The British Columbia Supreme Court will be some hearing testimony on the criminalization of plural unions — an extremely important case with global ramifications. As has been my practice in past cases, I wanted to confirm my involvement in the case as a court-appointed expert on the legality of such criminal laws. Weeks ago, I was retained to submit written testimony on the right of consenting adults to plural unions under United States and international law.
While heavier and a bit jet lagged, I have returned from the France. I must report that we came and we were captured. The conference in Paris was fascinating. I had some very interesting discussions on the cultural defense with American and foreign lawyers – including some pending cases in France on the issue. Of course, as in real estate, it was “location, location, location.” Paris was gorgeous with leaves in full autumnal splender. It was impossible to get a bad meal or a bad glass of wine. Trust me, we did an exhaustive survey. I just landed this morning and I will be sharing a few pictures later, but I wanted to check in today.
Continue reading “I Have Returned: Merci Beaucoup To Elaine, David, and Mark”
Here’s a Sunday morning crime story for you:
Scene of Crime: Dorchester, Massachusetts
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2010
Time: Approximately 1:30 p.m.
Perpetrator of Crime: Unknown
Description of Crime: A man wielding a hammer carjacked a limousine that was parked outside the Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta at St. Margaret’s Church on Columbia Road. The carjacker allegedly whacked a window…and the limo driver. He forced the chauffeur and the bridesmaids out of the vehicle. At the time, the bride and bridegroom were inside the church and unaware of what was transpiring outside.
Note: it’s Daylight Saving Time, not Daylight Savings Time. You can impress your friends with that bit of trivia.
Although Ben Franklin gets credit for inventing DST, we give a shout-out to G. V. Hudson (left) who proposed modern DST in 1895.
I have six clocks to change. Haven’t figured out how to change my body clock.
-David Drumm (Nal)
This dog has great table manners.
Consider this an open thread to post your favorite animal videos.
-David Durmm (Nal)
Colorado State Representative and Assemblies of God pastor Ken Summers, who oversees the Teen Challenge addiction centers, has some unusual methods to “cure” people of homosexuality. He envisions homosexuality as a demonic possession requiring an exorcism to “get the gay out.”
An isolated incident? Think again …
I have developed an even deeper respect for Jonathan Turley over the past week. Here I am a little old retired lady with not all that much to do and yet I found that it wasn’t all that easy to choose stories/issues to write about for this blog—and to write about them. I had at least half a dozen stories selected last weekend that I had planned to post about—and I didn’t get around to writing about any of them. Searching for and selecting stories, reading them, condensing them to provide blog readers with the heart of the matter takes time and a lot of concentration. I was disappointed with myself for not being able to come up with clever titles for all of my posts. Sometimes inspiration takes a vacation when I need her most.
I want to thank JT for entrusting me with the responsibility of being one of his three guest bloggers. I felt it was an honor—especially considering the company I was in. Nal and Mespo, I enjoyed reading all of your posts. I’d also like to thank all of you who took time to read and to respond to my posts.
Over in China
Hear that loud WHOOSH? That’s the sound of China whizzing past the United States in its development of a high-speed rail technology. China has the world’s longest high-speed rail network. The country’s not satisfied to rest on its laurels though. It has plans to have 8,125 miles of the network in operation by 2012—and 10,000 miles by 2020.
In late October, China inaugurated the world’s fastest train. “The China-made CRH380 train has been clocked at almost 420 kilometres per hour (kph) (262 miles per hour (mph), a world speed record, though it will usually operate at a maximum speed of 350 kph (220 mph).”
According to an article in The Mainichi Daily News, the United States leads the world in freight railroad technology but has little high-speed rail expertise. The United States will most likely “have to import the technology for the 13 regional projects that have won $8.5 billion in initial federal funding, with $2.5 billion more to come this year and hundreds of billions needed before lines are up and running.”
“We must teach students about their First Amendment rights rather than restrict their use of particular books and materials. As educators, we must encourage students to express their own opinions while respecting the views of others.”—Protect Our Freedom of Speech, Teach It, Pat Scales
“Damn all expurgated books; the dirtiest book of all is the expurgated book.”—Walt Whitman
In early 2007, there was a BIG kerfuffle over The Higher Power of Lucky, the children’s book that had recently won the coveted Newbery Medal—which is considered by many to be the most prestigious annual award bestowed upon a work of children’s literature.
Why the kerfuffle? Well, author Susan Patron included one word on the very first page of her award-winning book that shocked many people—even some librarians. That one word was “scrotum.” One little word and the book was banned from a number of school libraries.
In her New York Times article With One Word, Children’s Book Sets Off Uproar (February 18, 2007), Julie Bosman wrote:
Pat Scales, a former chairwoman of the Newbery Award committee, said that declining to stock the book in libraries was nothing short of censorship.
“The people who are reacting to that word are not reading the book as a whole,” she said. “That’s what censors do — they pick out words and don’t look at the total merit of the book.”
Continue reading “On the Banning, Censorship, and Challenging of Books”
Rev. Barry Lynn: What’s Wrong With ‘The Family’ And The National Prayer Breakfast
Continue reading “On Piety & Politics: A Video Post About the Separation of Church and State”
A man from Rockport, Massachusetts, has been charged with rape and released on $25,000 bail after a “dangerousness” assessment hearing. Michaels S. Burbank has been ordered to have no contact with his victim, to undergo random alcohol and drug testing, and to wear a location tracking bracelet.
Rockport police arrested Burbank in the early morning hours of October 23rd after receiving a call from the victim who claimed that Burbank had sexually assaulted her in her bed in her Granite Street home.
“According to police, at approximately 1:34 a.m. Saturday, Burbank entered the woman’s home, went upstairs into her bedroom, and began kissing her and engaging in a sex act as she slept in a bed she was sharing at the time with an Essex man.”
Continue reading “Woman Sexually Assaulted By Intruder While Asleep In Bed With Another Man”
This is a case before SCOTUS wherein Arizona distributes taxpayer funds for student scholarships to religious schools. Right wing organizations spin this as a “donation” but it’s simply a distribution of tax dollars.
The Obama Administration joined with Arizona in arguing that Arizona residents who oppose this funding do not have standing to bring the lawsuit. Arizona taxpayers don’t have standing in a case involving Arizona tax distribution? That’s absurd. Once again Obama disappoints.
Continue reading “Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn”
While on my way to a separation of church and state rally at the capitol, I happened to pass by the monument on the left. It’s a monument to the Confederate dead. There are many similar monuments throughout Texas.
I paused to read the inscription:
I’ll Never Find Another You The Seekers
Popsicles And Icicles The Murmaids
Stupid Cupid Connie Francis
Stupid Cupid was written by Neil Sedaka but I like Connie’s version better. Makes me wish I could dance. Break out the headphones/earbuds and use both ears!
-David Drumm (Nal)
I’m off to a full day of football – coaching and watching. To all who suffered my metaphysical, mental meanderings while the maestro was away, I thank you for reading and commenting. I am honored to be included in such a fine triumvirate of guest bloggers with Elaine M and Nal. I shall recede back into the blog-o-sphere and resume my alter-ego heartened by the hope I’ve provided some amusement or mild insight. Adieu and bring on Professor Turley!
–Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger