In yet another loss for the Bush Administration in the case of accused Rep. William Jefferson, the United States Supreme Court today denied its appeal on the issue of the constitutionality of its raid of a congressional office. Continue reading “Supreme Court Denies Review in the Jefferson Case”
There is a growing clamor on the Internet over an effort by some Texans to strip Scientology of its status as a religion — a move that would expose the Church of Scientology to both taxes and greater regulation. This move occurs as various countries continue to move against the Church and the Church is threatening lawsuits over the disclosure of confidential tapes and materials. Most recently, Wikileaks has made available the entire secret Operating Thetan (OT) documents — a move that could trigger another round of litigation by the Church. Continue reading “Texans Seek to Strip Scientology of Religious Designation”
While after today some may complain about chronic indictment outbreaks at the Bush White House, here, service in Iowa’s Democratic Governor’s mansion may actually be a risk to your health. Officials now believe that a rare lung disease found among various employees is linked to bird or bat droppings at the mansion called Terrace Hill. Ironically, the headquarters of the American Lung Association has also been cited as a possible exposure point. The case would appear to fit neatly into the expanding cases involving “sick building syndrome.” Continue reading “Iowa Governor’s Mansion Found Hazardous “Sick Building””
It is beginning to look like all new hires in the Bush Administration receive with an office, security pass, and list of available criminal defense counsel. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson resigned today in the midst of a criminal investigation into favoritism in government contracts. He is only the latest in an impressive list of Administration officials fleeing on the heels on pursuing constables. Continue reading “All the President’s Men: HUD Secretary Latest to Resign Amid Criminal Investigation”
10-year-old Nebraska girl Jayci Yaeger died not long after she was given her last wish: to see her father Jason Yaeger who is serving time on a drug offense. There remain questions about why federal officials in Yankton, S.D. fought any extended furlough for so long and only relented after a national outcry over their position. Continue reading “Little Girl Dies After Getting Last Wish to See Prisoner-Father”
The struggle between reformers and religious fanatics in Saudi Arabia continues. Leading Wahhabi cleric Sheihk Abdurrahman al-Baraak called for the deaths of journalists Abdullah bin Bijad Al-Otaibi and Yusuf Abu al-Khayl after they published articles in Al-Riyadh newspaper, questioning the view that Christians and Jews are unbelievers. While in most nations this would be viewed as an interesting question for a scholastic debate, Abdurrahman al-Baraak would like it to end in a double beheading. Continue reading “Leading Saudi Cleric Calls for the Death of Two Journalists — Unless They Repent”
Walter L. Wagner and Luis Sancho have literally filed to save the world in a federal court in Hawaii. The men claim that a giant particle accelerator called the Large Hadron Collider (located outside of Geneva) will produce a little black hole or even a “stranglet” that will destroy not just the Earth but possibly the universe. While some details have to be worked out, the benefit of such a claim is that it guarantees standing and offers a pretty wide jurisdictional footprint. There is still some question of what the contingency fee would be in such a case. Continue reading “Doomsday Lawsuit: Dr. Stranglet Files for Injunction to Save World”
The litigation against the city of San Francisco began this week over the Christmas Day Tiger attack with papers filed by brothers, Kulbir and Paul Dhaliwal. As the claim below indicates, they are contesting claims of contributory negligence ad assumption based on their own conduct, contending that the 243-pound Siberian tiger named Tatiana was held improperly. Continue reading “Brothers File Against City in San Francisco Zoo Attack”
Georgia Judge Marvin Arrington is accused of telling white lawyers to leave his courtroom and then lecturing young black defendants. He discusses his “mistake” in the video below. Continue reading “Judge Accused of Ordering Whites Out of Courtroom to Lecture Blacks”
Parents of a 15-month-old baby have been criminally charged in her death after they allegedly refused to get medical assistance due to their faith-healing religions. Carl Worthington, 28, and Raylene Worthington, 25, have been charged in the death of their daughter, Ava, on March 2. It is only the latest of a litany of such disturbing cases. Continue reading “Faith-Healing Parents in Oregon Charged With Death of Daughter”
Seven women who belong to a bizarre Christian Doomsday cult called the True Russian Orthodox Church emerged from their cave on Saturday — apparently tired of waiting for the end of the world after months. They may have hope, however, a filing in federal court asks for an injunction of a Department of Energy-funded experiment that is expected to destroy the Earth. Continue reading “Tired of Waiting: Russian Christian Doomsday Cult Members Emerge From Cave (Democrats Continue Refuse to End Primary)”
The Texas Supreme Court has issued an very interesting and important new tort ruling: the state’s “first free bite” rule does not excuse an owner of the duty to intervene and render aide once an attack begins. The ruling for dog-bite victim
Genevia Bushnell not only alters the understanding of the one-free-bite rule but alters the “no-duty-to-rescue” rule. Continue reading “One Free Bite vs. Duty to Rescue: Texas Supreme Court Expands Liability in Dog Attacks”
Former Solicitor General Ted Olson, a Republican backing McCain, and Harvard Law Professor Laurence H. Tribe, a Democrat backing Barack Obama, have issued a paper finding that John McCain is “natural born” under the Constitution. Continue reading “Olson and Tribe Argue that McCain is Natural Born”
Jennifer Latham was arrested yesterday is an extraordinary crime in Florida. After parents allegedly stopped her from stealing their baby while pretending to be a nurse, she simply grabbed another baby and walked out of the hospital. She was caught later and the baby returned. She now faces charges that could keep her in jail for decades. Continue reading “Woman Arrested After Attempting to Kidnap One Baby and Then Succeeding in Taking Another Baby from Hospital”
Another story out of Afghanistan reinforces the view that the Taliban and extremists are reasserting their authority –even in or near the capitol. Radio Zafar near Kabul was burned to the ground for being “un-Islamic” due to its programming and “morally corrupt” practices — which appears to include the hiring of women and playing of music. Continue reading ““Un-Islamic” Radio Station Burned to the Ground Near Kabul”