International, Media

Anders Behring Breivik Identified As Suspect in Norwegian Attack

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Norwegian television has identified a suspect in the shooting spree on the island Utoya as Anders Behring Breivik, 32, describing him as a member of “right-wing extremist groups in eastern Norway.” The shooting at the youth camp has reportedly resulted in more than 80 deaths.

In his Facebook account, now deleted, he describes himself as having Christian, conservative views. He also has a Twitter account with only one tweet, a quote from philosopher John Stuart Mills: “One person with a belief is equal to the force of 100 000 who have only interests.”

If the reports are accurate, don’t expect denunciations of right-wing extremism from Fox News. If the event in Norway had been caused by a Muslim, would Fox News classify it as a terrorist attack instead of a massacre by a madman?

H/T: HuffPo, MSNBC.

International, Travel Blog

Day 3-4: Heux, France
Vines outside our guest house in Heux

What a day! We began with our wonderful Gascon breakfast with fresh pastries and fruits. We then went for a lunch of escargot and local delights in the little town of Montreal. After a visit to Roman ruins and the Medieval town of Larressingle, our hostess surprised Madie and I with a joint birthday with local families and huge fireworks.
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Constitutional Law, Courts, Justice, Lawyering, Religion, Society

Lessons from Roe in the Brown Polygamy Case

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Rarely do I disagree with our host, but on the Brown polygamy case we do. And not so much on the merits of the case as on the timing of it. I’ve said before I would decriminalize the practice of polygamy and regulate it much as we do other human relationships where there exists real risk of overreaching or exploitation. I think this approach serves the interests of the important right of privacy and protects the vulnerable.

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Animals, Bizarre, Society, Torts

Would You Like Battery With That?

Submitted by Gene Howington, Guest Blogger

In Atlanta, Georgia, Tiffany Denise Allen is charged with simple battery, simple assault and disorderly conduct.  While these charges may not be unusual in themselves, the circumstances surrounding them are.  Allen was a manger of a local McDonald’s restaurant.  She was off duty but on the premises when Jennifer Schwenker entered the McDonald’s in suburban Marietta with her autistic twins and service dog on July 12.  Apparently upset that Mrs. Schwenker brought her service dog into the restaurant, surveillance tapes show Allen proceeded to follow her around the store and out into the parking lot where Allen punched the woman in the face.  The recordings show other McDonald’s employees trying to restrain Allen.  The operators of the local franchise, J.M. and Jan Owens, are cooperating with police.  They told the Associated Press that “At our McDonald’s restaurant, we respect and value our customers. Their safety and well-being is always a top priority [. . .] We strive to comply with all applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.  It is our policy to make our restaurants accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities and special needs, whether or not they need the assistance of service animals.”  McDonald’s says Allen is no longer in their employ.  Clearly McDonald’s and the Owens’ have done the right thing in response so far, but the scenario does raise some questions.

Continue reading “Would You Like Battery With That?” →

Criminal law, International, Justice, Politics

You Got To Know When To Hold(er) ‘Em

Submitted by Gene Howington, Guest Blogger

More potential bad news for Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. as Thursday’s Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. Department of Justice is preparing subpoenas relating to alleged foreign bribery and alleged hacking of voicemail of Sept. 11 victims.  This is in addition to a separate FBI probe into the  alleged hacking of voicemail of Sept. 11 victims and a possible FCPA-related (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act)  investigation by the SEC related to allegations of bribing police in Great Britain.  There are also a substantial number of civil suits springing up related to the activities of News Corp.’s now shuttered News of the World operation.  While Murdoch and News Corp. have attempted to contain the damage done by the News of the World U.K. phone hacking scandal, it seems like their efforts are failing as the investigation into their operations expands across the Atlantic.  The real question lies with A.G. Eric Holder’s Department of Justice willingness to act.

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International, Religion

Saudi Anti-Witchcraft Unit Is Busy

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

When the severed head of a wolf, wrapped in women’s lingerie, turned up near the northern Saudi Arabian city of Tabouk,  the Anti-Witchcraft Unit swung into action to break the spell that used the wolf’s head. Superstitious belief in magic and witchcraft is widespread in the kingdom. The Saudis have banned the Harry Potter series of books because of its tales of magic and sorcery.

The superstition that is Islam can provide no logical relief from belief in other superstitions.

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Academia

Widener Law Disciplinary Committee Exonerates Criminal Law Prof

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

We have previously discussed the case of Widener School of Law professor Lawrence Connell who was suspended after using Dean Linda Ammons in hypotheticals in class (here and here).  Connell had been charged with engaging in racial and sexual discrimination and harassment in how he taught his criminal law class.

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Congress, Politics, Things That Tick Me Off

The Gang of Six and Their War on Main Street

Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty-Guest Blogger

It is probably just me, but it seems that every time we hear about a proposed deal to extend the debt limit and avert a government shutdown and a debt default, the plan does nothing more than cut the taxes on the wealthiest Americans and Corporations.  The latest proposal by the so-called Gang of Six is just one more example of Congress attacking the Middle Class. Continue reading “The Gang of Six and Their War on Main Street” →

International, Travel Blog

Day 1-2: Heux, France

View From Our Window in Huex
The Turleys have landed! After flying from Washington to Chicago, we flew first to Paris and then to Toulouse. We then drove to our friend’s villa outside of Condom (that’s right a town named Condom, which presumably has the lowest population of any town in France). We arrived around 6 pm and went to the Medieval Festival being held in Montreal du Gers – a truly enchanting experience with “fire spitters” and Medieval crafts in a tiny ancient town.
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Criminal law, Society

Mother Eats Poppy Seed Seasoning – Has Newborn Taken

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

In Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Eileen Ann Bower tested positive for opiates after giving birth to her  son. Based on the results of the routine blood test, performed by Jameson Hospital, the Lawrence County Children and Youth Services kidnapped seized the baby three days after its birth. Bower claims her last meal, before giving birth, was a pasta salad with Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning, which contains poppy seeds (the fourth listed ingredient).

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Science

Mobius Strip At Center Of Milky Way

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

 

Astronomers have discovered what appears to be a 600-light-year wide ribbon of supercooled material at the center of our galaxy. They used the European Space Agency’s infrared Herschel Space Observatory to get the high resolution image shown above. Ground based radio telescopes have indicated the ribbon is spinning around the galactic center as a cohesive unit.

H/T: Wired Science.

Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Free Speech, Politics, Religion, Society, Supreme Court

Privacy Without Politics: Why The Sister Wives Lawsuit Is About Privacy Not Polygamy

Here is my column this morning in the New York Times. As is the case (even on my own paper, USA Today), the writer does not select the titles. In this case, “One Big, Happy Polygamous Family” seems a bit mocking. Thus, I have added my own title.
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Bizarre, Courts, Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Justice, Media, Society

Method Of Modern Love: Twitter-Style

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

The Happy Couple: Farthing For Your Thoughts Mrs. Puddick?

London plumber, Ian Puddick, was aghast after reading a text message on his wife’s cell phone. It seems  Leena, was having an affair with Tim Haynes, an insurance broker at one of London’s hoary financial houses and a City Director. The affair began at a company Christmas Party (don’t they all) and continued for ten years.   Rather than an immediate face-to-face confrontation with all the messiness that involves, Puddick set up several websites and then began to Twitter the racy cyber-dialog between the illicit lovers. One read, “Where do you want to have sex next? The office, al fresco, the flat or all three you greedy girl?”  He supplemented the shorthand with videos and a blog– all dedicated to the affair.

Continue reading “Method Of Modern Love: Twitter-Style” →