Princeton University jurisprudence professor Robert P. George has launched a campaign to pressure the five top hotel chains to block access to pornography to “re-stigmatize” the industry. George is the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. His view of a free and pluralistic society is strikingly different from my own. While George discusses his deep Catholic faith and fears for the morality of his neighbors, he believes that the solution is deny millions of travelers the right to choose their entertainment each year at these hotels.
In Germany the country is setting records in its reliance on alternative energy sources like solar power and record wind power installations. Japan is now building the country’s biggest solar park which make it one of the world’s largest markets for solar power (Newscientist). Here in the United States, of course, we continue to let the world take the lead in such efforts. Mitt Romney’s campaign has announced that he intends not only to reject calls for greater investment in our wind power industry but to actually kill federal support for wind power.
Continue reading “A Cold Wind Blows: Romney To Kill Support For Wind Power In The United States”
With all of the attention given the horse of the Romney family competing as the ultimate dark horse at the Olympics, there seemed little discussion of the far more relevant question: why is this still an Olympic sport?
Continue reading “Question of the Day: Why Is Dressage An Olympic Sport?”
Roger Pion, 34, is a very very angry farmer. Reportedly upset over an arrest last month for resisting arrest and marijuana possession, Pion drove his tractor to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and ran over five marked cruisers, one unmarked police car, and their van. Even though he made a slow escape, the police could not follow because that is all of the vehicles that they have.
Continue reading “Angry Vermont Farmer Flattens Police Cars . . . And Makes Slow Escape”
The 2012 college rankings by Forbes are out. The top five are Princeton (1), Williams (2), Stanford (3), University of Chicago (4), and Yale (5). I am particularly pleased to see my alma mater — University of Chicago — again recognized in the top schools. Chicago was tied for fifth in the alternative U.S. News and World Report rankings. Rounding out the top ten are Harvard (6), West Point (7), Columbia (8), Pomona (9), and Swarthmore (10).
Continue reading “Top College Rankings: Princeton, Williams, Stanford, University of Chicago, Yale”
It is always painful to watch a politician run out of steam, but that is precisely what happened to London Mayor Boris Johnson who wanted to zip line into an Olympic function.
Continue reading “No Gold: London Mayor Left Dangling In Zip Line Mishap”
The House and Senate Ethics Committees are notorious for their lack of serious enforcement of ethics rules — more often serving to deflect criticism of members. For that reason, when one of the committees actually takes action it is a notable moment. In the case of Rep. Laura Richardson, the Committee found an array of seven disturbing violations including improperly pressuring her official staff to campaign for her, destroying evidence and tampering with witness testimony. In addition, the Committee found that Richardson showed “utter disdain” for the committee and its investigation. Yet, despite this shocking list of alleged violations including destruction of evidence and witness tampering, the Committee is only seeking a reprimand and $10,000 fine.
Continue reading “House Ethics Committee Finds Rep. Richardson Guilty of Destroying Evidence, Witness, Tampering And Other Violations”
Prestigious law firm Covington & Burling has found itself in an embarrassing position of having its former corporate client, 3M, charge it with betraying its confidence and switching sides in environmental litigation. There is little affection left in the relationship after Covington decided to represent Minnesota in a claim that could bring millions to the law firm. For 3M, the worse moment came when Covington lawyers deposed the same 3M in-house counsel that the law firm once represented on the same subject matter. The company alleges that Covington orchestrated the move to drop it “like a hot potato” to cash in with Minnesota. The lawsuit could prove the most uncomfortably revealing moment since a Covington partner pulled down his pants before a shocked international audience.
Continue reading “Covington Accused Of Switching Sides In Litigation To Make Millions”
Yesterday many of us watched in agony as South Korean Olympic weightlifter Jaehyouk Sa snapped his elbow while trying to life 357.15 pounds. The injury again raised the question of whether weight lifters are trying to push weights beyond their physical limitations.
Philadelphia appears to be defying a court order to require the most minimal due process protection for drivers in parking violation cases. Common Pleas Judge Leon Tucker issued an order weeks ago that drivers were entitled to some basic protections in ticking such as the right to know where the violation allegedly occurred and to have the right to question the ticket givers. City officials however have declared the protections to be simply not “practical” and appear to be ignoring it according to a columnist. The decision is an important victory for citizens who are often clipped by cities as a source of additional revenue through parking tickets.
Still angry about how the jocks shunning you throughout high school? Well, now you know what a wild bottlenose dolphin feels like. For that first time in any other species, scientists have found that the dolphin form cliques based on their skills. The study found that the dolphin engaged in “inclusive inheritability” bonding after observing dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia.
Continue reading “Study: Wild Dolphins Are Totally Stuck Up”
There is an interesting case in New York this week concerning destruction of evidence. Supreme Court Justice Charles J. Markey handed down a decision on July 31, 2012 in a personal injury case that the plaintiff electing to have surgery effectively denied the defendant evidence to contest her claim stemming from a fall on a bus. The case is Mangione v Jacobs and is worth reading.
Continue reading “New York Court Rules Non-Emergency Surgery Constitutes Spoliation”
There has been relatively little attention given a remarkable ruling by United States District Court Judge Reggie Walton. In ruling that the conservative watch dog group Judicial Watch was entitled to attorneys fees, Walton found that Obama political appointees not only influenced the decision in the controversial Black Panther case but withheld documents that should have been turned over under federal law.
Continue reading “Federal Court Rules Against Obama Administration in Black Panther FOIA Case”
There is another interesting legal controversy in the Olympics (I watch just for the challenges and appeals). The Chinese have again been accused of cheating — this time in Badminton. Onlookers booed and heaped abuse on Chinese players as they clearly threw matches to secure a better draw later in the competition. This reportedly prompted the South Korean team to also intentionally lose – resulting in an embarrassment for the entire field. Eight female players have now been charged with the novel offenses of “not using one’s best efforts to win a match” and “conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport.” The charged players include China’s world champions Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang. China’s long-serving head coach Li Yongbo denied any such effort even though observers said it was obvious and obnoxious. [UPDATE: all of the players have now been disqualified from the competition]
Continue reading “Say It Ain’t So, Yongbo: Chinese Accused Of Cheating At Badminton”
It seems that everyone is getting into the Olympic spirit and acting out their favorite sport. Wrestling is an obvious favorite for canine couch potatoes given such moves as “Keep You Heel to Your Butt” and “Backdoor” manuevers.