We previously discussed the case of Ghoncheh Ghavami, 25, who was arrested for trying to attend a men’s volleyball game. Iran imposes a Sharia legal system that punishes those who do not comply with medieval religious rules and practices. Ghavami has now been found guilty of “propagating against the ruling system” and sentenced to one year in jail.
Yesterday, the ten members of the 2014 Torts and Contracts paintball teams met yet again on a remote Virginia field in a test of strength, daring, and skill. It is with a heavy heart that I must report that Contracts beat Torts in a final score of 4-2-2. The annual competition is the outcome of an auction to support our public interest law program at George Washington University. These contests have raised thousands of dollars of indigent clients and public interest work.
Continue reading “Contracts Beats Torts in 2014 Charity Paintball Competition”
Respectfully submitted by Lawrence E. Rafferty (rafflaw)-Weekend Contributor
We have written on multiple occasions about the illegal activities of Big Banks and Wall Street financial firms as well as their penchant to repeat their offenses. It now seems that a State regulator and two Federal prosecutors may have finally come to the conclusion that many Big Banks are not only continuing their illegal practices, but that they may have hid information during prior investigations into their allegedly shady dealings.
While I am glad that at least two Federal prosecutors may be putting the heat on some of the repeat offenders by extending their deferred prosecution agreements and opening new investigations and taking a second look at past investigations, my first response is what took them so long?
Continue reading “Prosecuters Seem Surprised that Banksters May Still Be Breaking the Law”
By Mark Esposito, Weekend Blogger
In the red corner, wearing angelic white trunks trimmed in gold that darling of the Right, that Gipper of trickle-down economics, the Great Communicator himself, Ron–ald “The California Killer” Rea–gan.
And in the blue corner with black trunks trimmed in red, the “change” President, the foil of all things conservative, the first of firsts in American History, Bar–ack “Betcha Can’t Believe Where I’m From” O–Bam–a.
And today’s contest is a three-round fight for the World Super Heavyweight Economics Guru Belt. The format is a 10 point “must” system and you are the judges. I, your humble ring announcer, get a scorecard but it’s only advisory.
But first some background, both fighters weigh in after tangling with some decidedly tough contenders before this big bout. Reagan came into office with a much more serious recession than most on the Left give him credit for. In addition, he followed hot on the heels of what his predecessor called the great American “malaise.” Plus he had an adversarial relationship with the nation’s biggest rival, the Soviet Union.
Obama came into office with a war on two fronts in Iraq and Afghanistan, a massive recession, and a world-wide financial industry on the brink of collapse. Pretty tough contenders. Plus, he had and has a Congressional opposition party whose expressed goal was to make sure nothing he proposed made it into law. And law, as you know, is the political boxer’s stock-in-trade.
Ding— ding — ding.
Continue reading “Best Out Of Three Rounds: Obama vs. Reagan On The Economy”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
Sometimes, timing is everything–whether it be gambling, investing, or even news publishing. Often in the latter case it is mostly automatically generated ad content that can be funny, or even inappropriate when combined with the subject of an online news story.
But a screenshot of The Wenatchee World news, a publication in Central Washington State, put the small 1.7 square mile town of Rock Island in a interesting contrast of news headlines.
Picture below the fold
Continue reading “With The News, Sometimes Timing Is Everything”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
Founded in 2010, a non-profit organization in India has garnered much success—it claims thirty thousand persons—who are sheltered or provided opportunities to pursue their right to marry the person of their own choosing despite pressure and even threats of violence against them.
Love Commandos offers a help line service where verified callers can receive immediate assistance to relocate and receive social benefits on building a future of their own choosing.
We previously reported the arrest of seven men arrested for their alleged participation in a gay wedding ceremony in Egypt, now a Cairo court found the seven defendants guilty of the crime of “Inciting Debauchery” for what was alleged to be their participation a gay wedding on a Nile riverboat.
The video in question, which went viral on YouTube, shows two men kissing and exchanging wedding rings along with onlookers.
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
A New York based political committee has been accused of sending what many see as an intimidating letter to party voters who have chosen not to vote in previous elections. Whether this is considered peer pressure, inducing worry, or encouraging others to vote has not diminished the controversy and shows an insight into some of the tactics political parties use to generate more votes to their cause. Letters such as this raise questions as to the ethics of shaming voters to vote. The right not to vote is considered a lawful option of the electorate.
By Mark Esposito, Weekend Blogger
We’ve been subjected to some depressing football stories this year. Most came from the professional ranks, but the colleges and high schools have their own share of mayhem to unleash. I detailed some of the predatory behavior in a post a couple of weeks ago (here). Now, perhaps the most disturbing story so-far as five California (PA) University football players allegedly beat and kicked a man senseless for defending his girlfriend from presumed harassment all the while chanting “Football Strong” as they made their getaway. “Football Brave,” too, I see. Doctors confirm the man sustained a traumatic brain injury and that “the lower part of his brain has shifted 80 degrees.”
Continue reading “The Season of Our Discontent II: “Football Strong(Men)” Vs. Women”
Here is our annual list of Halloween torts and crimes. This holiday remains a favorite for personal injury lawyers around the world and this year’s additions show why. Of course, with Sandy, our area is already looking pretty spooky with downed trees and tattered exteriors.
So, with no further ado, here is this year’s updated list of actual cases related to Halloween.
Continue reading “Spooky Torts: The 2014 List Of Halloween Litigation Horrors”
The video below shows a particularly well-planned prank for Halloween, though one has to wonder about the danger of injuries to people with weak hearts (discussed in another posting today) or resulting injuries from fright. Nevertheless, everyone shown on the film seemed to enjoy the prank, which had some funny moments.
Continue reading “Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Enter The Pumpkin Patch . . .”
There is an interesting lawsuit filed in Washington D.C. that could test the limits of civil liability for statutory rape. The case was filed by the family of a 17-year-old seeking $11 million after a teacher allegedly engaged in oral sex with 17-year-old male student. The case however falls along the line of consent laws. The teacher, 22 year old Symone Greene (left), was only around 5 years older than the victim and the age of consent in D.C. is 16 years old. Both the criminal and civil cases could raise some difficult legal issues because she had a “significant relationship” with the student.
Continue reading “Family Sues Teacher Who Performed Oral Sex On 17-Year-Old Student”
In New York, former state trooper Brian Beardsley is now clear of any criminal charges following the announcement yesterday of Hamilton County District Attorney James Curry that the grand jury had dismissed an earlier felony charge. Beardsley was charged after he ran over Chad Finch, 20, (left) who had fallen in the road. Beardsley, who was returning from a party with this girlfriend, pulled over briefly and she called police. However, they then left the scene and returned home.
Bo is the type of dog everyone loves. Happy, friendly . . . well perhaps a bit too friendly. His owner, Edwin Henderson, ran from police serving a drug search warrant and hid the in the surrounding terrain. When an officer saw his dog Bo he said “go get him” and let him loose. Bo did precisely that, running to some high grass with his tail wagging excitedly in finding Henderson. The police were no less excited. They arrested Henderson with failure to obey police, manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is accused of being a meth dealer.
It is not clear what will happen to the dog, who is likely to be viewed as something of a rat. There must be a witness protection program for canines to assume a new name and identity, perhaps as a ranch dog in Montana?
Source: ABC
There is another controversy raising the increasing assertion of authority of school officials over pictures and statements made by students outside of school. In Massachusetts, Jamie Pereira was suspended from school after a photo of her and her boyfriend, Tito Velez, both 16, holding Airsoft rifles was posted on Facebook. A caption beneath the photograph read: “Homecoming 2014.” The picture looks like a new American Gothic for some and a threat to others. However, the controversy again raises the limits and discretion of school officials in monitoring speech outside of school for students and teachers alike. There was good reason to be concerned but the punishment was due to the disruption caused rather than an actual threat from the picture.