We have previously discussed “policing for dollars” or “churning” where they seize cash, particularly on highways, as suspected drug money even without actually arresting or charging the drivers. It raises a huge amount of money for police departments and has been widely criticized as abusive. The latest victim of churning appears to be Charles Clarke, 24, who was on his way to take classes at the University of Central Florida. He was stopped at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, Ky. with his life savings that he was taking with him for safe keeping and to support his education. Since he could not “prove” the source of the money, agents seized the $11,000 and, despite dropping all charges against him, has thus far refused to return the money despite Clarke’s efforts.
Kentucky Judge Steven D. Combs in Pike County has been temporarily suspended after an array of charges of bizarre comments and actions, including calling officials such names as “Fishface,” “cokehead,” and “Dumbo.” Worst yet, he threatened to put a “bullet in the head” of the next police officer who pulled him over. A temporary suspension until resolution of the 10 charges seems quite modest punishment but his counsel, Stephen Ryan, still conveyed Combs’ “disappointment” with the action taken by the Judicial Conduct Commission.
As widely rumored, Pope Francis has issued a historic papal encyclical that agrees with the vast majority of scientists that global warming is real, largely caused by mankind, and threatens the very future of humanity. He has called for emergency action to curtail carbon emissions by reducing fossil fuels and developing renewables.
We have often discussed the plight of women in Muslim nations as they fight virtual chattel status in some areas and religiously based discrimination. However, even with this long history of abuse of woman, Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, 21, could be forgiven for being a tad confused. Hadi wowed the audience at the Southeast Asia games with an amazing performance that garnered her nation six medals, including two gold medals. She was then denounced by a chorus of clerics and others for wearing a “revealing” leotard.
Regrettably, my seventh and final day in London has arrived. I made good use of the time before my afternoon flight but taking the Tube back to the Portobello district so that I could walk around and visit the antique stores when they opened between 9 and 10 am. I then went to visit the Hays Building and then finished with the HMS Belfast. For a military history nut, it was the perfect ending to a perfect stay in London.
On my occasional travel blog, I try to find an interesting hotel or hotels to offer my own review for our many readers who travel. It is of course subjective and the hotels can range from modestly priced lodging to more expensive options. On this stay, I opted for one of the more expensive hotels (due to a mix of business travel and discounts). I chose one of London’s newest and most discussed hotels: The Shangri-La at the Shard. The Shard is the towering hotel in the center of London (SE1). While I am very critical of much of the recent architecture in London which is truly hideous for the most part, the Shard is a beautiful building both inside and outside. (Photos published with permission of the Shangri-La).
Continue reading “London: The Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard Review”
We previously discussed the bizarre case of Rachel Dolezal, 37, the head of an NAACP chapter accused of lying by her own mother. Worse yet, some have suggested that Rachel Dolezal, who is the head of the NAACP’s chapter in Spokane, planted hate mail at her office. Now it appears that Dolezal once sued Howard University over discriminating against her for being white — before she claimed she was black. If true, it makes a truly bizarre story all the more bizarre.
Continue reading “Discredited NAACP Official Once Sued Howard University Over Reverse Discrimination”
The fifth day in London began (after a stop at the market for a “Scotch egg”) with a visit to Portobello Market and then went to Parliament to watch the debates before meeting with counterparts in the House of Commons. My only complaint is that I was unable to find a single station that showed the final game of Stanley Cup to watch my Blackhawks prevail over the Lightnings. Worse yet, two stations showed dart competitions again. Darts. Despite their artistic, political, and legal contributions of the world, England remains a terribly backward people when it comes to supports. First there is that “football” misunderstanding and then they show dart rather than hockey competitions. Nevertheless, I went on computer to check the results. If you listened hard in London, you could hear a cheer from near the top of the Shard early in the morning.
Continue reading “Day 6: London From Portobello to Parliament”
We previously wrote about the decision of the University of Illinois to withdraw the employment of Professor Steven Salaita due to his publication of anti-Israel views on Twitter. I raised concerns over the decision as punishing an academic for views expressed outside of the classroom. It appear that the American Association of University Professors has the same concerns. The AAUP has passed a censure of the University — a significant sanction for a university that has strived to be included among the top school.
Continue reading “Illinois Sanctioned By AAUP Over Termination of Professor For Anti-Israeli Views”
Today was another grand day in Londontown and then moved on to St. Paul’s Cathedral. That was the last stop for Leslie who is returning home today where I have to wrap up a few things in London.
Continue reading “Day Five: From St. Paul to Lord Nelson to Jeremy Bentham”
Day Four in London captured the wonderful diversity of London. We began at the lively flea markets of Camden and then went to see the antiquities of the renowned British Museum. Along the way was some great meals and we met some even greater people.
Continue reading “Day Four: From Flea Markets to The Elgin Marbles”
By Cara L. Gallagher
Weekend Contributor
Tomorrow, at 10am EST, we may learn what the future holds for same-sex couples in 13 states that ban gay marriage, millions of Americans on Obamacare, and men on death row awaiting executions in 31 states that allow capital punishment. And these are only three of the twenty cases from this term with decisions that have yet to be announced in the final weeks before the Court adjourns until October. It’s gonna be a busy week at the Supreme Court.
According to the Court’s website, if they don’t announce decisions on those three cases tomorrow, there are four more days left this month for it to happen. Twenty cases left to announce is peculiar, especially for this time of year. It’s atypical for the Court to deliver five decisions a day, which they’d have to do if they were to disburse the decisions equitably each day. I’ve heard three maybe four decisions in one day, but that was a heavy volume. Two or three is more common and, worth mentioning, appreciated by those of us inside relegated to pen, paper, and bad handwriting. Conversely, last Monday’s non-conference day yielded only one decision about the president’s “exclusive power to grant formal recognition to a foreign sovereign,” in Zivotofsky v. Kerry. Continue reading “Twenty cases, four Court days. Let’s do this.”
London was decked out today for the 89th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II with hundreds of troops, horses, and a very cool flyover. It was great to witness the events, but the day was also full of other wonderful moments in London, a city that seems to easily mix the mythical with the mundane of English history and life.
Continue reading “Day Four: London Celebrates A Royal Birthday”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
The historical sin of Vanity once again proved a disadvantage to a suspect wanted in the alleged shooting of a Seattle victim.
Seattle Police spotted a vehicle having the fugitive’s last name on a custom vanity plate. The rest came certainly a blow to his pride.
Continue reading “Fugitive Found Driving Car With His Name On License Plate”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
Yesterday, June 12th, marked World Day Against Child Labor. For this occasion I highlight the plight of young children employed to work in the tobacco agribusiness in the United States. It is estimated, by Deutsche Welle, that 500,000 children labor in this market; most are exposed to hazardous conditions ranging from exposure to high levels of nicotine and pesticides, farm implements, and long working hours among others. Variances in the standard federal child labor standards permit tobacco growers to employ children–some of whom are under twelve years in age.
After decades of public objection and later government restrictions on advertisements, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products to minors for reasons not limited to just health and nicotine dependency, the cultivation of “green tobacco” by children exposes them often to immediately hazardous levels of nicotine at often unconscionably young ages.