James Privett, 26, believes in love . . . and its power to heal all wounds . . . including cleaver scars. Privett took a cleaver to his wife but has told police that he hopes “loves conquers all” and hopes to reconcile with his wife Erica.
Archive for the 'Bizarre' Category
The Orthello Defense: Cleaver Assaulting Husband In Kentucky Insists “Love Will Conquer All.”
Published 1, February 22, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 15 CommentsIf Toys Are Criminal, Only Criminals Will Have Toys: Michigan Moves To Make Possession A Crime . . . Of Toy Guns
Published 1, February 22, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics 14 Comments
Michigan legislators are moving to make possession of toy guns a crime. The legislation by members is based on the growing practice of criminals cutting off the orange tips and using the toy guns in crime. This way, presumably, they will go and get real guns for their crimes?
CNN Contributor Claims Ultrasound Intrusive Exam Under Virginia’s New Law Is No Different From Consensual Sex
Published 1, February 21, 2012 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Media , Politics , Society 128 Comments
The debate over Virginia’s new abortion bill is raging. While there are good-faith debates over the scope of state authority vis-a-vis women in cases of abortion, the legislation would appear to require an invasive ultrasound procedure for women in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy — tipping the scales in terms of the burden on women. However, conservative CNN Contributor Dana Loesch went on the air this week to make the rather astonishing claim that such an involuntary procedure is no different from voluntary sex.
Babeu in Arms: Will The Sheriff Sue [Or Be Sued] For Defamation?
Published 1, February 21, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Society , Torts 23 Comments
Mitt Romney is out another supporter. Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu (who is also running for Congress) has resigned from the campaign after the Phoenix New Times reported that Babeu not only has a male lover but a Mexican immigrant lover who Babeu allegedly threatened to deport if he revealed their relationship. Babeu denies the allegation of threatening to deport the man and insists that it was the former campaign worker named as Jose who threatened him. While some are focusing on the political, I am wondering about the libel in these rivaling statements.
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Four-Year-Old Boy Diagnosed With Gender Identity Disorder And Raised A Girl
Published 1, February 21, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Science , Society 13 Comments
We have previously discussed the growing number of stories of young children raised in the opposite gender (here) or without a gender (here and here). The children raised in the opposite gender are often found to have Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Now, a four-year old boy named Zach has been diagnosed with GID and he is being raised as a girl. He began to evidence GID, according to his doctors and parents, when he was three.
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British Records Show Effort Of U.S. To Investigate And Discredit Chaplin
Published 1, February 20, 2012 Bizarre , International , Politics 10 Comments
Recently released intelligence reports have shined light on how U.S. officials secretly demanded investigations of Charlie Chaplin — portraying him as a dangerous radical. The English intelligence officials at MI5 found no support for our paranoia about Chaplin as a dangerous communist. They also failed to show where Chaplin was born. What they did find did not please U.S. officials.
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Viking Raid: Minnesota Citizens Balk At Stadium Deal
Published 1, February 20, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Society 23 Comments
It came without warning. Innocent citizens were going about their lives when Vikings suddenly appeared from nowhere and took everything of value. It is a common tale that was repeated too many times in history, but the most recent raid reportedly comes from last week in Minnesota where citizens learned that they will have to foot the bill for much of a new stadium — despite the belief of most citizens that they had blocked such an effort.
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Santorum: Who Will Protect You From Crazed Euthanizing Dutch Doctors?
Published 1, February 20, 2012 Bizarre , Politics 74 CommentsWe previously listened to Rick Santorum as he suggested to religious college students that a vote for him might keep them from being devoured. Now it appears it may also protect you from being snatched up by crazed euthanizing Dutch doctors who will send you to the Nether Regions unless you are wearing a bracelet. He also appears to relish the good old days when abortions in America were regulated to “the shadows.”
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Bring Out Your Dead … To Be Baptized
Published 1, February 19, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Religion 92 Comments-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Posthumous proxy baptism is a religious practice where a living person, acting as proxy, is baptized on behalf on a dead person. It is currently practiced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church), who submit names for the ordinance. The vicarious ordinance for the deceased have included Holocaust victims, prominent Nazis, and well known Jews such as Albert Einstein.
My Crucifix Is Bigger Than Yours: Santorum Charges President’s Agenda Springs From A”Phony Theology”
Published 1, February 19, 2012 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion 123 CommentsBy Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Fresh off an attack on the legitimacy of public education and now surging in the polls, Republican primary candidate Rick Santorum couldn’t hold back the religious zeal. President Obama’s agenda is motivated by things not quite Christian the former senator from Pennsylvania charged in a recent campaign stop in Ohio.“It’s about some phony ideal, some phony theology. Oh, not a theology based on the Bible, a different theology,” he said. “But no less a theology.” My, my, what could the homeschooling Roman Catholic mean? Surely not the Big Lie that the President is a Muslim, an idea that served as the red meat of Tea Party attack dogs since Obama won the White House. No, perish the thought. The darling of the far right simply meant that the President was “imposing his values on the church, and I think that’s wrong.” Sure, just a philosophical and scholarly difference of opinion on health care policy and the First Amendment, coincidentally stuck smack down in the middle of a presidential campaign. Santorum even generously conceded that –wink, wink,– “if the president says he’s a Christian, he’s a Christian.”
Birth Control Pills Cause Prostate Cancer
Published 1, February 18, 2012 Bizarre , Politics 25 Comments-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
New Hampshire state Rep. Jeanine Notter (R-Merrimack) won’t be supporting preventative services for women, such as contraceptives, because it causes prostate cancer. I can find no medical studies that dispute Notter’s claim. Oral contraception has been associated with prostate cancer in this article.
H/T: Blue Hampshire.
Alabama House Passes Ban On Saggy Pants
Published 1, February 17, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law 36 Comments
State Rep. Alvin Holmes (D-Montgomery) has introduced a bill that tackles that pressing problem of the State of Alabama. No, not high unemployment or crime or foreclosures. He is moving a bill that would ban saggy pants. That’s right, the legislature of Alabama is close to passing a statewide ban on saggy pants. The only thing more questionable than its constitutionality is its necessity. While it may put him at odds with Arizona Democratic state Rep. Katie Hobbs to require airbrushing of any saggy images, they both seem to be working off the sense of legislative priorities.
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Arizona Legislator Moves To Bar Airbrushing Of Models
Published 1, February 17, 2012 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 21 Comments
Arizona Democratic state Rep. Katie Hobbs (shown right in an unairbrushed photo) has tackled what she considers a pressing issue of the day: airbrushing of models to make them look perfect. She wants to require that any advertisers airbrushing models impose the following disclaimer prominently on the ad: “Postproduction techniques were made to alter the appearance in this advertisement. When using this product, similar results may not be achieved.” That is a bit of a buzz kill.
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New York Teacher Left Unemployed After Writing Column About Prior Work As Sex Worker
Published 1, February 17, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 41 Comments
We have followed a disturbing trend of teachers, and other public employees, who have been fired for activities in their private lives, including jobs previously held in the entertainment or sex industries. Now, an elementary teacher in the Bronx, Melissa Petro, has lost her job because she wrote a column in the Huffington Post on her brief stint as a sex worker. Dubbed the “Hooker Teacher,” Petro was shown the door at the demand of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Man Dies Of Heart Attack While Eating 6,000-calorie Triple Bypass Burger At Heart Attack Grill
Published 1, February 16, 2012 Bizarre , Society , Torts 45 Comments
A man in his 40s this week died of a heart attack while eating a 6,000-calorie Triple Bypass burger at an aptly named chain that serves up massive burgers and allows grossly obese individuals to eat for free. We previously looked at Heart Attack Grill when its overweight spokesman died at 29. The question is whether a restaurant can be sued for knowingly serving food that comes with a higher risk of death or serious bodily injury — a risk that is openly advertised by the restaurant and assumed by the customer.
A Nasty Drag in Niceville: Electronic Cigarette Reportedly Explodes In Mouth Of Florida Man
Published 1, February 16, 2012 Bizarre , Torts 17 Comments
There is an interesting product liability case in the making in Niceville, Florida where Tom Holloway, 57, reportedly had his teeth blown out when his electronic cigarette exploded. He also lost part of his tongue and suffered burns on this face. It is not known which brand was allegedly informed in the explosion.
Nancy Grace Demands To Know Who Shoved Houston Under The Water
Published 1, February 15, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Society 25 Comments
Nancy Grace has long thrived on the carrion of high-profile murders and disappearances. Sometimes, however, there simply is not time to lose to distort facts into a juicy murderous tale. Thus, when Whitney Houston died, Grace was virtually hyperventilating in fashioning the death as a presumptive murder. Grace demanded to know who pushed Houston under the water in her tub or gave her the lethal dose of drugs or both.
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Libyan U.N. Envoy Denounces Gays and Lesbians As Threatening Humanity
Published 1, February 15, 2012 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 11 Comments
The new Libyan government has adopted many of the habits of its previous regime like torture and it can now add homophobic leadership. Libya’s new United Nations delegate to the U.N. Human Rights Council used a resolution to combat violence based on sexual orientation to denounce homosexuals as threatening the survival of the human race.
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Clinton: No Troops Can Be Sent To Syria Without Assad’s Consent
Published 1, February 14, 2012 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 62 Comments
Many people have complained about a new policy of “American Exceptionalism” in our wars and foreign policy. It appears however that we may have to call it a policy of “American Incoherence” after reading the latest remarks of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — policies that are understandable only to our leaders. Clinton (who supported the armed intervention in Libya because of the threat of citizen deaths) has announced that no troops can be sent to Syria without the consent of the regime. I happen to oppose military intervention in Syria, but we continue to convey to the world that the only guiding principle in our foreign policy is opportunism.
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Former Texas Prosecutor and Current Judge Faces Court of Inquiry Over Alleged Misconduct Leading To Innocent Man Spending 25 Years In Jail
Published 1, February 14, 2012 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law 39 Comments
The same week that the Durham District Attorney is appearing in a hearing on her possible removal, a Texas judge has found probable cause that former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson withheld exculpatory evidence and may have caused a innocent man to be wrongfully convicted. Anderson, now a district judge himself, will face a likely special court of inquiry over his alleged misconduct.
English Student Arrested For Frying Roommate’s Pet Hamster
Published 1, February 13, 2012 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , International 18 Comments
A case out of York, England could raise the question of whether inebriation is a defense to animal abuse. A 20-year-old student was arrested for allegedly frying the pet hamster of his roommate while drunk.
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Mr. [Legal] Manners Responds To Parents Of Legal Bubble Boy
Published 1, February 13, 2012 Bizarre , Lawyering , Society 16 Comments
One of my former torts students sent me the exchange below from Miss Manners in the Washington Post that takes risk averse lifestyles to a new extreme in the form of waivers for child play dates. I often joke in class that I have students sign waivers when visiting my house for our class party. She probably thought this was one of my neighbors.
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Traffic Citation or Terrorist Threat? A Curious Tale of Priorities In Washington
Published 1, February 13, 2012 Bizarre , Society 19 Comments
I had a rather odd experience on the way into school this morning. I was going over the Memorial Bridge and saw a guy on the bridge in front of what appeared to be a rappelling rope tied to one of the columns. He seemed nervous and came across as a lookout. There was just a paper bag next to him and he was not wearing any of the usual items signifying a construction crew like an orange vest or some other marking. As I turned in front of Lincoln Memorial, I saw what looked like a man dangling off the bridge. I decided to call in the matter to be safe. [Update below: three arrested in protest]
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Texas Judge Resigns After Being Filmed Sleeping During Critical Hearing
Published 1, February 13, 2012 Bizarre , Courts , Lawyering 19 Comments
Special Education Judge Larry Craddock has resigned after being filmed sleeping during a hearing. Craddock was filmed sleeping through the critical testimony in the case involving a suicidal teenager. It appears Craddock found his “sleep number” on the bench because the family insists that he was out for an extended time.
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Durham County District Attorney Tracey Cline Faces Removal Hearing
Published 1, February 13, 2012 Bizarre , Lawyering , Society 22 Comments
This weekend I was with the family in Raleigh/Durham North Carolina and eating at my favorite breakfast place, Parker and Otis. The talk of the town was the latest scandal plaguing the office of the District Attorney of Durham County. You may recall the disgraceful removal of Mike Nifong from that office years ago. Now Nifong successor, Durham County District Attorney Tracey Cline, has been removed for serious allegations of prosecutorial misconduct — something of a pattern for that office it seems. Her hearing is today. She had moved for a delay of the hearing.
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Two Great Tastes – A Fashion Statement
Published 1, February 11, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 22 Comments
The post fashion show booking photo of Andrew Toothman.
Submitted by Gene Howington, Guest Blogger
“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.”
William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act V, Sc. 5
Some days when you wake up, don’t you just feel like doing something new and exciting? A way to change things up? Most people follow through with this urge by going to a new restaurant or visiting some place new or getting a different haircut. Perhaps trying a new outfit. Like all ideas, you can go too far with this impulse for change. Sometimes people get an idea and figure anything worth doing is worth overdoing, but I’m still trying to guess where the good idea/bad idea line was crossed in this case. If any forethought was given, I’m thinking the line was crossed fairly early on.
But crossed it was early on the morning of February, 3, 2012, in Neon, Kentucky. Andrew Toothman, 22, was apparently feeling the need to change things up when he broke into the IGA grocery store. What were his intentions you might be asking? I think possibly his intention was to make a bold fashion statement. That or he had simply taken leave of his senses. When the IGA employees arrived for work that morning, they found a surprise waiting for them. They found Mr. Toothman wearing black boots, chocolate and peanut butter. That’s it.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Clinical Credit? Texas Southern University Law Students Sue Over Poor Grades
Published 1, February 10, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Torts 17 Comments
Texas Southern University Jonathan Chan and Karla Ford have created their own form of clinical education. They are suing the law school in the Southern District of Texas for the D grades given to them by adjunct professor Shelley Smith teaching a first-year contracts class. They allege that the grades were “arbitrary and capricious” and meant to “curve them out” of the class.
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The Suing Sioux: Tribe Sues Top Beer Makers For Contributing To Alcoholism Of Tribe Members
Published 1, February 10, 2012 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 84 Comments
While the Sioux tribe in North Dakota is fighting the use of “Fighting Sioux,” the Suing Sioux of South Dakota are in federal court with a rather novel (and in my view thoroughly frivolous) lawsuit of their own. The Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota is suing the largest beer makers for contributing to the corruption and abuse of members of South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation by supplying alcohol through local stores. The tribe is demanding $500 million in damages for the cost of health care, social services and child rehabilitation.
Texas Judge Arrested For Pot Possession In Hotel Room
Published 1, February 10, 2012 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law 30 Comments
A former state trooper and Guadalupe County Judge Michael Thomas Wiggins, 58, was almost late for a conference of judges this week . . . he had to make bail to be released from jail on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.
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Court Clerk Caught Watching Porn As Rape Victim Testifies At Trial
Published 1, February 9, 2012 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , International , Society 13 Comments
Debasish Majumder, 54, a court clerk in London, has pleaded guilty to watching pornography during a rape trial in court, including while the victim testified on her sexual assault. Majumber pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and five counts of possession of indecent images. The latter charge appears to be child pornography found on his home computer. The Right Honorable Judge Nigel Seed (left) discovered the pornographic surfing.
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Harvard Invades Cameroon: University Moves To Evict Embassy
Published 1, February 8, 2012 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 6 Comments
Harvard appears to be moving to secure its borders against other nation states. In an interesting landlord-tenant dispute, Harvard has charged that Cameroon is squatting on its property on embassy row. The country has been the university’s tenant for two years but its lease expired a week ago. A week? That is not a lot of time for almost 19 million people to collect their stuff, get moving buddies, a truck, and find a new crib.
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Former Illinois State’s Attorney Given 60-Day Suspension For Dodging Service and Then Pulling Gun on Process Server
Published 1, February 8, 2012 Bizarre , Lawyering 11 Comments
Former Union County State’s Attorney Allen W. James has been suspended for 60 days after pulling a gun on a process server after dodging prior service. Christopher Dees reported that he identified himself to James who proceeded to point his 380 semi-automatic handgun at him while trying to serve a complaint upon him. James insisted that he did nothing wrong, though he later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor aggravated assault over the incident.
Memphis Lawyer Charged With Endangering Officer In Parking Dispute
Published 1, February 7, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 6 Comments
Memphis lawyer Christopher F. Donovan, 42, has been arrested after a parking dispute gone bad where an officer charges that Donovan hit him with his car near the courthouse. The charge, however, is notably not assault but a Class A misdemeanor of reckless endangerment. We have previously seen how little contact it takes to be charged with assault on an officer. While Donovan appears in the wrong from the available facts, the charge of reckless endangerment could be challenged.
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Catholic Bishop: Hitler and Mussolini Would Love American Public Schools
Published 1, February 7, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Free Speech , Politics , Religion 151 Comments
The Catholic bishop of Harrisburg, Pa., Bishop Joseph McFadden is being criticized for comments where he compares American public schools to the system that Hitler and Mussolini sought to create. I actually think that part of the criticism of McFadden is misplaced, though he is certainly worthy of criticism. McFadden’s controversial statements follow a call for Catholics to organize against President Obama and his health care program by leading Catholic leaders.
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Unforgiven: Rove Denounces Eastwood Super Bowl Commercial
Published 1, February 7, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Society 37 Comments
Conservatives are lining up to take shots at another Hollywood celebrity. But this time it is movie icon (and Republican) Clint Eastwood for his role in Chrysler’s “Halftime in America” Super Bowl ad below. In our previous discussion of the best commercials many people picked the ad and I put it in the top four. Frankly, as a Cowboy film nut and Eastwood fan, I loved it. Eastwood, however, was left unforgiven by that paragon of good politics: Karl Rove. Rove (who runs a huge Super PAC and pumps millions into campaigns from undisclosed contributions) denounced the commercial as
“corporate advertising” of the worst kind . . . in other words, corporate money that could be viewed as supporting President Obama. Ironically, Eastwood was a critic of the bailout, but the segment praises American workers not federal bailouts.
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Can You Spot The Pig? Inmates Prank Police By Adding Swine Image To State Seal
Published 1, February 3, 2012 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 29 Comments
Inmates at a Vermont correctional unit’s print shop decided to use some artistic license on the state police crest that appears on police cars around the state. They inserted the image of a pig. Can you find it? The answer is below.
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The Ice Man Cometh: Chilean Man Arrested With Five Tons of Hot Ice
Published 1, February 3, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 7 Comments
Crooks have long sought “fences” to move stolen “ice” but a Chilean man appears to have taken the practice literally. He was arrested this week for selling glacier ice from Patagonia for “designer ice cubes” for the drinks of the rich and stupid.
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The Stomp Speech and the Flip Flopper: Gingrich’s Staff Accused Of Assaulting Paul Supporter
Published 1, February 2, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Torts 36 Comments
Newt Gingrich has made it known that he will not tolerate flip floppers like Mitt Romney. His staff, however, took that to a new extreme by allegedly assaulting Ron Paul supporter Eddie Dillard who appeared at a Gingrich event with an opposing campaign sign. According to witnesses, Gingrich staff yelled for “everyone to step on his toes.” Dillard was wearing flip flops and was injured after he said a security member used his heels to grind into Dillard’s foot. The case could present an interesting tort lawsuit and a question of respondeat superior where an employer is liable for the torts of his employees if they are acting in the scope of their employment.
FBI Uses Chainsaw To Bust Into Home, Forces Woman To Lie In Dog’s Pee, Prevents Her From Comforting Crying Toddler . . . And Then Announces They Have The Wrong Apartment
Published 1, February 2, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law 47 Comments
In Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Judy Sanchez was at home with her three-year-old daughter when she heard pounding on her door. Before she could do anything, a chainsaw suddenly came tearing through the door and agents then kicked in the remainder with guns drawn. It then got worse . . .
Not Such A Goodman: Florida Millionaire Adopts Girlfriend To Protect Part Of Estate After Killing Man In A Driving Drunk Accident
Published 1, February 1, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 29 Comments
John Goodman, 48, appears to have come upon a legal strategy that clenches the title of the worst person in the world. Goodman, the wealthy founder of the International Polo Club Beach in Wellington, was arrested after he killed Scott Patrick Wilson, 23, while driving drunk. Facing a civil lawsuit from his family, Goodman has legally adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend, Heather Laruso Hutchins, as his daughter to protect some of his money.
This is totally going to freak out people wanted for the rapture . . .
Dutch Politician Proposes Ban On Dogs In Hague As “Unclean” Under Islam
Published 1, February 1, 2012 Animals , Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 46 Comments
We have previously seen stories of the banning or threatening dogs by Muslims who believe that all dogs are “unclean” and an afront to Islam. Now, Hasan Küçük, a Turkish-Dutch representative on The Hague city council for the Islam Democrats, has called for all dogs to be banned from The Hague, the third-largest city in the Netherlands.
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Race For A [Political] Cure: Komen Cuts Off Funding For Planned Parenthood
Published 1, February 1, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Society 167 Comments
Susan G. Komen for the Cure has previously been ridiculed for its bullying of other charities and its lawsuit against any charity using “for the cure” in its name or advertising. Now it is receiving criticism for cutting off funding for Planned Parenthood affiliates and preventive screening services. It is the first time the organization has cut off such funding based on a new rule involving organizations under investigation by Congress.
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Teaching Citizens to Heel: Park Ranger Reportedly Tasers Man Walking Small Dogs Off Leash
Published 1, January 31, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 200 Comments
In California’s Rancho Corral de Tierra (part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area), a National Park Service Ranger reportedly shot Gary Hesterberg in the back with a taser after he walked away during a confrontation over walking his two lapdogs off leash. He was then arrested on suspicion of failing to obey a lawful order, having dogs off-leash and knowingly providing false information. The park service spokesperson reportedly said it is all part of teaching citizens about the new leash law in the area . . . or teaching Hesterberg to heel.
Mexican Official Detained With Almost $2 Million In Suitcase and Backpack . . . Treasury Secretary Assures Public It Is Perfectly Legal
Published 1, January 31, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 8 Comments
This week, Miguel Morales Robles, a Mexican state official from Veracruz, was detained at an airport with $1.9 million stuffed into a briefcase and a backpack. However, Tomas Ruiz, treasury secretary for Veracruz state, assured the public that it was all perfectly innocent and legal — the official was just taking cash to Mexico City to pay an advertising firm to promote festivals.
Study: Over 23% of All Goods Created Since 1AD Were Made Between 2001 and 2010
Published 1, January 31, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Torts 12 Comments
The Economist just published an amazing chart of “Two Thousand Years In One Chart.” However, the most interesting claim is this: “[o]ver 23% of all the goods and services made since 1AD were produced from 2001 to 2010.” That is from the first product (the fig leaf outfits of Adam and Eve to last year’s Britney Spears CD).
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Kansas To Get Your Little Dog Too: Legislator Moves To Make Toto Breed The State Breed
Published 1, January 31, 2012 Animals , Bizarre , Politics , Society 11 Comments
Kansas State Rep. Ed Trimmer is moving to correct a serious lapse in the state arrays of official insects, songs, and animals. He has a bill to proclaim the Cairn Terrier — the breed of Toto in “The Wizard of Oz” — the state dog.
Afghan Man Allegedly Strangles Wife For Bearing Him A Girl Rather Than A Son
Published 1, January 30, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 16 Comments
It appears that Henry VIII is alive and well in Afghanistan . . . but not his wife. In another horrendous attack on a woman in that country, police are seeking Sher Mohammad who they say strangled his wife for giving birth to a girl rather than the boy that he wanted. Putting aside the man’s apparent ignorance of the fact that it was he who determined the gender of the child, it is another example of how women in some of these insular Muslim communities are treated as chattel. The man’s mother, Wali Hazrata, is accused of tying the feet of 22-year-old Stori or Estorai. She has been arrested while her son is believed to be with an illegal militia group.
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Things That Tick Me Off: The D.C. Chinese New Year Parade
Published 1, January 30, 2012 Bizarre , Things That Tick Me Off 18 Comments
I have a new addition to our series, “Things That Tick Me Off,” encounters and experiences that go beyond the usual level of inconvenience or stupidity in everyday life. This weekend, we took the kids to the D.C. Chinese Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown with another family. It was not just the worst experience we have had in an outing with the kids, we felt fortunate to leave the parade without injury. It was nothing short of unbelievable.
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British Couple Ejected From U.S. For Tweeting About Wanting To Dig Up Marilyn Monroe and Destroy America On Vacation
Published 1, January 30, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law 37 Comments
Ever since Benny Hill Americans have had a difficult time getting British humor. However, British tourists Leigh Van Bryan, 26, and pal Emily Bunting, 24, claim that the Department of Homeland Security not only lacks a sense of humor but does not recognize a joke from the quintessential American comedy show, Family Guy. Upon arriving at Los Angeles, they were interrogated for hours about tweets that they sent and eventually ejected from the country. Before their deportation, they say that they were held in a cell with narcotics traffickers for twelve hours.
“Anything Can Happen”: New York Lawyer At The Center Of Lottery Mystery
Published 1, January 30, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering 8 Comments
New York attorney Crawford Shaw is in the center of a odd mystery. Just two hours before the passing of a deadline for a jackpot ticket to the state lottery, Shaw contacted the Iowa Lottery to submit the winning ticket on behalf of an unnamed client. The ticket was sold 13 months previously at a Des Moines gas station with a payout of $7.5 million cash or $10.3 million spread over 25 years. However, things then got pretty weird. The Iowa lottery proclaims that “Anything Can Happen” and it appears it has.
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English Court Rules That Company Violated Copyright Protections By Selling Its Own Photo Of A London Bus Resembling Someone’s Photo Of A London Bus
Published 1, January 27, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Free Speech , International , Media , Society 11 Comments
We have often discussed the ever-widening scope of copyright and trademark laws. This trend has prompted lawsuit over using generic images or terms, obvious parodies, or names. Now, an English court has ruled in favor of UK souvenir maker Temple Island Collection Ltd against New English Teas for using a picture of a London bus. Not a picture taken by Temple Island, mind you: Taking its own picture of a London bus that the court deemed as too close to a picture of a London bus taken by Temple Island. The Defendant used photoshop software to alter the image.
Getting Moody: Preacher Accused Of Throwing Neighbor’s Cat Off Bridge
Published 1, January 27, 2012 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion 21 Comments
Rick Bartlett, pastor of the Bastrop Christian Church in Texas, has been arrested for allegedly throwing a neighbor’s cat, Moody, off a bridge after caging and abandoning the cat for days in his truck.
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The Cat Did It: Man Arrested After Trying To Frame Cat For Murder
Published 1, January 27, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law 9 Comments
In East St. Louis, Illinois, Brett Nash, 45, is accused of conspiracy to murder and then frame someone else for the crime. Not unheard of to be sure in the annals of crime, but the murder was going to be pinned on a cat.
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Thou Shalt Not [Allegedly] Steal: Tennessean Judge Accused Of Stealing Money Raised For Ten Commandments Display
Published 1, January 26, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering 40 Comments
Hawkins County (Tenn.) Sessions Court Judge James “Jay” Taylor appears to attract investigations the way motor homes attract tornados. He has been sued in various civil lawsuits and has now been hit with five criminal charges, including stealing money that he raised for a “Citizens Heritage Display” including the Ten Commandments to be placed in the lobby of the Hawkins County Justice Center. He is continuing his push for reelection as well as his performances as part of “The Redeemed Southern Gospel Singing Quartet.”
Santorum: Just Say No To Education
Published 1, January 26, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 147 Comments
We have previously discussed the rising anti-intellectualism in the GOP race from the rejection of basic science principles to the demonification of academics and higher education. Rick Santorum this week ramped up on the attacks on colleges and universities with a speech that seemed to call for voters to avoid supporting — or even attempting — college. Santorum appears to be proudly embracing the pledge of Will Rogers that “America is becoming so educated that ignorance will be a novelty. I will belong to the select few.”
Gingrich Accused Of Violating 12th Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Speak Ill Of Reagan
Published 1, January 26, 2012 Bizarre , Politics 58 Comments
While Nancy Pelosi continues to warn Republicans not to nominate Newt Gingrich (which is being used by the Romney camp this week), the Republican establishment is doing a full court press against Gingrich. That has led to some curious moments like Ann Coulter denouncing Gingrich for “hotheaded arrogance”. However, the strangest came from Elliott Abrams who accused Gingrich of the greatest sin of a Republican. No it is not endorsing torture or promising to renew the Iraqi War or even wiping out the separation of church and state. It is the unspeakable act of criticizing Ronald Reagan. Reagan famously handed down the 11th Commandment “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.” However, that is merely a venal not the mortal sin of violating the 12th Commandment, “Thou shalt not speak ill of Reagan.”
Sikhs Sue Leno Over Joke Involving Sacred Temple
Published 1, January 25, 2012 Bizarre , Religion , Society , Torts 24 Comments
This week’s most frivolous lawsuit was filed by Dr. Randeep Dhillon of Bakersfield on behalf of himself and Bol Punjabi All Regions Community Organization in California. Dhillon is suing Jay Leno for showing a picture of the Sikh holy shrine Golden Temple in Amritsar, India as the image of Mitt Romney’s summer home. The obvious parody is entirely protected but Dhillon has claimed that it constitutes libel.
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Pelosi: Gingrich Unelectable Because “There Is Something I Know.”
Published 1, January 25, 2012 Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Society 66 Comments
I previously criticized Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for suggesting that she has dirt on Newt Gingrich but would disclose it later. She has returned to that ignoble theme in an interview with CNN, saying that Gingrich will not be elected because “There is something I know.” I have been a vocal critic of Gingrich on this blog, but once again I view this low-grade form of politicking to be grossly unfair to Gingrich and a further degrading of our political system. If you want to attack Gingrich, then do it. Do not constantly suggest that you have severed heads in a duffel bag or some other evidence against the man.
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Get Shortey: Oklahoma Senator Faces Down Cannibals With Bill To Bar Use Of Human Fetuses In Food
Published 1, January 25, 2012 Bizarre , Politics 20 Comments
Oklahoma GOP State Senator Ralph Shortey is one politician who is not afraid to take on special interest groups. This month he has introduced a bill that will enrage that powerful lobby of commercial product cannibals who seek to use human fetuses to spice up food. Shortey’s bill would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of food “which contains aborted human fetuses.” First, however, you will have to find one.
14-Year Old Boy Killed After Shooting Himself In Head With Replica Cannon
Published 1, January 24, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law 32 Comments
In Tremonton, Utah, a family is facing a bizarre tragedy after Robby Ostberg, 14, was killed after being shot in the head by a small replica cannon. Notably, the police have said that they first believed that the cannon was purely decorative but then found that it was designed to fire a .50-caliber round. That would create a possible basis for a tort lawsuit for negligence and possibly product liability.
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Officer Pulls Over South Carolina Mayor For Speeding . . . Mayor Then Pulls Over Officer
Published 1, January 24, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics 18 Comments
Norway Mayor Jim Preacher was not apparently happy about being pulled over by a South Carolina state trooper for speeding. After being given a ticket, Preacher proceeded to put on his own blue lights and pulled over the trooper in his capacity as Norway’s chief constable.
Texas Company Accused Of Dumping Pig Blood Into River Used For Recreation
Published 1, January 24, 2012 Bizarre , Religion , Torts 27 Comments
In Texas, investigators are demanding answers from Dallas meat-packing company Columbia Packing Company after photos appeared to show the company dumping pig blood into the Trinity River. The case raises some interesting legal questions.
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Liberté, Egalité, Débauche: Former French Minister Pushes For Creation of “Napoleonland”
Published 1, January 24, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , International , Military , Society 8 Comments
As a history buff who loves visiting France, I have previously objected to the commercialization of historical sites of a former French minister of Versailles. However, nothing quite prepared me for the new idea of former French minister Yves Jégo, who is planning the creation of “Napoleonland.” He is raising £180 million for the amusement park on the site of Napoleon’s final victory at the Battle of Montereau in 1814 just south of Paris.
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Rushdie To Judgment: Muslim Groups File Police Complaint Over Reading of Book By Salman Rushie
Published 1, January 23, 2012 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 8 Comments
We have followed the rising prosecution of people for blasphemy around the world, including the West. Now, Muslim groups in India are calling for the prosecution of organizers for reading from Salman Rushdie’s banned book “Satanic Verses” at the Jaipur Literature Festival. Abdul Latif, state secretary of All India Milli council refers to the mere reading from the book as “condemnable” and said that the groups are collecting evidence for prosecution.
Editor of American Jewish Magazine Calls For Israel’s Mossad To Kill Obama
Published 1, January 23, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Society 58 Comments
Andrew Adler, the owner and publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times, has apologized after running a column that lists three options for Israel to deal with its current threats that included killing Barack Obama. The column went out of its way to make sure that readers “read ‘three’ correctly” — “U.S. based Mossad agents” should kill the president. The column is just one more example of how religious writers and politicians use faith as a vehicle for hate and violent speech. Given our discussion of Santorum’s honorary campaign chairman (who denounced gays as making God want to vomit), one has to wonder about the intestinal fortitude of the Almighty during periods of sectarian extremism.
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Meet Rev. O’Neal Dozier: Santorum’s Florida Campaign Chairman Under Fire For Saying Gays “Make God Want To Vomit”
Published 1, January 23, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 26 Comments
Rick Santorum has long been ridiculed for his anti-homosexual views, but he appears to have someone who can actually extend the extreme of the spectrum to his right: Rev. O’Neil Dozier. Dozier has told his flock that gay “make God want to vomit.” He appears to know a great deal about things that make God vomit. His website describes him as “a prayer warrior who faithfully spends time in his own prayer closet and teaches his flock to pray.” This is one American who might be better off staying in the closet.
Things That Tick Me Off: Steven Tyler
Published 1, January 23, 2012 Bizarre , Society , Things That Tick Me Off 34 Comments
This week, Steven Tyler — formerly of Aerosmith and presently of American Idol — has made my Things That Tick Me Off list. I watched the two playoff games last night, but the Ravens-Patriots Game began with one of the most painful renditions of the national anthem in the history of mankind by Tyler, who appeared to be offering a rendition (below) of what the song if it was played by strangling a cat. Of course, now that he has made our “Things That Tick Me Off” list I expect his television and singing career will now be over.
Crash More, Costa Less: Cruise Company Offers Crash Victims Thirty Percent Discount On Their Next Trip
Published 1, January 23, 2012 Bizarre , International , Society , Torts 11 Comments
One can certainly understand why victims of the recently wreck of the Costa Concordia were a little put out by a recent offer. The company, owned by Carnival, called to offer them a 30% discount on their next Carnival cruise after 12 people died on the last voyage and 20 are still missing. Truly savings to die for. For crash victims, it is like Ford’s Theater offering Mary Todd Lincoln “buy two, get one free” ticket deal on the next performance of “Our American Cousin.”
This film is the result of an experiment of locking a fully loaded bike in New York City and then taking one picture every day for 365 days.
Just Say No To Idolatry: Hamas Shuts Down Program As “Indecent” Under Islamic Law
Published 1, January 20, 2012 Bizarre , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion , Society 14 Comments
Those crazy guys in Hamas are at it again. After banning women from riding motorcycles and men working as hairdressers and other “immodest acts,” Hamas has shutdown the Palestinian version of “American Idol” as “indecent” under Islamic laws and values. However, it appears kid shows featuring dismemberment and camps for kids to learn kidnapping are perfectly decent.
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Utah School District Rejects Cougar As Mascot As “Insensitive To Women”
Published 1, January 20, 2012 Animals , Bizarre , Society 29 Comments
School officials in Canyons School District Utah appear to be watching too much Sex in the City. The school officials wanted to pick a mascot for the new Corner Canyon High School and pushed the students to accept the ultra-lame “Chargers.” The students balked and instead picked the Cougars, but Principal Mary Bailey and the school district barred the names as “insensitive to women.”
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A Suicidal Pledge? Gingrich Reaffirms Pledge To Violate Constitution After Promising To Kill Enemies Of Our Nation
Published 1, January 19, 2012 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 115 CommentsAfter pledging to kill our enemies, Newt Gingrich returned to one of his favorite themes: violating the United States Constitution. In Greenville, South Carolina, Gingrich again said that he would ignore Supreme Court decisions that he disagreed with. We have previously discussed the flaws in Gingrich’s legal and historical views, but my concern is that pledging to violate the Constitution would make Gingrich an enemy of our constitutional system. Does this mean that his first act would be to add his own name to the presidential hit list?
You Can Thank Me Later: Police Officer Breaks Into Wrong House During Fire
Published 1, January 19, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law 21 CommentsThis video shows an officer smashing the windows of a house and forcing an older woman into the street in her nightgown to save her from a fire. The problem is that the fire was down the street.
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Gingrich Pledges To Kill Enemies Of The United States
Published 1, January 18, 2012 Bizarre , International , Politics 57 Comments
I have previously questioned the historical and legal views of Newt Gingrich. However, we may agree on one recent historical claim: that Andrew Jackson tended to address enemies by killing them. As shown in the video below, Gingrich embraced this approach as a campaign pledge — eclipsing prior campaign pledges in the primary to bomb countries or torture detainees.
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Who Burned The Senator?
Published 1, January 18, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment 22 Comments
We have periodically been faced with a particularly twisted class of criminals who destroy nature, including historic trees (here and here and here), out of some deep-seated anger or objectification. The latest victim is “The Senator,” a 125-foot-tall bald cypress tree in the Longwood’s Big Tree Park in Florida. It was believed to be the oldest of its kind in North America and the fifth oldest tree in the world. Now it is a burned out trunk.
Can You Guess What This Man Was Arrested For?
Published 1, January 18, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law 9 Comments
David T. Peters, 66, of Streetsboro, Ohio chose this unfortunate teeshirt before being arrested for internet child porn. We have seen other arrestees with poor taste in booking attire, but Peters is certainly competing for the top spot.
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Florida Police Officer Turns Off Dash Camera and Audiotape, Beats Man With Dementia, and Receives Only A Written Reprimand
Published 1, January 17, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 35 CommentsIn Florida, Melbourne police Officer Derek Middendorf is accused of beating a 66-year-old man suffering from dementia. A dash camera shows Middendorf delivering a kick to the stomach of Albert Flowers, then punching him after Flowers falls to the ground. The video also shows another officer running over and tasing Flowers in the face. The beating left Flowers in the hospital for a month. Yet, the police department only issued a written reprimand for one of the officers turning off the dash camera and audio equipment. A written reprimand. That’s it.
TSA Agents Steal $40,000 From A Passenger . . . And Receive Just Six Months In Jail
Published 1, January 17, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 19 Comments
Recently, two former TSA screeners, 44-year-old Coumar Persad and 31-year-old Davon Webb were convicted of stealing $40,000 from a passenger’s luggage at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. The amount of cash and the involvement of TSA officers obviously makes the story notable. However, what I found quite remarkable was the sentence that they received; six months in jail and five years probation. That is a remarkably light sentence for federal employees involved in a major theft while using public authority and resources.
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Bed, Bath & Beyond Tissue Boxes Found To Be Radioactive
Published 1, January 17, 2012 Bizarre , Society , Torts 16 Comments
Bed, Bath, & Beyond is recalling its metal tissue boxes after California health officials found a shipment to be radioactive. The boxes made in India appear to have been made from metal irradiated with cobalt-60. The “Dual Ridge Metal Boutique tissue boxes” are not exactly weapons of mass destruction but they do present a health risk.
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Want to Lose Weight? Think Red
Published 1, January 17, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Science , Society 14 Comments
There is an interesting article published in Appetite Magazine showing the results of a study by German and Swiss academics into the effect of color on food consumption. The Scientists found that eating from red plates and drinking from red cups reduced the amount that people ate by forty percent.
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Uncle Shem Wants You? Israel Accused of Using U.S. Passport and Fake CIA Identities To Recruit Operatives
Published 1, January 16, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 14 Comments
Foreign Policy magazine has published an article that deals with an intelligence crisis that the Bush and Obama Administration appear to have buried away from public view. Internal memos reportedly detail how Israeli Mossad agents posed as CIA agents in the recruitment and running of operatives. Previously, Israel was criticized by various countries for using their passports and stolen identities of their citizens to kill a target in Dubai. The article suggests that Israel used U.S. money, passports, and identities for the false flag operation. What is fascinating is that the U.S. was accused (not surprisingly) of conducting the operation of cover support for Jundallah — a Pakistan-based Sunni extremist organization in 2007 and 2008.
Continue reading ‘Uncle Shem Wants You? Israel Accused of Using U.S. Passport and Fake CIA Identities To Recruit Operatives’
Robot Love?
Published 1, January 14, 2012 Academics , Bizarre , Columns , Courts , Economics , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Torts 50 CommentsSubmitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger
Almost four weeks ago I read an article in Huffington Post entitled: “Can Loving A Robot Lead to Divorce?” by Vicki Larson, a journalist. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vicki-larson/robots_1_b_1150679.html Ms. Larson introduces her piece by quoting the claims of a current manufacturer of anatomically correct “sex robots”, who presumably speak and move in sexual ways. I followed the article’s link to the website of the robots inventor, Douglas Hines, who enthusiastically discusses his creation and has a few videos (non-explicit) that demonstrate the robot’s “capabilities”. While the HuffPost article links the Company’s website, I’m not doing it here, since publicizing this device is not my aim. Should you want further information it is available at the articles link. The “sex robot” being produced now is but an update on inflatable sex toys, though with a “skeleton”, rudimentary movement and speech added. It therefore is only an opening reference to a real issue that will shortly become scientifically possible.
The next part of this short article is an overview with of the opinion of Artificial Intelligence Expert David Levy http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=humans-marrying-robots “It also may be the future of love and marriage, if you believe artificial intelligent (AI) expert David Levy, author of Love and Sex With Robots. According to Levy, human-robot sex, love and marriage is inevitable — perhaps as soon as 2025. He predicts that robots may not only be more lovable and faithful than many humans, but they may even be more emotionally available than the “typical American human male.” Not only will they make us become better, more creative lovers, but they also will offer those singles who feel a void in their emotional and sexual lives and married couples with differing sexual needs new, nonjudgmental ways to be happy and healthy. Although Levy believes that the “availability of regular sex with a robot will dramatically reduce the incidence of infidelity as we know it today,” he also acknowledges there may be some potential sticky points. “Some human spouses and lovers might consider robot sex to be just as unfaithful as sex with another person.”
Levy’s view naturally flows into the conclusion of the article which is an E Mail interview with Sonya Ziaja, a San Francisco Bay Area attorney who blogs at numerous law and policy media outlets as well as her own, Shark. Laser. Blawg.
“And what could be more fraught with legal dilemmas than a love triangle among a married couple and a sexbot? How that might impact a divorce? That’s what Ziaja explores in her paper, “Homewrecker 2.0: An Exploration of Liability for Heart Balm Torts Involving AI Humanoid Consorts,” which she presented at the 2011 International Conference on Social Robotics that took place in Amsterdam at the end of November.
“If the doll’s owner becomes enamored with the doll, and leaves his spouse, can the spouse sue as she or he would be able to if the interloper had been human? And who would be sued? The manufacturer? Inventor? The AI itself?” she questions. “So long as we’re intent on adding socially interactive AI into situations that would ordinarily be only human. … socially interactive robots need to be ‘safe to play with’ in a way that manufacturers of toaster ovens never had to imagine.”
Thus we are presented here with a legal quandary instigated by the advent of revolutionary technology affecting serious legal, moral and ethical issues. How should we view this inevitability and how shall we deal with it as a society? Continue reading ‘Robot Love?’
Employment Discriminaton Filing: Snack Maker Accused of Firing Employee For Wearing Prosthetic Device
Published 1, January 13, 2012 Bizarre , Society , Torts 27 Comments
Now this is going to be an interesting case. Pauline Davis, 45, has filed a gender discrimination case against J&J Snack Foods after the company (making churros and other frozen snacks) allegedly fired her for wearing a prosthetic penis to work. She seems to have a viable case.
Police Seek Culprit Who Seriously Injured Man In Spontaneous “Dwarf Toss”
Published 1, January 13, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 19 Comments
There is an interesting criminal and tort case being investigated in England. Martin Henderson was celebrating his 37th birthday when he found himself airborne — thrown by another man in the bar who saw him as a dwarf for the tossing. Henderson suffered injuries as a result of the toss and the man fled.
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Drinking Tom Cruise: Ebay Offers Bottles Of Pool Water Used By Tom Cruise
Published 1, January 11, 2012 Bizarre , Society , Torts 22 Comments
Why roll around in the food leftovers of higher caste people, when you can wash in the water used by Tom Cruise. For a little over $100 you can now buy an eight-ounce bottle of pool water used by Tom Cruise and his family on July 16, 2011.
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Hindus Protest Move To End Ritual Of Low Caste Indians Rolling In The Leftover Food Of Higher Caste Indians
Published 1, January 10, 2012 Bizarre , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion 28 Comments
Made Snana is a century-old ritual in India where low-caste Hindus roll in the leftover food from the meals of higher caste Brahmins. It is believed to be cure of such things as skin disorders and fulfillment of wishes, but a group of religious leaders have called for a ban on the practice. That has prompted violent attacks from those insisting on the continuation of the ritual.
Greece Declares Pedophilia A Disability Deserving State Benefits
Published 1, January 10, 2012 Bizarre , International , Society 33 Comments
The Greek government is being denounced by the National Confederation of Disabled People after it added pedophiles, exhibitionists, and kleptomaniacs to the list of disabled people entitled to state benefits. They have joined pyromaniacs, compulsive gamblers, fetishists and sadomasochists as persons entitled to ask for government assistance.
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Assumption of the Risk? Bungee Cord Snaps Sending Australian Woman Plunging Into Crocodile-Infested Waters
Published 1, January 9, 2012 Bizarre , Torts 68 Comments
Next time you think that torts exams are too fanciful, consider the potential case of Australian tourist Erin Langworthy, 22, in Zimbabwe. Langworthy arranged to jump off the Victoria Falls bridge, but received a bit of a nasty surprise when the bungee cord snapped and there was not back up cord. Oh, and I forgot to mention, she was bungeeing above crocodile-infested waters.
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Seal Accidentally Kills Himself In Showing Date His Guns
Published 1, January 9, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Military 37 Comments
We have yet another tragic case of an individual killed by fooling around with a loaded gun. In this case it was one of the most highly trained military service members, Navy Seal Petty Officer 3rd Class Gene “Geno” Clayont, Jr. Police report that Clayont returned from a bar with a woman and was showing her his guns when he placed a gun to his head that he thought was empty and pulled the trigger.
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New York Pastor Arrested For Robbery and Kidnapping At Buffalo Wings Restaurant
Published 1, January 9, 2012 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 13 Comments
In Rochester, N.Y., pastor Anthony Lee Drumgoole, 23, has been laying his hands on more than the faithful. He is charged with a robbery at the Carolina Forest Buffalo Wild Wings and racked up additional charges of kidnapping and four counts of financial transaction card fraud. He was arrested at his church.
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Catholic Cardinal: UNESCO Plots To Make “Half The World Population Homosexual”
Published 1, January 9, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Religion 20 Comments
For some people, a dark global conspiracy evolves around the trilateral commission or the military-industrial complex or even fluoride in the water. For some in the Vatican, it appears to be that sinister group in United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and their insidious plan to make “half the world population homosexual.” It is not clear who our overlord in the new gay regime will be, but I see the hand of Harvey Fierstein who has secretly longed for global domination.
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Marine Biologist Faces 20 Years For Feeding Whales
Published 1, January 8, 2012 Animals , Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Things That Tick Me Off 32 CommentsBy Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Renowned marine biologist Nancy Black faces 20 years in prison and a half million dollars in fines for allegedly unlawfully feeding killer whales. And no,she didn’t feed them people. Apparently,Black, who’s been featured on PBS, Animal Planet, and National Geographic has been charged with running afoul of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The charges stem from a 2005 research trip in which Black filmed a gray humpback whale and a pack of killer whales swimming nearby. She’s accused of feeding the killer whales and then altering a video of the “crime.” Here’s her lawyer’s account of the heinous attack on the environment.
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The Remains of an Illegal and Immoral War
Published 1, January 7, 2012 Bizarre , Environment , International , Military , Science , Things That Tick Me Off 55 Comments
Respectfully submitted by Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw)-Guest Blogger
The United States recently ended its formal military occupation of Iraq and removed most of its combat troops after more than 8 years and thousands of troops and civilian deaths and injuries. Our troops did their job under difficult situations, but the havoc that our invasion and occupation of Iraq created will remain for generations. When we look at the impact of Shock and Awe and the constant barrage of bullets and bombs, it is a wonder that even more civilians were not killed. Most estimates put the Iraqi civilian deaths over 100,000 and more than a million people displaced from their homes. However, the repeated use of depleted uranium and white phosphorus weapons in particular, may be the cause of Iraqi infants and children being born with horrific abnormalities in alarming numbers. Continue reading ‘The Remains of an Illegal and Immoral War’
Caucusing With God: Pat Robertson Reveals God Told Him The Name Of The Next President . . . But He Is Not Talking
Published 1, January 6, 2012 Bizarre , Religion , Society 34 CommentsPat Robertson is back. This time he is revealing how God told him the name of the next president. Robertson, however, is not going to reveal the name. It appears that he is the only viewer on God’s cable punditry channel. Robertson explained “I think He showed me about the next president, but I’m not supposed to talk about that so I’ll leave you in the dark — probably just as well — but I think I know who it’s gonna be.”
Court Orders Arrest of Lawyer After Judge Called “Catholic Knight Witch Hunter” in Bizarre Filings
Published 1, January 6, 2012 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Religion , Society 24 Comments
A bankruptcy case in Minneapolis has produced some unexpected fireworks after U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Nancy Dreher ordered the arrest of an attorney who filed a bizarre litany of anti-Catholic remarks in a filing. Dreher ordered the arrest of lawyer Naomi Isaacson (left), who is president of a group known as the Dr. R.C. Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology Inc.
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Two Englishmen Shooting Balloons in Slow Motion . . . That Is All
Published 1, January 6, 2012 Bizarre , International 6 CommentsEver wonder what Englishmen do when they are not standing in the mid-day sun? They shoot balloons in slow motion . . . and the effect is brilliant.
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Santorum Instructs Students On Same-Sex Marriage and Health Care
Published 1, January 5, 2012 Bizarre , Politics , Society 64 CommentsWe previously discussed the unease of civil libertarians over Rick Santorum, particularly his privacy positions. His appeal to evangelical and faith-based voters was evident in a remarkable appearance in Sioux Center, Iowa. Santorum has a tense exchange over his position on same-sex marriage and health care — making the factual representation that no one has ever died from lack of health care protection and same-sex marriage would have horrific consequences for the nation.
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