It took over two centuries, but the truth has finally caught up with George Washington. For 220 years, Washington’s dark secret laid undiscovered in a ledger of The New York Society Library, but it is now public: George Washington is a book scofflaw with overdue charges piling up for over 220 years on two books.
Continue reading “George Washington: War Hero, Father of Our Country . . . Book Scofflaw”
Category: Academia
Below is my column this morning on conflicts forming around non-discrimination laws and free exercise. Much of the attention this term in the Supreme Court has focused on the campaign finance ruling striking down limits on corporate spending. However, an equally (if not more) important case has been given little attention before its oral argument on April 19, 2010. Christian Legal Society v. Martinez is the classic “sleeper case”: a case that has a low profile but could have a sweeping impact on our society. While the immediate issue is the refusal of the Hastings College of Law in California to recognize the Christian Legal Society (CLS) as an official student organization, it is a case that could address a growing conflict between anti-discrimination laws and the free exercise of religion. The question is whether anti-discrimination laws are themselves discriminatory against some faith-based organizations. Notably (while it was cut for space), we have followed other cases around the country and the world. This includes Philadelphia evicting the Boy Scouts from a historic building after over 70 years (here).
This is not a unique problem for the United States. For example, in England, the famous Jewish Free School (founded in 1732) denied entry to a student because he was not viewed as Jewish under orthodox rules since his mother was not Jewish as opposed to his father. (His mother converted to Judaism). An appellate court ruled that the use of such religious principles violated anti-discrimination laws and that the school had to admit students that it does not consider Jewish (here).
Universities have also struggled with the line between non-discrimination and religious values. Harvard recently was criticized for setting aside time in a student gym for only women to accommodate the customs of Muslim women who could not exercise in the presence of males (here).
Here is the column:
Federal trial judge Barbara Crabb handed down a major decision this week that found the National Day of Prayer to be unconstitutional.
Continue reading “Federal Judge Declares National Day of Prayer To Be Unconstitutional”
California State University, Stanislaus president Hamid Shirvani has been under attack for reportedly paying Sarah Palin as much as $100,000 for a speech. Shirvani is now charging that someone stole the contract — from the recycling bin — of one of his vice presidents and has demanded a police investigation.
Continue reading “University President Claims Palin Contract Was Stolen”
As with last year, the law school ratings from U.S. News and World Report have been leaked according to Above the Law. It would be good news for George Washington University, which is shown moving back up to the 20th position after last year’s drop due to a change in the method of calculation at the magazine (here).
It is one of the touchstones of faith in the Old Testament: a wrathful God caused the plagues that devastated the ancient city of Pi-Rameses on the Nile Delta and led to the Israelites leaving Egypt. Scientists believe that, rather than divine punishment, Pharaoh Rameses the Second fell victim to global warming.
Continue reading “Exodus According to Gore: Scientists Publish Report on the Natural Causes of the Ten Plagues of Egypt”
Those small town values can add up. After quitting her job as Alaska Governor before the end of her term, Sarah Palin has raked in an estimated $12 million since July. Between speaking fees and her new reality show, Palin is becoming one of the wealthiest political figures in the country. In the meantime, questions are being raised about one organization that paid a speaking fee for Palin in California.
Continue reading “The Maverick Makes Millions: Palin Makes More Than $12 Million Since July”
Shoumin Chai, 55, had a career many law students only dream of. She graduated with a masters of law from the University of Houston and began working for a New York City law firm with a job that would bring $250,000 a year in maritime law. She was preparing to take the New York bar when, in 1992, Chai’s colleagues took her to Atlantic City and introduced her to gambling. That proved her undoing.
Continue reading “Law Grad Sentenced Up To Five Years For Casino Fraud”
White House officials appear to leaking a couple more names as trial balloons for the Supreme Court, including former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears and federal appeals court judge Sidney Thomas of Montana. I will be discussing the current crop of possible nominees on MSNBC Hardball, withstanding more pressing news events.
Continue reading “New Names Emerge On Lengthening “Short List””
Bruce K. Waltke is considered one of the country’s best known evangelical theologians. His work on the faculty of the Reformed Theological Seminary, however, came to an end when he dared to acknowledge the scientific basis for evolution.
Continue reading “Unnatural Selection: Leading Evangelical Theologian Canned After Acknowledging The Scientific Basis for Evolution”
This is very cool. Researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have succeeded in inserting micro-sized particles of iron into stem cells and then using a magnet to direct the stem cells into a heart in a possible treatment for heart attacks.
Continue reading “Study: Magnet Used To Guide Iron-Laden Stem Cells to Heart”
In New Jersey, the Bergen County Education Association is under attacked for a joke that seemed to pray for the death of Governor Chris Christie.
Continue reading “Teachers’ Union Under Fire For Joke Prayer”
Below is today’s column on the retirement of Associate Justice John Paul Stevens.
Continue reading “John Paul Stevens: The Uncalled Shot”
Cheerleaders at the Saginaw High School in Saginaw, Texas (not the cheerleaders shown left) were busted after they allegedly served team members soda mixed with their own urine — telling them that they had added sour candy.
Continue reading “Give Me a Pee: Cheerleaders Busted Afer Spiking Team Drinks With Urine”
Mississippi’s Itawamba Agricultural High School has been roundly condemned for canceling a school prom in order to avoid having lesbian student Constance McMillen appear in a tux with her girlfriend. Now, the school is accused of an astonishing act of duplicity to add to its earlier act of discrimination. McMillen says that she was invited to a prom arranged with officials off school grounds only to find it was just her and seven other revelers, including two learning disabled students. She later says that she learned that the rest of the student body was attending the real prom across town with the knowledge of school officials.
Continue reading “Date and Switch? School Accused of Holding Fake Prom For Lesbian”