Uncategorized

Torture is still Torture, and it is Still Illegal.

Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty,(rafflaw), Guest Blogger

 This entire week the torture enthusiasts have been back on all of the news channels exclaiming their happiness that their “enhanced interrogation techniques” worked.  Of course, they are talking about waterboarding and other methods of torture. Why are Michael Mukasey, John Yoo and other members of the George W. Bush administration once again declaring that torture is good policy and that it was successful in helping to get Osama Bin Laden? Continue reading “Torture is still Torture, and it is Still Illegal.” →

Bizarre, Society

Cops Break Saggin’ Sophomore’s Arm and Taser Him

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Two Derby, Kansas police officers, acting as school resource officers, ordered Jonathan Villarreal, 17, to pull his pants above his waist. Jonathan was walking with friends to the bus after school let out, and he told the officers he would wear his pants how he wanted. According to Jonathan, one of the officers pulled him to the ground and both officers kneed him in the back and neck. During the struggle, Jonathan’s arm was broken and he was tased.

Continue reading “Cops Break Saggin’ Sophomore’s Arm and Taser Him” →

Bizarre, Environment, Society

Florida House Approves Use of Human Waste To Treat Crops For Human Consumption

Some Chinese may be steaming eggs in urine but Florida is about to grow its crops in such waste. After a heavy lobbying effort by industry, Florida is about to rescind a ban on the use of human waste to treat crops. Soon more than 90 companies will be pumping waste from about 100,000 septic tanks on to their fields — an estimated 40 million gallons treated with lime.
Continue reading “Florida House Approves Use of Human Waste To Treat Crops For Human Consumption” →

Academia, Bizarre, Politics, Society

Texas Teacher Suspended For Allegedly Taunting Muslim Girl About Death of Her “Uncle” Osama Bin Laden

In another example of the depths of anti-Muslim sentiment in this country, a Texas high school teacher has been placed on administrative allegedly telling a 9th grade Muslim girl in his algebra class “I heard about your uncle’s death” and “I bet that you’re grieving” the death of Osama bin Laden.
Continue reading “Texas Teacher Suspended For Allegedly Taunting Muslim Girl About Death of Her “Uncle” Osama Bin Laden” →

Bizarre, International, Society

No Yolk: Boy Eggs in China Rely on Real Boys

After reading this on Reddit, I had to share but you may want to get through your breakfast first. I have been repeatedly to China and have had some exotic foods (including hundred-year-old eggs) but I have never run into tong zi dan (童子蛋), or “Boy Egg.” Known also as “Virgin Eggs,” the eggs are the official food of Dongyang, China and are made by steaming them in the urine of young boys.
Continue reading “No Yolk: Boy Eggs in China Rely on Real Boys” →

Academia, Animals, Bizarre, Science

Fatty Spinach or Leafy Pork? Japanese Scientists Successfully Implant Spinach Genes Into Pig

Next time your spouse tells you to put down those pork rinds, you may soon be able to say “I’m just get my vegetables.” Scientists in Japan have successfully implanted Spinach in a pig for the first time to produce a healthier pig. While the industry may be able to drop the slogan “pork, the other white meat” for “pork, the other vegetable.”
Continue reading “Fatty Spinach or Leafy Pork? Japanese Scientists Successfully Implant Spinach Genes Into Pig” →

Criminal law, Society

New Mexico Man Arrested For Moving From a Dumpster To Homeless Shelter Without Prior Notice To Police

In Albuquerque, Charles Mader has been arrested for moving from his domicile without notifying police under sex offender registration rules. That is not particularly newsworthy until you consider that his previous address was an industrial dumpster. That’s right, police arrested Mader for moving out of the dumpster and into a homeless shelter.
Continue reading “New Mexico Man Arrested For Moving From a Dumpster To Homeless Shelter Without Prior Notice To Police” →

Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Media, Politics, Society

Felony Franks Sues City Over Misdemeanor Message

One would hardly relish the position of Jim Andrews, owner of Felony Franks on the Near West Side of Chicago. Andrews is suing after city officials refused to allow him to hang his sign as offensive. He has named not just the city by 2nd Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti (2nd) for what he claims is a denial of his free speech. He may have a point.
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Bizarre, Science, Society

Lunatic Fringe No More: You Are Not Paranoid, Those Black Helicopters Are Real

For years, they have tried to tell you. People have been covering their heads with aluminum foil and closing their shades out of fear of the super-secret black helicopters hovering unseen or unheard over their homes. It turns out they are real, according to reports following the raid on the Bin Laden compound.

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Bizarre, Politics

Share The Scalp: Bush Reportedly Upset That He Is Not Receiving Part of Credit for Killing Bin Laden

A report out today includes a “highly placed source” as saying that part of the reason George W. Bush is not appearing with President Barack Obama at ground zero is that he feels he is not getting part of the credit in the killing.

Continue reading “Share The Scalp: Bush Reportedly Upset That He Is Not Receiving Part of Credit for Killing Bin Laden” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Rape Victim Told To Cheer Alleged Rapist: Supreme Court Turns Down Appeal of Texas Cheerleader

The Supreme Court has turned down review for a Texas high school cheerleader who was kicked off the squad for refusing to chant the name of a basketball player that she said raped her four months earlier. Officials at Silsbee High School threw her off the team for not cheering for Rakheem Bolton, a star on the Silsbee High School football team.

Continue reading “Rape Victim Told To Cheer Alleged Rapist: Supreme Court Turns Down Appeal of Texas Cheerleader” →