Category: Bizarre

Bizarre, Congress, Criminal law, Lawyering, Politics, Society

No Nut: Peanut Company President Parnell Takes the Fifth Before Congress

thumb_peanuts1Peanut Corporation of America owner Stewart Parnell has invoked his privilege against self-incrimination to refuse testimony before Congress. It was the smart move. Parnell is in the same position as Roger Clemens and other baseball players accused in the steroid scandal. The most likely charge that they faced was not from the original allegations but their testimony before Congress, the grand jury, or statements to investigators.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Lawnocrats: Michigan Man Loses Case to Grow Environmentally Friendly Lawn

250px-mtd_lawn_mowerPittsfield Township likes its lawns uniform and is willing to use criminal law to enforce its lawnacratic rule. Stanislav Voskov thought that he was doing a good thing by growing an environmentally friendly lawn by allowing various natural plants to grow without mowing. Pittsfield spotted some weeds of over ten inches and brought down the law on the lawn. Now, Judge Cedric Simpson has rule that Voskov must join the Stepford-like community in his lawn appearance.
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Bizarre, International

The Real Thing: Indian Company Introduces Cow Urine Soft Drink

black-and-white-cow-3Indian newspapers are reporting that an Indian company is about to introduce a rival to Coca Cola: Cow Urine soda. This ultimate un-cola (or ungulate cola) is made with a base of gau ark (cow urine) though they prefer to call it gau jal (cow water). My doubts about the authenticity of this story have been dispelled by the widespread report in India, where there are long-held views of the health benefits of cow waste, including tooth paste and face powder. I personally like the cow dung after shave to give me that cudly feel in the morning.

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Bizarre, Society, Torts

American Freestyle Motocross Champion Jeremy Lusk Dies After Trying a Backflip

180px-mikeadair2Jeremy Lusk, an American freestyle motocross racer, died of head injuries this week after failing to complete the rotation in a “Hart Attack backflip.” The move caused severe brain damage and possible spinal cord injury. The accident follows complaints over the danger of such activities, particularly for kids trying to mimic their heroes. The video below raises serious questions about the safety of this sport.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, International, Politics, Society

No Mondavi for Mugabe: Zimbabwe Demands Birthday Contributions of 2000 Bottles of Champagne, Lobsters and Other Delights

thumb_birthday_birthday_cake_4200px-mugabecloseup2008thumb_birthday_birthday_cake_4With unprecedented inflation making its currency worthless and rampant starvation and cholera, most people would have a hard time celebrating, but not the family and friends of President Mugabe, who have drawn up the list of items needed to celebrate his 85th birthday. The list (below) includes 2,000 bottles of champagne (Moët & Chandon or ’61 Bollinger preferred); 8,000 lobsters; 100kg of prawns; 4,000 portions of caviar; 8,000 boxes of Ferrero Rocher chocolates; 3,000 ducks; and other essentials. One thing barred is “No mealie meal” — the corn product that is sustaining millions of people in the country.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, International

Police Tell Teenager to Lay On the Road or Be Tasered, The Boy Complies and Is Promptly Run Over By Car

85px-coat_of_arms_of_australiasvgIn Ipswich, Australia, a 16-year-old boy who was told by police to lay down in the street or be tasered by police. The boy complied and was then run over and killed by a car. It is a compelling case of negligence, even if the boy was acting “aggressive.”

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Military, Society, Torts

Cutting a Deal with the “Death Dealers”: Soldier Attempts Suicide So Army Charges Him Criminally and Has His Mother Paint His Suicide Note On His Bedroom Wall

storyAs Congress struggles to understand the shocking report of a massive increase in suicides in the Army, they might want to study the case of Army Pvt. Adam Lieberman to see how some officers treat soldiers in mental distress. Lieberman was experiencing severe mental problems after a year in Iraq qith the Ist Battalion, 67 Armored Regiment — known as “the Death Dealers.” When he tried to kill himself, he wrote his suicide note on the wall in his room. The Army reportedly responded to the suicide attempt by charging him criminally and cut a deal with this mom. If she re-painted the wall, his charges would not include defacing of government property. After she painted the wall with the help of her handicapped sister, they charged him anyway with the crime.

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Academia, Bizarre, Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Environment, International, Justice, Lawyering, Media, Military, Politics, Religion, Society, Supreme Court, Testimony, Torts

Taney Bound

300px-uscgc_taneyFurther entries on Sunday will be delayed due to my deployment on the Cutter U.S.S. Taney (USCGC Taney (WPG/WHEC-37)).
My two eldest sons and I are scheduled to sleep over on the Taney on Saturday night. Men going off to sea on a warship is nothing new, but not since the Fighting Sullivan brothers has one family decided to serve in the same ship.

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Bizarre, Politics, Society

Panel Discloses $78 Billion Over-Payment by Government Under TARP

225px-henry_paulson_official_treasury_photo_2006For those who believe that the stimulus legislation is a thinly veiled effort by both Democrats and Republicans to enrich friends and engorge budgets, they need only read the Congressional Oversight Panel report to confirm their suspicions. The panel has reported to the Senate Banking Committee this week that Treasury in 2008 paid $254 billion for assets worth only $176 billion. That is $78 billions that simply evaporated into the pockets of well-connected, well-heeled executives.

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Bizarre, Lawyering, Society

Dung Damages: English Researcher Seeks Damages for Loss Lizard Dropping

180px-komododragonLawyers are often asked to litigate over cars, cats, and every form of chattel. However, the attorney representing Daniel Bennett is seeking damages over his client’s loss of an invaluable bag of giant lizard dung. Bennett spent years collecting the dropping of the rare Butaan lizard, only to have Leeds University throw the bag of poop in the trash. The University has offered £500 for the 35kg bag. Bennett insists that that is an insulting offer for the loss of my “bag of lizard shit”.

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Academia, Bizarre, Society

Pre-Law Major: Thomas Jefferson School of Law Discovers 500,000 Mammoth Remains

second-tusk-siteThomas Jefferson School of Law can now claim that its new school is not just historic but pre-historic in San Diego. Construction workers preparing the site for the new school have discovered a 500,000 year old mammoth at the site. Better yet, it is a Columbian mammoth. Presumably, the students can now claim a dual TJ and Columbia degree.

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