It is often said that the government would take the gold out of your teeth if allowed. Well, the Metro Police of Nashville is doing precisely that — putting the gem encrusted “grills” of a drug dealer out for bids.
Continue reading “If Arrested, Keep Your Mouth Shut: Nashville Police Auction Off Drug Dealer’s Gold Teeth”
Former Contra Costa County sex crimes prosecutor Michael Gressett has been accused of a sex crime in the raping of a colleague. The California lawyer is free on bail after being indicted on the charges, which he denies through counsel. While Deputy District Attorney, Gressett has run three times for district attorney.
Continue reading “California Sex Crimes Prosecutor Accused of Raping Another Prosecutor”
There’s the “old ball and chain,” “the old lady,” and my personal favorite “she who must be obeyed.” However, a Saudi Arabian woman has filed for divorce after discovering the nickname that her husband gave her on his cellphone: “Guantanamo.”
Continue reading “Losing the Old Ball and Chain: Saudi Wife Files for Divorce After Learning Her Nickname in Husband’s Cellphone is “Guantanamo””
The Norfolk Constabulary has a curious notion of discipline for its officers. Acting Specials Chief Inspector Dean Saxton, 30, is accused of first causing a ruckus in a bar (or “public house”) and then returning a few days later to destroy the evidence of the controversy. The punishment for using official authority to destroy evidence of misconduct? Five days suspension.
We often discuss the meaning of judicial restraint, but this dog shows the meaning of restraint that judges and agencies could learn from.
Continue reading “Canine Restraint”
When I first read this story, I was sure it was a hoax, but now I am not sure. According to wine sites, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has denied a permit to import Château Haut Gay (AOC Bordeaux Supérieur) because the label is “an incentive to debauchery.” The wine’s bright orange label featured two verses of the poem “L’Ame du Vin” (“The Soul of Wine”) by 19th-century poet Charles Baudelaire. While I have few remaining illusions as to government work, this one remains unbelievable. If this is a hoax, it is brilliant. If it is true, it is a national disgrace.
Continue reading “Report: ATF Bans French Wine Over Saucy Poem on Label”
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is famous for handing out $5 million each year as a prize for African good governance. This year it is keeping its money and prize for lack of anyone who could claim both democratic election and good government on the continent of Africa.
Continue reading “Wanted: Single Good, Democratically Elected African Leader to Collect $5 Million”
Prosecutors in Minneapolis have a fascinating case involving assisted suicide and free speech. Nurse William Melchert-Dinkel, 47, is accused of using Internet chat rooms to convince people to commit suicide, giving them step-by-step instructions on how to kill themselves — preferably so he could watch. At least two people are believed to have fed Melchert-Dinkel’s fetish with their deaths: Nadia Kajouji, 18, and Mark Drybrough, 32 (shown here).
Continue reading “Suicidal Speech: Minnesota Case Raises Difficult Questions Over Assisted Suicide and Free Speech”
Next time you think of running across the street before the light changes, think of this Russian . . . who may be the luckiest man in the world.
Continue reading “Video: Russians Show How Its Buses Have The World’s Best On-Time Record”
US Airways is facing a major fine over a wide range of safety and maintenance violations on its airplanes. The one that caught my eye was a plane in December 2007 that returned to Denver with a low oil-pressure warning. Mechanics appear to have lost the caps for the oil sump so they just stuffed towels in the openings.
Continue reading “Throwing in the Towel: FAA Fines US Airways $5.4 Million for Such Violations As Using A Towel Instead of an Oil Cap in Engine”
Today’s column on blasphemy laws may be too narrow. In San Francisco and London, activists are demanding that denigrating someone as fat should be treated as a hate crime like race, age, or faith. “Fatism” is already banned in San Franscisco in housing and workplaces.
Continue reading “Rights of the Rubenesque: London Considers Making Fatism a Form of Hate Speech”
Sheriff Jim Alderden of Larimer County appears on the verge of charging Richard and Mayumi Heene with a criminal hoax after their six-year-old son Falcon made a revealing statement during an interview on CNN. In the meantime, Falcon is saying a bit too much in another forum: the video below where he raps about “killing the faggot.”
Continue reading “From the Mouths of Babes: Balloon Boy’s Statement May Lead to Charges For Parents”
We have yet another “honor killing” in the Middle East. An unnamed Jordanian man was charged on Sunday with murdering his 22-year-old daughter after finding out that she was pregnant. He killed her and her unborn child with a sword to preserve the honor of his family.
Continue reading “Father Kills 22-Year-Old Pregnant Daughter in Honor Killing”
In American politics there are few more polarizing figures than Al Sharpton and Rush Limbaugh. Now, in what will be a spasmodic moment of euphoria for many, Sharpton and Limbaugh may be going to court with the former suing the latter for defamation. Putting aside the sheer joy of the moment for many, the case could present some interesting questions over whether Limbaugh defamed Sharpton in a Wall Street Journal Op-ed.
Continue reading “Polar Attraction: Sharpton Threatens Limbaugh With Lawsuit”
Harvard University is reeling from a uniquely bad business gamble. The school lost at least $500 million when it bet that interest rates would rise. The money went to investment banks this year due to $1.1 billion of interest-rate swaps intended to hedge variable-rate debt for capital projects. The loss will likely grow considerably. It also agreed to pay $425 million over 30 to 40 years to offset an additional $764 million in swaps.
Continue reading “Ivy League Clipping: Harvard Loses Half a Billion Dollars in Bad Investment Gamble”