Below is a column on the follies and fears of Christmas — and the five stages of parental holiday survival. Continue reading “A Parental Guide on Surviving Christmas”
The New York Times is reporting this morning that at least four White House officials, including Alberto Gonzales, discussed the plan to destroy the CIA interrogation tapes. The news deepens the scandal for the White House and makes it much more difficult for Attorney General Michael Mukasey to continue to refuse to appoint a special prosecutor. Continue reading “Four White House Officials — Including Gonzales — Knew of Tape Destruction Plan”
The tabloid media are filled with reports that the sister of Britney Spears, Jamie Lynn Spears, is pregnant. What is missing from this coverage, however, is the disconnect with statutory rape cases where this pregnancy would be evidence of a criminal — albeit consensual — act. Jamie’s boyfriend, Casey Aldridge, is reportedly 19. Continue reading “Jamie Lee Spears Pregnancy Raises Questions Over Fairness of Statutory Rape Prosecutions”
In an interesting ruling, the Utah Supreme Court has rejected the use of a standard waiver of liability by a ski resort as against public policy. Continue reading “Utah Supreme Court Rejects Waivers as Defense for Ski Resorts”
Saudi King Abdullah has also pardoned the man who was abducted with a rape victim in the infamous case in Saudi Arabia. A religious court had sentenced the rape victim to 200 lashes and six months in prison. The status of her male companion has been unclear and it has been reported that he was also raped by the attackers and also ordered to be flogged for violating Islamic rules about relationships with unmarried women. What is most remarkable, however, is the defense of the original laws under which they were both sentenced –citing their “torture” as sufficient punishment to teach them “a lesson.” In the meantime, the seven gang rapists received only two to seven years for their crime. Continue reading “Saudi King Pardons Male Companion with Victim in Infamous Rape Case; Says Their “Torture” Taught Them a Lesson”
In the ultimate expression of congressional — and possibly cultural — values, two full hearings have been ordered only a day into the renewed controversy over steroid abuse in baseball. This follows numerous hearings in prior years. Members are falling over themselves to get camera time on the issue. However, with the disclosure of an official program of torture ordered by the President, not a single public hearing has been scheduled other than a recent general hearing on waterboarding in the Senate. It appears that steroid abuse is simply more of a pressing issue that detainee abuse for the nation. Continue reading “Torture 0 Baseball 2 — Congress Moves to Deal with Steroid Abuse While Detainee Abuse Languishes”
The White House may have told District Judge Henry H. Kennedy not to “interfere” in the CIA tape controversy, but he appears to have other ideas. Today, he ordered a hearing for Friday on the question. He may be only the first judge to do so as the courts and Congress come to grips with an obvious case of obstruction and spoilation. Continue reading “Federal Judge Orders Hearing on Destroyed CIA Tapes”
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael L. Stern has awarded dancer Michael Flatley (of Rvierdance fame) more than $11 million in his lawsuit against Tyna Marie Robertson, a real estate agent who accused him of rape. Flatley showed that the sex was consensual in the case. In the meantime, Robertson’s former lawyer, D. Dean Mauro has been found to have extorted Flatley and also made a substantial settlement over the case. Continue reading “Riverdance Star Michael Flatley Wins $11 Million Against Woman Who Falsely Accused Him of Sexual Assault”
One of the more interesting constitutional cases is developing in Austin Texas where strip clubs are contesting a $5 fee placed on their customers by the state. State sponsors insist that they are only trying to raise money to help women who are victims of crimes and that the clubs employ many women. However, it is unclear why other businesses with high percentage of women employees are not also singled out for the tax. Continue reading “Strip Clubs Challenge Special Tax on Customers in Texas”
The Washington Post has reported that the FBI did not view the torture of Abu Zubaida as yielding valuable information — one of the principle arguments for embracing an official torture program. Continue reading “FBI Agents Contradict White House Insistence that Torture Yielded Valuable Information from Abu Zubaida”
Archbishop Earl Paulk, co-founder of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at Chapel Hill Harvester Church now faces an allegation from his adult granddaughter, Penielle “Penie” White, that he touched her inappropriately when she was about eight years old. This allegations will be thrown on the top of a growing pile of sexual misconduct allegations against the head of the megachurch. Continue reading “Archbishop Earl Paulk Faces New Allegation of Sexual Misconduct — From His Own Granddaughter”
Fort Thomas, Ky. has a deer problem that may soon be a human problem. The city council is allowing hunting (with bow and arrow) within city limits. Given the number of hunting accidents each year, it seems an invitation for accidents. Continue reading “Kentucky City Allows Deer Hunting Within City Limits”
The Senate has decided to delay its vote on the surveillance bill and specifically the immunity provision for the telecommunications companies. However, civil libertarians have little reason to celebrate. The telecom lobbyists appear to have the upper hand with some members of the Democratic leadership, which hopes to pass the immunity bill once attention fades in 2008. In an astonishing move, Sen. Diane Feinstein is trying to move the entire matter out of the federal courts and into the secret FISA court. The only value of such a move is to reduce the political fallout and make immunity more likely for the telecom companies. Continue reading “Senate Delays Vote on Surveillance Bill and Telecom Immunity”
The Bush Administration has lost another fight over privilege as it is advancing new claims in refusing information to Congress. U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth has ruled that the information is part of the public record and is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act as “agency records.” Continue reading “White House Loses Privilege Fight Over Visitor Logs”
It appears that all of the abuses recently with tasers, including the entry below, may have only driven up sales. Retailers are marketing designer tasers in such colors as hot pink for that special lady with a hankering for muscle-paralyzing electroshocks. Continue reading “Nothing Says I Love You Like 50,000 Volts: Retailers Marketing Designer Tasers”