There is a disturbing case out of England this week where a pub owner was fined £8,000 ($13,183) because someone unlawfully downloaded copyrighted material over its free Wi-Fi system. The fine against The Cloud Pub could spell trouble for free wi-fi access and should prompt legislators to look at the need for an intervention to protect this key public resource.
Continue reading ‘Clouded Claim: English Pub Owner Fined for Copyright Infringement by Customer Using Free Wi-Fi’
Archive for November, 2009
Clouded Claim: English Pub Owner Fined for Copyright Infringement by Customer Using Free Wi-Fi
Published 1, November 30, 2009 Courts , International , Politics , Society 19 CommentsIndonesian Minister Blames Natural Disasters on . . . Television
Published 1, November 30, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 10 Comments
Indonesian Communication and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring has declared that he has isolated the cause for a string of natural disasters. It turns out that it is due to television and immoral programming.
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Stockholm Syndrome : Husband Released After Police Determine The Moose Did It
Published 1, November 30, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 11 Comments
With karate chopping whales and conspiratorial cats, this should not surprise us. In Stockholm, Swedish police have released a husband suspected in the death of his wife after determining that . . . the Moose did it.
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Kung Fu Orca: New Pictures Show How Orcas Use Deadly Chop on Killer Sharks
Published 1, November 30, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Environment 6 Comments
Call it Karate Kid Meets Free Willy. Researchers have taken pictures showing how Orcas kill with a type of “karate chop.” In rare pictures, one orca takes out a killer shark with the move.
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An American Thanksgiving Tale: Family Members Brawl Over Turkey Stuffing and Then Eat As Guests of the Land O’Lakes Jail
Published 1, November 30, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
Thanksgiving holidays are notorious for bringing out family stress and divisions. However, for those who had fights with siblings and parents this holiday, you can take a degree of solace in comparing your day to that of the Smith family of Hudson, Florida who ended up having Thanksgiving in jail over a disagreement involving the proper way to stuff a Turkey.
Spam in a Can: “Godfather of Spam” Sent to Jail for 51 Months
Published 1, November 30, 2009 Criminal law , International , Society 7 Comments
Last week saw the sentencing of one of society’s most despised characters, Alan Ralsky, 64, the self-proclaimed “Godfather of Spam.” Ralsky was sentenced to 51 months in jail and five years probation as well as a $250,000 property seizure.
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Given our prior interest in trebuchets, here, I felt this video has to be shared. Before there was the human cannonball at the circus, there was the human trebuchet.
Continue reading ‘The Human Trebuchet’
Swiss Vote To Ban Minarets
Published 1, November 29, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 48 Comments
We previously discussed today’s Vote in Switzerland on a ban on minarets for Mosques. Despite international criticism, the ban has passed. Just as we saw today (here) how Islamic extremists can justify blatant discrimination against other religions, the Swiss have shown that Christians are equally comfortable with such double standards.
SUNDAY IS A DAY OF REST
Published 1, November 29, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Religion , Society 9 Comments
This shows that even in the canine world, Sunday is a day of rest.
Honor Killing in Germany: Brother Stabs Sister 23 Times for Wearing Western Clothes
Published 1, November 29, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 4 Comments
We have yet another “honor killing.” Ahmad-Sobair O, an Afghan-German citizen, stabbed his 16-year-old sister, Morsel, 23 times for wearing Western clothes and make-up.
Islamic Scholar: Allowing Churches in Islamic Nations Just Doesn’t Add Up
Published 1, November 29, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 56 CommentsI just came across this video of prominent Islamic scholar Dr. Zakir Naik explaining why Islamic governments like Saudi Arabia must be allowed to build mosques in other countries but correctly bans that construction of a single church or temple in its own country. The reason is simple math: allowing churches into Saudi Arabia would be like hiring teachers who cannot do simple math.
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Jesus Appears to Massachusetts Woman . . . And He Now Does Shirts!
Published 1, November 29, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Religion , Society 30 Comments
We have another divine sighting. This time, God appears to have chosen to reveal himself on the underside of Mary Jo Coady’s iron in Methuen, Massachusetts. She is delighted by the selection, saying that it is a message directly from God that “life is going to be good” — and perhaps to use less spray starch on the shirts. It is a truly modern parable of moving from the Shroud of Turin to Mary Jo Coady’s iron.
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Christian Leaders Speak Out Against Jewish Extremists Who Spit on Clergy and Crosses
Published 1, November 29, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 19 Comments
Christian leaders are speaking out against an increase in Jewish extremists — particularly Yeshiva students — who spit in the faces of clergy or on crosses in Jerusalem. What makes this story interesting is the earlier complaints by Jewish military leaders that Yeshiva students were radicalizing the Israeli Defense Forces, here. The same phenomenon has been seen in Islamic nations where madrasah schools have radicalized politics and society.
Continue reading ‘Christian Leaders Speak Out Against Jewish Extremists Who Spit on Clergy and Crosses’
Take My Wife, Please: Man Allegedly Tries Wife Swap to Secure Bank Loan
Published 1, November 28, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 6 Comments
Michael H. Williams, 43, is accused of a bizarre plan to get a loan from the PNC Bank in Mechanicsville, Maryland. When his wife refused to co-sign the loan, Williams allegedly went out and kidnapped another woman to pretend that she was his wife and to sign the papers. It is not clear what he thought the woman would do after the transaction, but the effort was halted by the bank which could not help but notice that his wife had changed in a matter of hours. Even in a state with no-fault divorce, that is a bit of a fast turnaround.
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A Mesa In Arizona: Family Sues After Corpse Falls Out of Casket Into Grave
Published 1, November 28, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society , Torts 7 Comments
In yesterday’s story, the Comito family was shocked (here) when they learned that Robert Comito’s ashes were simply dropped from an airplane without opening the box — landing intact in a crater rather than being elegantly spread in the air. They need to talk to the family of Robert Gowdy to see how it could have been much worst. The family in Phoenix, Arizona is suing the city of Mesa, a funeral home, and other parties after a casket broke during a funeral and allow the corpse to fall into the grave in front of traumatized family members.
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Beating the Rap: English Convict Two Men on Use of Rap Song to Intimidate Witnesses
Published 1, November 28, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Society 4 Comments
Rappers have long used their song to glorify their past crimes and criminal credentials. However, in England, the rap song itself was the crime for Ishmael McLean, 22, from Greenford, and Rowan Simon, 18. They are accused of using an Internet song to intimidate witnesses to the murder of Jason Johnson, 24.
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Season’s Best: The Giving List
Published 1, November 28, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 10 Comments
A new report lists the top nations in terms of both the amount of aid and the nations that gave the most as a proportion of their gross national income. What is striking is the total absence of nations like Russia and China from either list despite their criticism of U.S. foreign policy.
Continue reading ‘Season’s Best: The Giving List’
Palin: One of My Greatest Credentials is the Lack of Credentials
Published 1, November 28, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 57 Comments
Sarah Palin is the gift that continues to keep on giving. In her recent appearance on O’Reilly, Palin was asked the “intelligence question,” to wit, the lack of presumed intelligence to be president. Palin responded by explaining that in today’s politics the lack of an impressive education or resume is actually the credential that Americans want in a candidate.
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A Mouse-Eye View: An Amazing Video of Owl in Slow Motion
Published 1, November 27, 2009 Bizarre , Environment 6 CommentsFor billions of mice, this is the last thing they saw on this Earth.
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Bombs Away: Former B17 Gunner Dropped From Plane and Found Later In Crater
Published 1, November 27, 2009 Bizarre , Society , Torts 10 Comments
Now this would make for an interesting bailment and negligence case in North Carolina. Robert Comito, a former gunner on a B17, wanted to have his ashes sprinkled in the skies. His family gave the ashes to the Collings Foundation, which agreed to perform the aerial distribution of Comito. Later, however, sheriff deputies found a crater with Comito’s ashes in a box that was thrown from the plane without opening it.
Continue reading ‘Bombs Away: Former B17 Gunner Dropped From Plane and Found Later In Crater’
Getting Your Stair Masters at Lincoln U: University Requires Fitness Testing and Course as Condition for Graduation
Published 1, November 27, 2009 Uncategorized 22 Comments
With many of us considering new resolutions on working out after the Thanksgiving feasts, one school is pushing the issue of fitness to a new level. Lincoln University is a historically black university in Pennsylvania that has now required a fitness course and confirmation of every student’s Body Mass Index as a condition for a degree — raising the ire of students. At Lincoln, it is your BMI first, then your BA.
Continue reading ‘Getting Your Stair Masters at Lincoln U: University Requires Fitness Testing and Course as Condition for Graduation’
Call to Prejudice: Swiss to Vote on Ban on Mosque Minarets
Published 1, November 27, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 31 CommentsThe Swiss are poised to vote on a disturbing attack on religion: a ban on minarets on mosques used for the adhan (call to prayer). If passed, the referendum this Sunday would be a clear denial of a basic human right for Muslims and an act of popular intolerance against a minority group.
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Cuomo Files Complaint Against U.H.O. for Fraudulently Raising Money for Homeless in New York
Published 1, November 27, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 10 Comments
Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo is moving against United Homeless Organization, which raises money around New York for the homeless. Coumo alleges that it is a scam organization that does not support a single shelter or soup kitchen. Cuomo says that the money goes to the workers themselves and the rest goes to the group’s founder and president, Stephen Riley, and its director, Myra Walker.
Iranians Confiscate Nobel Medal and Diploma of Shirin Ebadi
Published 1, November 27, 2009 Bizarre , International , Lawyering , Politics , Society 16 Comments
The Nobel Prize Committee has issued a formal complaint against the Iranian government after the Nobel medal and diploma of human rights activist and lawyer Shirin Ebadi was taken by officials from her bank safety deposit box. Ebadi has been routinely harassed by the Iranian government since she was selected for fighting for the rights of activists, children, and women in the repressive regime.
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The Fair and Balanced Pie: Fox Finds 193 Percent of Voters Support GOP Candidates
Published 1, November 27, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Media , Politics , Society 22 Comments
Now I understand how Bush won Florida in 2000. It appears that 193% of voters support one of the three leading candidates.
Continue reading ‘The Fair and Balanced Pie: Fox Finds 193 Percent of Voters Support GOP Candidates’
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Continue reading ‘HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!’
TURKEY TORTS
Published 1, November 26, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Courts , Society , Torts 7 Comments
In celebration of Thanksgiving, I give you our annual Turkey Torts of a few potential and actual lawsuits from this holiday. From deep-fried Turkeys to salmonella salads, the holiday gives personal injury lawyers a great deal to be thankful for.
PETA’s Thanksgiving Message: Enjoy Your Tortured Bird With a Heaping Bowl of Cruelty
Published 1, November 26, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Society 7 CommentsVarious stations have declined to air PETA’s nice little message to families for Thanksgiving.
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Giving Thanks for Sarah Palin
Published 1, November 26, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 31 CommentsThanksgiving would not be complete without the Palin Turkey Slaughter video. As she speaks to reporters, look over her shoulder. A man proceeds to slaughter less politically connected turkeys behind her.
Fowl Play: Our Top Thanksgiving Crimes for 2009
Published 1, November 26, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Politics , Society 3 Comments
And now for our selection for best Thanksgiving crimes. The top choice this year is found in Jackson, Michigan where police are looking for a 6-foot, 300-pound bald man who broke into a home and ran directly to the kitchen and stole the Thanksgiving turkey in front of the family.
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Happy Gadhimai Day!
Published 1, November 26, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 3 Comments
While today is the largest consumption of turkeys in the year, Nepal still holds the record for the largest sacrifice of animals. This week Nepal will carry out the ritualistic slaughter of more than 250,000 animals as part of the blood sacrifice to Gadhimai, a Hindu goddess of power. Most of the killings occur at and around the Gadhimai temple of Bariyapur.
Downer Decision: Man Pulls Over To Yell At Bicyclist Riding With Three-Year-Old Son and Shoots Him in the Back of the Helmet — Given Just Four Months By North Carolina Judge
Published 1, November 25, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 27 Comments
Former Asheville firefighter Charles Alexander Diez was irate over the fact that cyclist Alan Simons was bicycling on a busy road with his 3-year-old son in a child seat. His solution was to pull over, confront Simons and then shoot him in the head. The bullet went through Simons’ helmet and just missed his head. However, Superior Court Judge James Downs found that Diez was having a bad day and his military record had to be considered. He, therefore, gave Diez an astonishing 15-27 months and then suspended all but four months. Four months for coming less than an inch from killing a man in front of his son.
A Bird in the Hand is Worth . . . $50,000: Pennsylvania Man Receives $50,000 After Being Given Ticket for Flipping the Bird at Officer
Published 1, November 25, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Politics , Society , Torts 12 Comments
David Hackbart, 35, will be awarded $50,000 after being ticketed in Pittsburgh for flipping the bird in traffic.
Continue reading ‘A Bird in the Hand is Worth . . . $50,000: Pennsylvania Man Receives $50,000 After Being Given Ticket for Flipping the Bird at Officer’
Say It Ain’t So-duku, Joe: Scandal Rocks the Puzzle World
Published 1, November 25, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Society 32 Comments
Scandal has rocked the Sudoku community. Eugene Varshavsky of Lawrenceville, N.J. has been stripped of his third place position in the national Sudoku after cheating allegations were raised due to his sharply uneven performance. As a Sudoku addict, I am crushed. Not since the Black Sox Scandal and Shoeless Joe Jackson has such alleged depravity brought the great so low.
Continue reading ‘Say It Ain’t So-duku, Joe: Scandal Rocks the Puzzle World’
Sharia Witch Hunt: Saudi Court Sentences Lebanese Television Presenter to Death for Witchcraft
Published 1, November 25, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 19 Comments
Ali Sibat is a Lebanese citizen who counsels couples and viewers on television, making predictions about their future. Saudi police arrested Sibat when he was visiting Medina last year and accused him of being a sorcerer. He was convicted without a lawyer and sentenced to death.
Texas Police Shoot Dog and Then Taser Dog’s Deaf Elderly Owner For Failing to Obey Commands
Published 1, November 25, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society , Torts 22 Comments
Police in Bruceville-Eddy, Texas shot and killed a dog that they insist was threatening them and then tasered its elderly owner for failing to obey their commands. The man turns out to be deaf and there is still no word on the investigation that began in March in the incident.
Continue reading ‘Texas Police Shoot Dog and Then Taser Dog’s Deaf Elderly Owner For Failing to Obey Commands’
Tippecanoe and Terror Too: Engineering Student Charged With Terroristic Mischief for Leaving Box with Wheel Lock, Ticket, and $20 in Hallway
Published 1, November 25, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 16 Comments
Roy C. Sun, 21, is a smart senior student who hopes to be an engineer. He is a senior student at Purdue University in Indiana. Purdue police also say that he is a terrorist after he left a suspicious box in the hallway of the university’s Visitor Information Center. The police surrounded the area, used a small x-ray machine, and evacuated the building — only to discover that the box contained a wheel lock, a Purdue parking ticket and $20. Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington has charged him as a terrorist.
Continue reading ‘Tippecanoe and Terror Too: Engineering Student Charged With Terroristic Mischief for Leaving Box with Wheel Lock, Ticket, and $20 in Hallway’
Fawning Innocence: Police Taser Deer
Published 1, November 25, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International , Society 5 Comments
Perhaps it was inevitable with the rapid increase in the use of tasers, but police are now tasering animals. Toronto police tasered a deer that was found near a commercial building after it was tranquilized by a veterinarian.
Continue reading ‘Fawning Innocence: Police Taser Deer’
Motion to the Court: Kansas Man Charged With Threatening Judge and Witness
Published 1, November 24, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 10 Comments
Michael Sampson, 41, succeeded in turning a minor driving with a suspended license into a charge of threatening a judge and intimidating a witness — all without uttering a word.
Continue reading ‘Motion to the Court: Kansas Man Charged With Threatening Judge and Witness’
Kentucky Court Reduces But Upholds Punitive Award Against McDonald’s In Prank Rape Case
Published 1, November 24, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 14 Comments
The Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld but reduced a punitive award to a McDonald’s manager who was duped into a prank forcing a young worker into a strip search. The punitive award against McDonald’s was reduced from $1 million to $400,000. However, the court let stand the $5 million award of punitive damages for 18-year-old worker who was the subject of the search.
One Thumb Down, Very Down: Vatican Says New Moon is a Must Miss
Published 1, November 24, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 21 Comments
Reviews can be scathing for new movies, but the producers of New Moon, a vampire film, are being accused of not just robbing viewers of their money, but potentially their souls. The critic in this case is the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture and gave the film one thumb down . . . way down.
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Walk, Don’t Run: English Police Blow Up Car After Spotting Motorist Running For Boat
Published 1, November 24, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 6 Comments
Note to self: When parking a car in London, walk slowly away from the vehicle. Michael Raphel recently went on a birthday cruise on the River Thames. When he returned, police had blown up his car.
Continue reading ‘Walk, Don’t Run: English Police Blow Up Car After Spotting Motorist Running For Boat’
Pennsylvania Man Dies After Hit By Multiple Tasers
Published 1, November 24, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 25 CommentsThere is another fatality connected to the use of tasers. Ronald Petruney, 49, of Washington, Pa. died after he was hit by three tasers by police trying to restrain him.
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A Sign of the Times: Colorado Billboard Proclaims the Lunacy Taking Hold in America
Published 1, November 24, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 171 Comments
A billboard in Colorado is causing considerable controversy and gives an insight into the radical fringe of America. The billboard by car dealership owner Phil West in Wheat Ridge, Colorado combines the “birther” controversy with the suggestion that Obama is both a Muslim and a terrorist. It further makes the bizarre connection to Fort Hood — suggesting that Obama could at any time go on a shooting spree in the West Wing.
Breach Birth: Arizona Deputies Allegedly Force Woman to Give Birth in Shackles and Refuse to Allow Her to Hold Baby
Published 1, November 24, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 25 Comments 
A new alleged abuse is receiving national action from the ever-expanding controversies surrounding Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. We have been following the scandals surrounding Arpaio from his crackdown on illegal aliens to use of his office for a reality show to his attack on the press to his shaming of prisoners to his defense of deputies who rifle through the files of lawyers. Now, he is accused of forcing Alma Minerva Chacon to give birth in shackles when she went into labor the night of her arrest. What is interesting is that this is not the first such case of a shackled birth.
Kick-Off: Man Kicks Dog To Death To Watch Steelers Game
Published 1, November 23, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 14 Comments
William Woodson, 22, really wanted to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers game. So much so that, according to police, the Bridgeville, Pa. man kicked his girlfriend’s puppy to death for misbehaving.
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Hunter Kills College Student and Wounds Another in Hunting Accident
Published 1, November 23, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 58 Comments
Over the years, we have followed hunting accidents (here and here and here) — the subject of an earlier column on “buck fever.” We have a new and tragic such case in Virginia. Ferrum College senior Jessica Goode, 23, went out hiking with friends last week when Jason D. Cloutier, 31, mistook her for a deer. He shot and killed her in the chest with his .35-caliber, high-powered rifle. The bullet went through her chest and into the hand of her friend Regis Boudinot, 20.
Continue reading ‘Hunter Kills College Student and Wounds Another in Hunting Accident’
Meet Burka Barbie: Save the Children and Mattel Support Auction with Barbie in Full Burka
Published 1, November 23, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 203 Comments
It appears that Barbie has found religion. After rebelling with Harley Davidson Barbie and bikini Barbie. There is even an S & M Barbie in all leather and fishnet stockings. Now, however, there is Burka Barbie.
Obama: Tibet Is Part of China
Published 1, November 23, 2009 International , Politics , Religion , Society 19 Comments
President Barack Obama made an surprising concession, long sought by the Chinese government, in his recent visit to China. While largely ignored by most reporters covering the speech, Obama stated the following: “We did note that while we recognize that Tibet is part of the People’s Republic of China, the United States supports the early resumption of dialogue between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve any concerns and differences that the two sides may have.”
Bait and Switch: Study Shows Sushi Restaurants Substituting Tuna With Low-Grade Varieties or Even Endangered Species
Published 1, November 23, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Society , Torts 7 Comments
We previously followed a study of how leading restaurants were found to substitute cheap fish for salmon and other high-end fish without informing customers. Now, biologists have taken it upon themselves to test some of the sushi that they were served and discovered that, rather than tuna, it was often escolar — a fish that is often tied to diarrhea and other negative digestive reactions.
Continue reading ‘Bait and Switch: Study Shows Sushi Restaurants Substituting Tuna With Low-Grade Varieties or Even Endangered Species’
Iranian Interrogators Use Daily Show Segment As Proof of Espionage Against Journalist
Published 1, November 23, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 4 Comments
When Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari was being beaten and interrogated for 118 days as an accused spy he expected death but not the Daily Show. During his beatings, the Iranian interrogator played a segment from John Stewart’s Daily Show under the apparent belief that it is a real news program and revealed Bahari’s spy activities.
Bishop Bars Kennedy From Communion Due To Votes on Abortion
Published 1, November 23, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 46 Comments
Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin has publicly asked Rep. Patrick Kennedy to stop taking communion with the Catholic Church due to his support for abortion, confirming that he asked Kennedy to refrain from communion in a private discussion in 2007. The confrontation became public after Kennedy revealed the 2007 conversation. The move could embolden other bishops in barring public officials from the sacrament, particularly in light of the health bill’s protection of abortion services.
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And Then One Brave Mouse Stepped Forward to Parley . . .
Published 1, November 22, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Society 14 Comments
It appears “parley” is recognized by both pirates and cats.
Continue reading ‘And Then One Brave Mouse Stepped Forward to Parley . . .’
Bewitched: University of Nebraska Settles Case With Witch After Preliminary Finding of Discrimination
Published 1, November 22, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Religion , Society 12 Comments
According to critics, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln has ended its witch hunt. It settled with an unnamed self-described witch who alleged that she was fired after coming out of the figurative broom closet.
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Scientology Accused of Spreading Propaganda to Elementary Students in Australia
Published 1, November 22, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 16 Comments
The tension between the Church of Scientology and Australian political leaders continued to grow last week. First, there was the allegation of the Church obstructing a criminal investigation, here. Then, there was the call for a criminal investigation of the Church by a powerful member of the legislature, here. Now, educators and parents are outraged over material distributed to elementary children heralding L. Ron Hubbard as one of history’s greatest figures and a symbol of human rights.
Continue reading ‘Scientology Accused of Spreading Propaganda to Elementary Students in Australia’
Don’t Bring Out Your Dead: Detroit Overwhelmed By Unclaimed Bodies
Published 1, November 22, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 11 Comments
Detroit has long fascinated observers as a major city in political and economic meltdown. In addition to continual political scandals and corruption investigations of its leaders, Detroit has soaring crime and debt that are accelerating a downward spiral. Now, in something out of Roger & Me, the city is dealing with a massive stack of corpses as people abandon loved ones due to a lack of money to bury them.
Continue reading ‘Don’t Bring Out Your Dead: Detroit Overwhelmed By Unclaimed Bodies’
Kitty Cop: Feline Fights to Serve and Purrtect
Published 1, November 22, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society 14 CommentsCats have long resented the monopoly of dogs in animal law enforcement.
Continue reading ‘Kitty Cop: Feline Fights to Serve and Purrtect’
Stewardess, the Man Next to Me Skinks: California Man Arrested at Airport With 15 Reptiles Tied to Body
Published 1, November 21, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International , Society 11 Comments
It was probably not the reptile logo on an Izod shirt that gave Michael Plank, 40, away at the Los Angeles International Airport. It was more likely the 15 live lizards strapped to his chest under the shirt, including 11 skinks.
Continue reading ‘Stewardess, the Man Next to Me Skinks: California Man Arrested at Airport With 15 Reptiles Tied to Body’
Funeral Director and Missouri Politician Pleads Guilty to Mishandling of Corpses
Published 1, November 21, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics , Society 16 Comments
Harold Warren Sr., 77, a Missouri funeral home director has pleaded guilty to intentionally giving three families the wrong cremated remains. This includes leaving a woman’s body in an electrical room for 10 months without embalming or refrigeration. What is interesting is that Circuit Judge Gary Oxenhandler indicated that he might not honor the plea bargain for no jail time for Warren, who is a prominent political figure in the area. There are questions of whether the prosecutors cut Warren a remarkably light deal due to his political connections and standing in the community.
Continue reading ‘Funeral Director and Missouri Politician Pleads Guilty to Mishandling of Corpses’
California Man Arrested for Allegedly Paying Teen to Spit in His Face
Published 1, November 21, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 23 Comments
Prosecutors in Thousand Oaks, California have brought a novel charge in a bizarre case. Charles Hersel, 39, has been charged with misdemeanor child annoyance after allegedly paying a teenager $31 to spit in his face. The teenager arranged the deal through MySpace. [Update: Hersel has been acquitted in the case after only an hour of deliberation by the jury]
Continue reading ‘California Man Arrested for Allegedly Paying Teen to Spit in His Face’
I’ll Huff and I’ll Puff . . .: English Architects Build Wolf-Proof, Fire-Proof Straw House
Published 1, November 21, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Environment , International , Society 22 Comments
You cannot trust anything today. After generations were taught how the little pig who built his house out of straw was negligent, a straw house has not only been built in England but it has even passed the industry standard fire safety test. Called the Balehaus@Bath, it is built of pre-fabricated straw-bale and hemp sections and would resist the most determined, wind-blowing wolf.
Continue reading ‘I’ll Huff and I’ll Puff . . .: English Architects Build Wolf-Proof, Fire-Proof Straw House’
Video: Connecticut Officer Drives 94 Miles an Hour on Non-Emergency Call and Kills Two Teenagers
Published 1, November 21, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society , Torts 21 CommentsMilford, Connecticut police officer Jason Anderson has been charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of reckless driving in an accident that killed 19-year-old David Servin and 19-year-old Ashlie Krakowski. Anderson was driving at 94 miles per hour at the time and the crash was caught on the dashcam of another cruiser by Police Officer Richard Pisani.
With Friends Like These . . . : Woman Loses Disability Payments Due to Facebook Page
Published 1, November 20, 2009 Bizarre , Society , Torts 23 Comments
Nathalie Blanchard seems to have had one “friend” too many on her Facebook page. The Quebec woman is on long-term sick leave but posted pictures of herself on the beach and enjoying a show with the Chippendales. One of the viewers was the insurance company paying for her total disability due to depression from her job at IBM.
Shock Lobster: Company Invents Lobster Stunning Machine
Published 1, November 20, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , International , Society 12 Comments
With the increased use of tasers on humans, it was perhaps inevitable that the crustacean set would demand their own stunning device. Simon Buckhaven of CrustaStun has developed a system that allows lobsters to be zapped to death in a device rather than boiled alive. It was such a breakthrough that animal rights groups organized a lobster dinner fundraiser with lobsters dispatched with the CrustaStun device. The problem is that the machines were lost in transit and the sponsors had to boil hundreds of lobsters alive at the event with such participating groups as PETA.
Continue reading ‘Shock Lobster: Company Invents Lobster Stunning Machine’
Bacterial Spray: Procter and Gamble Recalls Vicks Nasal Spray
Published 1, November 20, 2009 International , Society , Torts 3 Comments
We have a new major recall this morning. Procter & Gamble is recalling Vicks Sinex nasal spray in the United States, Britain and Germany because of the presence of bacteria. Shooting live bacteria up your nose puts a new meaning in the gamble that comes with Procter & Gamble.
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Shock Video: Officers Stop Bicyclists on Video and . . . Hug them
Published 1, November 20, 2009 Bizarre , Society 17 CommentsI am confused. Where’s the taser?
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Court: Corps of Engineers Responsible for Flood Damage in New Orleans
Published 1, November 20, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Media , Politics , Society , Torts 21 Comments
A federal judge in New Orleans has found “monumental negligence” by the U.S. Army’s Corps of Engineers in the operation and maintenance of a shipping channel called the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. The finding allows residents to collect damages against the U.S. government after their homes were swamped by Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters in 2005.
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Pat Robertson Claims Islam Not Religion — and Virginia Governor-Elect McDonnell Refuses to Disavow Comment
Published 1, November 20, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 38 Comments
Pat Robertson has declared that Islam is not a religion but a “violent political system.” For many, such statements are nothing new from Robertson. However, it was a bit more surprising yesterday to learn that Virginia Governor Elect Bob McDonnell has refused to disavow that view. McDonnell was opposed during the recent campaign for having extreme religious views and close ties to evangelical leaders like Robertson.
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Barney The Bovine Canine: Man Barred From Owning Dogs for Ten Years After Overfeeding Dalmatian
Published 1, November 20, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International , Society 18 Comments
John Green 50, has attained the novel status of being banned from keeping dogs for ten years. Green’s victim was a Dalmatian named Barney, who he overfed to the point that he weighed “11 stone” — a stone is roughly the equivalent to 14 pounds. This made Barney look like he ate the other 100 Dalmatians.
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Court: Paranoid Schizophrenic with IQ of 61 and Manic Depression is Eligible for Execution
Published 1, November 20, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society 14 Comments
Donald Giles would appear to have the trifecta of mental incompetence arguments against execution. He is a paranoid schizophrenic with an IQ of 61 and a history of suicide attempts and depression. However, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Martin McDonald has ruled that Giles, 41, may be put to death if the jury so rules in his trial for the 2003 murder and robbery of Charles Goodlett.
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Prison Barbie: Accountant Steals a Half Million Dollars and Buys Dolls
Published 1, November 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 2 Comments
Accountant Margot Jean Strawn, 58, has been sentenced to four years in prison for stealing $500,000 from a trust account. What is a little more striking is what she used the money for: to buy dolls on the Internet.
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Lehigh Students Arrested for Failing to Leave Tip
Published 1, November 19, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 52 Comments
Lehigh students Leslie Pope and John Wagner believe that they now know why tipping is mandatory at the Lehigh Pub in Bethlehem. After they received what they called horrendous service, they paid the bill with no tip. They ended up in jail for the $16.35 tip.
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Bathe or Tase: Police Officer Tasers 10-Year-Old Girl Who Refused to Take Shower
Published 1, November 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 15 Comments
Arkansas police officer Dustin Bradshaw, used a Taser on a 10-year-old girl at the mother’s request after the little girl refused to take a shower and refused to obey him.
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Psalm Like It Hot: Conservatives Rally Around Psalm 109
Published 1, November 19, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 73 Comments
Conservatives have picked a curious new slogan to oppose President Barack Obama: “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” It is a quote from Psalm 109:8, but conservatives leave off the full passage: “Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.” It is a damnation or imprecatory prayer.
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Scout or Scab? Union Threatens Legal Action Over Scout Who Cleared Trash
Published 1, November 19, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 46 Comments
Nick Balzano, president of the Service Employees International Union’s Allentown chapter, may have picked the wrong target for a threat of legal action by the union. Balzano threated the city with a grievance filing after Boy Scout Kevin Anderson, 17, says he cleared a walking path in an east Allentown, Pa. park so people could walk along the river. That should have been a job given to union employees, Balzano, claimed, and is threatening a legal filing.
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Sharia Court Stones Woman to Death for Adultery — Gives Man 100 Lashes
Published 1, November 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 14 Comments
The Sharia courts of Somalia have another atrocity to their credit. The Islamic court of al-Shabab sentenced a woman to be stoned to death for adultery. The man was given 100 lashes.
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Court Rules Against Arizona Deputy on Swiping Lawyer’s Note — Arpaio To Defy Court
Published 1, November 19, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics , Society 31 CommentsThere has been a ruling in the Arizona case where an officer, Officer Adam Stoddard with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is clearly shown on this videotape reading and then swiping the confidential papers of defense attorney Joanne Cuccia in court. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Gary Donahoe found against Stoddard and ordered him to either apologize or report to jail — a remarkably light sentence. However, his boss is Sheriff Joe Arpaio who has said that his officer will defy the order.
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Sentence First, Verdict Afterwards: Obama Assures Public KSM Will Be Convicted and Executed
Published 1, November 18, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Society 50 Comments
It was the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland that declared “Sentence first! Verdict afterwards.” However, President Barack Obama appears to have taken a lesson our two from her majesty. Today, President Obama assured Americans that they should not be offended by trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in federal court because he will be convicted and executed. I will be discussing this story tonight on MSNBC Countdown.
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Not Ready for Prime Time: Minnesota Thugs Videotape Themselves Attacking People and Supply Names in YouTube Segment
Published 1, November 18, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 2 Comments
Minneapolis and St. Paul are looking for a group of thugs whom videotaped themselves beating up pedestrians and threatening people. They should be relatively easy to locate: they included their real names and street names in formal credits on a YouTube video entitled “Watch This T.V.”
Detective Offers Conflicting Testimony in World Bank Case
Published 1, November 18, 2009 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics , Society 8 Comments
This afternoon, the Plaintiffs in the World Bank/IMF protest case filed a notice with the Court of the receipt of an affidavit in the case from a police detective, who contradicts the sworn testimony of former D.C. (and current Philadelphia) Police Chief Charles Ramsey. As lead counsel in one of the two cases (with my colleague Daniel Schwartz of Bryan Cave), I am limited in what I can say on the case. However, to reduce calls to my office, I am posting the filing below.
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Tweet Torts: Rocker Courtney Love Sued by Designer For Defamation on Twitter
Published 1, November 18, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Media , Society , Torts 7 Comments
We have been following the expansion of defamation cases linked to Internet sites, here, and here. We now have an interesting Twitter case involving rock star Courtney Love, who lost her bid recently to dismiss a libel action filed by designer Dawn Simorangkir. Simorangkir claims in the lawsuit that Love “has embarked in what is nothing short of an obsessive and delusional crusade to terrorize and destroy” her.
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The Arresting Look: English Police Denounce “Shrek” Felon as “Too Ugly” for Crime
Published 1, November 18, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 18 Comments
This is a bit harsh. Police has nicknamed David Holyoak, 33, as “Shrek” and publicly stated that he is “too ugly” for crime and a menace to criminal gangs.
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Xenophon v. Xenu: Leading Australian Senator Calls for Criminal Investigation of Church of Scientology
Published 1, November 18, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 17 Comments
In the aftermath of the criminal conviction in France (here), the Church of Scientology is facing a call for a criminal investigation in Australia from Senator Nick Xenophon, who presented the case against the church before the legislature.
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O’Reilly: “I Don’t Care About The Constitution”
Published 1, November 18, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Media , Politics , Society 75 Comments Conservative commentators continue their war on the Constitution this week with increasingly shrill rhetoric of how our laws and civil liberties are endangering us. Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly, however, achieved a remarkable low by declaring “I don’t care about the Constitution” on air in a discussion of Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to try five detainees in New York.
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More Randy Than Good: Man Agrees To Remove Pile of Hundreds of Dead Deer from Property
Published 1, November 17, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society , Torts 16 Comments
In North Buffalo, Pennsylvania, Randy Good has created a novel and disgusting nuisance. He has agreed to remove a pile of hundreds of dead deer from his property which has neighbors gagging from the odor.
Hello, Cali Calling: Texas Man Arrested After Selling Pot Door-to-Door Until Knocking on the Door of a Police Officer
Published 1, November 17, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 12 Comments
Anthony Carrazco, 19, has learned the perils of door-to-door sales. Carrazco, however, was not selling Hoovers or Avon. He was selling marijuana door-to-door until he knocked on the door of a Brownsville cop. He was not amused to learn that rather than “Avon calling” it was the Cali Cartel.
Shaming Undermines Justice
Published 1, November 17, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society , Torts , USA Today 22 Comments
Here is today’s column in USA Today on the continuing trend toward shaming or creative punishments.
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Wolf, Dog, or Wog? Breeders Raises Troubling Legal Questions Over Hybrid Wolf/Dogs
Published 1, November 17, 2009 Bizarre , Environment , Society , Torts 36 Comments
It appears that the recent popularity over new hybrid dog breeds (like Labradoodles) has spawned a more dangerous market for hybrid dog/wolf pups. Animal activists are warning about the potential for attacks. Moreover, the new breeds could still be illegal in some states and may expose owners to strict liability.
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Qaddafi Hires a Room Full of Attractive Italian Women to Convince Them to Come to Libya for a Vacation and Conversion
Published 1, November 17, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 12 Comments
Libyan Leader Muammar al-Qaddafi (aka Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi) may have bombed at the United Nations with his rambling speech, but he is still trying to win the hearts and minds of the young. This week, Qaddafi spoke to an audience of young Italian women about the need for them to convert and come and see him in Libya for a vacation.
Sheer Genius: Sweet Child O Mine Performed Mano-a-Mano
Published 1, November 17, 2009 Bizarre , Society 9 CommentsGerry Phillips is to hand farts what Louis Armstrong is to trumpets.
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You Would Be Crazy Not To Own a Gun: Senators Propose Law To Guarantee Gun Ownership for Mentally Incapacitated Veterans
Published 1, November 16, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Military , Politics , Society 76 Comments
We recently saw a court rule that a quadriplegic has a right to hunt with a special chair where he literally blows away deer by blowing into a tube attached to the trigger. Now, Senators have adopted a provision to guarantee the right of “mentally incapacitated” veterans to buy firearms. After the shooting at Fort Hood, the provision passed with the support of Republican North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr and Democratic Virginia Senator Jim Webb is attracting criticism.
Family Accuses Chicago Officers of Dangling Suspect Out of a Window and then Dropping Him
Published 1, November 16, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society , Torts 6 Comments
The family of Matthias Mayhorn has filed a complaint against two Chicago police officers alleging that they dangled Mayhorn out of a second floor window, fired their weapons near him, and then dropped him. They also allege that the officers refused to call immediate medical attention. He died later at a hospital from his injuries. The case shows how one event can present radically different accounts.
Gay Teen Burned, Decapitated, and Dismembered — Police Blame Lifestyle
Published 1, November 16, 2009 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Society 26 Comments
George Steven Lopez Mercado was a gay teen in Puerto Rico who was found on the side of a road partially burned, decapitated, and dismembered. The response of the police was reportedly horror . . . at his lifestyle.
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The DUI Necessity Defense: Montana Supreme Court Rules That Woman Can Claim Necessity Defense in Driving Drunk to Avoid Fight
Published 1, November 16, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Society 10 Comments
Necessity defenses in tort and criminal law are always somewhat controversial and rarely successful in criminal prosecutions. However, Lisa Marie Leprowse has secured a reversal of her DUI conviction from the Montana Supreme Court, which ruled that the trial court erred in not allowing her to argue that she drove drunk to avoid a fight.
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President Obama Calls On China to Be More Transparent and Open — And Then Bars The Release of Any More Photos of Detainee Abuse to the Media and Public
Published 1, November 16, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 34 Comments
President Barack Obama and his Administration set a new level of hypocrisy this weekend with calls on the Chinese government and military to end censorship and be more open with the public while barring disclosure of embarrassing photos of detainee abuse.
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Connecticut Teacher Arrested After Stealing Money for Another Teacher and Caught on Videotape
Published 1, November 16, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 16 Comments
There are theories on the rational criminal actor, but I doubt Susan Dinnean, 55, would qualify in Wilton, Connecticut. The teacher at Middlebrook Middle School is accused of stealing $20 from the purse of another teacher — resulting in her loss of a $95,000 a year job.
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A Bit Too Fresh: Chinese Discover Way To Keep Fish Alive After Being Fried
Published 1, November 16, 2009 Bizarre , International , Society 50 CommentsThis is obviously a cultural divide. This video shows how the Chinese have devised a way to keep a fish alive during frying so that it can be eaten alive.
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Warning Shot: Las Vegas Officer Accidentally Fired Gun At Cuffed Suspect
Published 1, November 16, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 14 CommentsThis video should be in every police academy training program. The female officer shown in the video from Las Vegas stands with gun drawn while a suspect is cuffed and then accidently discharges her weapon — barely missing both the suspect and the other officer.
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Proof that dogs are too smart to pay $10,000 to sweat to death in a self-help program, here.
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Indian Tribe Sues Self-Help Author Over Use of Sweat Lodge
Published 1, November 15, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 21 Comments
We previously followed the investigation into the three deaths in a sweat lodge run by “Spiritual Warrior” James Arthur Ray at the Angel Valley Retreat Center in Sedona, Arizona. Now, the Lakota Sioux Tribe is suing, demanding the prosecution of Ray under the 1869 Treaty of Fr. Laramie for appropriating a Native American ritual.
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