Constitutional Law, Politics, Society, Torts

David Schoen Responds To Criticism Over Lawsuit Against Jimmy Carter

I previously posted a critical account of the lawsuit filed against former President Jimmy Carter by David Schoen of Montgomery, Alabama and Nitsana Darshan-Leitner of Ramat Gan, Israel. I view the filing as not just meritless but a direct threat to free speech in the misuse of common law and consumer protection laws. This morning, I received an email from David Schoen and I felt (with his approval) he has a right to be heard in full on the issue.

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Academia, Bizarre, Society, Torts

Widener Law Professor Suspended For Using Dean In Hypotheticals

There is a rather considerable controversy over academic freedom out of Widener School of Law where professor Lawrence Connell has been suspended after using Dean Linda Ammons in hypotheticals in class. Two students filed complaints alleging that his use of Ammons (who is black) was violent, racist and sexist. The school is demanding that he retract the statements.
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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, International, Society, Torts

A Basis for Damages or Sanctions? Jimmy Carter Sued Over His Book on Palestine

Former President Jimmy Carter has been named in a disturbing and clearly frivolous lawsuit over his representations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in his 2006 book “Palestine, Peace Not Apartheid.” The five plaintiffs are seeking $5 million, but, in my view, should be held for Rule 11 sanctions in filing a vexatious and frivolous lawsuit. There is certainly a basis for the court to conclude that the lawsuit is a case, to paraphrase the book, “sanctions, not damages.”
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Constitutional Law, Politics, Religion, Society

Cross To Behr: Owner Refuses Order To Take Down Atheist-Converting Lighted Crosses

We previously followed the controversy over the nuisance created by a man who erected giant lighted crosses to convert or deter atheists, but succeeded in primarily blocking the sleep of his neighbor. Now, Carl Behr is refusing to take down the crosses by citing his duty to a higher law.
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Bizarre, Courts, Politics, Society

Dallas Commissioner Tells Complaining Citizens “All You Are White. Go To Hell”

The Dallas County Commissioner’s Court meeting this week became the scene of a racially charged incident after citizens confronted Commissioner John Wiley Price. Price, who is black, responded by telling the citizens “All of you are white. Go to hell!”

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Bizarre, International, Military, Politics

Throwing a Curveball: The Source Used To Justify Iraq War Admits He Made The Whole Thing Up

Curveball has finally admitted that he made the entire thing up. If you recall, we went to war in Iraq based on the claim that Saddam Hussein had developed biological weapons. That account was based on the statements of Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, who our foreign allies warned was unreliable and clearly lying. However, President Bush and his aides were set upon invading Iraqi and relied on Curveball before the United Nations. He has now come out publicly to admit he fabricated the entire thing and could not believe the Americans relied upon his stories to launch a major war.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, Uncategorized

Former Prosecutor Required To Register As Sex Offender

Former Franklin County District Attorney John Pilati has added another ignoble precedent to his record. Pilati has just completed a sentence for civil rights violations involving prisoners. Since these allegations include fondling men as they provided urinary drug tests, he must now register as a sex offender according to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in the decision below.

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Academia, Constitutional Law, Courts, Society

Teacher Suspended For Writing Critical Comments on Her Personal Blog

After just posting the story of a tenth-grade student suspended for a posting on Facebook, this story appeared of yet another teacher suspended for her own postings on a blog. Natalie Munroe taught at the Central Bucks East High School near Philadelphia as an English teacher — until students discovered a comment on a February 8th blog.

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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, International, Politics, Religion, Society

Iranian Legislators Call For The Execution of Protest Leaders

After previously heralding the Egyptian protests as a triumph for democracy, the Iranian government has made it clear that such demonstrations are best viewed from afar. After cracking down on tens of thousands of protesters yesterday, Iranian legislators are calling for the leaders of the protests to be executed. This followed the announcement that the government will be opening special courts to punish journalists.

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Bizarre, Politics, Society

D.C. Commissioner Opposes New Wal-Mart On Grounds That Her Constituents Cannot Resist Shoplifting

Many local activists and politicians oppose the arrival of a Wal-Mart on the ground that it destroys small businesses, threatens historic sites, or introduces only minimum wage jobs. Brenda Speaks, a Ward 4 ANC commissioner in Washington, D.C., has a more novel argument against a store in the Capitol: her constituents (and particularly young people) will not be able to resist shoplifting and the store will generate as many plea deals as shoppings deals.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, International, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Coulter Courts? Iran Creates A New Media Court To Jail Journalists

Ann Coulter may have finally found a country with that perfect mix of robust conservative values and restrictions on the free press . Only days after Ann Coulter was met with thunderous applause at CPAC after proclaiming “I think there should be more jailed journalists,” Iranian officials have announced the creation of a new court for media crimes. It is not clear whether the Iranians will name the new tribunals “Coulter courts” but they should be a real crowd pleaser for those who wildly applauded at CPAC.
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Uncategorized

Fouling the Green: Tiger Woods Fined For Spitting

I was struck this morning by a quote from Ewen Murray, a commentator for Britain’s Sky Sports, that he saw Tiger Woods commit “one of the ugliest things you will ever see on a golf course.” While I do not golf, I had to find out what transgression Woods committed with images of those past call girls dancing in my imagination. It turns out that it was not some Splendor in the Grass but spitting. Woods has been charged and fined for spitting on the green at the Dubai Desert Classic.

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