Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Justice, Politics

The NRA Claims That the Government is to Blame For Tucson Shootings

Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty, (rafflaw) Guest Blogger

 

You may recall that after the horrible Tucson shooting massacre, I wrote a piece for this blog suggesting that it might be a good time to consider banning deadly weapons and the high-capacity magazines of the type that the alleged killer used on that fateful day.  It was a difficult issue, but I thought then and still think now that it is an important issue that needs to be discussed by not only us, but by the American public through their Representatives and Senators  in Congress.  With that prior posting in mind, I was shocked to read a story earlier this week about the president of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre, who blamed the shootings on government policies in a recent speech to the CPAC conference on Thursday, February 10th.  Continue reading “The NRA Claims That the Government is to Blame For Tucson Shootings” →

Criminal law, Society, Things That Tick Me Off

You Pays Your Money And You … What?

Submited by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

NBA star Le Bron James did what lots of professional players would love to do – he confronted a loud mouth fan during a game on Friday night. James, who recently departed his hometown team in Cleveland to a storm of criticism, was playing an away game in Auburn Hills Michigan against the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons, perennial bad boys of the NBA since the days of notorious  Bill Laimbeer and kooky Dennis Rodman, are in a hopeless downward spiral this season, while James’ team, the Miami Heat, are favorites to win the Eastern Division.

Continue reading “You Pays Your Money And You … What?” →

Politics, Society, Things That Tick Me Off

Comedy Duo Entertains CPAC

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

First it was Hope and Crosby, then Rowan and Martin, and now the straight-laced conservative crowd at CPAC (The Conservative Political Action Conference) has its own custom-made comedic duo. Facing a chorus of boos and cheers former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld teamed up once again with straight man (and former VP) Dick Cheney for CPAC’s  “Defender of the Constitution Award”  to entertain the assembled horde of Brooks Brothers clad “real men” — and a few women, too. Rumsfeld was not fazed by a few jeers at the mention of his name, and Dick Cheney was positively giddy when attendees yelled, “”Where Bin Laden at?” and “Show us the shackles Dick.” Cheney quipped in reply,” Alright, sit down and shut up.” What a card? Predictably those few dissidents (probably illegal immigrants) were drowned out by the ringing, obligatory chorus of “U.S.A,” U.S.A.”!  Good enough for a hockey game; good enough for the CPAC patriots. (Oops, hockey’s Canadian– make that football, damnit)  Boy, was Samuel Johnson ever right.

Continue reading “Comedy Duo Entertains CPAC” →

Courts, Justice, Religion

Faith Healers Given Probation

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

We have previously discussed the death of Kent Schaible, here and here. Kent Schaible, 2, died of bacterial pneumonia because his parents Herbert and Catherine Schaible, a fundamentalist Christian couple, believed in faith healing and declined to get medical attention for their child in Philadelphia. They were convicted of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment.

Common Pleas Court Judge Carolyn Engel Temin sentenced them to 10 years of probation. Continue reading “Faith Healers Given Probation” →

Justice

No Break for Police Caught on Red Light Cameras

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

In Baltimore, Montgomery County, Maryland, there’s a growing number of cameras set up to catch speeders and red light runners. They work well. They work regardless of the type of vehicle. The cameras can’t detect if the vehicle has flashing lights and a siren, so police have been getting snapped. There’s no “officer courtesy”, where a brother officer would be given a break.

The fine for going through a red light is $75 and speeding is $40. The police are crying foul.

Continue reading “No Break for Police Caught on Red Light Cameras” →

Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Criminal law

New Jersey Judge Accused of Allowing Police Officer to Serve As Prosecutor And Denying Counsel to Defendant

Linden Municipal Court Judge Louis DiLeo has been accused of an extraordinary act of misconduct in New Jersey. Wendell Kirkland alleges that DiLeo convicted him of burglary without the use of a prosecutor and even allowed a police officer to question him as if he were the prosecutor.
Continue reading “New Jersey Judge Accused of Allowing Police Officer to Serve As Prosecutor And Denying Counsel to Defendant” →

Bizarre, Politics, Society

Ole Miss Takes The Prize: Mississippians Purchase 82 Gallons of Soft Drinks Per Capita Each Year

Mississippi may be low on educational and employment studies, but it is number one in a recent survey of the most unhealthy states with the surprising record of having each citizen on average buying 82 gallons of soft drinks annually.

Continue reading “Ole Miss Takes The Prize: Mississippians Purchase 82 Gallons of Soft Drinks Per Capita Each Year” →

Constitutional Law, International, Politics, Society

Lincoln, The Great Colonizer? New Book Details Plans By Lincoln To Ship Freed Slaves To English Colonies

Author Phillip W. Magness has long harbored the view that Lincoln biographers had sanitized the history of “The Great Emancipator” to fit his modern popular image. Certainly, civil libertarians have long questioned Lincoln preeminence as a voice of freedom given his denial of habeas corpus and violations of constitutional rights and powers. Now, Magness is about to publish a book entitled “Colonization After Emancipation: Lincoln and the Movement for Black Resettlement,” revealing research showing that Lincoln actively explored and planned for the relocation of freed slaves to British colonies.
Continue reading “Lincoln, The Great Colonizer? New Book Details Plans By Lincoln To Ship Freed Slaves To English Colonies” →

Bizarre, International, Politics, Religion, Society

Iran Heralds Egyptian Protests . . . And Then Blocks Coverage in Iran

Iran has internationally heralded the protests in Egypt as a popular and justified uprising. However, like China, it has now blocked the BBC coverage of the protests to avoid any Iranian getting any ideas about freedom. Iran previously celebrated democratic freedom by arresting, beating, and in some cases executing protesters.

Continue reading “Iran Heralds Egyptian Protests . . . And Then Blocks Coverage in Iran” →

Criminal law, Religion, Society

Three Priests and a Teacher Arrested in Philadelphia for Allegedly Raping Boys

Four men, including three Catholic priests, were arrested in Philadelphia for allegedly raping and assaulting boys. Most notably, a former official in the Philadelphia Archdiocese was also arrested for his role in facilitating the abuse by failing to stop the priests — a charge that could be replicated in other cases involving the Church.
Continue reading “Three Priests and a Teacher Arrested in Philadelphia for Allegedly Raping Boys” →

Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Torts

Man Accused of Nuisance After Erecting Huge Lighted Crosses To Deter Atheists

In Baldwin, Pa., Carl Behr has decided to wage a one-man crusade against unseen atheists in his neighborhood. His solution? Erecting a 25-foot lighted cross on his yard facing his neighbor and another on his roof. I saw this on Reddit and it makes for an interesting nuisance case.

Continue reading “Man Accused of Nuisance After Erecting Huge Lighted Crosses To Deter Atheists” →

Bizarre, Courts, Lawyering, Society

Judge Accused of Misconduct Ranging From Pulling Gun To Flushing Evidence

The Atlanta Constitution is reporting on a bizarre case against Catossa County magistrate Anthony Peter who is accused of a rather impressive list of acts of misconduct ranging from smoking pot to flushing a cellphone intentionally down a toilet to pointing a gun at his own head.

Continue reading “Judge Accused of Misconduct Ranging From Pulling Gun To Flushing Evidence” →

Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Scientology Officials Accused of Falsifying Hubbard War Records

The New Yorker article by Lawrence Wright on the Church of Scientology is getting a great deal of attention. The article details the departure of screenwriter and director Paul Haggis from the church after 35 years. However, I found one of the most interesting aspects to be Wright’s confrontation of Church officials over the alleged heroic record and severe battle scars of founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Continue reading “Scientology Officials Accused of Falsifying Hubbard War Records” →