Over objections over academic freedom and free speech, the California State Assembly passed a controversial resolution (HR 35) that calls on universities to crackdown on criticism of Israel. Passed by a voice vote, the resolution includes language that equates criticism of Israeli policies and actions as “anti-Semitism.” While the resolutions original purpose is laudatory and does include clear expression of anti-Semitism, its drafters decided to include criticism of Israel and its human rights record in a measure that at a minimum chills free speech by professor and students alike. Drafted by Republican Linda Halderman, there was no hearing or debate allowed on the resolution. Just a voice vote.
Category: Bizarre
We have all chafed at the limitations placed by courts on filings — limits that often require counsel to drop whole claims or issues. For Bob Kohn, the chairman and chief executive of RoyaltyShare, however, the requirement that he reduce over ninety pages of arguments into five pages was absurd. According, he filed a five-page cartoon strip as his amicus filing.
Patti LaBelle has long given divas an even worse name for her outbursts and public conduct. She reportedly hit a new low on Nov. 10, 2010 when she started screaming profanities at a pregnant mother, Roseanna Monk. and a little girl in the lobby of a Manhattan apartment building where she was staying. She has now agreed to pay $100,000 for the tirade in a settlement.
While Democracy and the Democratic Party may sound similar, the party leaders again showed yesterday that one has little to do with the other. President Obama and party leaders wanted the party’s platform changed to include a reference to both Jerusalem being the capital of Israel and God. The omissions however were not accidental and a high number of delegates opposed the change, which had to be agreed to by two-thirds of the delegates. As shown in the video below, in calling for a voice vote, the leadership was shocked when it appeared that more people voted no than yes — certainly well short of two-thirds in support of the changes. That did not matter. The leadership just declared the vote as having passed by two-thirds acclamation.
Continue reading “The Democratic Convention and The Illusion of Democracy”
A breathtaking example of the power of the wealthy in Thailand emerged this week after the 27-year-old heir to the world-famous Red Bull energy drink empire ran over a police officer with his Ferrari and then continued on his way to his mansion — dragging the dead body 200 meters. In response, police initially tried to cover up the crime and even charged a scapegoat to protect Vorayuth Yoovidhya, grandson of Red Bull creator Chaleo Yoovidhya. It appears that the family driver was ready to take the fall for the family — a disgraceful act by the family and Vorayuth Yoovidhya.
We have previously seen Muslim clerics instruct men on how to beat their wives in an Islamically correct way. Egyptian cleric Abd Al-Rahman gave the latest installment on Al-Nas television — affirming the need for men to beat their wives as did Mohammad.
No this was not a study paid for by the National Canine Association. New research is raising some startling findings about the transmission of serious illnesses from cats, including links to schizophrenia and other psychotic disturbances. This is a lot more dangerous that “cat scratch fever.” In Britain alone, roughly 350,000 people a year are believed to be infected each year with toxoplasma. There is also a link to higher rates of suicide among cat owners.
Joyce Coffey really really likes AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses (I am assuming “Ought Ta Get Me” was playing at some point in this revolving door with police). Coffey was arrested four times in 36 hours — three times for playing “Highway To Hell” and other songs too loudly. Coffey would no sooner make bail then she would be back blasting the music and eventually succeeded in finding that “season ticket on a one-way ride” – police on the fourth arrest held her for psychiatric evaluation.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Not photoshopped. Jerry Coyne has more here. Nat Geo has more here.
Fur color genes for each half of the face must reside on different loci. Coyne points out that eye color genes are no located near the fur color genes. It’s not unusual for cats, especially Siamese, to have different color eyes.
State Department Chief Diversity Officer John Robinson has published a warning to State Department employees that if they want to “go Dutch” or “hold down the Fort,” they had better find another way to express it. Those phrases are now deemed offensive.
Continue reading “State Department: As A “Rule of Thumb” Don’t “Hold Down The Fort””
There is a bizarre and tragic sports accident in Düsseldorf when judge Dieter Strack, 74, at a javelin event was struck and killed by a javelin thrown by 15-year-old boy.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage has finally caught up with Richard Eggers, 68. The company filed the Des Moines worker after discovering that he has a criminal record. In 1963, Eggers used a cardboard dime at a Laundromat. His crime spree came to an end in July when the company fired him as part of its effort to stay in conformity with banking regulations to get rid of employees guilty of “transactional crimes.” I suppose using a cardboard dime at a laundromat must constitute a form of money laundering.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R. S.C.) is always good for a sound bite (though civil libertarians are still smarting from “free speech is a great idea, but we’re in a war.”). Now Graham has identified the greatest threat to the GOP: the declining numbers of “angry white guys.”
Continue reading “Help Wanted: Angry White Guys”
There is a bizarre lawsuit this week against Continental Airlines by a gay couple who say that the airline caused them emotional distress after baggage workers removed a dildo and taped it to the outside of their suitcase. Christopher Bridgemann and Martin Borger say that the sex toy was openly displayed to other passengers when they picked up their luggage.
If you are looking for a nice outfit to go with that Hitler wine, you might try the Hitler clothing store in Ahmedabad, India. The owner of the Hitler clothing store, Rajesh Shah, is under criticism for the use of the name but has said that he will not change it unless someone reimburses him for the new sign and re-branding costs. Here is the incredible part of the story, Shah says that he had no idea who Hitler was. “Hitler” is used in India to simply refer to someone who is strict.
Continue reading “Hate Couture: “Hitler” Clothing Store Opens In India”