-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
We have previously discussed the case of Widener School of Law professor Lawrence Connell who was suspended after using Dean Linda Ammons in hypotheticals in class (here and here). Connell had been charged with engaging in racial and sexual discrimination and harassment in how he taught his criminal law class.
Continue reading “Widener Law Disciplinary Committee Exonerates Criminal Law Prof”
Our second day in Heux was glorious. We ate outside with the kids on local pizza and fresh vegetables — with, of course, local wines. We then went to two wonderful towns, La Romieu and Fources.
Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty-Guest Blogger
It is probably just me, but it seems that every time we hear about a proposed deal to extend the debt limit and avert a government shutdown and a debt default, the plan does nothing more than cut the taxes on the wealthiest Americans and Corporations. The latest proposal by the so-called Gang of Six is just one more example of Congress attacking the Middle Class. Continue reading “The Gang of Six and Their War on Main Street”
Continue reading “Day 1-2: Heux, France”
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
In Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Eileen Ann Bower tested positive for opiates after giving birth to her son. Based on the results of the routine blood test, performed by Jameson Hospital, the Lawrence County Children and Youth Services kidnapped seized the baby three days after its birth. Bower claims her last meal, before giving birth, was a pasta salad with Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning, which contains poppy seeds (the fourth listed ingredient).
Continue reading “Mother Eats Poppy Seed Seasoning – Has Newborn Taken”
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Astronomers have discovered what appears to be a 600-light-year wide ribbon of supercooled material at the center of our galaxy. They used the European Space Agency’s infrared Herschel Space Observatory to get the high resolution image shown above. Ground based radio telescopes have indicated the ribbon is spinning around the galactic center as a cohesive unit.
H/T: Wired Science.
Here is my column this morning in the New York Times. As is the case (even on my own paper, USA Today), the writer does not select the titles. In this case, “One Big, Happy Polygamous Family” seems a bit mocking. Thus, I have added my own title.
Continue reading “Privacy Without Politics: Why The Sister Wives Lawsuit Is About Privacy Not Polygamy”
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
London plumber, Ian Puddick, was aghast after reading a text message on his wife’s cell phone. It seems Leena, was having an affair with Tim Haynes, an insurance broker at one of London’s hoary financial houses and a City Director. The affair began at a company Christmas Party (don’t they all) and continued for ten years. Rather than an immediate face-to-face confrontation with all the messiness that involves, Puddick set up several websites and then began to Twitter the racy cyber-dialog between the illicit lovers. One read, “Where do you want to have sex next? The office, al fresco, the flat or all three you greedy girl?” He supplemented the shorthand with videos and a blog– all dedicated to the affair.
Contributed by: Mike Spindell, Guest Blogger
All society’s see themselves as “civilized” which connotes that they are humane in their treatment of all within their purview. One society will compare their society towards another, disparagingly in most cases, seeing the “other” as less “civilized” and more barbaric. We all know the clichés about the cruelties of Mexican, or Turkish prisons for instance and our American tendency is to look down our noses upon the barbarity of those countries in dealing with all prisoners, not just felons. How smug we are in our self-satisfaction that America is a modern culture with no hint of the backwardness and barbarism of less modern cultures. In my view this has been merely the legerdemain of mass delusion. I say delusion because the sad truth we all know is that many of our prisons and many of our Jails are “hellholes”, perhaps only degrees better than certain other more “barbarous” Nations are. Our literature and media have for years dealt with the harshness of our prison system. Indeed our gallows humor puts forth the hardly clichéd image of prison rape as a fit punishment for some. A current story conveys our dilemma in seeing the truth of our own lack of civilization, dealing with those who commit crimes both of heinous and victimless nature. Continue reading “How Should A Civilized Society Deal With Criminals?”
Submitted by Gene Howington, Guest Blogger
Two years ago, a district court found Walter Bagdasarian guilty of threatening then-candidate Obama because of the following statements made to a Yahoo.com financial website (warning – racist and coarse language):
“Re: Obama fk the niggar, he will have a 50 cal in his head soon” and “shoot the nig”.
Bagdasarian was convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 879: Threats against former Presidents and certain other persons, which reads in relevant part: “(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully threatens to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon; (3) a major candidate for the office of President or Vice President, or a member of the immediate family of such candidate; shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.” But did what Bagdasarian said constitute a threat or not? A divided panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals didn’t think so and on Tuesday, they overturned his conviction. The majority reasoning is quite convincing as to why Bagdasarian’s comments were protected free speech.
Continue reading “Free Speech Win For Man Who Allegedly Threatened Obama”
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
We have previously discussed the plight of Julie Bass, the woman who was charged with a misdemeanor for growing cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables in raised beds in her front yard in Oak Park, Michigan.
Bass’ plight went viral with a blog and a Facebook page “Oak Park Hates Veggies.”
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
We’ve been following the growing worldwide scandal of phone hacking of the families of victims of terror and lost servicemen by the British tabloid, News of The World. The 186 year-old British weekly publication shut down earlier this month amid cries for a full investigation into sensationalist journalism that apparently relied on listening in to voice mails of the victims. British PM David Cameron has recalled Parliament into extraordinary session to debate the phone hacking scandal engendered by Rupert Murdoch’s media empire. Murdoch, his son, James, and officials from NOW’s parent company, News Corp, have appeared before Parliament Select Committees amid torrents of popular protest to answer questions about upper management’s role. To date, Murdoch and his lieutenants have denied any prior knowledge of the methods used to fuel the gotcha’ stories. Calls are now being heard for PM Cameron’s resignation and that of Murdoch himself who has denied any wrongdoing.
Continue reading “British Parliament Debates Murdoch’s News Corp”
In a few hours, the Turleys will start our conquest of France. As previously announced, we are taking the kids on their first international trip for three weeks in France. We will be roughly a week in the Bordeaux region, a week in the Normandy region, and a week in Paris. Our guest bloggers have agreed to help with postings during this period, though I hope to continue to file occasional stories (including travel blogs) during this period — assuming that I can maintain both sobriety and a signal long enough to post.
Continue reading “Au Revoir: The Turleys Invade France”
There is an interesting case out of Fairfax County in Virginia where an eighth-grader was pulled from his class and interrogated by a police officer and school officials on this smoking pot after-school hours and off campus. The case shows the continuing uncertainty over when police officers are required to give Miranda after the Supreme Court’s decision in J.D.B. v. North Carolina (below).
Continue reading “When Should Schools Give Miranda? Virginia Case Shows Continuing Uncertainties After J.D.B. Ruling”
Jacob Simmons and his fiancée, Gentry Lee Sutherland insist it is a miracle after they bought some pictures at Wal-Mart and found Jesus staring back at them on the receipt. Many people would question whether Jesus would work through Wal-Mart but a bargain is a bargain. Wal-Mart appears to be offering miracle at a low price, undercutting local stores in Anderson County, South Carolina in their own Savior slips.