Ever wonder where St. Bernards come from? They are captured by St. Bernards wranglers who find them in wild herds in the forest. This is rare footage of wild St. Bernards in their natural habitat.
Archive for the 'Environment' Category
Rodenticide Poisoning in Children and Wildlife Deemed an Acceptable Level of Societal Risk by Todd M. Wynn, Director of the ALEC Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force
Published 1, February 4, 2012 Animals , Economics , Environment , Politics , Society 10 Comments
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Last September, the EPA released a statement about its plan to ban the sale of “the most toxic rat and mouse poisons and “rodenticide products that use loose bait and pellets.” Its reason for doing so was “to better protect children, pets, and wildlife.” The EPA had previously announced in 2008 that “rodenticide manufacturers would have three years to adopt limits on the sale of the products” after the agency had gone through “thirteen years of studies, hearings, reports and legal battles.”
According to PRWatch, the EPA became aware that rodenticides “were finding their way into the food chain” by the early 1980s. Poison control centers in this country had been receiving 12,000 to 15,000 calls annually regarding the exposure of children under the age of six to rat poison.
From PRWatch:
In 1998, the Clinton administration’s EPA deemed that rodenticides had to taste bitter, so kids wouldn’t eat the products, and be colored with a bright dye, so it would be obvious if they did. The EPA backed down from these requirements in 2001 after George W. Bush took office and made the measures “voluntary,” reportedly due to industry pressure.
After seeing no drop in the number of children being poisoned by rodenticides, in 2004 the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed suit to force the EPA to take action, and a New York district court criticized the agency for reversing itself and caving to pesticide manufacturers. The court wrote, “the EPA lacked even the proverbial ‘scintilla’ of evidence justifying its reversal of the requirement it had imposed, after extensive study, only a few years before.” In response, the EPA took steps to regulate the products. Those rules were intended to go into effect this year, but were delayed by the resistance of Reckitt Benckiser and two other rodenticide manufacturers, Liphatech and Spectrum Group.
The EPA estimates that the unreported child exposure rate may be four times as high as the 12,000-15,000 calls to poison control centers each year, and some believe the number to be ten times as high. Poisoned young children can experience internal bleeding, bloody urine, bleeding gums, and blood coming from their ears. African-American and Hispanic children living below the poverty line have been disproportionately affected. A New York study found that 57 percent of children hospitalized for eating rat poison between 1990 and 1997 were African-American and 26 percent were Latino.
India Takes First Place . . . In The Worst Air Pollution In The World
Published 1, February 1, 2012 Environment , International , Science , Society 8 Comments
India’s booming economy has long had a dark side in the form of rampant pollution. Like China, the country has gone full throttle on a production-oriented society while ignoring rising pollution and illnesses associated with pollutants. Now, in a study of 132 countries, India has reached the bottom of the list of dirty air countries or, to put a more positive spin, the top spot on the most dirty countries. Nevertheless, the government is not concerned and assured the public that this is really not that bad.
Continue reading ‘India Takes First Place . . . In The Worst Air Pollution In The World’
Dutch Architect Proposes Floating Parks For Urban Centers
Published 1, January 18, 2012 Animals , Environment 20 Comments
Architect Koen Olthuis, of Dutch firm Waterstudio has proposed a rather intriguing floating parks for cities like New York and London that would create a haven for wildlife in urban centers — a park that would be inaccessible to humans that would create a multi-tiered living area for birds, bees, bats and other small animals.
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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.
A Smart or Dumas Move? Italy Set To Bomb Island of Montecristo With 26 Tons of Rat Poison
Published 1, January 16, 2012 Animals , Environment , Society 29 Comments
This is a bizarre story. We are all familiar with the island of Montecristo from the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo. If you go to the uninhabited island, however, you are likely to find not the treasure from the book (or Red Beard’s treasure, as has long been rumored to be buried there). What you will find are rats. Lots of rats. One for every square yard of island. Now, the Italian military is planning to literally bomb the island to kill the black rat (Rattus rattus) population — and save the island.
Report: Loggers Accused Of Capturing Eight-Year-Old Girl From Remote Amazonian Tribe And Burning Her Alive
Published 1, January 12, 2012 Criminal law , Environment , Military 12 Comments
Various groups have accused loggers in Brazil of a heinous and unspeakable crime: capturing an eight-year-old girl from one of the Amazon’s last uncontacted tribes and burning her alive as a warning to leave the mineral-rich area. Both a tribal chief and a Catholic group have come forward to confirm the story, which is still being investigated.
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’
Turley Blog Hits 10 Million Viewers
Published 1, January 5, 2012 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion 20 Comments
Last night, we received word of two considerable accomplishments. First, we won the ABA Journal’s selection as the top opinion blog. Second, we hit our 10 millionth viewer on the blog. We are routinely ranked as one of the most visited legal blogs by AVVO. As our viewership has grown in only a few short years, we have reached a wider and wider international audience.
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TURLEY BLOG PICKED AS TOP OPINION LEGAL BLOG IN 2011
Published 1, January 5, 2012 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Supreme Court , Torts 27 Comments
Last night the editors of the ABA Journal informed us that we have voted the top opinion blog of 2011 in the ABA Journal competition. It is our second such top award in the annual competition and it is an honor shared equally by all of our contributors and readers.
Continue reading ‘TURLEY BLOG PICKED AS TOP OPINION LEGAL BLOG IN 2011′
Just Two Days Left In The ABA Competition: We Need Your Vote!
Published 1, December 28, 2011 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Science , Society 18 CommentsJust as Henry V rallied the thin, tired troops on the eve of the Battle of Agincourt, it is time to make that final call for votes in this year’s competition for the top opinion blog by the American Bar Association. There are now just two days left and, while we have pulled ahead in the last week, the contest remains very close with one of the top five largest legal blogs. If you like our blog, it is time to pony up and vote.
Continue reading ‘Just Two Days Left In The ABA Competition: We Need Your Vote!’
U.S. Loses Fight To Block Pollution Tax of Airlines in Europe — Promises An “Appropriate Action” In Response
Published 1, December 26, 2011 Congress , Environment , International , Politics 20 Comments
We previously discussed the ignoble effort of the Obama Administration and U.S. airlines to claim an exemption to the European pollution taxes that applies to all other airlines. They have now lost their case before the European Court of Justice — and the Obama Administration is promising to retaliate.
Merry Christmas To All
Published 1, December 25, 2011 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Supreme Court , Torts 32 Comments
Best wishes to everyone celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. Continue reading ‘Merry Christmas To All’
The Turley Blog Needs Your Vote! The ABA Competition Is Down To The Wire For Top Opinion Blog
Published 1, December 21, 2011 Academics , Courts , Criminal law , Economics , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Supreme Court , Torts 54 Comments
This year’s competition for the top opinion blog by the American Bar Association has become an intense race between our blog and one of the largest conservative legal blogs, Volokh Conspiracy. Even though VC is one of the largest blogs in the country, we are only a couple of dozen votes away with voting closing on December 31st. We need every vote so please spread the word to civil libertarians and others that we need their support to pull off the ultimate David and Goliath victory.
Continue reading ‘The Turley Blog Needs Your Vote! The ABA Competition Is Down To The Wire For Top Opinion Blog’
The US Chamber of Commerce, the Enemy Within?
Published 1, December 11, 2011 Columns , Congress , Environment , International , Media , Politics , Society , Things That Tick Me Off , Uncategorized , USA Today 37 CommentsSubmitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger.
During the Cold War a phrase “The Enemy Within” became popular. It was a reference at first to Communist subversion exemplified by Senator Joseph McCarthy’s witch-hunt. Later it was used with other issues such as in Robert F. Kennedy’s book “The Enemy Within” which dealt with corruption in the Labor Movement, specifically Jimmy Hoffa and his teamsters. Recently, Michael Savage, right wing talk show host, wrote a book using that same title, though in this case referring to liberals and progressives as being seditious. The connotation of this phrase is that the group so labeled represents an internal movement that is so dangerous to the interests of the United States, that it can be seen as subversive.
Some may be shocked then by the title of this post. Almost all of us have grown up thinking of the Chamber of Commerce as a uniquely American Institution. Throughout the US whether in cities or in hamlets, the business community has banded together to promote local commerce and build interrelated networks. When we think of this, we think mainly of local small businesses, which are the backbone of this nation’s economy. To be honest until this week I’ve never give much thought to the Chamber of Commerce until as a MoveOn.com member I received a petition from an affiliated new organization called SumOfUs.
“SumOfUs is a brand-new global movement of consumers, investors and workers using our collective economic power for good. Together, we will work to hold the world’s corporations accountable to the public interest and move our global economic system towards social equity, democratic principles, and long-term sustainability.” http://googlequitthechamber.org/about/
The purpose of the petition was to get Google to follow the lead of other large corporations and quit the US Chamber of Commerce. The petition made various claims regarding the US Chamber of Commerce which I’ll deal with in this post.
However, I wouldn’t present this post without doing some research on the “Chamber” and its’ activity to look into the validity of the claims being made by the SumOfUs organization. In doing this research I came to realize that in my opinion the United States Chamber of Commerce is an organization that does not act in the best interests of this country and that one can call it subversive, even though it is not treasonous. These are my reasons for this belief. Continue reading ‘The US Chamber of Commerce, the Enemy Within?’
Your Morning Motivator: The Condit Dam
Published 1, December 6, 2011 Bizarre , Environment 2 CommentsFor those of you having trouble getting out of the bed, this film of destruction of the dam at the White Salmon River in Washington state should help motivate you.
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Today’s Celebrity is Yesterday’s Aristocracy
Published 1, December 3, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Columns , Environment , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Things That Tick Me Off , Uncategorized , USA Today 10 CommentsSubmitted by Mike Spindell, guest blogger
Andy Warhol, said in 1968 that “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Forty-Three years later the remark has become ubiquitously prescient. The world is awash in a celebrity culture and America is at the acme of this “culture”. From one perspective this is merely the harmless fluff that people use in order to distract themselves from the depressing things their lives have offered. It is the triumph of “kitsch” over substance in the business of being famous. This has been true throughout mankind’s history. The lives and activities of the powerful have been followed by the masses with avid interest and have been the fodder of discussion around what served as the ancient’s water coolers, perhaps the public wells. Without a doubt in ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh’s comings and goings were constant conversational topics. Today, in a much different context, the American multitudes avidly follow the lives of the powerful, rich and famous, via innumerable outlets including Facebook and Twitter.
The question I’m broaching here is if this is a historic human trait, are there negative aspects of it that threaten the functioning and stability of our society? My own answer is that I’m not sure one way or another, but I am concerned about what I see all around me and perhaps would like the writers here to talk me down, so to speak. Now one might rightly ask what does this have to do with the law and the other topics we treat here on a daily basis. Only this week we have had news bulletins and stories about the sentencing of Michael Jackson’s doctor to four years in prison. On that same day no doubt there were dozens of news stories that had greater effect on our lives, yet every network paid much attention to it on their nightly news. At the risk of offending Michael Jackson fans, the death of this once famous “Pop Star”, self titled “King of Pop” if you will, was hardly worth the attention paid to it, when issues of economic collapse, wars, revolutions, genocides and famines raged throughout the media frenzy. Yet, I must say that the media knew their audience and this story catered to that audience. I understand the need for, and I myself have need of distraction from the woes of the world, so it is not as if I hold myself apart from the indulgence. Frequently instances of self loathing come to the fore as I slavishly behold the spectacle that our media creates for us surrounding people and issues that embarrass our attention, as they play out before our wide-eyed gazes. Continue reading ‘Today’s Celebrity is Yesterday’s Aristocracy’
Turley Blog Selected As A Top 100 Legal Blog — Now We Need Your Vote!
Published 1, December 2, 2011 Academics , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Environment , Free Speech , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , Supreme Court 45 Comments
The ABA Journal has released its list of the top 100 legal blogs in the world and we are once again in this august group of blogs. Congratulations to all of our regulars contributors and weekend bloggers. This blog’s success is due entirely to the consistently high level of commentary among our readers and, I believe, our commitment to civil and substantive (if at times passionate) dialogue on the legal and political issues of our day. We are again placed in the “opinion” category and facing two of the top five most popular blogs. You can vote at You can vote at this site by clicking on the “opinion” category and we need your vote. A quick registration is needed to prevent cheating in the competition.
Continue reading ‘Turley Blog Selected As A Top 100 Legal Blog — Now We Need Your Vote!’
The Mercatus Center: A Tentacle of the Deregulation-Loving Kochtopus Helping in the Effort to Deny Climate Change and Eviscerate the EPA
Published 1, October 10, 2011 Academics , Environment , Politics , Science , Uncategorized 292 Comments
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
From Climate Science Watch (March 18, 2010): To the libertarians, the widely-shared scientific assessment that human-caused climate change will likely produce major harmful consequences — and the communication of this evidence to the public by the leading climate scientists — poses a particularly serious threat. An informed public concerned about the likelihood of harmful impacts of unchecked global climatic disruption is more likely to call for significant government action to curb greenhouse gas emissions. In order to block proactive government policymaking and keep corporate interests unregulated, libertarian groups have focused a significant part of their efforts on climate change on distorting the science to confuse public opinion, denying the seriousness of the problem, and, most recently, impugning the integrity of the climate science community. The Koch brothers have stepped forward with deep pockets to bankroll such efforts.
Continue reading ‘The Mercatus Center: A Tentacle of the Deregulation-Loving Kochtopus Helping in the Effort to Deny Climate Change and Eviscerate the EPA’
U.S. Airlines Lose Effort To Avoid Paying European Pollution Tax
Published 1, October 7, 2011 Congress , Environment 33 CommentsU.S. airlines lost a critical fight this week to avoid paying the costs of pollution caused by their aircraft in Europe. Foreign airlines are required to pay for their carbon pollution by the European Union, but American airlines insisted that they should not be required to pay for their share of pollution. It is the type of argument that received rapturous applause in Congress and immediate waivers of liability. However, American executives were shocked when the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg actually ruled that the companies should pay their environmental tax. The Obama Administration has supported the companies in fighting the pollution tax.
Continue reading ‘U.S. Airlines Lose Effort To Avoid Paying European Pollution Tax’
Toro Taking? Bullfighting Promoters Sue Over Ban in Barcelona
Published 1, September 27, 2011 Bizarre , Environment , International 29 Comments
Now this is a takings case. Last week saw the last bullfight in Barcelona, Spain. This week there is talk of a lawsuit by bullfighting companies who want compensation for the ban on killing bulls slowly in a ring for the enjoyment of thousands of fans of the blood sport.
Continue reading ‘Toro Taking? Bullfighting Promoters Sue Over Ban in Barcelona’
White House Warned in 2009 That Solyndra Was Poor Investment
Published 1, September 16, 2011 Environment , Politics , Society 57 Comments
For about a week, I have been hesitant to post on the Solyndra scandal. There seemed to be a bit of too much of a pile on due to this being a green tech company. However, it is now serious and new evidence suggests that the White House was not just cavalier with such stimulus funds but willfully blind that this company (run by a major Democratic donor who visited the White House repeatedly before the public support by the President) was likely to fail. At best it was a remarkably moronic move by the President and his staff.
Continue reading ‘White House Warned in 2009 That Solyndra Was Poor Investment’
Florida Woman Found Guilty of Criminal Neglect In Leaving Dog At Store For A Day Despite Absence of Necropsy
Published 1, September 15, 2011 Animals , Criminal law , Environment , Society 21 Comments
There is a fascinating case out of Florida this week that raises questions over the required proof needed for a criminal conviction — in this case, animal cruelty. Carla Ann Thomas was convicted of animal neglect after her a 5-year-old Akita named Sache was found dead after being left over the weekend at Healthy Paws, Thomas’ health food store for dogs and cats in St. Petersburg. She was convicted despite the fact that there was no necropsy and no one knows why the dog died. The prosecutor says that that is immaterial.
Continue reading ‘Florida Woman Found Guilty of Criminal Neglect In Leaving Dog At Store For A Day Despite Absence of Necropsy’
Did Bayer (and the EPA) Kill The Honeybees?
Published 1, September 7, 2011 Animals , Environment , Politics , Science 43 Comments
A leaked EPA memo is being cited by scientists as smoking gun evidence of likely cause of the massive die-off of honeybees. The culprits, these researchers claim, are Bayer CropScience and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Continue reading ‘Did Bayer (and the EPA) Kill The Honeybees?’
The Real Tea Party, Not Today’s Tea Party Fakes
Published 1, September 3, 2011 Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Environment , Free Speech , Justice , Media , Politics , Society , Uncategorized 62 CommentsSubmitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger
Today I came across this fascinating exposition on a facet of American History often overlooked in our educational syllabus. The Boston Tea Party, from which today’s Tea Party takes its’ name, was actually a revolt against the dominance of the largest Multi-national Corporation of its’ time and its’ monopoly of the ubiquitous tea trade. The power of this entity came through its political dominance of the British Monarchy and with its’ compliance and enforcement of this Corporation’s needs. Contrast the actual positions of today’s “Tea Partier’s” with those whose names they usurp. I think you will find this a fascinating video and I will comment after the fold.
Continue reading ‘The Real Tea Party, Not Today’s Tea Party Fakes’
Gibson Guitar Raided For Possible Lacey Act Violations . . . Again
Published 1, September 1, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International 73 Comments
Gibson Guitars are some of the best known instruments in the business. However, the company could soon make some interesting law as well after it was raided by federal agents investigating possible violations of the Lacey Act, the law barring the illegal trade in wildlife, fish, and plants. The company is being investigated for the allegedly unlawful importation of sawn ebony logs from India. This is the second time in two years that the company has been accused of Lacey Act violations.
Continue reading ‘Gibson Guitar Raided For Possible Lacey Act Violations . . . Again’
Things That Tick Me Off: Irene’s Hurricane Coverage in Washington
Published 1, August 28, 2011 Environment , Media , Things That Tick Me Off 163 Comments
My brother sent me this mocking picture making the rounds on the Internet. I thought it was àpropos in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. The coverage in Washington of the hurricane-that-wasn’t has been absolutely bizarre. It is good to see that this city does not just panic with an inch of snow. We panic with any weather above a flurry or a misting. Folks in parts of North Carolina and other coastal areas have had legitimate concerns (including New York, Vermont and other areas) and Irene’s flooding and power outages were expected to take quite a toll in those hardest hit areas. However, the D.C. coverage was comically ridiculous. I watched one story of how Irene had began “its trail of misery and destruction” toward Washington. General Sherman’s March To the Sea had less dire reviews. I am only talking about Northern Virginia and Washington where the coverage continued in sharp contrast with the actual forecasted weather for our area.
Continue reading ‘Things That Tick Me Off: Irene’s Hurricane Coverage in Washington’
Why Don’t Politicians Want to Pay for Disaster Relief?
Published 1, August 27, 2011 Congress , Environment , Justice , Politics , Religion , Things That Tick Me Off 43 Comments
Respectfully Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw)-Guest Bogger
It is a big deal when you read that New York City is shutting down their transit system and ordering evacuations due to the impending hurricane that is making its way up the Eastern coast. It also concerned me because my daughter is now in NYC and is unable to get out before Monday. I can only imagine the devastation that will occur all the way from the Carolinas up to the Northeast due to Hurricane Irene. When you read the stories and see the pictures of the havoc and sometimes death that is the result of these kind of natural disasters, it is hard to understand why some politicians are clamoring that the government should not pay for relief unless there are corresponding spending cuts! Continue reading ‘Why Don’t Politicians Want to Pay for Disaster Relief?’
Photos of Cracks in Washington Monument After Earthquake
Published 1, August 25, 2011 Bizarre , Environment 44 Comments
This is one of the photos released today by the Park Police showing the cracks in the Washington monument. Below is another picture.
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Negligence of Act of God? Ninety-Five-Year-Old California Man Stung Over 600 Times By Bees
Published 1, August 25, 2011 Animals , Environment , Torts 20 Comments
This week, I was milking sympathy after being stung twice by bees on two successive days walking our dog, Molly, through our nearby forest. The sympathy then came to an end when I saw this story about an elderly man in Redondo Beach, California.
USGS Revenge? Earthquake Hits Cantor’s District After He Led Fight To Slash Funding
Published 1, August 24, 2011 Congress , Environment , Politics , Science 37 Comments
The epicenter was Mineral Virginia in the district of Republican Congressman Eric Cantor. You may recall Cantor’s effort to slash the budget of the United States Geological Service (USGS).
I was sitting in my office an hour ago when my pictures begin to fall off the walls. It was a rare earthquake in D.C. and it was pretty exciting. I am told that it was a 5.9 quake. Of course, this could lead to Georgetown law reporting their quake as 6.0 and our revising our figures accordingly.
Continue reading ‘EARTHQUAKE!’
Industry Launches Campaign Against Closing Outdated Power Plants
Published 1, August 22, 2011 Environment , Politics , Science , Society 24 Comments
Industry lobbyists and political allies are launching a full court press against the closure of highly polluting coal-fired plants across the United States this month. The effort dovetails with the focus of Republican candidates like Bachmann, Gingrich, and Perry to demonize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and even call for its elimination. However, this move has been delayed too long and is expected to save thousands of lives. The story is the latest example of how industry is able to treat such health risks as abstractions while fighting to keep such plants operating.
Continue reading ‘Industry Launches Campaign Against Closing Outdated Power Plants’
Britain Calls On Asian Governments To Move Against Sale of Rhino Horn
Published 1, August 16, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International 8 Comments
The British government has formally asked China, Vietnam and other Asian countries to tell their citizens that rhino horn has no medicinal value to try to save the rhino from extinction. The belief that the horn holds medicinal value is deeply grained within Asian culture, as I discovered years ago in Taiwan.
Continue reading ‘Britain Calls On Asian Governments To Move Against Sale of Rhino Horn’
Buddhists Release 534 Lobsters Into Ocean; Lobsterman Go To Site And Capture 534 Lobsters
Published 1, August 9, 2011 Animals , Environment , Religion , Society 54 Comments
A group of Buddhists announced recently that they were going to purchase 534 lobsters to return them to the sea. A group of lobstermen from Gloucester reportedly read about the designated site of the ceremony and followed the Buddhists — laying traps and capturing the lobsters and bringing them to market. This was viewed as really funny by the captain of the fishing vessel Degelyse — according to published reports. However, in an update below, Joe Ciaramitaro insists it is satire and not meant to be disrespectful.
Neanderthal’s and Social Darwinism: Perverting Science?
Published 1, July 28, 2011 Academics , Columns , Environment , Science , Society 71 CommentsSubmitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger
Among the ongoing battles in anthropology and paleontology since the mid-Nineteenth Century to now, is the distinction between the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon Man. Specifically this devolves down to what happened to the Neanderthals, since the fossil record appears to show their extinction about 20,000 years ago. My assumption is that most readers are familiar with a lot of this material. It is easily attainable through Google or Wiki. What I find most interesting in this ongoing debate is the impact that Social Darwinism might have played in the original depiction of Neanderthals and in the assumptions made by some scientists about this species.
“Social Darwinism is a term used for various late nineteenth century ideologies predicated on the idea of survival of the fittest.[1] It especially refers to notions of struggle for existence being used to justify social policies which make no distinction between those able to support themselves and those unable to support themselves. The most prominent form of such views stressed competition between individuals in laissez-faire capitalism but it is also connected to the ideas of eugenics, scientific racism, imperialism,[2], Fascism, Nazism and struggle between national or racial groups.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Darwinism
The first skull of the Neanderthal had been discovered in 1926, but it was the discovery in 1856, in the Neanderthal Valley, in Germany that gave the species a name. We all know that the publication of Darwin’s “Origin of the Species” in 1859 set off a firestorm of both intellectual excitement and angry social resistance. By the end of the Nineteenth Century scientists, sociologists, physicians, philosophers, and politicians had misused Darwin’s phrase “survival of the fittest” to justify a host of theories that boiled down to two intertwined propositions. The first was that White People represented the apogee of human civilization and the second that among white people the Anglo-Saxon Teutonic strain represented the elite. This justified Eugenics, Imperialism and even the attempted genocide of the Native Americans. In politics, it also represented a definite anti-democratic strain, articulated prominently by Theodore Roosevelt, who believed that those of Anglo-Saxon/Teutonic origin should rule the Nation since the “rabble” was incapable of civilized behavior without their strong leadership. Continue reading ‘Neanderthal’s and Social Darwinism: Perverting Science?’
Coming To A Beach Near You: Polar Bear Swims 426 Miles
Published 1, July 24, 2011 Animals , Environment , Science , Things That Tick Me Off 29 CommentsSubmitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Their shrinking ice floe habitat under constant assault by climate change, polar bears are taking to the water to preserve their species. One female swam the equivalent distance between Boston and Washington D.C. in an effort to find more suitable habitat. The migration has caused a sad side-effect, as according to study author, George Durner, a USGS research zoologist, “Bears that engaged in long-distance swimming were more likely to experience cub loss.” Five of eleven polar bears that made these swims lost their cubs in the process.
Continue reading ‘Coming To A Beach Near You: Polar Bear Swims 426 Miles’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
The latest incoherence from the Right has to do with incandescence, as in incandescent light bulbs. The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, a bill mandating higher efficiency standards, passed by massive majorities in Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush, has put the kibosh on inefficient incandescent light bulbs. Obviously, an example of socialism/communism/fascism run amok.
Tomahawks Over Turtles: Congress and Obama Administration Move To Slash NOAA Budget
Published 1, July 7, 2011 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society 182 Comments
Wondering where the money is coming from for our three wars, including the over $1 billion for the latest war in Libya? Well, as we spend billions on the wars (including one for an oil-rich nation which has refused to re-pay any of the costs), the White House is slashing domestic programs. A good comparison is that the cost to date of the Libyan war is basically what Congress is about to cut from the budget of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Continue reading ‘Tomahawks Over Turtles: Congress and Obama Administration Move To Slash NOAA Budget’
Oh Canada: Government Blocks Listing of Asbestos as Hazardous Export While Removing Asbestos From Parliament Buildings
Published 1, July 1, 2011 Environment , International , Politics 11 Comments
While America may hang our head in shame over Kyoto and the failure to move aggressively on global warming, Canada it appears has asbestos. The article below raises an interesting disconnect between Canada’s blocking of the international listing of chrysotile asbestos to the Rotterdam Convention, a U.N. treaty on hazardous substances while ordering the removal of asbestos from government buildings due to its danger.
Continue reading ‘Oh Canada: Government Blocks Listing of Asbestos as Hazardous Export While Removing Asbestos From Parliament Buildings’
Portland Dumps 8 Million Gallons Of Treated Water After Man Urinates In Reservoir
Published 1, June 21, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Politics , Society , Torts 19 Comments
Portland officials were shocked this week when a security camera captured a man urinating in a city reservoir of treated drinking water. Others were equally shocked by the city’s response — it flushed 8 million gallons of water down the drain.
Continue reading ‘Portland Dumps 8 Million Gallons Of Treated Water After Man Urinates In Reservoir’
“I Once Saw a Deer Fly”: Officials Perplexed Over Outage Caused By “Deer With Wings”
Published 1, June 20, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Environment 19 Comments
If you read the story below, you will see a picture a deer that appears to have taken flight and landed on a power line — causing a major outage. Montana officials believe that an eagle was able to snatch the small deer but dropped it when it proved too much of a load.
Continue reading ‘“I Once Saw a Deer Fly”: Officials Perplexed Over Outage Caused By “Deer With Wings”’
The Scales of Justice? San Francisco Moves Toward Banning Sale of Gold Fish
Published 1, June 16, 2011 Animals , Environment , Politics 9 Comments
San Francisco’s Commission of Animal Control last year was lambasted over a move to ban puppies, hamsters, and kittens from being sold in the city. Now, the Commission is moving on to a new proposed ban: goldfish.
Continue reading ‘The Scales of Justice? San Francisco Moves Toward Banning Sale of Gold Fish’
New Hampshire Police Criticized For Tasering Wandering Cow
Published 1, June 13, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , Society 18 Comments
In New Hampshire, Wendy Bordeleau and her neighbors are up in arms over the repeated tasering of a 500-pound 1-year-old heifer that had escaped from her herd in Dracut, Massachusetts. People were trying to herd the cow back into the fenced area when police were called and began to taser the animal over the objections of onlookers.
Continue reading ‘New Hampshire Police Criticized For Tasering Wandering Cow’
WHO Warns Cellphone Use Is “Possibly Carcinogenic”: How Much Radiation Does Your Cellphone Emit?
Published 1, June 3, 2011 Environment , International , Science , Society , Torts 12 Comments
The World Health Organization (WHO) has caused a considerable stir with a warning that cellphones may increase the risk of brain tumors. If you are interested, the study below ranks cellphones by the radiation that they emit. My iPhone seems a bit high, but here is the list.
Continue reading ‘WHO Warns Cellphone Use Is “Possibly Carcinogenic”: How Much Radiation Does Your Cellphone Emit?’
This amazing photograph has been released by NASA and, if you look closely, you will see a comet speeding to its demise on a collision course with the sun.
Continue reading ‘A Comet’s End’
Timber! Obama Reverses Himself On Protecting Millions of Acres of Wildness in New Concession To Developers and Drillers
Published 1, June 2, 2011 Congress , Environment , Politics , Society 112 Comments
President Obama has made another huge concession to developers and drillers this week. He has abandoned a pledge to restore eligibility for federal wilderness protection to millions of acres of undeveloped land in the West. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who was himself viewed as a decidedly anti-environmental Senator before being picked by Obama, announced that millions of acres will no longer be designated as “wild lands.”
Continue reading ‘Timber! Obama Reverses Himself On Protecting Millions of Acres of Wildness in New Concession To Developers and Drillers’
Church Cited For Excessive Pruning of Trees In Charlotte
Published 1, June 1, 2011 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society 19 Comments
Now this is a novel citation. The Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church has been fined for “excessive pruning” of its its crape myrtles. The city is demanding fines or replacement of the trees.
Continue reading ‘Church Cited For Excessive Pruning of Trees In Charlotte’
I thought a video of a nice Australian waterspout from this weekend would be a nice way to get you going after a week day weekend. I just returned with the family from North Carolina and had a great time.
Continue reading ‘A Waterspout To Start Your Day’
This is the amazing double rainbow after the disastrous F4 tornado struck Joplin Missouri, killing 116. It is the great paradox of nature, the potential for both great destruction and beauty.
Florida House Approves Use of Human Waste To Treat Crops For Human Consumption
Published 1, May 6, 2011 Bizarre , Environment , Society 52 Comments
Some Chinese may be steaming eggs in urine but Florida is about to grow its crops in such waste. After a heavy lobbying effort by industry, Florida is about to rescind a ban on the use of human waste to treat crops. Soon more than 90 companies will be pumping waste from about 100,000 septic tanks on to their fields — an estimated 40 million gallons treated with lime.
Continue reading ‘Florida House Approves Use of Human Waste To Treat Crops For Human Consumption’
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’
Fracking USA: A Post about the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Governor Tom Corbett, C. Alan Walker, the Marcellus Shale, Polluted Drinking Water, and the Movie Gasland
Published 1, April 10, 2011 Environment , Uncategorized 125 Comments
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Republican governors in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, and Florida have been getting a lot of media and press attention lately because of their proposals for drastic budget cuts, big tax breaks for corporations, or for their attacks on public sector workers and their unions. One newly elected Republic governor who has remained pretty much under the radar is Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania. A few weeks ago, a story about Corbett at ProPublica caught my attention. I thought it was a story worth investigating.
Last December, Governor Corbett announced his very first political appointee—a man named C. Alan Walker. Walker, an energy executive, was chosen to head the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. What’s particularly interesting about this appointment is that Corbett also gave Walker supreme authority over environmental permitting in the state of Pennsylvania.
BP Moves To Resume Deep Water Drilling As Transocean Gives Bonuses To Top Executives For “Best Year” In Safety Performance
Published 1, April 4, 2011 Environment , Politics 36 Comments
The Obama Administration is in talks with BP over the resumption of deep water drilling after the President’s call for more drilling of oil and more coal development. They could have an agreement before the one year anniversary of the April 20 blowout on the Deep water Horizon rig. In the meantime, Transocean Ltd. gave its top executives bonuses for achieving the “best year in safety performance in our company’s history” — despite the explosion killed nine of its own employees and spilled 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
President Barack Obama has continued his morphing into George W. Bush this week with a speech today calling for expanded oil drilling — a departure from his promise to focus on renewable energy. Tell me who this sounds like: “Producing more oil in America can help lower oil prices, can help create jobs and can enhance our energy security.”
Continue reading ‘Obama: Drill, Baby, Drill’
Burn Baby Burn: Obama Massively Expands Coal Exploration As Well As Approving New Offshore Drilling
Published 1, March 24, 2011 Environment , Politics , Society 62 Comments
Environmentalists are again calling foul after the announcement of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that the Obama Administration has approved the expansion in coal mining and four new permits for deepwater offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The increased coal production could cause U.S. climate pollution to rise by more than 50 percent, Glenn Hurowitz, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, has claimed that the expansion of the coal production could increase pollution by more than 50 percent.
Amazing Video of Avalanche Taking Out Artillery Fire Base
Published 1, March 23, 2011 Bizarre , Environment , International , Society 6 Comments This is a fascinating video that I saw on Reddit. Russian troops are trying to trigger a controlled avalanche but it turns out a bit bigger than anticipated in North Ossetia, Russia.
Continue reading ‘Amazing Video of Avalanche Taking Out Artillery Fire Base’
Meet Big Splash — The World’s Most Expensive Dog
Published 1, March 17, 2011 Animals , Environment , Society 12 Comments
This red Tibetan mastiff is quite a looker but the question is whether it is a $1.5 million looker. Big Splash (or Hong Dong in Chinese) was purchased by a Chinese coal baron for 10 million Chinese yuan.
Continue reading ‘Meet Big Splash — The World’s Most Expensive Dog’
Iowa Legislators Seek To Criminalize Those Who Disclose Abuses At Factory Operations
Published 1, March 16, 2011 Animals , Criminal law , Environment , Politics , Society 22 Comments
Iowa lawmakers have introduced two bills (SF 341 and HF 431) that would make it a crime for activists to procure evidence of animal abuse by factory operations. Many of the past disclosures of abuse by circuses and industry have been the result of activists gaining access to factory operations through employment (as here). This law would specifically target such investigations to protect these companies.
Sweetie’s Revenge: New York Teen Arrested After Manhunt in the Death of Hamster
Published 1, March 10, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment 9 Comments
New York police have finally captured Monique Smith, 19, after a nine-month search in the murder of Sweetie. The victim was a hamster. Smith’s alleged crime began with the untimely death of another hamster, Princess Stephanie.
Continue reading ‘Sweetie’s Revenge: New York Teen Arrested After Manhunt in the Death of Hamster’
As Ukraine Heralds Chernobyl as Tourist Site, Scientists Warn of Catastrophic Collapse and Radioactive Release
Published 1, March 1, 2011 Bizarre , Environment , International 13 Comments
Some of us expressed alarm or disgust at the recent push by Ukrainian officials to bring tourists to Chernobyl (here and here). Now, it appears that these officials were likely aware that the reactor is in danger of leaking deadly radiation due to the potential collapse of part of the structure.
Scientists (Again) Criticize Obama Administration Over Claims of Recovery of Gulf After BP Spill
Published 1, February 21, 2011 Animals , Environment , International , Politics , Society 25 Comments
Remember when Obama energy advisor Carol Browner assured the public that the oil from the BP spill has miraculously disappeared after criticism of Obama’s opening up the pristine areas of Eastern coast to exploration? Well, the Administration is still at odds with scientists who insist that the damage is devastating.
Continue reading ‘Scientists (Again) Criticize Obama Administration Over Claims of Recovery of Gulf After BP Spill’
Family Sues National Forest Service Over Fatal Bear Attack
Published 1, February 14, 2011 Animals , Environment , Society , Torts 16 Comments
As a general matter, wild animals are not the basis for tort liability absent possession and control by a third party. However, the family of Sam Ives, 11, are suing the U.S. Forest Service after the boy was killed by a bear in 2007 in a the Timpanooke Recreation Area in Utah.
Continue reading ‘Family Sues National Forest Service Over Fatal Bear Attack’
Gingrich Calls For Elimination of The Environmental Protection Agency
Published 1, February 11, 2011 Environment , Politics , Society 64 Comments
In a further example of the rush to the bottom in our political system, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told the Conservative Political Action Conference that he intends to scrap the EPA which he claims has waged a “war on American energy.”
Continue reading ‘Gingrich Calls For Elimination of The Environmental Protection Agency’
Canadian Company Kills 100 Sled Dogs Due To Dip in Business
Published 1, February 1, 2011 Animals , Environment , International , Society 53 Comments
Officials are investigating a Canadian man’s claim of post-traumatic stress disorder after he was awarded compensation for stress from his job with Outdoor Adventures Whistler near Vancouver. The man says that he was ordered to kill 100 healthy sled dogs by his employer due to the dip in business after the Olympics.
Continue reading ‘Canadian Company Kills 100 Sled Dogs Due To Dip in Business’
Swift or Loon? California Mayor Moves To Broadcast Recorded Bird Sounds on Sidewalks
Published 1, January 31, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society 21 Comments
Who needs real birds when you can simply pipe them in? Lancaster (CA) mayor R. Rex Parris has announced his desire to have bird sounds played on loudspeakers around the city to make people happier.
“Grizzly” Death Averted: Bear-icide Stopped by Divine Intervention
Published 1, January 29, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society 16 CommentsSubmitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
For years, the policy reason behind the law’s prohibition against assisted suicide has eluded me. Eureka! I have found the answer – it’s to prevent bear indigestion.
Fugitive and convicted Arizona killer, Tracy Province, had a novel means to accomplish his own demise. Escaping from a Kingman jail with a trio of other desperadoes, Province hatched a plan to drive to Yellowstone Park, shoot up a gram of heroin, and lie down in the national park in an effort to become food for the famous Yellowstone grizzlies.
Continue reading ‘“Grizzly” Death Averted: Bear-icide Stopped by Divine Intervention’
American Woman Charged in England After Hanging and Burning “Devil Dog”
Published 1, January 25, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International 15 Comments
Dogs routinely shock their owners by eating everything from documents to dolls. (My dog Molly prefers to eat socks). However, when an one-year-old pit bull named Diamond eat a Bible in England, Miriam Smith, 65, decided to take action. She hanged Diamond with an electrical cord and burned its body.
Continue reading ‘American Woman Charged in England After Hanging and Burning “Devil Dog”’
Are Males Obsolete? Female Dragonflies Go It Alone
Published 1, January 17, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Environment , International , Science 9 Comments
OK, this is bad. Just as many wives are at their wits end with husbands who have turned to couch potatoes during the playoffs, scientists have found another species that made males obsolete. Spanish investigators have discovered that dragonflies are capable of parthenogenesis, asexual reproduction without fertilization by a male. While plenty of women are avid football fans, the announcement of this discovery during the playoffs can only be viewed as a direct threat to the male gender.
Continue reading ‘Are Males Obsolete? Female Dragonflies Go It Alone’
Out Foxed: Man Shot By Fox in Belarus
Published 1, January 14, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International 19 Comments
As someone who has always loved foxes, I am struggling to feel sorry for the subject of this story. A man in Belarus was participating in one of the favorite sports of that country (fox hunting) when the fox shot him.
Perils of the Press . . . and Small Airborne Animals
Published 1, January 11, 2011 Bizarre , Environment , Media , Society 10 CommentsI just saw this clip and felt it had to be immediately added to our series on perils of the press. He understandably had his eye on the large snake . . .
Continue reading ‘Perils of the Press . . . and Small Airborne Animals’
Behold the roll cloud. This particular roll cloud was photographed in Ontario, Canada and put on Reddit.
Continue reading ‘Behold The Roll Cloud’
The Hair of the Dog That Bit You: Man Faces His Own Dog in Murder Trial
Published 1, January 10, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Lawyering 9 Comments
Michael Haydon, 44, is having a Perry Mason moment. Just as his case appeared unwinnable for the prosecutors, a surprise witness has popped up in court . . . his best friend . . . his German shepherd, Boomer. The Court has ruled that prosecutors in Wisconsin may introduce DNA evidence from his dog at his upcoming murder trial.
Continue reading ‘The Hair of the Dog That Bit You: Man Faces His Own Dog in Murder Trial’
Happy Feet, Unhappy Landing: Penguin Chooses Poor Escape Route From German Zoo
Published 1, January 3, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International 11 Comments
A penguin in Germany has learned the meaning of “out of frying pan and into the fire.” The penguin named Leona succeeded in escaping from her enclosure only to find itself in the Lion’s den with a bunch of sleeping lions. I am not sure what passes for swearing among African Penguins, but I am sure if you listened real hard you could hear a few choice words upon the landing of this particular bird.
Continue reading ‘Happy Feet, Unhappy Landing: Penguin Chooses Poor Escape Route From German Zoo’
Colorado Man Stomps Puppy To Death on Christmas Eve To Punish Girlfriend For Not Answering His Calls
Published 1, December 31, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment 13 Comments
Christopher Blackstone, 25, seems intent to make the worst people of 2010 year before time runs out. Upset that his girlfriend, Talitha Peterson-Hooks, 25, left their apartment during an argument and then refused to take his calls, he proceeded to stomp her puppy to death and sent her a text message saying “If you would have answered your phone, your dog would still be alive.”
EPA Moves Toward Limits on Greenhouse Gases
Published 1, December 24, 2010 Congress , Environment , Politics , Society 171 Comments
In what could be one of the most significant regulatory changes since its founding, the EPA has moved toward imposing limits on greenhouse gases with a finding that such gases now present a “serious problem . . . for future generations.” The move could have widespread environmental benefits apart from climate change in forcing more fuel efficient cars and greater limitations on power plants and industrial sources.
Continue reading ‘EPA Moves Toward Limits on Greenhouse Gases’
Georgia Police Officer Kills Family Dog in Controversial Shooting
Published 1, December 21, 2010 Criminal law , Environment , Society 30 Comments
We have been following a spate of cases (here and here and here and here and here and here)where police officers have shot family dogs in what some are calling over-reactions to such animals. The latest is “Boomer,” a golden retriever who barked at an officer and ran toward him. The Clayton County Police officer “ordered the dog to stop” and then shot and killed it. The dog had an electric fence and was still near the front porch when shot.
Continue reading ‘Georgia Police Officer Kills Family Dog in Controversial Shooting’
Carcinogen Found in Drinking Water of 35 Cities Across U.S.
Published 1, December 20, 2010 Congress , Environment , Politics , Science , Society 25 Comments
A new report found that drinking water in 35 cities across the United States contain hexavalent chromium, a probable carcinogen. The report of the Environmental Working Group, is the first nationwide analysis of hexavalent chromium in drinking water to be made public.
Continue reading ‘Carcinogen Found in Drinking Water of 35 Cities Across U.S.’
WHAT DOES THE US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE AGAINST 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS?
Published 1, December 18, 2010 Congress , Environment , Politics , Uncategorized 24 Comments
SUBMITTED BY LAWRENCE RAFFERTY, GUEST BLOGGER
Earlier in the week, the legislation that would have provided medical help for 9/11 first responders was killed by Republicans. I was shocked to see that any political party would be against getting medical help for true American heroes. You can imagine my surprise when I found out who was helping the Republicans defeat this humanitarian bill. The United States Chamber of Commerce was quietly working behind the scenes to make sure this bill was defeated. The immediate question that came to my mind was why? Why wouldn’t the Chamber want the heroes of 9/11 to get the medical help that they need to fight the many health problems that they have incurred due to their work on 9/11 at Ground Zero? Continue reading ‘WHAT DOES THE US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE AGAINST 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS?’
2010 To Be Hottest Year On Record
Published 1, December 14, 2010 Academics , Environment , International , Politics 470 Comments
While every snow flurry or cool snap is often cited as evidence of the folly of “global warming” by critics, scientists at the NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies have released data showing that 2010 now ranks as the hottest climate year on record.
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Greenpeace Sues Dow for Unlawful Espionage
Published 1, December 2, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Politics , Society 5 Comments
There is an intriguing lawsuit filed in Washington where Greenpeace has alleged that Dow Chemical, Sasol North America and their contractors engaged in a two-year campaign of illegal espionage against it, including taping telephones and stealing documents.
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Birds of a Feather: Gay Activists Protest Decision to Force Two Male Vultures To Nest With Females
Published 1, November 30, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics 20 Comments
Two German vultures have found themselves on the front lines of gay rights after zookeepers discovered their same-sex relationship and proceeded to force them to go straight with female vultures. After the two male partners (Guido and Detlef) were forced to nest with females rather than each other, gay activists mounted a campaign alleging zoological homophobia.
Continue reading ‘Birds of a Feather: Gay Activists Protest Decision to Force Two Male Vultures To Nest With Females’
Top 100: ABA Top Blog Competition Begins
Published 1, November 29, 2010 Academics , Animals , Bizarre , Columns , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Environment , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Science , Society , Supreme Court , Testimony , Things That Tick Me Off , Torts , Uncategorized , USA Today 134 Comments
It is that time of the year for our annual blawgletting — the ABA top blog competition. We have once again been selected as one of the top 100 legal blogs (of over 3000) and nominated for the IMHO (opinion) category and it is time to release our minions upon the field of blog battle. Vote here to defend our way of life and the future of the planet.
Bee Keeper Allegedly Shoots Himself After Setting Up Snare Gun For Honey-Loving Bear
Published 1, November 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society , Torts 18 Comments
John Frost allegedly bagged himself in setting up a snare gun to shoot a bear in Loveland, Colorado. The bear had recently knocked over Frost’s beehive and stolen some of his honey. Police believe Frost set up a shotgun with a tripwire and then tripped the wire.
Tiger, Tiger, Burning Not So Bright
Published 1, November 13, 2010 Animals , Criminal law , Environment , International , Justice , Science 4 Comments
William Blake may have stood in awe of the ferocity and power of the great cat, but modern man sees quite a different thing. British-based Traffic International, a wildlife preservation group, reports that despite the international ban on the sale of tiger parts, over 1000 tigers have been illegally killed in the past decade. An analysis of seizures of tiger parts — from whole skins to claws, penises, and skulls — yielded the conservative estimate. India, home to half of the world’s tigers, leads all nations with 276 seizures uncovering parts from more than 530 tigers killed. Many Pacific rim nations are not far behind in tiger deaths. Tiger parts are used in many cultures for decoration, traditional medicines and good luck charms.
Source: Daily Mail
–Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
New Report Details Obama Administration’s Editing of Scientific Report on Oil Spill and Misleading Statements By Carol Browner
Published 1, November 11, 2010 Congress , Environment , International , Politics , Society 40 Comments
Another report (this time from the Inspector General’s Office of the Interior Department) has been published detailing the Obama Administration’s editing of a scientific report to downplay the damage caused by the BP oil spill. The new information also reaffirms the clearly misleading statements made by Obama’s energy adviser, Carol Browner — an issue previously discussed on this blog.
China Sentences Food Safety Advocate to Over Two Years in Prison
Published 1, November 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International , Politics , Society , Torts 8 Comments
The Chinese have jailed another activist. This time the victim is Zhao Lianhai, the father of a child sickened by one of the country’s food safety scandals. At least six children died from melamine-tainted milk in 2008 and Zhao’s son was injured. More than 300,000 children were left with kidney problems. Zhao has been demanding answers. He just received one in the form of a 2½ years in prison sentence for “disturbing social order.”
Continue reading ‘China Sentences Food Safety Advocate to Over Two Years in Prison’
Do The Lard, Pull Your Card: Baltimore Issues First Ticket Under Trans Fat Ban
Published 1, October 28, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Politics , Society 17 Comments
The Baltimore City Health Department issued its first citation for a fat recidivist violator: The Healthy Choice. The ironically named business is in fact (according to officials) a shameless pusher of trans fat — found twice with “high trans fat level in their ingredients.” Conversely, the city appears undisturbed that if trans fats are outlawed, only outlaws will have trans fats.
Continue reading ‘Do The Lard, Pull Your Card: Baltimore Issues First Ticket Under Trans Fat Ban’
English Researchers Find Virtually No Cancer Traces in Ancient Humans
Published 1, October 17, 2010 Academics , Environment , International , Science , Society 83 Comments
Professors Michael Zimmerman and Rosalie David in England have an intriguing suggestion in their recent study of mummies: cancer may be a largely man-made disease. The study found no evidence of the disease in ancient corpses — leading to the theory that cancer may be the result of diet, pollution, and other man-made causes such as early use of snuff.
Continue reading ‘English Researchers Find Virtually No Cancer Traces in Ancient Humans’
In California, It’s BYOTP
Published 1, September 26, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society 13 Comments
Why is toilet paper so high on the list of budget cuts for states? We previously noted how states moved immediately against toilet paper after tightening their belts. Now, we can add California as places that are announcing BYOTP (Bring Your Own Toilet Paper) for tourists in some state parks.
Continue reading ‘In California, It’s BYOTP’
You Can’t Have Recess Until You Finish Your Whale: Japan Feeding Whale Meat To Schoolchildren
Published 1, September 7, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics , Science , Society 17 Comments
The Japanese continue their efforts to undermine or eliminate the moratorium on hunting whales, including allegations of bribing officials from other countries. What is fascinating is that the government’s obsession with killing whales has not diminished despite falling appetites in Japan for whale meat. Unwilling to allow its population’s tastes to change with the world around it, the government is now feeding whale meat to school children.
Continue reading ‘You Can’t Have Recess Until You Finish Your Whale: Japan Feeding Whale Meat To Schoolchildren’
Bosnian Police Reportedly Find Teen Shown in Video Killing Puppies
Published 1, September 5, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International 19 CommentsBosnian police believe that they have found the girl shown in a video throwing puppies into a fast-flowing river. The video has shocked people around the world.
Continue reading ‘Bosnian Police Reportedly Find Teen Shown in Video Killing Puppies’
Urine in the Fast Lane: Researchers Discover Method of Powering Fuel Cells With Human Urine
Published 1, August 28, 2010 Academics , Environment , Science , Society 10 Comments
We previously saw how researchers found a way to power cars with human waste. Now, chemistry experts have learned how to convert human urine into fuel cells. Dubbed “pee-power,” the advance could open up a literally free flowing force of energy.
Continue reading ‘Urine in the Fast Lane: Researchers Discover Method of Powering Fuel Cells With Human Urine’
Gators! Alligator Crawls Out of New York Sewer
Published 1, August 24, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment 10 Comments
Finally, an urban legend is proven. The story of alligators living in the New York sewers has long been a popular urban legend — supposedly flushed down toilets after being brought back as babies from Florida by New York kids.
Continue reading ‘Gators! Alligator Crawls Out of New York Sewer’
Oh, There It Is: Oil Plume Found 22 Miles Long and 3000 Feet Deep Despite Administration’s Public Statements
Published 1, August 20, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society 36 Comments Faced with widespread criticism over its response to the BP oil spill and the President’s plan to lift the ban on drilling along the pristine areas off our East Coast, the Obama Administration launched a public campaign with officials like Carol Browner proclaiming that the oil seemed to just disappear. This was done a few days before the announcement that the President was going to allow drilling to resume. Now, that amazing disappearing oil has been located — an oil plume at least 22 miles long and 3,000 feet deep in the Gulf of Mexico.
Continue reading ‘Oh, There It Is: Oil Plume Found 22 Miles Long and 3000 Feet Deep Despite Administration’s Public Statements’
Red Squirrel, Grey Squirrel, and Dead Squirrel: English Man Drowns Squirrel in Defiance of State
Published 1, August 19, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International 12 Comments
Norris Atthey, founder of The Morpeth Red Squirrel Action Group, was intent on making a statement about humane culling (some would say killing) of squirrels. Thus, in a move designed to provoke the authorities, he publicly announced his drowning of a grey squirrel. As a result, the squirrel died and Mr. Atthey, 67, was forced to plead guilty to a charge of animal cruelty.
Continue reading ‘Red Squirrel, Grey Squirrel, and Dead Squirrel: English Man Drowns Squirrel in Defiance of State’
Mass Vampire Bat Attacks Reported in Peru
Published 1, August 18, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International 5 Comments
Just when you have overcome those childhood fears of bats . . . . four children have died in Peru from an outbreak of rabies spread by vampire bats.
Continue reading ‘Mass Vampire Bat Attacks Reported in Peru’
As expected, President Obama is planning to lift the drilling moratorium and to return to his planned drilling program off pristine areas of the East Coast. While Obama is no longer claiming that oil rigs really do not spill much, it really does not matter much. Bureau head Michael Bromwich has announced that the six-month ban is unlikely to be renewed in a blow to environmentalists. One lasting change? The Obama Administration changed the name of the scandal-laden Minerals Management Service to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
Educate Us or the Moose Gets It: Wyoming Governor Threatens to Destroy Pristine Park Area If Administration Does Not Give State More Educational Funds
Published 1, August 8, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society 22 Comments
Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal has turned to a novel approach to secure more federal money: threatening to destroy one of the nation’s most treasured wilderness areas if the Obama Administration doesn’t give him more educational funds.
Continue reading ‘Educate Us or the Moose Gets It: Wyoming Governor Threatens to Destroy Pristine Park Area If Administration Does Not Give State More Educational Funds’
Excuse Me, Where Is the Men’s Fueling Station?
Published 1, August 6, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Science 37 Comments
First we had the jet-powered bus. Now we have the poop-powered bug. The Bio-Bug is a British invention that runs on human waste. It appears that this is not yet self-propelling with the driver actually supplying the fuel but you can load up with waste from the local sewage works.
Continue reading ‘Excuse Me, Where Is the Men’s Fueling Station?’
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