Taney Bound

300px-uscgc_taneyFurther entries on Sunday will be delayed due to my deployment on the Cutter U.S.S. Taney (USCGC Taney (WPG/WHEC-37)).
My two eldest sons and I are scheduled to sleep over on the Taney on Saturday night. Men going off to sea on a warship is nothing new, but not since the Fighting Sullivan brothers has one family decided to serve in the same ship.

Continue reading “Taney Bound”

California Bar Association Seizes Control of Office of Attorney Walter Martinez

gavel2The California State Bar conducted a rare sting operation recently when it sent fake clients into the offices of Walter S. Martinez and L and M Services. The bar found that clients had no interaction with Martinez and that all of the works was being handled by non-lawyers in violation of state law. The bar went even further to secure an order from Orange County Superior Court Judge Frederick Horn Monday, giving the State Bar authority to assume jurisdiction over the Law Office of Walter S. Martinez and L and M Legal Services. What is curious is that the assistants are being criminally charged, but there are no charges of any kind made thus far against Martinez.

Continue reading “California Bar Association Seizes Control of Office of Attorney Walter Martinez”

Panel Discloses $78 Billion Over-Payment by Government Under TARP

225px-henry_paulson_official_treasury_photo_2006For those who believe that the stimulus legislation is a thinly veiled effort by both Democrats and Republicans to enrich friends and engorge budgets, they need only read the Congressional Oversight Panel report to confirm their suspicions. The panel has reported to the Senate Banking Committee this week that Treasury in 2008 paid $254 billion for assets worth only $176 billion. That is $78 billions that simply evaporated into the pockets of well-connected, well-heeled executives.

Continue reading “Panel Discloses $78 Billion Over-Payment by Government Under TARP”

Goucher College Professor Arrested on Charges of Genocide

Scholars At Risk NetworkStudents at the Goucher College are probably used to faculty being absent to present papers on subjects like genocide, but in the case of Leopold Munyakazi, he was pulled away to present a defense on genocide. Professor Munyakazi has been arrested on charges of genocide in Rwanda.

Continue reading “Goucher College Professor Arrested on Charges of Genocide”

Alaskan Senate Finds Todd Palin and Nine Others in Contempt

225px-todd_palinA virtually unanimous and bipartisan Alaska Senate this week found the husband of Gov. Sarah Palin, Todd Palin, and nine state employees, including top Palin aides, in contempt for ignoring subpoenas to testify in the Troopergate investigation. Only one Republican voted against the measure.

Continue reading “Alaskan Senate Finds Todd Palin and Nine Others in Contempt”

Dung Damages: English Researcher Seeks Damages for Loss Lizard Dropping

180px-komododragonLawyers are often asked to litigate over cars, cats, and every form of chattel. However, the attorney representing Daniel Bennett is seeking damages over his client’s loss of an invaluable bag of giant lizard dung. Bennett spent years collecting the dropping of the rare Butaan lizard, only to have Leeds University throw the bag of poop in the trash. The University has offered £500 for the 35kg bag. Bennett insists that that is an insulting offer for the loss of my “bag of lizard shit”.

Continue reading “Dung Damages: English Researcher Seeks Damages for Loss Lizard Dropping”

Leon Panetta Pledges That No CIA Employees Will Be Prosecuted For War Crimes

225px-leon_panetta_informal_photoCIA director nominee Leon Panetta gave startling testimony in his confirmation hearings this week by retracting a statement critical of the Bush Administration’s rendition policy and proclaiming that CIA employees will not be punished for any war crimes that they committed. I discuss the testimony on this segment of Countdown.

Continue reading “Leon Panetta Pledges That No CIA Employees Will Be Prosecuted For War Crimes”

The Rat Has Rights: 10-Foot Inflatable Rat Prevails in New Jersey Supreme Court

rat_babbioThe New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a 10-foot inflatable rat. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union was using the giant rat in protests when the officials at the Lawrence Township informed the union that the rat violated a ban on banners, streamers and inflatable signs, except those announcing grand openings. The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that the rat has rights . . . or at least the union under the first amendment.
Continue reading “The Rat Has Rights: 10-Foot Inflatable Rat Prevails in New Jersey Supreme Court”

Abortion or Murder? Clinic Reportedly Delivers Live Baby By Mistake and Then Throws Her Into the Trash

medical symbolA horrific case has emerged in Florida that may unleash a new round of legislative demands on restrictions of abortion clinics, a continual point of contention in the state. According to media reports, Sycloria Williams, 18, went to an abortion clinic outside of Miami and paid $1200 for an abortion. However, the 23-week baby was reportedly delivered live and simply thrown into a trash bag. The case has caused attention on the background and questionable skills of Dr. Pierre Jean-Jacque Renelique. The case has both challenging civil and criminal questions.
Continue reading “Abortion or Murder? Clinic Reportedly Delivers Live Baby By Mistake and Then Throws Her Into the Trash”