We have been following the dubious work of Rev. Jim Bakker after his release from prison, including pitching “cures” for the corona virus. There is now an interesting twist. While Bakker is being pursued by the government for possible fraud for selling fake cures for Covit-19, the government just gave him a loan to help him continue his work during the Covit-19 pandemic. Ironically, Bakker begged supporters for money to help him fight off the government. The government appears to have responded.
Below is my column in the Hill newspaper on what stood out in the Democratic National Convention in terms of the future for the Justice Department under a possible Biden Administration. I have been highly critical of President Donald Trump’s treatment of the Justice Department and his disregarding of the principles of separation of the White House from ongoing investigations. Critics however often seem to embrace the seem disregard for core, defining principles of legal process. Highlighting the message of Sally Yates and Kamala Harris on justice issues is discomforting for those of us who want to see the Justice Department’s independence and objectivity respected and reinforced.
Here is the column:
Continue reading “Biden Should Reject The Harris-Yates Model of Justice”
We have previously discussed courts in the United States seeking to punish lawyers for making critical comments about judges or legal commissions on social media. We have also followed such actions taken against lawyers in other countries like Saudi Arabia. As will come as no surprise on a blog emphasizing free speech, I have long been critical of such actions. However, India is facing a far more serious controversy after the Supreme Court demanded an apology from one of India’s most prominent lawyers for, among other things, blaming the Supreme Court for its role in undermining democracy in India. The justices proceeded to make his point by threatening him with jail unless he offered an unconditional and public apology. Continue reading “Prominent Indian Lawyer Accuses Supreme Court Of Destroying Democracies . . . Supreme Court Threatens Imprisonment”
We have previously discussed rising cases of politically motivated violence, including attacks on people wearing MAGA hats. In Delaware, two women reached a particular low point by stealing the hat of a 7-year-old and then screaming profanities, ripping up signs, and one assaulting an individual in a parking lot near the Democratic National Convention on Thursday. The Delaware police hit Olivia Winslow, 21, and Camryn Amy, 21, with an array of well-earned charges, though one charge remains unclear in terms of the relevant conduct. What is remarkable about the videotape is the sense of utter entitlement to attack those with opposing views.
We previously discussed whether the niece of President Donald Trump, Mary Trump, committed defamation in her recent tell-all book with a passage claiming that President Trump used a surrogate to take his SAT exam to gain entrance to the Penn’s Wharton School. Mary Trump has been hit by criticism that the person identified as fraudulently taking the test had not even met Donald Trump until after he started taking classes at Penn, according to his widow. In response, Mary Trump released a secret recording of President Donald Trump’s sister, retired federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry (left), The recording does contain the allegation and the question is whether it is enough legally if indeed the story was false. Continue reading “Mary Trump Releases Recording Of Trump Sister As Source For SAT Allegation” 
There is an interesting controversy in Salt Lake City this week where police are investigating whether Sen. Derek Kitchen (D., Salt Lake) contributed money to buy paint to use to vandalize the street in front of the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office . I have serious reservations on free speech and free association grounds over this type of investigation. It creates a type of “material support” crime for protests involving vandalism or property destruction that could deter many from supporting the demonstrations across the political spectrum.
There is an interesting ruling in the ongoing saga over Stormy Daniels and the Trump Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). A California court ordered President Donald Trump to pay $44,100 to Stephanie Clifford, aka Stormy Daniels, to cover her legal fees regarding her nondisclosure agreement. The amount is trivial but the symbolism could not be greater. The decision is based on the view that not only was Daniels the prevailing party in the dispute but that President Trump cannot claim that he was a non-party to the NDA or by extension the controversy. Continue reading “Court Orders President Trump To Pay Stormy Daniels’ Attorneys Fees”
On the lighter side, I had to share a story that brought back fond memories of “This is Spinal Tap” and the famous Stonehenge scene. Microsoft Flight Simulator players have been noting a giant mountain-high obelisk is now present in Australia. The unique structure was the result of an edit by University student Nathan Wright who meant to type in 2 for the floors of a structure but ended up specifying 212 stories, making the tallest Obelisk ever built and an engineering marvel.
Continue reading “This Is Microsoft: Typo Produces Mountain-High Obelisk In Australia”
Politicians are continuing to promise trillions of dollars in free education, housing subsidies, universal health care and other programs. Recently, BET founder Robert Johnson called for $14 trillion in reparations alone. Kamala Harris has a $10 trillion climate plan. On the Republican side, President Trump has shown little restraint in spending throughout his term while cutting revenue (and borrowing at a record rate). It is not surprising therefore that, last month, the United States passed the long-discussed red line for economists. Our debt is now greater than than our gross domestic product. In June, we passed $25.5 trillion in debt and this figure may be overly conservative. It is now roughly $27 trillion. Yet, neither party seems a bit concerned as this political ship of fools floats toward a collision with economic reality.
Continue reading “$26,578,000,000,000: U.S. Debt Passes Redline at 106 Percent Of GDP”
We have previously discussed crimes that are just dumbfoundingly dumb like the thieves who stole a hundred tracking devices. However, Zion Odain Denvor Hall, 21, Tyrek Davontae Williams, 19, and Tremaine Raekwon Hill, 18, did that guy three times better. They all allegedly wore ankle monitors during a series of burglaries. They did have competition this week as the most criminally inept felons in Florida. A man first stole lottery tickets from a convenience store and then returned to cash in a couple winning cards.
Last night, we passed the 44,000,000 mark in views on the blog. The blog continues to grow at a record and accelerating pace. The continued growth is due primarily to our loyal readers who return every day to discuss contemporary legal, political, and occasionally bizarre stories. We have used these moments to give thanks for our many regular readers around the world and give you an idea of the current profile of readers on the blog. We continue to rank with the top legal blogs in the world and I am particularly proud of our growing international readership. As always, I want to offer special thanks for Darren Smith who has continued to help manage the blog and help out folks who encounter posting problems. Continue reading “Res Ipsa Hits 44,000,000”
Steve Bannon, a former adviser to President Trump, was arrested today with three other suspects after the Justice Department charged fraud connected to an online fundraising campaign worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The campaign, “We Build the Wall,” was said to have raised over $25 million. It is worth noting that the Justice Department has continued to investigate or prosecute various Trump supporters under Attorney General Bill Barr despite calls by Democratic members and commentators to impeach him.
When I testified on the violence in current protests in cities like Portland, most of the Democratic senators insisted that violence in Portland was due to the arrival of federal officers to protect the federal courthouse and that the violence subsided after the federal officers were withdrawn. As other witnesses pointed out, the violence had been raging for weeks and a riot was declared by the Portland police the very night before. The violence has indeed continued though the coverage has been light, including the arson at a county government building yesterday. One of the most shocking incidents involve the attack at a Black Lives Matter demonstration of a man who was beaten after people filmed and mocked him. Police say one of the chief attackers was Marquise Love, 25, and he is someone already familiar to police. In an interesting twist, Love is now reportedly raising funds while on the run from police.
Continue reading “Main Suspect In Brutal Attack At BLM Protest Seeks Donations While Evading Police”
During the Bush Administration I wrote in opposition to the ban of federally supported research using fetal tissue stem cells. At the time, my father was dying for Parkinson’s — just one of millions of people who were suffering from conditions and diseases that could be cured or relieved with the help of such research. Now, The Human Fetal Tissue Research Ethics Advisory Board, appointed by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, has blocked virtually every application for fetal tissue research to the HHS on ethical grounds. The result is the same. It is an effective ban disguised as an ethics review and the result is the lost of vital time and research for millions who are suffering in this country. It also places a political chokehold on academic work that will put our country at a disadvantage with virtually every other country pursuing new cures and treatments based on fetal tissue research. Continue reading “Trump Board Rejects 13 of 14 Proposals For Fetal Tissue Research”
Goodyear Tire company is under fire this week for a listing of acceptable and unacceptable symbols or attire in the workplace. President Trump has railed against the inclusion of MAGA hats as “unacceptable” and called for a boycott. I do not agree. I think it is appropriate to ban political endorsements or symbols in a business but there is a legitimate concern over what is deemed “acceptable.” The touchstone of free speech protections is content neutrality and Goodyear appears to be enforcing a viewpoint preference. The question is whether, as a private business, it has an obligation to be neutral. Continue reading “Rubber Hits The Road: Goodyear Under Fire For Listing Of Unacceptable Symbols”