Congress, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, International, Justice, Lawyering, Politics, Society

Justice Department Declines Punishment for Bush Officials for “Poor Judgment”

The Obama Administration continued the tradition of the “Friday night dump” by just releasing the Justice Department report on former Justice officials John Yoo, Jay Bybee and Steven Bradbury. The report is linked below. The Justice Department confirmed that the investigation originally found professional misconduct by Yoo and Bybee, but an unnamed high-ranking official at the Office of Professional Responsibility overruled the finding to avoid any professional action against them. I discussed the story on this segment of Countdown.

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International, Politics, Society

Daily Mail: Israeli Agents Says Britain Knew of Use of British Passports in Dubai Hit

The Daily Mail has run with an explosive story after public protestations from British officials over the use of false British passports (and reportedly stolen identities) for the hit on Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai (here). The question now is whether Parliament has the courage to order an investigation in whether the British government not only acquiesced to the operation but then actively misled the public by pretending to be outraged.

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Bizarre, International, Society

Olympic Wipeout: Gold Medalist Asks Reporter If She Is “Stupid” After Being Asked Who He Is and What He Just Won

Occasionally, the Olympic performances will result not in preservation of a moment of perfection but a wipeout. On this occasion, it was not a downhill skier but an NBC reporter who asked Gold Medalist Sven Kramer who he was, what country he was from, and what he just won. He responded with “Are you stupid?”

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Criminal law, International, Politics, Religion, Society

Interpol Publishes Pictures of Eleven Dubai Suspects While Britain and France Demand Answers From Israel

Interpol has posted wanted pictures of the eleven suspects in the assassination of Hamas member Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in the Dubai hotel on January 19, 2010. In what could be a serious problem for Israel, both Britain and France are demanding answers on the use of fake passports and stolen identities in the plot while Dubai continues its criminal investigation. This is occurring at the same time that Israel is resisting an international investigation into possible war crimes in its campaign in Gaza, here.

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Bizarre, International, Politics, Religion, Society

Dios Mío: Leading Soccer Player To Be Punished for Blasphemy

Juventus‘ goalie, Gigi Buffon, is facing punishment for saying “Dio” or “God” after a critical play went poorly. You cannot use the Lord’s name in vain in Italy where officials have used replay tapes to determine if he said “Dio” or, as he now claims, “Zio” or “uncle.”

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International, Politics, Religion, Society

Hello Dalai: Obama Meets With Tibetian Leader Over Chinese Objections

While Obama has been criticized for saying that Tibet is part of China (here), he showed a refreshing degree of independence from China by meeting with the Dalai Lama. In the past, China has been able to pressure leaders (including past presidents) to avoid such meetings). Recently, South Africa even barred the Dalai Lama from an international peace conference, here.

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Bizarre, Politics, Society

Banning the Buck: South Carolina Representative Introduces Bill To Mandate Gold and Silver Coins As Official Legal Tender

South Carolina Rep. Mike Pitts (R.) wants to ban the buck. He has introduced legislation to require the use of gold and silver coins as the legal tender of the state as opposed to federal currency. For those passing through the state, you may want to wait before you exchange your dollars for bags of gold and silver coins.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

While Some Ask Why, The Atlanta Police Ask Why Not: Police Arrest Woman For Asking “Why?”

Atlanta police appear to be fans of Alfred Lord Tennyson: “Ours is not to reason why Ours is but to do and die”. When four women planning a funeral were ordered by an Atlanta police officer to move, one asked “why?” Minnie Carey, then 61, was arrested, cuffed, and thrown into jail.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, International, Religion, Society, Torts

Omertà: Vatican Ordered Secrecy in Abuse Cases

The Observer has published an article detailing a confidential Vatican document from the 1960s that instructed Catholic bishops around the world to cover up cases of sexual abuse or face discipline — including expulsion from the church. The document in Latin bears the seal of Pope John XXIII. It reads like a Vatican-version of Omertà.
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