Category: Society

Congress, Justice, Politics, Religion, Society, Things That Tick Me Off

Is This The America That We Want?

 

Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty, (rafflaw) Guest Blogger

Over the past few weeks and months, we have read repeatedly about how politicians are upset that the government is doing nothing about jobs.  We hear it from the Right and we hear it from the Left, but the unemployment rate is still around 9.0% with many out of work Americans no longer looking for work.   With this background, I was incensed when I read about a Minnesota legislative proposal to bar citizens on public aid from having more than $20.00 cash in their pocket at any time! Continue reading “Is This The America That We Want?” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Former High-Ranking Democratic Officials Charged With Wide Array of Fraudulent Election Documents

Two former high-ranking members of the Oakland County (Michigan) Democratic Party are facing election corruption charges in an alleged scheme to to trick Tea Party supporters to draw votes away from Republican candidates. Former Democratic Party Chairman Michael McGuinness and ex-operations director Jason Bauer were arraigned this week. The scheme described by prosecutors is quite bold . . . and reckless.

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Bizarre, Religion, Society

Pay and Pray: Pastor Accused of Withholding Communion After Parishioners Refuse To Hand Over Their Tax Refunds

Pastor John Goodman is accused of having a rather curious view of attending his flock: fleecing before ministering. Members of the Houston Unity Baptist Church have accused Goodman of refusing to give them communion after they declined to hand over their tax refund to the church.
Continue reading “Pay and Pray: Pastor Accused of Withholding Communion After Parishioners Refuse To Hand Over Their Tax Refunds” →

Society, Torts

Swill and Swim: Royal Caribbean Offers “All-You-Can-Drink” Package

We have often discussed dram shop actions and liability for “over-serving” patrons at bars and other businesses. Royal Caribbean appears willing to go where few other businesses are now willing to venture. The cruise line has introduced a new one-price, all-you-can-drink cruise package. I wonder how much legal analysis occurred before this floating dram shop case was launched.
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Media, Society, Torts

The Hurt Lawsuit: Soldier Sues Makers of “The Hurt Locker” Over His Portrayal in Movie

Sgt. Jeffrey Sarver who is currently deployed in Afghanistan has sued over his alleged portrayal in the hit movie “The Hurt Locker.” Sarver says that movie was based on him and shows him committing unprofessional acts and practices. This has led, he alleges, to comments and teasing from other soldiers.
Continue reading “The Hurt Lawsuit: Soldier Sues Makers of “The Hurt Locker” Over His Portrayal in Movie” →

Congress, Criminal law, Society

Obama Yields To “Copyright Hawks” and Lobbyists To Seek Criminalization of Copyright Violations

The Obama Administration has again yielded to a powerful lobby over objections from citizen groups. We have been following the increasing draconian and excessive copyright claims made in the United States. Now, President Obama wants to make it a crime — a change long sought by the Chamber of Commerce and so-called “copyright hawks.”
Continue reading “Obama Yields To “Copyright Hawks” and Lobbyists To Seek Criminalization of Copyright Violations” →

Criminal law, Society

Fowl Play: New Jersey Teens Criminally Charged With School Prank

We have been following the trend toward using criminal penalties to handle pranks and simple misconduct by students in our schools. Now, three high school students in New Jersey are facing criminal charges for a simple senior prank of releasing chickens at the school. They may also be barred from graduation. It is part of the criminalization of our society where we are turning our children into little felons because school officials blindly call police at every little infraction.
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Constitutional Law, Criminal law, International, Society

Minnesota Court Rules Against Ex-Nurse in Assisted Suicide Case

A judge in Minnesota has handed down a controversial verdict of guilty in the case of former nurse, William Melchert-Dinkel, 48, who encouraged people to commit suicide online. Civil libertarians and right-to-die advocates have criticized the prosecution as an assault on free speech. I share those concerns and believe that there is a strong basis for appeal in this case.

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Animals, Criminal law, Environment, Politics, Society

Iowa Legislators Seek To Criminalize Those Who Disclose Abuses At Factory Operations

Iowa lawmakers have introduced two bills (SF 341 and HF 431) that would make it a crime for activists to procure evidence of animal abuse by factory operations. Many of the past disclosures of abuse by circuses and industry have been the result of activists gaining access to factory operations through employment (as here). This law would specifically target such investigations to protect these companies.

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Bizarre, Society

Forget Tiger Moms, Make Way For the Tiffany Moms: NY Woman Sues Preschool For Failing To Prepare 4-Year-Old for Ivy League

As entrance in top schools has become more and more competitive, parents are becoming more aggressive in seeking to guarantee every advantage for their children. In the case of Nicole Imprescia, this means going to court to sue a school over its failure to prepare her daughter for the Ivy League. Her daughter, Lucia, is four. The school is the York Avenue Preschool. It seems that there are “Tiger Moms” but then there are “Tiffany Moms.”

Continue reading “Forget Tiger Moms, Make Way For the Tiffany Moms: NY Woman Sues Preschool For Failing To Prepare 4-Year-Old for Ivy League” →

Academia, Bizarre, Society

UCLA Students Triggers Firestorm With Anti-Asian Video

Alexandra Wallace has caused a firestorm of controversy and recrimination after she posted a Youtube video denouncing “Asians in the library.” The original video is below. The tirade attacks Asian students for talking on cellphones and even having their elderly parents show up on weekends to do their clothes and cook their food. The question is whether Wallace should be punished by UCLA, which is looking into the matter.

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Media, Politics, Society

NPR Fires Back: Analysis of O’Keefe Video Shows Highly Distorting Edits

In a little discussed release, National Public Radio has identified some alarming edits in the video footage released by James O’Keefe III — purportedly capturing NPR officials slamming conservatives and seemingly agreeing with radical Islamic funders. The analysis linked here shows a series of edits that produce a highly distorted picture, including the removal of statements defending conservatives and expressly warning that NPR’s coverage could never be influenced by financial support.
Continue reading “NPR Fires Back: Analysis of O’Keefe Video Shows Highly Distorting Edits” →

Politics, Society

Dropping the Hammer: Obama Administration Forces Out State Department Spokesman After Criticizing Treatment of Manning

The Obama Administration has finally responded to the international outcry over the abuse of Bradley Manning. After State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley acknowledged the abuse, the Administration fired him with the apparent approval of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Now, everyone is in agreement: there is no problem in how Bradley Manning is being abused. That is particularly the case with former White House aide Mike Hammer who will replace Crowley. There’s a nice way to start a job — the replacement for the guy who dared to admit concerns over a human rights case.

Continue reading “Dropping the Hammer: Obama Administration Forces Out State Department Spokesman After Criticizing Treatment of Manning” →