While the first amendment has been explored from virtually every possible angle, the one question that has long been unresolved since the founding of the Republic is what protection should be afforded to citizens who desire to dress as Bigfoot and scare hikers on federal lands. That question will now be answered in a lawsuit filed by Jonathan Doyle in New Hampshire.
Continue reading “New Hampshire Filmmaker Sues For Right To Be Bigfoot in State Parks”
Category: Society
In an announcement that has many civil libertarians charging hypocrisy, the Obama Administration has gone public with a commitment to hold Moammar Gaddafi accountable for war crimes. This is the same Administration that has been denounced internationally for blocking any prosecution of Bush officials, including Bush himself, for alleged torture and war crimes. This includes the recently disclosed communications with the Spanish government revealing that the Obama Administration pressured Spain to shutdown its own war crimes inquiry.
Continue reading “Obama Administration Pledges To Hold Gaddafi Accountable For War Crimes”
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has suspended 21 priests for involvement in the sexual abuse of minors. The suspensions come after a grand jury found that 37 priests in the diocese were implicated in such abuse.
Continue reading “Catholic Church Suspends 21 Priests For Allegations of Child Abuse”
We have yet another bizarre case out of St. Lucie. Karl Lambert has sued former paramedic Cynthia “Cindy” Economou for stealing his severed foot after a 2008 crash.
Continue reading “Man Sues Former Paramedic For Stealing His Foot After Accident”
Barack Obama has indicated that the United States is considering military intervention in Libya. While this may be an effort to convince Gaddafi (Qadaffi) to leave, the very thought of another military campaign by the United States is alarming. We are continuing to gush billions in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan despite rising anti-American sentiments. In the meantime, our cities and states are near bankruptcy for lack of funds.
Here is a tip for other Hollywood actors. If you want to sue a studio over breach of contract, do not go to the roof of a building with a large machete and scream “I’m free at last.” As always, my thoughts go to his lawyer . . .
Continue reading “Lawyer’s Nightmare”
In an important case concerning personal autonomy, the Montana Supreme Court stayed an alarming order from Montana state judge for a woman to be forced to undergo an hysterectomy to save her life.
Continue reading “Montana Supreme Court Stays Order To Force Woman To Have Hysterectomy”
In yet another slap at civil liberties and civil libertarians, President Barack Obama signed an executive order Monday that will resume military tribunal proceedings at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Continue reading “Obama Orders Resumption of Military Tribunals”
Four years ago, I wrote a column on the controversy over boys and toy guns. In my column today in USA Today I return to the issue to discuss some recent research in the area.
Continue reading “The War on Toy Guns: Boy, Girls, and the Games They Play”
Heart Attack Grill, owned by Jon Basso, brags about some of the highest caloric, artery-clogging food. They even enlisted Blair River (a 572-pound obese man) as their spokesman. River, 29, has now died from pneumonia — a death connected to his obesity by critics.
Continue reading ““Heart Attack Grill” Spokesman Dies At 29″
Rep. Charles Rangel just recently was reprimanded by the House of Representatives. He has now moved on to the judicial branch where Judge Edward McLaughlin reprimanded him for his conduct in the bail hearing of one of the alleged members of the 137th Street gang, a high school student named Afrika Owes.
Continue reading “Rangel Reprimanded Over Conduct at Bail Hearing”
Folks at the National Rifle Association are celebrating what some are calling the “Palin effect” — a sharp rise in female membership in the NRA and gun ownership generally due to the rise of Sarah Palin. According to the article below, the Palin effect has encouraged new design and marketing efforts by gun manufacturers vis-a-vis women customers.
Continue reading “Sarah Palin: The Rosa Parks of Guns?”
Here is today’s column in the Los Angeles Times (Sunday) on the recent remarks from Justice Clarence following criticism for his disclosure violations and alleged conflicts of interest.
Continue reading “Justice Thomas’ Dangerous Conceit”
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Wisconsin Republican leaders are law and order types indeed. Unhappy that fourteen Democratic state senators are boycotting Governor Scott Walker’s union busting party, they have authorized the Senate Sergeant at Arms to round-up the legislative desperadoes “with or without force.” The Gang of 14, of course, are holed up in the neighboring Illinois badlands but Sheriff Walker wants to get his men (and his agenda railroaded through) so niceties like democracy and respect for the rights of the opposition need not be observed.
This is one of the saddest stores of the year. Wes Leonard, 16, had just achieved the dream of a basketball player — scoring the winning basket in overtime for his high school. He then collapsed and died.
Continue reading “Michigan High School Player Dies After Scoring Winning Basket in Overtime”