor and threw $75,000.00 worth of tea overboard.  The first Tea Party was a violent reaction to monopolistic economic power protected by government.
Continue reading ‘Why the Tea Party is Dangerous’

Wealthy “Faux Farmers” Get Huge Agricultural Tax Breaks on Their Properties

Published 1, April 17, 2011 Animals , Society 85 Comments

Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger  

According to T. S. Elliott in his poem The Waste Land: “April is the cruellest month.” I think many of us would agree because April is the month in which we Americans are required to file our annual income taxes. And thinking about who is actually paying taxes these days, has really gotten my dander up.

Today, while many working class and middle class people are trying hard to survive from paycheck to paycheck and when millions of Americans are out of work and unable to find new jobs that pay them a living wage, it’s hard to accept the fact that huge corporations like GE may not be paying any taxes at all while receiving tax rebates. It’s also maddening to see millionaires and billionaires who blew a hole in our economy and nearly caused a financial meltdown getting bailed out with OUR tax dollars.

Continue reading ‘Wealthy “Faux Farmers” Get Huge Agricultural Tax Breaks on Their Properties’

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Published 1, April 17, 2011 Constitutional Law , Supreme Court 10 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Estelle Griswold

Considering the recent and ongoing opposition of many Republicans to contraception, a review of this landmark 7-2 Supreme Court decision was conceived. The case involved a Connecticut law that prohibited the use of contraceptives by married couples. The Appellants were Estelle Griswold, Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut, and C. Lee Buxton, a licensed physician and professor at the Yale Medical School, who served as Medical Director for the League at its Center in New Haven.

Continue reading ‘Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)’

SpaceShipTwo Lands at SFO

Published 1, April 17, 2011 Science 24 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

SpaceShipTwo is a civilian spaceship that offers trips to suborbital space and back for $200,000 a seat. I’ll wait for the Groupon.

Another video here.

At The Hop

Published 1, April 17, 2011 Media 3 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Today we have Danny & The Juniors in glorious STEREO! Everybody get up and dance.

Gut Feeling: New York Belly Dancer Loses Alimony

Published 1, April 17, 2011 Bizarre , Courts , Justice , Lawyering , Society , Testimony 6 Comments

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Forty-three year old belly- dancer, Dorothy McGurk, has learned just how expensive internet dancing can be. Receiving $850.00 in monthly alimony due to a disability, the Staten Island resident was hauled before a county judge by her husband, Brian McGurk, who caught her dancing act on her blog and who now claims his ex-wife’s disability has actually “slip-sided away.”  

Continue reading ‘Gut Feeling: New York Belly Dancer Loses Alimony’

Give Me Your Tired, Your poor … And Welcome to Vegas!

Published 1, April 17, 2011 Bizarre , Society 11 Comments

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

The United States Postal Service makes an occasional wrong delivery, but the latest is a doozy.The Pretender Issuing 3 billion stamps bearing that unmistakable icon of America, the Statue of Liberty, the Service was rightly proud with its work.  That is, until contacted by a stamp collector who pointed out that the visage was not the copper-skinned statue designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi that stands in New York Harbor, but the fibreglass and Styrofoam replica placed outside a Las Vegas casino appropriately named, New York- New York.

Continue reading ‘Give Me Your Tired, Your poor … And Welcome to Vegas!’

Let America Be America Again!: The Politician and The Poet—Rick Santorum vs. Langston Hughes

Published 1, April 16, 2011 Politics , Uncategorized 27 Comments

Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger

Poets know how to say things best–and the best poets know how to pack a punch with their words, which are often quoted. As Samuel Taylor Coleridge once said: “I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry; that is, prose,—words in their best order; poetry,—the best words in their best order.”

When speaking, politicians don’t always use the best words. They tend toward uttering their “talking points” and “staying on message.” They are often caught off guard when someone asks them an unexpected question that they aren’t prepared to answer. Rick Santorum found himself in an awkward position recently. Santorum was speaking at an “ECON-101″ Town Hall meeting-style event Thursday sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement at New England College in New Hampshire when he was tripped up by a student who asked him if he knew that his campaign slogan “Fighting to make America America again,” was borrowed from the “pro-union poem by the gay poet Langston Hughes.”

Continue reading ‘Let America Be America Again!: The Politician and The Poet—Rick Santorum vs. Langston Hughes’

Could Some Banksters be Going to Jail…Finally?

Published 1, April 16, 2011 Congress , Criminal law , Justice , Politics 45 Comments

Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty, (rafflaw), Guest Blogger

 

It has been almost 4 years since the economy crashed in 2007, causing what some people have referred to as the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression.  Since that time there has been little or no action on indicting the alleged participants in the cause of the disaster.  Maybe now, that dismal record will change. Continue reading ‘Could Some Banksters be Going to Jail…Finally?’

Rep. Steve King on Planned Parenthood

Published 1, April 16, 2011 Congress , Politics , Religion 53 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

The push by Republicans to deny funding of Planned Parenthood has been justified by citing the abortion services provided by Planned Parenthood. However, the contraceptives provided by Planned Parenthood prevent abortions. Cutting funding for contraception would actually
increase abortions.

Continue reading ‘Rep. Steve King on Planned Parenthood’

“Do You Mind if I Search You/Your Car?”

Published 1, April 16, 2011 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law 23 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Judge Khouzam

This is a question frequently asked by police officers to use the consent exception to the requirement to obtain a warrant. Note the difference compared with “Can I search you/your car?” A “yes” answer has exactly the opposite meaning depending upon which question was asked. Police officers are well aware of this fact.

In the case of J.W.E. v. State of Florida, this question, and its answer, were critical.

Continue reading ‘“Do You Mind if I Search You/Your Car?”’

Dawn

Published 1, April 16, 2011 Media 4 Comments

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

This morning, we present The Four Seasons in glorious STEREO!

Arizona Bill Would Require Proof of U.S. Birth For Presidential Candidates

Published 1, April 15, 2011 Constitutional Law , Politics 393 Comments

Arizona legislators are again wading into national politics. With the controversial immigration bill moving toward the Supreme Court, House has passed a bill that would require all presidential candidates to prove they were born in the U.S. by producing their birth certificates. It is a bill that this clearly crafted to exclude the current documents produced to show the birth of President Barack Obama. I am currently scheduled to discuss this legislation with Lawrence O’Donnell tonight
Continue reading ‘Arizona Bill Would Require Proof of U.S. Birth For Presidential Candidates’

Jackson Sued For Anti-Gay Harassment

Published 1, April 15, 2011 Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 14 Comments

Tommy R. Bennett, a former employee of the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. at the Rainbow Push Coalition and Barack Obama’s LGBT Leadership Council, has filed a wrongful termination and discrimination complaint against Jesse Jackson with Chicago’s Commission on Human Rights. It is scathing filing that alleges that Jackson routinely forces staffers to arrange (and clean up after) his trysts with women as well as other demeaning jobs. Jackson previously had to admit in 2001 to an affair with staffer, Karin Stanford, that resulted in the birth of a daughter, Ashley. He swore that he had again found God and the Rainbow Coalition paid Stanford money to resolve the scandal.

Continue reading ‘Jackson Sued For Anti-Gay Harassment’

It is About Regime Change After All: Obama Changes Rationale for Libyan War Once Again And Demands Libyans Change Their Government As A Condition For Ending Combat Operations

Published 1, April 15, 2011 Bizarre , International , Politics 41 Comments

Well, it now appears we are at war for regime change after all. President Barack Obama joined British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a rare article appearing in International Herald Tribune, Le Figaro, and Times of London to say that they will not accept anything less than changing the government in Libya. We are now officially parties in a civil war to overthrow a government — without a declaration of war from Congress.
Continue reading ‘It is About Regime Change After All: Obama Changes Rationale for Libyan War Once Again And Demands Libyans Change Their Government As A Condition For Ending Combat Operations’

Ayatollah Not To Walk Your Dog: Iranian Leaders Move To Ban Dogs

Published 1, April 15, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Religion 18 Comments

That’s it, my planned vacation with my dog Molly to Tehran is off. Iranian legislators have moved to ban dogs from both public places and private apartments. Muslim are taught that dogs are unclean and the Iranian legislators insist that dogs are not just an affront to Islam but ” a blind imitation of vulgar Western culture.”

Continue reading ‘Ayatollah Not To Walk Your Dog: Iranian Leaders Move To Ban Dogs’

GW Student Commits Suicide in Dorm Room — Fox Pulls Article Linking Suicide To President’s Visit

Published 1, April 15, 2011 Academics , Society 29 Comments

One of our students yesterday was found dead in his room at the City Hall dormitory. The name of the male student has not been released. Fox News, however, caused a sensation by running an article tying the suicide to the arrival of President Obama on campus for his speech on debt reform. Fox later removed the article entitled GWU Suicide Tragically Coincides with Obama Speech from its website after objections from the school and public.

Continue reading ‘GW Student Commits Suicide in Dorm Room — Fox Pulls Article Linking Suicide To President’s Visit’

Nothing Runs Like a Deere: Driverless Tractor Terrorizes Walmart Parking Lot

Published 1, April 15, 2011 Bizarre 25 Comments

I saw this amazing video of a runaway John Deere tractor destroying the parking lot of a Walmart outside of Toronto. I would love to see how the liability issues emerge on this one. Product liability may be one given the ability of the tractor to run amok without a driver.
Continue reading ‘Nothing Runs Like a Deere: Driverless Tractor Terrorizes Walmart Parking Lot’

A Response to Forbes: The Criticism of GWU as the Site of Obama’s Debt Speech Based on Fuzzy Forbes Facts

Published 1, April 14, 2011 Academics , Politics , Society 26 Comments

Forbes Magazine today condemned President Barack Obama for his choice of a location for his speech on national debt: George Washington University. Staff writer David Whelan objects that the school is the most expensive college in the nation but Forbes ranks it only as the 291st best college. While I agree that tuition at this school and other schools is too high, the ranking by Forbes is absurd and is not followed, as far as I can tell, by anyone other than Forbes staff writers.

Continue reading ‘A Response to Forbes: The Criticism of GWU as the Site of Obama’s Debt Speech Based on Fuzzy Forbes Facts’

Father Knows Best? Florida Man Arrested After Video Showing Him Urging His Teenage Son To Fight Another Boy

Published 1, April 14, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 22 Comments

Philip Struthers of Tampa Bay, Florida has a curious concept of good parenting skills. In the video below, Struthers is heard egging his 16-year-old son on in a fight with another teen. Struthers is now under arrest for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Continue reading ‘Father Knows Best? Florida Man Arrested After Video Showing Him Urging His Teenage Son To Fight Another Boy’

In Need of Stimulus: Biden Naps Through Obama’s Budget Speech

Published 1, April 14, 2011 Bizarre , Politics 32 Comments

With all of the stimulus floating around, no one can give Vice President Joe Biden a cup of coffee? A cup of Joe, anyone?

Continue reading ‘In Need of Stimulus: Biden Naps Through Obama’s Budget Speech’

Texas Legislator Introduces Anti-Sharia Law To Protect Texans From Islamic Hegemony

Published 1, April 14, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 60 Comments

Texas state Rep. Leo Berman (R) has finally acted to combat one of the biggest threats to Texans. No it is not pollution, unemployment, or crime. It is Sharia law. Following 15 other states, he has introduced a bill to ban state court from considering religious or cultural law — an ill-conceived legislative initiative advanced by counterparts in Oklahoma.
Continue reading ‘Texas Legislator Introduces Anti-Sharia Law To Protect Texans From Islamic Hegemony’

Cleaning Up: Report Details Pattern of Overcharges By Louisiana Contractors and Sheriff For BP Oil Spill

Published 1, April 14, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 13 Comments

There is a report by Pro Publica that has not received the attention that it deserves. The group looked at charges against BP and found gross overcharges that would seem to constitute nothing short of fraud — including charges by the parish sheriff. They are listed as the new “spillionaires” who cleaned up while others were suffering from the spill.

Continue reading ‘Cleaning Up: Report Details Pattern of Overcharges By Louisiana Contractors and Sheriff For BP Oil Spill’

Senator Inhofe Allowed To Keep License After Landing on Construction Site and Almost Killing Workers

Published 1, April 14, 2011 Criminal law , Politics , Society , Torts 58 Comments

Senator James Inhofe (R, Ok.) has remained the world’s most staunch critic of global warming — refusing even minor concessions on curbing pollution to reduce the danger. He appears to follow the same blind approach to flying. New released documents from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that Inhofe intentionally landed landed his Cessna on a closed runway at a south Texas airport. The move reportedly endangered construction workers who had to scatter from his path as he “hopped” over them and at least six vehicles.
Continue reading ‘Senator Inhofe Allowed To Keep License After Landing on Construction Site and Almost Killing Workers’

Illinois Teacher Loses Job After Ordering Elementary School Students To Take Off Their Underpants For Inspection

Published 1, April 13, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Society , Torts 14 Comments

In Collinsville, Illinois, a special education teacher has been sent packing by the school board after he allegedly ordered children at Webster Elementary School to remove their underpants to see who had soiled their pants.
Continue reading ‘Illinois Teacher Loses Job After Ordering Elementary School Students To Take Off Their Underpants For Inspection’

United Nations Officials Denounces Obama Administration For Denying Access to Bradley Manning

Published 1, April 13, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Military , Politics , Society 58 Comments

A senior United Nations official is condemning a country’s refusal to allow the UN to speak to an alleged whistleblower being abused by the government. The same government recently fired a high-ranking official who denounced the treatment of the whistleblower and has openly defied international treaties requiring the prosecution of officials responsible for a torture program. Syria? Iran? China? Of course not. It is the United States of America and the administration of Barack Obama.

Continue reading ‘United Nations Officials Denounces Obama Administration For Denying Access to Bradley Manning’

University of North Carolina Student Admits Anti-Gay Attack Was A Hoax

Published 1, April 13, 2011 Academics , Criminal law 41 Comments

The University of North Carolina community has been traumatized by a report that a gay student, Quinn Matney, was attacked and burned in an anti-gay incident. The college freshman says that a man called him an anti-homosexual term and burned his hand with a piece of hot metal while he was standing on the bridge.
Continue reading ‘University of North Carolina Student Admits Anti-Gay Attack Was A Hoax’

Blasphemy Prosecution: Wilders Trial Resumes Over Limits On Free Speech

Published 1, April 13, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 10 Comments

The hate speech trial of Dutch politician Geert Wilders has resumed today amid some serious questions over the impartiality of the judge who overruled the prosecutors and a trial judge who had decided to drop the case. I have long been a critic of these blasphemy prosecutions, particularly in the West. However, these concerns are even greater in light of the actions of appeals judge Tom Schalken.

Continue reading ‘Blasphemy Prosecution: Wilders Trial Resumes Over Limits On Free Speech’

IMF: United States Lacks Credibility on Debt Reduction

Published 1, April 13, 2011 Politics , Society 114 Comments

The International Monetary Fund has finally stated the obvious: the United States lacks any “credible strategy” to stabilize its mounting debt — and our lack of restraint is now posing a threat to the world economy. The IMF does not mention President Obama’s decision to launch a third war and spend billions in Libya.

Continue reading ‘IMF: United States Lacks Credibility on Debt Reduction’

Pittsburgh Police Officers Beat and Taser Fan

Published 1, April 12, 2011 Criminal law , Society 29 Comments

This video is raising some obvious concerns over the use of force against a fan in Pittsburgh. The fan, Scott Ashley, 41, seems pretty obnoxious and does shove a guy on the way out of the stadium but the officer appears to start to beat him over his verbal confrontation with the officer.
Continue reading ‘Pittsburgh Police Officers Beat and Taser Fan’

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