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Supreme Coolness
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The operatic “Odd Couple”

By Cara L. Gallagher, weekend contributor

*Warning! This post contains House of Cards spoilers. Beware/Enjoy!

The Supreme Court has never been cooler than it is right now. I place the kickoff around the summer of 2013 with a Tumbler page adorably called Notorious R.B.G. dedicated to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. By last summer, the website tipped. Ginsburg had seen it and commented on her eponymous website telling Katie Couric that she’s “a fan.”

If bloodshed is any proof of adoration, this woman’s tattoo of the “Supreme” R.B.G. puts her on another level of fandom. Clearly Ginsburg is having a moment. Continue reading “Supreme Coolness” →

Free Speech, Media, Society

Should Starbucks Just Brew Coffee And Not Controversy?

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

200px-Starbucks_Coffee_Logo.svgMany are aware of Starbucks Corporation’s “Race Together” campaign where company senior management proffered to promote a dialogue on race relations among their customers. The main initial manifestation of the decision was for baristas to write the words “Race Together” on cups and encouraging a discussion on the matter. Cups were also adorned with labels furthering the message.

While there is little doubt that most persons in the United States want a harmonious relationship between all citizens, there is a question on whether such a campaign is in the interest of shareholders and customers who might be put off by such practices.

Continue reading “Should Starbucks Just Brew Coffee And Not Controversy?” →

Free Speech, International, Media, Politics

Glenn Greenwald: U.S. Threatened Germany Over Snowden Asylum

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

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Glenn Greenwald

During a conference held to award Journalist Glenn Greenwald the Siebenpfeiffer Prize for Journalism, Greenwald reported a conversation in which German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel. In this the Vice Chancellor commented to him that the United States threatened Germany with withholding vital intelligence of terrorist activity if the nation granted asylum to Edward Snowden or otherwise allowed him to travel to Germany.

The event shows the extreme measures the Administration is willing to take regarding whistleblowers and others labeled as threats.

Continue reading “Glenn Greenwald: U.S. Threatened Germany Over Snowden Asylum” →

Media, Science, Society

A Concerning Look At Privacy In Cloud Computing

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

300px-Rolling-thunder-cloudThere is an interesting video on Slashdot of an interview with Tom Henderson, principle researcher at Extreme Labs, Inc. He provides a primer into his well founded concerns on privacy in the world of cloud computing. His research has led him to the position of distrust of companies hired to store data on behalf of users as opposed to the advantages of these users self-storing and archiving. It is reminiscent of the convenience placed above privacy that is coming to a greater magnification today and likely to be more so into the future.

Continue reading “A Concerning Look At Privacy In Cloud Computing” →

Courts, Criminal law

Color Of Variable Speed Limit Signs Could Jeopardize Criminal Cases Resulting From Speeding Offense Probable Cause

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

variable-speed-yellow-black-largeCriminal Cases resulting from speeding offense probable cause may be in jeopardy due to improper colors used variable speed limit signs. If courts determine that these signs violate statutory signage standards, exclusionary rules may apply resulting in dismissals of numerous criminal cases.

An example of this is found on Interstate 90 straddling Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State. Over a decade ago, the Washington State Department of Transportation installed Highway Advisory Beacons, near the mountain pass to warn driver of upcoming hazards along with incorporation into the state’s variable speed limit statute. An example of these types of signs is pictured above.

Continue reading “Color Of Variable Speed Limit Signs Could Jeopardize Criminal Cases Resulting From Speeding Offense Probable Cause” →

Bizarre, Criminal law

Defendants Insists That He Did Not Hit Anyone But Police Arrest Him Anyway . . . Given The Human Torso Found In Car

26C761D500000578-3001060-image-a-1_1426710271196Jose Antonio Santiago, 33, had a difficult time convincing police that he did not hit anyone with his car last week. First, there was the heavily damaged car sitting outside. Second, there was what police thought was human remains on his clothes. Finally, even if those facts could be dismissed, there was the human torso left on the passenger side floor of the car. Santiago is now charged with killing Anna Lewis (left), 62, and then fleeing the scene of the accident. Unless there was another driver, it would seem that a plea request might be the first priority for counsel.

Continue reading “Defendants Insists That He Did Not Hit Anyone But Police Arrest Him Anyway . . . Given The Human Torso Found In Car” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, International, Society

The Ultimate Product Placement: Mexico Reportedly Gives MGM and Sony $20 Million In Tax Breaks To Clean Up Its Image In New Bond Film

Mara_Salvatrucha_MS13Spectre_posterMexico appears to have found a solution to the aversion of tourists and businesses in going to the coutnry with rising drug-based violence, kidnappings, and corruption: they are bribing movie moguls to scrub the image of the country in major movies. MGM and Sony reportedly ordered changes to the new James Bond movie to give positive views of Mexico and drop the image of a Mexican villain. Now that is product placement.

Continue reading “The Ultimate Product Placement: Mexico Reportedly Gives MGM and Sony $20 Million In Tax Breaks To Clean Up Its Image In New Bond Film” →

Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Media, Religion, Society

Afghan Mob Burns Woman Alive For Burning A Copy Of The Koran in Kabul [UPDATED]

220px-Mosque_of_the_King_of_Two_SwordsWe have another story of a Muslim mob murdering a person for offending Islam. A woman named Farkhunda, 32, in Kabul had reportedly burned a copy of the Koran inside a riverside shrine. She was then set upon by a huge mob that burned her alive and then threw her into the Kabul river. This was deemed the moral response to an immoral act by the crowd. [Update: It turns out that the accusations against Farkhunda may be untrue and that she was actually defending what she viewed as the degrading act of selling amulets in a mosque when she was attacked]

Continue reading “Afghan Mob Burns Woman Alive For Burning A Copy Of The Koran in Kabul [UPDATED]” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Justice, Lawyering, Politics

Turley Testifies Before House Committee On Restitution For Child Pornography

unnamed-1This morning I will be testifying in the House of Representatives before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the Committee on the Judiciary. The hearing is entitled “Child Exploitation Restitution Following the Paroline Decision” and addresses a long-standing controversy over the limits on restitution in such cases. My testimony is below.

Continue reading “Turley Testifies Before House Committee On Restitution For Child Pornography” →

Academia, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Politics, Society

Illinois School Holds Blacks-Only Student Event For “Affinity Grouping”

150px-OPRFHighSchoolLogoNRouseThere is an interesting controversy at Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park (outside of Chicago) where the school allowed students to hold a black-student only meeting. OPRF held a “Black Lives Matter” assembly on Feb. 27 but barred parents of white students who tried to participate. Principal Nathaniel Rouse (right), the assembly’s organizer, insisted he thought black students would speak more freely among members of their own race as what is known as affinity grouping. It might also be called racial segregation at a public school. What if white students wanted to engage in “affinity grouping” by excluding minority students?

Continue reading “Illinois School Holds Blacks-Only Student Event For “Affinity Grouping”” →

Academia, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics

Penn State Professor Arrested After Incident On Airplane

17282445-mmmain20150318_inq_rrxpsu18-aPennsylvania State University Associate Professor Karen Bettez Halnon, 52, took her students on a memorable field trip this month to Nicaragua that ended in witnessing her reported meltdown and arrest on an American Airlines flight that landed in Miami. In addition to reportedly raving about how the United States was setting up Venezuela for “military aggression,” she also lit up a cigarette to reportedly show symbolize the United States as a “smoking gun.” She was charged with disorderly-conduct and breach-of-peace. She has accused the FBI and airport security of abusing her after her arrest. Her two research assistants reportedly made it home safely.

Continue reading “Penn State Professor Arrested After Incident On Airplane” →

Criminal law, Politics, Society

The Usual Suspects? Study Finds Majority of Police Abuse Cases Involve Same Small Group Of Officers

143px-Chicagopd_jpg_w300h294There is an interesting study out that a relatively small number of officers are responsible for over half of police abuse claims. We have seen similar results in studies of malpractice cases of doctors. Yet, this small group of officers not only tarnish the reputations of all officers but cost massive amounts of money. Marketplace reports that Chicago paid out more than half a billion dollars over 10 years in police misconduct cases. This is a city that is facing junk bond status and the threat of insolvency.
Continue reading “The Usual Suspects? Study Finds Majority of Police Abuse Cases Involve Same Small Group Of Officers” →

Bizarre, Media, Politics, Society

No Schock: Illinois Member Who Lavishly Spent Public and Campaign Resigns

Highclere_Castle_(April_2011)_893514Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock has resigned after a rather bizarre few weeks. He caused something of a national sensation when his office was decked out like a study at Downton Abbey. He was then accused of spending like of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham. Schock resigned effective March 31 after weeks of controversy over his lavish spending from government and campaign accounts. It is a cautionary tale for other members. You might want to stick with those government issued desks and pictures of the Washington Monument at the office.

Continue reading “No Schock: Illinois Member Who Lavishly Spent Public and Campaign Resigns” →