Baseball legend Roger Clemens is now giving sworn testimony to congressional staff members on the scandal of performance-enhancing drugs. It is a considerable risk for Clemens who appears intent on protecting his legacy — even at the risk of his liberty. He could lose both. Continue reading “Roger Clemens Testifies Without Immunity in Congress”
Many opposed the selection of China as the host for the next Olympics due to its rampant pollution and repression of freedom. China has proven far worse on both fronts. As part of a crackdown on anyone voicing dissent, China has now convicted and sentenced journalist Lu Gengsong “inciting subversion of state power.” His crime was to detail some of the well-known corruption of government officials on the Internet. Continue reading “Let the Games Begin: China Prepares for Olympics by Convicting Journalist for Writing About Government Corruption”
In an indictment of the once-unassailable British educational system, a quarter of British citizens believe that Winston Churchill was a purely fictional character. However, half believe that Eleanor Rigby, the Beattles’ creation, was a real person.
Continue reading “Winston Who?: One in Four British Citizens Believe Churchill Never Existed”
Another vision of Iranian justice became apparent today with the announcement of a stoning sentence for two sisters accused by their respective husband and brother of adultery. In what passes for a Supreme Court in Iran, the justices upheld the sentences which are based on that country’s Islamic code. The sisters, Zohreh and Azar were originally sentenced to lashing but have been convicted a second time and sentenced to die by stoning. Continue reading “Iranian Justice: Two Sisters Sentenced to Be Stoned to Death for Adultery”
The singer Don Ho is not making any more songs after his death, but he appears to be making some interesting new law. Ho’s daughter, Dondi Ho-Costa has filed a lawsuit alleging that he violated a deathbed promise made to her mother in 1999 over Lanikai beachfront property. Continue reading “Say It Ain’t So Ho: The Late Don Ho is Accused of Breaching a Deathbed Promise to Wife”
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With the economy spinning out of control and the recession deepening, there appears to be some good jobs available in Rome. The Catholic Church is looking for exorcists. In the meantime, bizarre cases of alleged botched exorcisms are being prosecuted in the United States and abroad. Continue reading “Calling All Exorcists: Church Seeks Applicants While Cases of Alleged Botched Exorcisms Are Prosecuted”
In a surprising development with significance to the on-going debate over polygamy in the United States, the British government has decided that polygamist citizens are entitled public welfare despite the fact the polygamy is illegal in Britain. Continue reading “England Approves Benefits for Polygamists”
A recent study has cast serious questions over the influence of campaign contributions on the members of the Louisiana Supreme Court. The study by my former Tulane Law School colleague, Vernon Palmer, and Loyola assistant professor of economics John Levendis finds a disturbing correlation between contributions and voting on the Court. It is only the latest allegation rocking one of our state supreme courts this year. [Update: Tulane has issued an apology for some errors in this study] Continue reading “Rent-a-Justice: Louisiana Supreme Court Faces Allegations of Favoritism for Contributors”
Texas Mayor Grace Saenz-Lopez has resigned soon after her indictment over the on-going sage of a a Shih Tzu named Puddles. Saenz-Lopez and her twin sister were indicted in the conspiracy to steal Puddles — who appears to hold a strange hypnotic effect over humans. Continue reading “The Shih Tzu Hits the Fan: Indicted Mayor Resigns Amid Allegations of Stealing Puddles”
Woolworths in London is pulling a line of beds called “Lolita” beds for six-year-old girls after parents pointed out that the name refers to a 1955 novel by Nabokov about a sexually active 12-year-old girl. Continue reading “Capturing the Pedaphile Market?: Woolworths Forced to Pull “Lolita” Beds from Stores”
The Second Circuit has rejected the appeal of homeowners contesting the right of New York to taken their homes under eminent domain authority to give to private developers. It is a repeat of the controversial use of eminent domain in Connecticut in the Kelo case — where the Supreme Court narrowly uphold the use of the power and rejected constitutional challenges. For those of us who believe that Kelo was wrongly decided, this case could test the matter before a newly reconstituted court. Continue reading “Kelo Redux: Second Circuit Upholds Use of Eminent Domain to Seize New York Homes for Private Development”
In a surprising victory, Wesley Snipes was acquitted of federal tax fraud and conspiracy counts, but was found guilty of failing to file tax returns. It was a particular vindication for his attorneys who did not put him on the stand or call defense witnesses – a very dangerous strategy that has backfired in many cases with a conviction. The acquittal was unexpected given the bizarre tax theory that he believed relieved him of paying taxes — his co-defendants were convicted on the basis of that scheme. Continue reading “Snipes Acquitted on Major Tax Counts; Convicted of Misdemeanors”
Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal has been in the thick of controversy of late. First, he refused to prosecute Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina and his wife after a grand jury indicted them for arson. (Click here). Then he was forced to turn over e-mails in case that included embarrassing material, such as the married man’s romantic notes to his secretary as well as racist and pornographic material. Now, Rosenthal has admitted that he destroyed more than 2,500 e-mails after they were subpoenaed — an act that could result in a charge of contempt and potential incarceration. Continue reading “Texas District Attorney Admits to Destroying Emails in Violation of Court Order — Faces Potential Contempt Charge”
U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., has called for Congress to strip the City of Berkeley, Calif., of federal funds because he does not agree with a slight to the Marine Corp. The Berkeley City Council voted this week to tell the U.S. Marine Corps to move its recruiting station outside the city’s downtown. What is astonishing is that DeMint has long defended federalism (as I do). There is no greater nightmare for states rights than the federal government taking in more taxes than it needs — only to give the money back to the states with strings attached. Thus, under this approach, states and cities will be denied money unless they conform their political judgments to the will of the Senate. It is a good thing that George Mason is safely six-feet under ground. Continue reading “So Much For Federalism: Republican Senator Asks Congress to Strip Berkeley of Federal Funds in Retaliation for Slight to Marines”
In light of today’s debate over Congress and its shaky federalism principles, this prior column on the marriage amendment may be of interest. Continue reading “The American Gothic Amendment: Federalism and the Same-Sex Marriage Debate”