Alaskans are going to court to challenge the listing of polar bears — unwilling to allow actions to protect endangered polar bears if it would threaten oil and gas revenues. The Alaskan politicians have a long and uninterrupted record of being the most hostile anti-environmentalists in government. Gov. Sarah Palin has joined this infamous line — once again making her government as mere extension of the oil industry. Given the recent corruption tapes showing Alaskan legislators promising to “sell [their] souls to the devil”, it appears that the fireside sale continues. Continue reading “Alaska to Challenge Listing of Polar Bear as Endangered Species”
Category: Politics
Recently, this blog explored the criminal charges against men who have liaison with inanimate objects ranging from bikes to gates to picnic tables, click here. However, now Edward Smith has publicly admitted that he has made love to over 1000 cars, including his current serious relationship with ,a white Volkswagen Beetle named Vanilla. It appears that in England sex with a bike in private will get you jail time, but motorized “girlfriends” are apparently acceptable. Continue reading “Love Bug: Man Admits to Sex with Over 1000 Cars — and One Helicopter”
The Ninth Circuit has handed down an important decision on gay rights and the military. The three-judge panel did not strike down the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy but it did reinstate the lawsuit of Major Margaret Witt, a decorated Air Force nurse. The ruling forces the government to prove that the policy advances an important government interest. Continue reading “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell . . . But Do Explain: Court Reinstates Lawsuit by Lesbian Dismissed by Military”
A CNN report out of Basra gives a dark insight into the work and values of the religious groups in the city. After the pullout by the British, groups meted out their own justice according to their own perverse understanding of Islam. Rape of women and killings were common. In one case, a woman was executed for living without her husband.
Continue reading “Woman Executed In Basra for Living Without Husband”
This blog has been following (and criticizing) the increasing criminalization of America as politicians make every infraction a crime. The Canton City Council is now joining this trend with a reckless abandon: threatening to jail citizens who do not cut their grass.
Continue reading “Backyard or Prison Yard: Canton Officials Want to Send Lawn Scofflaws to Jail”
The White House is directly contradicting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki who told Iraqis that President George Bush had apologized for the use of the Quran for target practice. While the distinction may be lost on many between “deep concern” and an “apology,” it will not likely be lost on the Iraqis who are likely to see the distinction as an added insult. Continue reading “I Didn’t Apologize and You Can’t Make Me: White House Denies that Bush Apologized about Use of Quran for Target Practice”
Rep. Vito Fossella (R., N.Y.) has announced that he is leaving Congress after this term in the wake of the disclosure of an extramarital affair and a child born with the woman, former Air Force Colonel Laura Fay.
Continue reading “Rep. Vito Fossella To Leave Congress After Disclosure of Affair”
For many, the conversion of virulent anti-Catholic Rev. John Hagee to a new pro-Catholic lover of mankind was a bit forced and opportunistic, here. Nevertheless, the sudden reformation of the bigoted preacher de-fused a controversy for John McCain, who sought Hagee’s endorsement. Now, however, there is questions raised about another spiritual adviser and supporter to the campaign: Rev. Rod Parsley. Continue reading “Now That Hagee is Reformed, How About Rev. Rod Parsley?”
In another serious move against first speech, the Dutch have arrested a cartoonist for insulting before on the basis of their race and religion. It is a core free speech issue and, while the cartoonist known as Gregorius Nekschot may be obnoxious, it should be a matter of concern for those who believe in an open and robust environment for speech. As noted below, cartoonists appear a new obsession with governments. Continue reading “No Laughing Matter: Dutch Arrest Cartoonist for Insulting People”
The California Supreme Court has overturned a law banning same-sex marriages. It is a seismic decision that is likely to add the issue to the presidential campaigns and trigger additional state constitutional amendments — and perhaps a federal constitutional amendment. The opinion is below. Continue reading “California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban”
The horror of the war became apparent this week when President Bush announced that he had given up golf out of solidarity with the families of dead soldiers. It is truly Apocalypse Now meets Caddyshack.
Abdel-Qader Ali killed his daughter after he learned that she had fallen in love with a British solider, even though she was still a virgin and did little more than admit infatuation. Her brothers helped him kill her. According to father, police congratulated and released him. His only regret? That he did not kill Rand Abdel-Qader, 17, as a baby. Continue reading “Father Kills Daughter for Falling in Love with British Soldier; Police Congratulate and Release Him”
Butler County Juvenile Court Judge David Niehaus is clearly someone who values education — to a fault. Niehaus sent Brian Gegner to jail for 180-days in the Butler County after his adult child Brittany Gegner failed to earn General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Continue reading “Learn or Your Father’s Jailbait: Judge Sends Father to Jail After Daughter Fails to Earn GED”
In Minnesota, three eighth graders have been suspended for sitting during the pledge of allegiance. The principal of Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Junior High School states that, while they are not constitutionally required to recite the pledge, they must still stand for the pledge. It is difficult to see how students are protected from pledging but must give the outward appearance of approving or respecting the pledge and flag. Continue reading “Pledge or Perish: Eighth Graders Suspended for Lack of Patriotic Respect”
Even though in a city that prides itself on “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” Elizabeth Halverson has achieved national infamy for conduct as a judge that allegedly ranges from having a bailiff rub her back to sleeping in the courthouse to making her husband swear under oath that he has done the chores at home. Now the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission is starting a week of hearings to remove her from the bench. Continue reading “Nevada Judge Halverson Faces Possible Removal Over Bizarre Conduct”