Constitutional Law, International, Politics, Religion, Society

Citizens in Lebanon Rally Against Religion in Government

There is a glimmer of hope in the Middle East. In a recent large-scale protest, citizens rose up in a rare public demonstration to get religion out of politics. Sunday’s Secular Pride March shows that there are many people in countries like Lebanon who are want a separation of church and state — and are willing to risk their lives to fight for secular government. In the meantime, people in the United States like Sarah Palin are trying to take this country in the opposite direction by taking down the wall of separation, here.

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Academia, Bizarre, Politics, Society

New Hampshire Approves New Two-Year College For Potential Law Students

New Hampshire legislators have approved a new two-year college for students who want an accelerated path to law school. I am steadfastly opposed to such abbreviated undergraduate programs and believe that law schools should oppose such efforts — as they should oppose proposals for two-year law schools. It is part of the “cheaper, faster” approach to American education that is destroying our intellectual foundation. It is treating education like instant cream of wheat.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Rotten Apple II: Police Raid Gizmodo’s Office and Seize Computers and Servers

We have been following the story of the stolen IPhone and the implausible arguments of Gizmodo that it was merely playing a “source” when it bought the phone and took it apart. Now, police have raided Gizmodo’s offices, whose editors may want to look for a handy App for lawyers in the area. I discussed the issue on this segment of Countdown.

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Bizarre, International, Military, Politics

Flashpoint? Evidence Points to a North Korean Torpedo as Cause of Warship Sinking

North Korea has long succeeded in committing crimes ranging from kidnapping to murder with little consequence as the West tries to avoid a full-out war in Asia. That may get increasingly difficult after both South Korean and U.S. officials confirmed that North Korea likely sank the warship Cheonan (Pohang-class corvette) with a torpedo.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Former Death Row Inmate is Arrested for Seventh Time

Literature and life has countless examples of criminals who are spared long incarceration or death and become model citizens who use their “second chance” to live a worthy life. Thomas Anderson, 57, is just not one of them. After since he was spared death in 1988, Anderson has racked up seven felony cases — and supplied pro-death penalty advocates with a rallying cry for tougher sentencing laws.
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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, International, Media, Politics, Religion

Danish Newspaper Allegedly Forces Controversial Cartoonist Into Retirement in Wake of Threats From Muslim Extremists

Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard recently survived worldwide calls by Muslims for his murder and a recent attack at his home by a Muslim with an axe. His newspaper the Jyllands-Posten daily newspaper has responded by effectively firing him — allegedly to avoid further death threats from extremists. If true, it is only the latest example of newspapers and publishers caving in to such threats, including the shameful act of censorship by Comedy Central and a similar act by Yale University Press.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, Religion, Society

Mother Starves 16-Month Baby To Death — Receives No Jail Time

We have another case of religious homicide and a comparatively light sentence (For a prior column, click here). In the case of Javon Thompson, he was starved to death because he would not say “Amen” after meals. The mother received no jail time and five years probation.
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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Politics, Religion, Society

Prosecutors Charge Former Nurse With Encouraging Suicide

There is a fascinating case in Minneapolis that raises some important free speech issues in an assisted suicide case. William Melchert-Dinkel, 47, was charged with two felony counts of aiding suicide under a Minnesota law that criminalizes even verbal encouragement of suicide. Adding to the novelty is the fact that state prosecutors are charging Melchert-Dinkel in deaths that occurred not only outside the state but outside the country.
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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, International, Politics, Religion, Society

Seattle Cartoonist Declares May 20th as “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day”

While a Saudi lawyer is suing in England over the Danish cartoon controversy (here), Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris has declared May 20th “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day.” Norris took the action after the shameful decision of Comedy Central to censor an episode of South Park after Muslims threatened to kill the creators of South Park for showing Mohammed in a bear suit.
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