D.C. inspectors have been conducting surprise searches on offices, rifling through waste cans and garbage looking for violations of recycling laws. In the process, they are looking through papers with may have protected or privileged information, including material from legal and medical offices. Continue reading “Paper Chase: D.C. Recyling Police Trigger Privacy and Constitutional Concerns”
Fundamentalist Islamic nations and leaders are speaking of unleashing a new weapon against those who defame Islam: lawyers. Continue reading “Litigating Against Free Speech in the Name of Free Exercise”
With torture and detainees, Attorney General Michael Mukasey has never been viewed as much of a whoopee cushion. However, while speaking at the London School of Economics, Mukasey seemed to tell give a humorous example that seemed to put the Bush administration in the role of the sadist speaking to the al Qaeda masochist. Continue reading “Mukasey Tells Joke About Sadists and the Legal Decisions They Make”
In what is surely going to be fodder for months to come, President Bush responded to a briefing on the difficulties faced in Afghanistan by saying that he is envious of those able to be on the front lines. Given the controversy of his perceived avoidance of combat in Vietnam, it seems a rather curious and belated lust for battle. Continue reading “Belated but Combat Ready: Bush Says He is Envious of Soldiers Fighting on the Front Lines”
In a measure of just how unrepentant our congressional members are over rampant corruption and waste in government, barely one-fourth of the Senate voted to freeze earmarks for just one year. It was a vote of utter contempt for not just government reform but the voters . . . and they are probably right. Continue reading “Only 29 Senators Vote to Suspend Earmarks for Just One Year”
There has been much speculation about the expected criminal indictment of former Eliot Spitzer, but relatively little about Client No. 9’s co-conspirator, Ashley Alexandra Dupre (AKA “Kristen”). In reality, she faces not just possible criminal but civil charges while rapidly losing her own ability to sue for defamation and privacy violations. With the reported $1 million deal to pose for Hustler magazine, civil litigation may well be considered to ensure that Dupre does not enrich herself on the scandal.
Continue reading “Call Girl Interrupted: Ashley Dupre Could Face Potential Criminal and Civil Charges”
Barack Obama’s Minister, Jeremiah Wright, may have gotten himself into hot water with the IRS. He recently spoke in favor of Obama and against Clinton from the pulpit, a violation of the tax-free status of his church. He may soon learn that the only biblical passage that the IRS endorses is Matthew 22:21: “Render onto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s” Continue reading “Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s Church May Have Tax Problems”
Eliot Spitzer can finally claim some level of restraint. Tehran’s police chief, Reza Zarei has reportedly been arrested naked in a brothel with six naked prostitutes. Before his bust, Zarei was charged with enforcing morals on the city, which he did with vigor. Continue reading “Undercover Bust: Tehran Chief of Police Makes Spitzer Looks Positively Restrained”
It appears that the notorious dog vixon Puddles has competition from a golden retriever named Dux — a dog that has torn a family apart and led to a son calling police to arrest his mother, Margareta Doughty. The arrest came after protracted litigation over Dux and his . . . well . . . “doggie essence”. Continue reading “Dux Treat: Mother Arrested Over “Dognapping” After Son Calls Cops”
The Bush Administration has long been ridiculed by the international community as converting the United States from a leader in human rights to the very symbol of the violation of core principles of human rights. However, few were prepared for the utter hypocrisy of watching the Administration condemn China for its use of torture on the very same time that President Bush vetoed a ban on the use of torture in the waterboarding bill. Now China is using our torture program to defend its own abuses. Continue reading “Bush Legacy: China Defends Its Use of Torture By Citing The Bush Torture Program”
The complications of the faith-based politics seems to be building. First, McCain has been criticized for his support — and warm acceptance of support — from religious bigots and extremists. Now, Obama is facing statements from his minister, Rev. Jeremiah Wright that blame the U.S. for 9-11 and encourage blacks to sing “God Damn America” rather than “”God Bless America.” This recent video also shows Wright attacking Clinton. Continue reading “Obama’s Minister: Sing “God Damn America””
Judge Thomas E. Stringer Sr., who sits on the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Florida is facing allegations that he helped a stripper hide over $300,000 from creditors. Stringer admits a relationship but denies a direct role in the concealment of money to help Christy Yamanaka, a New York City stripper. Stringer’s controversy is not unique on the bench. Continue reading “Florida Appellate Judge Accused of Helping Stripper Shield Funds”
Recently uncovered video of a disabled British Columbia man being shocked with a taser by a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer has sparked controversy and once again brought the use of such weapons into the limelight. Continue reading “Video Shows Police Tasering a Handcuffed and Disabled Man by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police”
The House of Representatives fell 51 votes short of an override of President Bush’s veto of the ban on waterboarding. Continue reading “House Fails to Override Bush’s Veto of Torture Bill”
This is hardly a promising start to a day for the Fourth Estate. These videos show attacks on reporters and reporters attacking themselves. Continue reading “Bad Press Day: Reporter Attacks Pole, Family Attacks Reporter, Anchor Attacks Reporter; Reporter Attacks Anchor”