Category: Society

Bizarre, International, Media, Society

Japanese Olympic Logo Designer Accused Of Plagiarism By Belgian Designer

n-olymplogo-a-20150731-870x590There is a controversy in Japan that may rekindle questions about the increasing claims of trademarks and copyrighted material. Belgian designer Olivier Debie has accused Japanese designer Kenjiro Sano of stealing the basic design of his emblem for a Belgian theater as the official logo for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. There is no question that the letter has similar geometric elements, but it is also true that Sano’s design is indicative of the minimalist tradition of Japanese art. To claim all future minimalist representations of an “T” raises the same concerns as common words or images being declared private property. By the way, I like the Sano design and I think it captures the character of the host nation and its artistic traditions.

Continue reading “Japanese Olympic Logo Designer Accused Of Plagiarism By Belgian Designer” →

Academia, Bizarre, Criminal law, Media, Politics, Society

Connecticut Professor Arrested For Filing An Alleged False Report of Profiling By Police

MinatiThere is a relatively rare case developing in Connecticut where Professor Minati Roychoudhuri, 62, has been charged with making a false police report after charging that she was racially profiled by a police officer. A review of the dash cam video contradicted factual assertions made by Roychoudhuri in her sworn statement.

Continue reading “Connecticut Professor Arrested For Filing An Alleged False Report of Profiling By Police” →

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

India Blocks Adult Websites In Sweeping Censorship

1024px-Flag_of_India.svgThe India government is under fire for a sweeping censorship move blocking hundreds of adult websites as a social nuisance. A total of 87 websites were blocked — denying millions of adults the right to choose their own associations and entertainment. It is a triumph for morality codes and a significant erosion of free speech and privacy protections for the Indian people.

Continue reading “India Blocks Adult Websites In Sweeping Censorship” →

Academia, Animals, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Environment, International, Media, Society

Idaho State University Employee Triggers Outrage With Taunting Pictures of Big Game Kills In Africa

Sabrina-Corgatelli_3395602bThe alleged unlawful killing of two lions by two separate American doctors has caused an international outcry and demands for extradition to Zimbabwe for prosecution. (here and here). However, one American woman is using the controversies to taunt animal lovers and apparently drive up traffic on her Facebook site. Sabrina Corgatelli is believed to come from Boise, Idaho and is reportedly a university accountant at Idaho State University who also runs a clothing company called Racks and Ridges. She teased those objecting to the illegal hunts by saying “To all the haters. Stay tuned, you’re gonna have so much more to be pissed off about.” She then posted various photos from the “trip of a lifetime” posing with the corpses of a giraffe, warthog, kudu and impala during a trip to South Africa. To be sure to ignite those grieving over the death of Cecil the Lion, Corgatelli posted a series of pictures with such notes as “All you haters, This is for you!! Have a great day, cuz I know I will!!’

Continue reading “Idaho State University Employee Triggers Outrage With Taunting Pictures of Big Game Kills In Africa” →

Animals, Criminal law, Environment, International, Society

From Predator to Prey: Zimbabwe Seeks Extradition of Minnesota Dentist For Killing Cecil the Lion

CLBO8g9WIAAoQftMinnesota Dentist Walter Palmer is already one of the most vilified individuals in the United States. Palmer paid $50,000 to lure a lion with bait, kill him with a bow and arrow, cut off his head and skin him. What Palmer viewed as a good time has turned into a nightmare after he bagged Cecil the Lion, a famous lion in Zimbabwe. Cecil was lured out of the park sanctuary with a dead animal on top of a vehicle. He was wearing a collar and was first wounded and then hunted down the next day for the kill by Palmer. He then left Zimbabwe just in time to avoid arrest. Not so lucky was the head of the safari and the owner of the land upon which Cecil was killed. Now, Palmer has become the prey as Zimbabwe announced that it is seeking his extradition for prosecution.

Continue reading “From Predator to Prey: Zimbabwe Seeks Extradition of Minnesota Dentist For Killing Cecil the Lion” →

Bizarre, International, Society, Torts

Passenger Sues Airline After Being Forced to Share Sit With Obese Individuals

EY-Etihad-Airways-new-logo-EnBoeing_777-FFX,_Etihad_Airways_Cargo_AN2275000James Andres Bassos has an interesting lawsuit against Etihad Airways for a flight from Sydney to Dubai. Bassos charges that he was forced to sit next to a “grossly overweight” person and, as a result, injured his back in having to contort his body during the flight. The court in Brisbane, Australia decided that Bassos has a legitimate claim and declined to dismiss he lawsuit.

Continue reading “Passenger Sues Airline After Being Forced to Share Sit With Obese Individuals” →

Society

From San Fran To Yosemite To La Jolla: The Turleys Invade The Golden State

IMG_2908You know that you have arrived at San Francisco airport when this sign greets you in front of your arrival gate. Yes, the Turleys have gone West to find fun and fortune (or at least a family wedding and some beaches). I will try to post each day but that will depend on the signal. (We will be spending a four or five days in Yosemite National Park for the wedding).

Continue reading “From San Fran To Yosemite To La Jolla: The Turleys Invade The Golden State” →

Bizarre, Society, Torts

El Rancho Sells Family Cake Containing Sharp Scissors and Later Offers To Make Amends By Giving Family A New Cake

unnamedCBS is reporting that a family near Dallas had a true surprise at their surprise birthday party for Yoly Nava’s mother when a $60 cake from El Rancho Market was found to have a large pair of scissors baked into the cake. No this was not part of a prison break, just an apparent added ingredient. Two things were a bit surprising. First was the response of El Rancho and second was that a cake from El Rancho actually costs $60.

Continue reading “El Rancho Sells Family Cake Containing Sharp Scissors and Later Offers To Make Amends By Giving Family A New Cake” →

Bizarre, Society

NFL: Brady Ordered His Cellphone Destroyed After Meeting With NFL Investigators

511px-Tom_Brady_2011As expected, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell upheld Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s four-game Deflategate suspension. What is notable however is one fact released by the NFL. Brady allegedly met with NFL investigators, including Ted Wells, and then (after being informed of the need to examine his cellphone) ordered minions to destroy his phone. In a criminal case, such an action could be viewed as obstruction — a separate chargeable offense.

Continue reading “NFL: Brady Ordered His Cellphone Destroyed After Meeting With NFL Investigators” →

Animals, Environment, Society

American Dentist Accused Of Luring, Killing, And Beheading Beloved Cecil the Lion In Zimbabwe

CLBO8g9WIAAoQftIn Zimbabwe, Cecil the lion was a believed to be a rare animal that was relatively safe from trophy hunters and poachers. After all, the 13-year-old lion wore a GPS collar as part of a research project with Oxford University and lived in a reserve funded by various governments and organizations to keep animals safe. Indeed, Cecil was something of a beloved celebrity. What park rangers did not count on was combination of corrupt tour operators, a foreign hunter, and an array of others seeking to lure the lion out of its protected area. Officials say that hunters paid $55,000 for the fun of shooting Cecil and then cutting off his head and skinning him. He was lured out of the park with bait so that he could be killed for sport. The culprit was allegedly a US dentist Walter Palmer from a small town near Minneapolis. Palmer loves to kill large animals and then pose with their bodies in postings on social media.

Continue reading “American Dentist Accused Of Luring, Killing, And Beheading Beloved Cecil the Lion In Zimbabwe” →

Bizarre, Politics, Society

George W. Bush: “What difference does it make if the order is Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama/Clinton or it is Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama/Bush?”

George-W-Bush_jpeg225px-Bill_ClintonFor those who are already upset about the prospect of the country again being given simply a choice between a Bush or a Clinton in the general election, they might not want to read the recent interview of President George W. Bush and Bill Clinton in Time magazine. In a revealing aside, Bush shrugs off the real significance of the result of the election so long as it is either a Clinton or a Bush: says it really does not matter so long as it is either a Bush or Clinton: “What difference does it make,” he said at the time, “if the order is Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama/Clinton or it is Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama/Bush?” It appears that we have a dynastic democracy.

Continue reading “George W. Bush: “What difference does it make if the order is Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama/Clinton or it is Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama/Bush?”” →

Bizarre, Society

New LA Clippers Forward Josh Smith Laments It Will Be “Harder” Getting By On $7 Million

Josh_Smith_2014With so many families struggling these days to make ends meet, new Los Angeles Clippers forward Josh Smith may have chosen an awkward way of introducing himself to his new fans. Smith told the media that it will be a bit harder on his family to make ends meet but that they were persevere with his salary. The Smith family will be somehow struggling on a $7 million salary.

Continue reading “New LA Clippers Forward Josh Smith Laments It Will Be “Harder” Getting By On $7 Million” →