Pennsylvania Chief Justice Ronald Castille has threatened sanctions against the League of Women Voters and disciplinary measures against its attorney, Paul Rossi, for being judicial misconduct charges related to his predecessor. The League has alleged that former Chief Justice Ralph Cappy had “secret negotiations” with legislative leaders in 2005 before the Court upheld the 2004 slots law and the Legislature passed a controversial pay-raise for judges. It is not clear what is more outrageous: the original allegations or Castille’s use of his office to threaten litigants and lawyers seeking a hearing. This is particularly troubling when Castille himself is implicated in the allegations. Continue reading “Pennsylvania Chief Justice Threatens Parties and Lawyers for Filing Action Alleging Judicial Misconduct”
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Veteran TV journalist Barry Nolan has been fired by Comcast for his public criticism of the decision by the local Emmy Awards to honor Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly. The termination occurred at a time when Fox has allegedly threatened a retaliation campaign against NBC if it does not stop criticism of O’Reilly on MSNBC. At issue are some core questions of journalistic ethics and free amendment rights.
Continue reading “Boston Newscaster Fired for Criticism of Bill O’Reilly”
Arthur Price is charged in Ohio as a serial violator of . . . . picnic tables. He was allegedly filmed three times having sex with the picnic table in a public park. He is not unique, however, in his selection of paramours as the man-on-bike and man-on-gate stories below indicate. Nevertheless, the video of Ten Ten Reasons the Man Had Sex with a Picnic Table by Letterman are hilarious.
Continue reading “Pining for Yew: Man Arrested for Having Sex with Picnic Table”
It turns out the Max Mosley’s alleged Nazi-orgy fantasy may have been only half as interesting as reality. He contested that there was any Nazi theme to the encounter. Unbeknownst to Mosley, one of the prostitutes in the orgy appears to be the wife of a MI5 spy. For those who work in the national security field, it is a surprising development given the background checks common for top clearances. Even as a lawyer, my clearances have come with elaborate field interviews and polygraphs. This was a fatal disclosure for the spy who hid an obvious vulnerability to blackmail or pressure from a foreign intelligence source. The MI5 officer has since resigned. Continue reading “Max Mosley Prostitute Turns Out to be Wife of MI5 Spy”
There will be a delay on Sunday in new postings due to a camping trip with two of the rugrats.
For those who feel empty and lost in the morning, take heart: imagine going camping with a dozen second and third grade cub scouts. Feel better?
Continue reading “Goin’ Campin’ on Sunday”
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”
As prosecutors seek to prove a difficult criminal theory in the Lori Drew MySpace case, here, MySpace won a critical case against it in New Orleans. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that MySpace could not be sued by a Texas girl and her family over a sexual assault by a man she met on the site. The ruling upheld the dismissal of the $30 million lawsuit by the trial judge in 2007. Continue reading “MySpace Sexual Assault Case Thrown Out by Fifth Circuit”
The Lori Drew indictment in the Megan Meier case is finally out and it makes for interesting reading. However, as indicated earlier, I remain a bit skeptical that the prosecutors can make this one stick.
Many entries on this site have focused on the treatment of women in Muslim countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq, and Iran. Michael Slackman received an insight in how both women and rape is viewed by some Saudi men on a recent trip.
Continue reading “Rape in Saudi Arabia: Reporter Has Eye-Opening Conversation with Young Saudi Males”
Derrick Basle simply wanted his day in court before the city was allowed to tear down his home filled with antiques and family items. He was given a court date, but when he showed up, the learned that someone had canceled the hearing. He then discovered that the city was tearing down his house anyway in Watervliet, New York. Continue reading “We’re The Government, We’re Here to Help You: City Tears Down Home While Man is in Court Contesting Demolition”
Gokhan Mutlu of New York is suing after JetBlue Airways forced him to sit in an airplane toilet for a flight from California to New York. He was asked by the pilot to assume the throne after a flight attendant asked for her seat back — because the jump seat was uncomfortable. Continue reading “Please Return Your Toilet Seat to the Upright Position: Man Sues After Being Forced to Sit in the Airplane Bathroom During Cross Country Flight”
A friend of mine on one of the Democratic campaigns sent this video to me. With West Virginia today, it is advice from a Red State to Democratic voters to make up their mind. It is pretty funny. Continue reading “Red State Update: Advice on Democratic Primary”
There will be no expelliarmus orders in English prisons. English inmates have won the right to keep twigs in their cells to use as wands. This is still better than the American prisoner’s demanding to have Thor’s hammer and sword available to them. Continue reading ““Casting a Spell, Boss:” Inmates Win Right to Keep “Magic Wands” in Cells”
Rear Adm. John “Boomer” Stufflebeem was recently demoted and fired from his post as director of the Navy staff. It was revealed this week, however, that Stufflebeem had a curious pick-up line: he falsely told a woman that he was a widower and slept with her at the White House — later lying about the liaison. The report shows that Stufflebeem seemed to morph into Bill Clinton when confronted with the affair. Continue reading “Boomer Scores at the White House: Admiral Stufflebeem Committed Adultery at White House”