A Springfield, Missouri woman was convicted under state truancy laws for her son’s truancy and sentenced to two days in jail and two years probation. Notably, Kathleen Casteel was home schooling her son — one of five. This is only the latest such criminalization of poor parental skills. Indeed, legislators have recently called for criminal charges against parents who miss parent-teacher conferences.

Continue reading “Court Rules Mother Must Take More Time with Kids: So It Sentences Her to Jail” →

Political activists may have to contend with an interesting little crowd control device known as the “crap cannon” or the “brown note.” The infrasound device makes people defecate on themselves. It is not actually the type of movement that MoveOn.com activists were expecting.

Continue reading “Welcome to the Democratic Convention: But Bring a Change of Clothes” →

Just a few months ago, the Administration admitted to lying to federal courts about the existence of classified material and also destroying material evidence in federal cases. Now, Lt. Commander William Kueber has disclosed that interrogators were told to destroy their notes from interrogations for legal reasons.

Continue reading “U.S. Interrogators Told to Destroy Notes to “Minimize Certain Legal Issues”” →

It could be a sequel to her role in Jean-Luc Godard’s film Contempt. Actress Brigitte Bardot has contempt for Muslims, homosexuals, immigrants and many others. It is quite a list and few people would frankly care much about what the aging starlet thinks about such subjects. However, in France, it appears to be a crime. Bardot was convicted this week of provoking discrimination and racial hatred for writing that Muslims are destroying France. It is another example of the assault against free speech in Western countries. The punishment of such views is even more outrageous than the views themselves.

Continue reading “Brigitte Bardot Convicted of Hate Speech and Discrimination” →

It may be one of the most unexpected verdicts of the year. Geoffrey Fieger and law partner Ven Johnson were acquitted on all charges after an 18 day trial on illegal campaign contributions. The jury deliberated for four days to reach the verdict. It is a major loss for the Justice Department given what seemed an over-whelming case with cooperating witnesses and massive effort. It was also a trial marred by accusations of strong-arm tactics by FBI agent, Jeffrey Rees, which may have poisoned the well for some jurors.

Continue reading “Geogrey Fieger Found Not Guilty in Michigan” →

It was hard to imagine anything more disturbing than the story that was posted a couple weeks ago about Rand, a 17-year-old girl, was killed by her father (and her brothers) for simply falling in love with a young British soldier. While still a virgin, her father Abdel-Qader Ali, 46, still strangled her after she confided her feeling of Paul to a friend. Now her mother, Leila, who went public with the murder and divorced the father, has been gunned down while trying to flee to Jordon.
Continue reading “Mother of Iraqi Honor Killing Victim is Herself Killed After Divorcing the Murderer” →

Police in Fullerton now believe that the arrest of Sunny Hills High School teacher Gregory Abbott, 31, was a set up — perhaps by his estranged wife and an associate.

Continue reading “California High School Teacher Framed in Drug and Gun Arrest” →

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” →

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” →

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” →