English communities secretary, Eric Pickles, has proposed that the government may want to withdraw tax breaks for the Church of Scientology — noting controversies over the Church’s activities and alluding to the general view in England that it is more of a cult than a religion.
Continue reading “Oh Pickles: Scientology Could Face Loss of Tax Exemptions in England”
Month: October 2010
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”
Remember the prior story about the man, MIchael Ireland, who sued in tort after he was poked in the eye by a stripper’s high heel at the Cheetah Club near West Palm Beach? Well, he just won a $650,000 settlement for the negligent performance of a striptease.
Continue reading “Getting Redressed: Florida Man Receives $650,000 For Injury During Striptease”
CVS, the nationwide pharmacy, is looking into an allegation that has shocked the public in New Jersey. In Garwood, New Jersey, a woman began to have an asthma attack in front of a CVS and she and her boyfriend ran into the CVS to purchase an inhaler. He had only a $20 bill but the inhaler was $21, so the store reportedly refused to give it to her even after she fell to the floor.
Continue reading “CVS Reportedly Refuses To Give Inhaler To Woman During Asthma Attack Over One Dollar Discrepancy”
In Florida, U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson has rejected an effort by the Obama Administration to dismiss a challenge of the health care law and has ordered the case to proceed — even criticizing the position of the Administration as “Alice in Wonderland” arguments.
Continue reading “Federal Court Rules Challenge To Federal Health Care Law Can Go Forward”
The Belfast City Council has agreed to pay a settlement of £24,021.75 to a worker injured in a rather unique tort. Lorraine Mallon suffered a slipped disc when the Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers tied to jump over her while she was dressed as a giant tomato. Pictures of the failed leap can be seen in the article below.
The annual selection of the Top 100 Irish Lawyers in the World has been published by The Irish Voice and I am honored to be included among the honorees. Last night, I received the award with fellow honorees from around the world at the residence of the Irish Ambassador. One of the best parts of this prize is the party with Irish food and wonderful conversations with lawyers and judges from Ireland and the United States.
A lawsuit against the Church of Scientology has now pulled in two unlikely litigants: a state and a federal judge. Pinellas Florida Judge Robert E. Beach has filed a motion in federal court contesting an order from U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday enjoining him from imposing planned sanctions on lawyer Ken Dandar, who is suing the Church. The motion raises some interesting questions of jurisdiction and ethics.
Phoenix police Officer Richard Chrisman has been arrested after he first tasered and then shot Danny Frank Rodriquez, 29. He also shot the family dog. Another officer reported that neither he nor Chrisman were being threatened at the time.
Continue reading “Phoenix Police Officer Arrested After Tasering and Shooting Unarmed Man”
Italy is dealing with a shocking murder after Ahmad Khan Butt, a 53-year-old construction worker and owner of a local mosque in Modena, beat his wife to death with a brick after she opposed an arranged marriage for her daughter. While Ahmad Butt beat his wife, his son, Umair, severely beat his sister Nosheen Butt, 20, with a stick — resulting in her hospitalization for a broken arm and head injuries. The husband and deceased wife, Beghm Shnez, are Muslim and both originally came from Pakistan.
Continue reading “Father Beats Wife To Death For Opposing Arranged Marriage of Her Daughter”
While the Obama Administration has announced an appeal in Massachusetts to reverse the victory with regard to same sex marriage, U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips in Riverside, California has upped the ante by imposing a nationwide injunction on the policy of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell– a move also opposed by the Obama Administration. The Administration is now likely to move to reverse this victory in California — further angering those “lethargic” liberals that the Administration has been pushing to work for the Democrats.
Continue reading “Federal Judge Imposes Nationwide Injunction of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”
The Obama administration will appeal the Massachusetts ruling in favor of same sex marriage. The Justice Department will defend the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA. This action will further alienate civil libertarians and liberals — particularly at a time when the Administration is trying to preserve the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy in a California case. Now on both coasts, the Obama Administration is fighting to continue discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Continue reading “Obama Administration Announces Appeal To Reverse Same Sex Marriage Victory”
In Alliance, Ohio, Katurah L. Petty reached a level of fame or infamy among officers by allegedly stealing computer software from a Walmart while in labor. The Labor Day specials were long expired, so she was taken to jail after a visit to the hospital. Accounts differs as to whether she actually gave birth or was feigning labor.
The Nobel Committee may think a lot about MIT economist Peter Diamond, but he is currently blocked as a nominee for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. Sen. Richard Shelby has objected that Diamond is not qualified for the Board because his specialty is not in monetary policy.
Continue reading “Fed Nominee Blocked By GOP Senator As Unqualified Just Received The Nobel Prize”
Iran has reportedly arrested the lawyer and the son of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, as well as two “foreign nationals” who interviewed her family. Ashtiani is still set to be stoned to death for adultery. In the meantime, Iran continues to mix Sharia law with old-fashioned totalitarian repression.
Continue reading “Iran Reportedly Arrests Ashtiani’s Lawyer and Son”