Category: Society

Bizarre, Society

Toy Manufacturer Scrutinized For Fighter Jet That Plays Islamic Hajj Prayers Instead Of Jet Noises

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

From king5.com screen shot
From king5.com screen shot

One concept that local producers seem to miss when dealing with Chinese manufacturers is Quality Assurance, something that often must be addressed at higher levels and greater frequency than what is customary in the United States. The allure of fast turnaround and cheap production costs often blinds companies to underlying problems. Examples include asbestos in crayons, cadmium in toys, toxic dog treats, and even the bizarre examples such as a shaved dog substituted for a lion.

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Academia, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Society

Suspending Students For Odor Of Marijuana On Their Persons Problematic In Legal States

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

wenatchee-high-school-logoThere is going to need to be a rethinking of how schools with their propensity toward zero-tolerance rules adjudicate students they suspect of marijuana use or possession. That issue was played out in over the course of recent months at a high school in Wenatchee, Washington where in October of last year school administrators suspended for five days a student based upon the odor of marijuana on his person. Washington is a state having legal recreational and medicinal marijuana possession and use.

Though marijuana possession or use is for those under twenty-one years of age is a status offense–a misdemeanor and violates school policy–having a odor of marijuana in itself is not indicative of violations of law. The student and his mother denied the student using or possessing marijuana, however the school district continued with the suspension. It turns out, as alleged by the mother and is the most probable explanation, the student had the aroma on his person as a result of her harvesting legal medical marijuana in the household. The mother has a prescription for medical marijuana.

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Bizarre, International, Society, Torts

“Goodbye Phillipines”: Drunken Man Dies After Hugging Explosive Just Before Detonation

180px-San_Diego_FireworksNew Year’s Eve brought in the New Year with the usual array of injuries from the combination of excessive drinking, crowds, and other factors. Perhaps the most bizarre and ironic was the death of a Filipino man who decided to hug a giant firecracker appropriately named “Goodbye Philippines” just before it exploded. It took the man with it.

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Columns, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Media, Society

The Cosby Charges: When Silence Speaks Loudly

ht_bill_cosby_booking_photo_float_jc_151230_16x9_608The charges against Bill Cosby are now filed and Cosby is out on bail pending his aggravated assault trial. Below is my column on the trial and what will likely be a core question for the defense: should Bill Cosby testify? It is a common question in celebrity trials and many prefer silence to the stand.

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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Politics, Society

Russian Court Jails Blogger Who Criticized Corruption and Incompetence As An “Extremist”

225px-Vladimir_Putin_official_portraitstalinRussia has shown again how the dream of post-Soviet civil liberties has plummeted under the authoritarian ambitions of Vladimir Putin. On Wednesday, a Russian court sentenced a blogger to five years in jail for extremist views and advocacy. Terrorism? Religious fanaticism? No, Vadim Tyumenstev, 35, from the Siberian region of Tomsk, encouraged people to protest against corruption and high transport fares.

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Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Politics, Society

Israel Arrests Four In “Hate Wedding” Where Groom and Others Allegedly Celebrated The Burning To Death of Palestinian Baby

imagesPeople across the political spectrum in Israel were disgusted recently to see others at a Jewish wedding celebrating the fire bombing of a Palestinian family and holding up a picture of 18-month-old Ali Dawabshe who was burned away in the attack. One youth was shown stabbing the picture of the baby as others danced and rejoiced. Israeli police arrested four of the men in the videotape today, though (as despicable as these extremists are) the arrests raise questions over the criminalization of speech.

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International, Politics, Religion, Society

Indonesian Woman Caned for Having “Affectionate Contact”

45px-Rattan_caneWe have another example of the grotesque Sharia legal system this week. A 20-year-old Indonesian woman was hospitalized after being publicly caned for violating Sharia law in having affectionate contact with a man who was not her husband. The chilling scene was magnified by cheering crowds who watched as students Nur Elita and Wahyudi Saputra were caned outside a mosque in Banda Aceh.

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Courts, Criminal law, International, Society

English Law Allows For Five Years In Prison For Spouses Who Engage In “Coercive and Controlling Behavior”

UnknownAn extraordinary English law came into effect this week that allows for five years imprisonment for spouses who inflict psychological cruelty on their other partners. Domestic abuse will now extend to “coercive and controlling behaviour.” The definition of the offense however is quite vague and the potential scope of criminalization is considerable. Indeed, a single episode of the Honeymooners would rack up a major case under the new Section 76 law from limiting funds to threatening language to controlling aspects of  spouse’s life. (Frankly, I never understood why Alice Kramden stayed with Ralph Kramden).

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Bizarre, Society

Truck Driver Ignores Signs Banning Trucks and Limiting Weight and Destroys Indiana Historic Bridge . . . Faces $135 Fine

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We often discuss the long-standing question in criminal law of the right balance between offenses and sanctions. A sanction needs to generally achieve restoration for victims and deter others in an ideal world. That does not appear to be the case in Paoli, Indiana where a historic bridge from 1880 collapsed after a track driver violated weight and access signs by driving her truck over the bridge. The sanction? A possible $135 for disregarding a posted sign. That’s it. In the meantime, the bridge will have to be replaced and traffic halted for weeks or months due to her incredibly reckless and thoughtless act. I am assuming that the trucking company can be sued for the damage to the bridge.

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Bizarre, International, Religion, Society

The Halal Friendly Skies: Rayani Air To Offer Flights On An Islamically Correct Airline

Rayani_AirThis month a new airline will emerge with a curious mission: to be the Halal friendly skies. Rayani Air will be Malaysia;s first “Islamic airline.” That alone is not too surprising. After all, we had Hooters Airline for people with a different transportation need. (Frankly, I would just be delighted if a religious airline declared that God intended passengers to have legroom). No, the surprising thing is the impetus for the airline: conservative Muslims believe that the two Malaysia Airlines recent disasters were punishments from God for not adhering to Islamic values. That’s right. God killed a couple hundred people (including devout Muslim passengers) because the airline was not sufficiently pious.

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Bizarre, Society

Female Firefighter Conditionally Graduated And Allowed Six Times To Pass Physical Requirements

FDNYflagThere is a controversy in the New York fire department where FDNY candidate Wendy Tapia will be allowed to graduate despite failed the physical test to become a firefighter six times. Adding to the controversy, Lt. Elizabeth Osgood, who objected to Tapia’s special treatment, was allegedly barred from promotion for months. Tania’s treatment has raised objections that the FDNY is trying to avoid a gender discrimination lawsuit after it was sued successfully for $98 million for racial discrimination.

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Bizarre, International, Media, Politics, Society

Thai Junta Proclaims 99 Percent Support From Public . . . In Its Own Poll

2014_0526_Thailand_coup_Chang_Phueak_Gate_Chiang_Mai_02Thai-coup-detat-2014-social-media-bannerWe have been discussing the continued rollback of civil liberties by our Asian ally, Thailand, including absurd prosecutions such as the recent arrest of a mechanic who merely “liked” a photo viewed disrespectful of the King’s dog. He appears however to be in the disgruntled one percent according to the military junta. The authoritarian government just released the type of poll that only a junta would find plausible: 99 percent of Thais are happy with the junta’s governance since it took power last year. Well, if you can’t believe a junta, who can you believe?

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Academia, Politics, Religion, Society

Former Ultra Orthodox Students Sue In Israel Over Lack Of Basic Education

We have previously discussed the investigation of Orthodox Jewish schools in the United States after former students were shown to be barely able to do basic English and math after being schooled primarily on religious texts. Now there is a lawsuit in Israel in which Avihay Marciano and 50 other former Orthodox students suing over their lack of basic education from an ultra-Orthodox school. What is most interesting about the lawsuit is that he is suing the government, which financially supports these schools.

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