Happy Halloween to all of the ghostly regulars of the Turley Blog! Despite the theory that Halloween is just a cry for help from my rotting soul, I love this holiday and the house is covered with our annual display of skeletons, webs, and spooky items.
Continue reading ‘HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!’
Archive for October, 2011
Spooky Torts: The 2011 List Halloween Cases and Controversies
Published 1, October 31, 2011 Bizarre , Society 9 Comments
Here is our annual list of Halloween torts and crimes. This holiday remains a favorite for personal injury lawyers around the world and this year’s additions show why.
So, with no further ado, here is this year’s annual Spooky Torts list of actual cases from Halloween (with our past winners).
Continue reading ‘Spooky Torts: The 2011 List Halloween Cases and Controversies’
Miami Police Officer Arrested After Speeding To Work At 120 MPH
Published 1, October 31, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 10 Comments
Fausto Lopez is someone who does not like to be late for work. Running late this month for his security job, Lopez was clocked speeding at 120 mph and then took police on a car chase. The security position is his second job. He is a Miami police officer.
Continue reading ‘Miami Police Officer Arrested After Speeding To Work At 120 MPH’
Meet Laura Chavez: A Monopoly Player In Need Of A “Get Out Of Jail Free” Card
Published 1, October 31, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 5 Comments
In Santa Fe, Mexico, no one takes Monopoly quite as seriously as Laura Chavez, 60. Chavez was arrested last week for allegedly stabbed her boyfriend repeatedly after accusing him of cheating at Monopoly.
Continue reading ‘Meet Laura Chavez: A Monopoly Player In Need Of A “Get Out Of Jail Free” Card’
Democratic Strategist: Republicans Like Cain as a “Black Man Who Knows His Place”
Published 1, October 31, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 163 Comments
I have previously raised concern over the treatment of Herman Cain by the media and Democratic activists because of his race. While I have strong disagreements with Cain, I find it discomforting to see how his race is such a preoccupation with Democrats. This weekend, I was taken aback by the statement of Democratic strategist and MSNBC analyst Karen Finney that Cain is “a black man who knows his place.”
Continue reading ‘Democratic Strategist: Republicans Like Cain as a “Black Man Who Knows His Place”’
Police In Canada Face Outrage After Responding To Call Of Escaped Calf By Repeatedly Shooting The Animal
Published 1, October 31, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Society 31 Comments
This YouTube video is raising some disturbing questions about the judgment and training of police in Gatineau, Canada. The police are shown responding to a call of an escaped calf by shooting the animal about a dozen times.
Continue reading ‘Police In Canada Face Outrage After Responding To Call Of Escaped Calf By Repeatedly Shooting The Animal’
Florida Woman Gives New Meaning To The “Good Book”
Published 1, October 30, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion 11 CommentsSubmitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
42-year-old Tonya Sutton isn’t one to wear religion on her sleeve — more like in her hands. Toting a Bible in one hand and an open Colt .45 malt liquor in the other, the Fort Pierce native was stopped by police for violating Florida’s open container law. When police cracked open the Good Book, and much to their surprise, they found a hollowed out section for Ms. Sutton’s crack pipe – allegedly, of course. Police arrested Ms. Sutton on alcohol and drug paraphernalia charges.
Not sure if Sutton got the idea from the 1968 Robert Mitchum film, Five Card Stud, where his character, Rev. Rudd, kept his firearm in a carved-out Bible, or from “Andy” in The Shawshank Redemption, who did the same for his rock pick, but either way it’s ironically delicious.
This may also help explain why one in three Americans enthusiastically takes the Bible as literally true. After all, Karl Marx did call religion the “opiate of the masses.” Who knew that old German had a funny streak in him? In any event, it seems Bible pushers have a new marketing gimmick for their product. As every kid knows, a prize in the box always boosts sales.
Source: UPI
~Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
George Will, a conservative columnist for the Washington Post, is not pleased with the GOP’s front runner, Mitt Romney. In his latest column, Will slams Romney for Romney’s support of ethanol subsidies. Will notes that Obamacare is a cousin of Romneycare. Will also goes after Romney’s waffling on support of the opposition to the repeal of the law that Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich enacted, limiting the collective bargaining rights of public employees.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
For your Halloween listening enjoyment, we present John Zacherie in glorious STEREO!
So You Don’t Think You’re A Slaver?
Published 1, October 30, 2011 International , Justice , Society , Things That Tick Me Off 61 Comments
Slaver?
Or Emancipator?
Submitted by Gene Howington, Guest Blogger
So you don’t think you’re a slaver?
Of course you don’t.
Statistically speaking, most of you are decent people. You find the notion of slavery abhorrent. Slavery is illegal in this country and immoral and unethical everywhere. You’d never hire someone using slaves to work for you. You’d never buy something you knew without a doubt was made by slaves.
Right? Or would you? What if you didn’t know your subcontractor relied upon slave labor or the goods you purchased were made by slave labor or relied on natural resources gathered and processed by slaves? If you did, would you do something about it? Knowledge is power. As your quantity and quality of relevant information increases, so will the quality of your decision making.
Would you like to get an idea about how much slave labor goes into maintaining your lifestyle, if any?
There’s an app for that.
Conservative Family Values? AntiGay Candidate Admits Lesbian Affair With Student 40 Years Ago, Still Wants Political Office
Published 1, October 29, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Things That Tick Me Off 43 CommentsSubmitted By Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
An interesting story out of Appomattox, Virginia, and one that hits closer to home than I originally thought. Anti-Gay lobbyist and former deputy clerk of the Virginia House of Delegates, Linda Wall, wants to put her conservative ideology to work for the citizens of Appomattox, Virginia in the election for the Commonwealth’s 59th District House seat. Running as an independent, she describes herself as a “Republican-leaning conservative.” Her campaign slogan is: “A Campaign of Protection and Restoration.” But the place where our Country was reunited in 1865, is wondering just what kind of “protection” she’s talking about and has a real dilemma on its hand since Wall admitted a lesbian affair with one of her junior high students in the early 1970s.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
B.E.S.T., Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature, is the organization, formed by Richard Muller, Professor of Physics at the University of California at Berkeley and self-proclaimed climate skeptic, to analyze temperature data. B.E.S.T. has received a total of $623,087 in financial support, with the largest contribution, $150,000, coming from the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. B.E.S.T. directly addressed concerns including urban heat island effect, poor station quality, and data selection bias.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Today we have the original, by Eddie Cochran, in glorious STEREO!
Public Interest Groups Denounce Obama For Violating Lobbyist Money Pledge
Published 1, October 28, 2011 Politics , Society 36 Comments
For years, civil libertarians and environmentalist have denounced President Obama for his policies violating core principles of those movements. Now anti-corruption and good government groups are denouncing him for his abandonment of pledges to not to take lobbyist money.
Continue reading ‘Public Interest Groups Denounce Obama For Violating Lobbyist Money Pledge’
Shorter Means Straighter: University Requires Faculty To Sign Lifestyle Statement Denouncing Homosexuality
Published 1, October 28, 2011 Constitutional Law , Free Speech , Religion , Society 45 Comments
Shorter University President Donald Dowless has notified the faculty and staff that they will now be required to sign mandatory pledges that affirm their rejection of homosexuality and other unChristian acts. The pledge, Dowless, insists, is necessary as an “affirmation of our Christ-centered mission.” It has caused a considerable controversy, though the countervailing religious practice rights should be considered.
U.S. Troops Trained Not To Spit Or Urinate Toward Mecca
Published 1, October 28, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 20 Comments
The article below contains a rather bizarre note on how our soldiers are trained to deal with the religious demands of our Afghan allies when deployed. Troops are taught that they should not spit, urinate, or sleep with their feet exposed toward Mecca.
Continue reading ‘U.S. Troops Trained Not To Spit Or Urinate Toward Mecca’
McBan: McDonald’s Bans Arizona Professor From All Restaurants After She Claims To Find Pathogens in Play Areas
Published 1, October 28, 2011 Bizarre , Science , Society , Torts 19 Comments
With repeated brawls in McDonald’s, it is would seem that it is pretty hard to be excluded from the restaurant chain. However, Erin Carr Jordan found a way. The mother of four and college professor with a doctorate in developmental psychology, has been leading an effort to get McDonald’s to clean its play area by testing equipment and reportedly finding dangerous levels of pathogens. It is not the first time McDonald’s has been accused of such dangerous levels — made more dangerous by being in proximity to food where the children digest the pathogens.
Continue reading ‘McBan: McDonald’s Bans Arizona Professor From All Restaurants After She Claims To Find Pathogens in Play Areas’
Reforming Halloween From “Jesus Ween” To Saturday-Only Observance
Published 1, October 27, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 44 Comments
As a self-confessed Halloween devotee, I am always taken aback by those who want to change or eliminate what seems to me to be a hugely fun holiday for kids and adults alike. Yet, this year has seen the annual reforms of the holidays from changing the date to establishing the alternative of “Jesus Ween.” Yet, this is an improvement over psychoanalysis that my love for Halloween is merely a cry for help from my dying soul.
Continue reading ‘Reforming Halloween From “Jesus Ween” To Saturday-Only Observance’
When I saw this on Reddit, I marveled how in this community people feel comfortable leaving their doors unlocked while shopping.
Continue reading ‘Who Needs A Car Alarm?’
The Obama Tuition Stimulus: Will Students Get A Sawbuck While The Constitution Get The Shaft?
Published 1, October 27, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 57 Comments
The newly announced stimulus effort to help students has been denounced as an election year ploy that, as discussed in the below article, would result in less than $10 a month in savings for the average student. The question is whether such a use of executive power is constitutional given the conflict with prior legislation.
Continue reading ‘The Obama Tuition Stimulus: Will Students Get A Sawbuck While The Constitution Get The Shaft?’
Court Under Fire For Upholding Application of Islamic Law in Florida Court
Published 1, October 27, 2011 Constitutional Law , Religion , Society 39 Comments
The 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland, Florida is under fire after upholding the use of Islamic law by Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Richard A. Nielsen. The uproar has reignited the national controversy over the perceived threat of Sharia law to the United States.
Continue reading ‘Court Under Fire For Upholding Application of Islamic Law in Florida Court’
Pro-Life or Pro-Libel: Former Dem Congressman Sues Susan B. Anthony List For “Loss of Livelihood” After Defeat
Published 1, October 26, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , Free Speech , Politics , Society 25 Comments
When former Rep. Steven Driehaus lost his seat in Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, he prepared more than a concession speech. He prepared a lawsuit. Driehaus blames his defeat on what he says were misrepresentations by the Susan B. Anthony List, a group that supports pro-life candidates for Congress. Continue reading ‘Pro-Life or Pro-Libel: Former Dem Congressman Sues Susan B. Anthony List For “Loss of Livelihood” After Defeat’
Rock Relics: John Lennon’s Tooth Up For Sale At $16,000
Published 1, October 26, 2011 Bizarre , Society 15 Comments
Many of us may have been under the misimpression that the sale of relics is a market that has largely disappeared since the height in the Middle Ages. An auction this week shows that it has not disappeared. It has simply moved from religious to rock relics. John Lennon’s remarkably yellow tooth will be auctioned on Omega auction with a price of $16,000. Assuming that all teeth are valued the same, that would mean that John Lennon’s full 32-tooth dental resources (not including baby teeth) are worth $512,000.
Continue reading ‘Rock Relics: John Lennon’s Tooth Up For Sale At $16,000′
Egyptian Party Leader: “I Am the Enemy of Democracy”
Published 1, October 26, 2011 Constitutional Law , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion , Society 494 Comments
With Libya now moving to a Sharia-based system that will impose religious values on the population, Egypt is also rapidly moving toward an extreme Sharia based system. Indeed, Hesham al Ashry (the leader of the Salafists) announced this week that “I am the enemy of democracy.”
Continue reading ‘Egyptian Party Leader: “I Am the Enemy of Democracy”’
California Man Spends Nine Hours Trapped in Swing
Published 1, October 26, 2011 Bizarre , Torts 15 Comments
Now this would make for an interesting tort lawsuit. A California man was rescued on Saturday after being stuck in a toddler’s swing in the park for nine hours. The man had bet his friends $100 that he could fit into the swing, lubricated himself with laundry detergent, and squeezed into the swing — only to be stuck. After trying unsuccessfully to free him, the friends decided to leave him as a joke.
Continue reading ‘California Man Spends Nine Hours Trapped in Swing’
Elvis Has Left The Building and Left The Building and Left The Building . . .
Published 1, October 26, 2011 Bizarre 8 Comments
The fire department in Rochester, Kent had a bit of a surprise when people came pouring out of a charity event on Saturday. Sixty Elvis impersonators fled the building and were all shook up.
Continue reading ‘Elvis Has Left The Building and Left The Building and Left The Building . . .’
Michigan Court Rules Insurance Coverage Includes Witnessing Son’s Death While Driving In Another Vehicle
Published 1, October 25, 2011 Torts 15 Comments
There is an interesting case out of the Michigan courts this week. A Michigan appellate court ruled that a mother, Gale Boertmann, who saw her son’s fatal motorcycle accident could claim damages under her own auto insurance for her injuries while driving. Cincinnati Insurance Co. objected, saying that the injury was not due to her operation of the vehicle since “she would have suffered the exact same injury if she were standing on the front porch of her house.”
Continue reading ‘Michigan Court Rules Insurance Coverage Includes Witnessing Son’s Death While Driving In Another Vehicle’
Oregon Man Shoots At “Bear” and Kills Marine on a Hike
Published 1, October 25, 2011 Bizarre , Society , Torts 25 Comments
We have previously discussed “buck fever” cases and the relative absence of civil or criminal penalties for fatal hunting accidents historically. This week saw another tragic case after Marine reservist Christopher A. Ochoa, 20, was shot while hiking with a friend. Gene Collier, 67, says that he though Ochoa was a bear while hunting with his grandson.
Continue reading ‘Oregon Man Shoots At “Bear” and Kills Marine on a Hike’
Meet Robert Maresca: The Man Who Wants The Rights To “Occupy Wall Street”
Published 1, October 25, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 21 Comments
Many people have watched the spontaneous “Occupy Wall Street” protests and have been inspired and moved to action. Robert and Diane Maresca are two of those people but not quite in the way intended. The Long Island couple has filed a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) application to cash in on the movement and claim ‘Occupy Wall St.” as a global brand name for merchandise and marketing.
Continue reading ‘Meet Robert Maresca: The Man Who Wants The Rights To “Occupy Wall Street”’
Woman Claims TSA Inspector Left Note In Bag Saying “GET YOUR FREAK ON GIRL” After Discovering Sex Toy
Published 1, October 25, 2011 Bizarre , International , Society 46 Comments
Jill Filipovic claims to have found quite a surprise when she arrived in Ireland. Upon opening up her luggage, she allegedly discovered that the TSA had done an inspection of her luggage. What was disconcerting is that, after finding a sex toy in her luggage, an inspector left a message on the inspection notice saying “GET YOUR FREAK ON GIRL”
Continue reading ‘Woman Claims TSA Inspector Left Note In Bag Saying “GET YOUR FREAK ON GIRL” After Discovering Sex Toy’
CSI – Minneapolis: Who Did The Ferret?
Published 1, October 25, 2011 Animals , Criminal law , Society 14 Comments
Police in Minneapolis are awaiting an autopsy to determine if Thomas James Hart, 23, is a killer. It is an all-too-familiar story: boy meets girl, girl dumps boy, boy drowns ferret. The whodunit will turn on the whether the victim has water in the lungs — evidence that Hart drowned him in a bowl of water. The problem is that the victim is a ferret.
Continue reading ‘CSI – Minneapolis: Who Did The Ferret?’
CBS: Gadhafi May Have Been Sodomized After Capture
Published 1, October 24, 2011 Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Society 46 Comments
I received a fair amount of criticism after my post following the death of Maummar Gadhafi objecting to the apparent execution of the deposed leader and the abuse of his body. One rebel has now come forward to take credit in executing the unarmed dictator and there is now a report that a Libyan rebel may have sodomized the dictator as part of the abuse after his capture.
Continue reading ‘CBS: Gadhafi May Have Been Sodomized After Capture’
New Libyan Leader Pledges To Impose Sharia Law on the Country
Published 1, October 24, 2011 Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion , Society 34 Comments
After heralding in what President Obama called a new era of “dignity” but abusing and killing a wounded Maummar Gadhafi, the head of the transitional government leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil has announced that the new government will be structured on Sharia law — ruling under Islamic values and imposed religious dictates.
Continue reading ‘New Libyan Leader Pledges To Impose Sharia Law on the Country’
ICE Balls: Federal Agents Announce “We Don’t Need a Warrant, We’re ICE”
Published 1, October 24, 2011 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Society 35 Comments
Over the last few decades, the courts and Congress have gradually made the warrant clause of the Fourth Amendment superfluous. Now the majority of searches in the United States are done without searches and private companies are now conducting searches for copyright and trademark infringements with the pleasing of Congress (and the lobbyists that shape the laws). Now, government agents have been offering a type of inverse Miranda warning — explaining that we don’t need stinking warrants in raiding homes. In a recent raid, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent were asked if they had a warrant, one agent reportedly said, “We don’t need a warrant, we’re ICE,” and, gesturing to his genitals, “the warrant is coming out of my balls.”
Continue reading ‘ICE Balls: Federal Agents Announce “We Don’t Need a Warrant, We’re ICE”’
Love Is Never Saying I’m Empty: Perry Publicly Admits To High Caliber “Love Affair”
Published 1, October 24, 2011 Bizarre , Politics 32 Comments
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has gone public with a long love affair — usually not a moment politicians relish. Perry, however, could not continue to live a lie and publicly announced that yes he has had an affair starting in childhood with . . . guns. This was no ménage à trois with Messrs. Smith and Wesson, but all guns.
Continue reading ‘Love Is Never Saying I’m Empty: Perry Publicly Admits To High Caliber “Love Affair”’
Protesting Mom Called “More Disgusting Than Any Of These Filths Down On Wall Street”
Published 1, October 24, 2011 Bizarre , Media , Society 333 CommentsI saw this amazing clip this weekend from FOX where the anchors attacked a women because she left her kids with family and friends to participate in the Occupy Wall Street protests.
Continue reading ‘Protesting Mom Called “More Disgusting Than Any Of These Filths Down On Wall Street”’
Karzai: We Are Prepared To Fight America To Defend Pakistan
Published 1, October 24, 2011 Bizarre , International , Military , Politics 17 Comments
As we continue to pour billions into Afghanistan and lose American lives, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has announced that Afghanistan is prepared to fight the United States if it attacks Pakistan. Karzai previously announced that he wished that he had supported the Taliban over the United States. Even with billions of dollars disappearing (including huge sums reportedly seized by the Karzai family), we continue to drain our treasury to prop up a corrupt and often overtly hostile government that denies women basic rights and has established increasing ties to the Taliban and other extremist groups. After ten years, we have an ally who not only says that he wishes he were with the Taliban killing Americans but intends to fight the United States if we end up in a war with Pakistan.
Continue reading ‘Karzai: We Are Prepared To Fight America To Defend Pakistan’
Holdings, Dicta, And Stare Decisis
Published 1, October 23, 2011 Courts , Lawyering , Supreme Court 1,348 Comments-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Holdings, or ratio decidendi (Latin for “the rationale for the decision), are those parts of a court’s opinion that are binding on lower courts and later courts. This binding is referred to as the doctrine of stare decisis which provides hierarchical (vertical) and temporal (horizontal) continuity throughout the judicial system. Obiter Dicta (Latin for a statement “said in passing”), or dicta, are those parts of a court’s opinion that are not binding on lower courts and later courts. Dicta may suggest an interpretation of the law that may prove useful in future cases.
Rubio’s Not So Compelling Family History
Published 1, October 23, 2011 Constitutional Law , Politics 23 Comments-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
It’s time once again for a history lesson, coming to you courtesy of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida). The questions are: when did Fidel Castro come to power and when did Rubio’s parents come to America? According to Rubio’s official bio, his parents “came to America following Fidel Castro’s takeover” of Cuba. Rubio used that compelling story to shape his political persona. Rubio would tell audiences that he was the “son of exiles” who fled their beloved homeland after “a thug” took power.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Today we have Barbara George in glorious STEREO!
Here is our picture of the week from our erstwhile colleague in the City of Light, Eric Tenin.
Continue reading ‘Sunday in Paris With Eric’
The Unholy Marriage Between the CIA and NYPD
Published 1, October 22, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Free Speech , Justice 54 Comments
Respectfully submitted by Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw)-Guest Blogger
If you think the Government is allowed to spy on Americans too much already, this next story will increase your blood pressure. It was recently disclosed by the Associated Press that a CIA undercover operative has been directly advising the New York Police Department for at least 3 months. I could have sworn that it was illegal for the CIA to spy on Americans, but nothing has been done to curb this possible violation and abuse of American’s privacy. Continue reading ‘The Unholy Marriage Between the CIA and NYPD’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Up to 300,000 Spanish newborn babies were stolen from their parents and sold for adoption over a five decade period. The mothers, often young and unmarried, were told their babies had died and were not allowed to see the body or attend the funeral. A secret network of doctors, nurses, priests, and nuns trafficked the babies beginning during the reign of General Franco and continuing into the early 1990′s.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Today we present The Who in glorious STEREO!
Sorry, Not My Examination Room: 82-Year-Old Told To Call For Ambulance After Fall In Hospital!
Published 1, October 22, 2011 Bizarre , Things That Tick Me Off , Torts 54 CommentsSubmitted By Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
In yet another sign of the Apocalypse, an 82-year-old grandmother was denied medical attention for 30 minutes and told to call an ambulance after she fell and broke her hip. That’s bad enough, but what is particularly infuriating is that she was told this by staff at Greater Niagara General Hospital where she’d fallen.
The Gadhafi Video: Where Is The Outrage?
Published 1, October 21, 2011 Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Society 130 CommentsNew video evidence below shows Maummar Gadhafi was alive after being seized in the operation that led to his capture. What I find rather disconcerting is the treatment of this video by the media, which covered the “joy” and “celebration” of the event while ignoring the shocking abuse of a wounded man and then the parading and stripping of this corpse. We were appalled when militants paraded the bodies of Americans in Somalia and Iraq. Yet, when it is someone we hate, it barely draws mention while newspapers taunt the dead man as being pulled “from a stinking drain.”
Amity-ville Horror: Is Halloween A Cry For Help?
Published 1, October 21, 2011 Bizarre , Religion , Society 59 Comments
Every year, Halloween gets scarier and scarier. I am not talking about the costumes but religious writers and activists who denounce the holiday as a pagan attack on God and faith. The creepies started early this year. Bloomberg columnist Amity Shlaes has written to denounce “the pull of the pagan” and ask people to think about how Halloween fills the vacuum left from the absence of faith.
Continue reading ‘Amity-ville Horror: Is Halloween A Cry For Help?’
Parents Demand California School Board Member Resign After Disclosure of “Confidential Marriage” To Murderer
Published 1, October 21, 2011 Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 21 Comments
The Fontana Unified School District board is not generally a hot bed of controversy, but it is the focus of a novel controversy after member Leticia Garcia revealed that she has a “confidential marriage” to a convicted murderer who was recently released. The existence of such confidential marriages is a surprise to most citizens, but not as much as the existence of a former convict husband for a recently elected board member who reportedly had said she was divorced.
Continue reading ‘Parents Demand California School Board Member Resign After Disclosure of “Confidential Marriage” To Murderer’
Dude, We Just Mapped The Purple Kush
Published 1, October 21, 2011 Academics , Criminal law , Politics , Science , Society 16 Comments
I am pretty certain I know the favorite graduate lab in Canada. Canadian researchers have just released the genome sequence of the Cannabis sativa, better none as The Purple Kush, one of the most potent forms of marijuana.
Federal Judge Dismisses War Powers Challenge By Members of Congress
Published 1, October 20, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Lawyering , Military , Politics 58 Comments
Soon after the news that Gadhafi had been shot, Judge Reggie Walton issued an opinion dismiss the lawsuit by members of Congress challenging the war powers claim underlying the intervention in the Libyan war without a declaration of Congress. I represent the members in that litigation. The Court declined to rule on the merits of the constitutional claims and instead held that the court does not have jurisdiction to rule on such questions. Despite the timing, the opinion did not turn on the removal of Gadhafi. The opinion is below.
Continue reading ‘Federal Judge Dismisses War Powers Challenge By Members of Congress’
Does D.C. United’s Charlie Davis Have A Valid Dram Shop Claim?
Published 1, October 20, 2011 Society , Torts 11 Comments
In my torts class, we discuss the scope and purposes of dram shop laws, which expose bars and other businesses to liability for “over serving” customers who get into car crashes or other types of accidents. Washington now has such a case involving D.C. United’s Charlie Davies who is suing the owners of a local nightclub and the company Red Bull for $20 million. He is claiming that they are responsible for his injuries from a fatal car crash that dashed his hopes for joining the 2010 U.S. World Cup team.
Continue reading ‘Does D.C. United’s Charlie Davis Have A Valid Dram Shop Claim?’
French “Terrorists” Break Into Texas Court, Wear Sombreros, and Play With Gavel
Published 1, October 20, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 13 Comments
French terrorists have landed . . . in San Antonio, Texas. That is apparently the concern of local police after arresting French teenagers who broke into a courthouse, put on a judge’s robe, played with a gavel, and ran around the hallways wearing sombreros and drinking beer. The FBI and Homeland Security have been called in to determine whether this could be an act of terrorism.
Continue reading ‘French “Terrorists” Break Into Texas Court, Wear Sombreros, and Play With Gavel’
Renaissance Man and County Inmate: Father Arrested After Forcing Daughter Into Armored Battle
Published 1, October 20, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 11 Comments
Freemon Everett Seay, 38, like to punish his child the old-fashioned way . . . around the 15th Century old-fashioned. After Seay’s daughter ran away, he donned armor from the Renaissance period and forced her to do the same. He then forced her into a battle for hours until she was covered in bruises and could barely stand. Vanquished, he let his foe leave the field of battle and she promptly recorded evidence of the alleged abuse for that band of not-so-merry men in the Yelm police department.
Continue reading ‘Renaissance Man and County Inmate: Father Arrested After Forcing Daughter Into Armored Battle’
What do you get a new gas protoplanet just forming 450 Light Years ago. A Buzz Light Year nightlight? That is no doubt one of the pressing questions for a University of Hawaii astronomer who used the twin 10-metre Keck telescopes on Mauna Kea to capture the first direct image of a planet forming around a star. Much like human babies, it proved a bit gassy.
The Truth Police: The Supreme Court Takes Up Stolen Valor
Published 1, October 20, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , Society 31 Comments
Below is today’s column in The Los Angeles Times on the Supreme Court granting certiorari in the Alvarez case and the constitutionality of the Stolen Valor Act. I have long been a critic of the Stolen Valor Act and supported the decision of the Ninth Circuit to strike down the law. Civil libertarians have good reason to worry.
Continue reading ‘The Truth Police: The Supreme Court Takes Up Stolen Valor’
Church Under Fire After Three People Die After Being Allegedly Told To Stop AIDS Drugs In Favor Of Prayer
Published 1, October 19, 2011 Courts , Religion , Torts 27 Comments
Now, this could make for an interesting torts lawsuit. The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), a Nigerian-led Evangelical Christian church in London, has claimed to have the cure of people with HIV that involves their stopping all medications and praying for a cure. The results, critics say, has been not the promised “miracle” but three deaths.
Continue reading ‘Church Under Fire After Three People Die After Being Allegedly Told To Stop AIDS Drugs In Favor Of Prayer’
Can The “Adult Baby” Sue Senator Coburn?
Published 1, October 19, 2011 Congress , Society , Torts 30 Comments
There is an interesting controversy in Washington where Stanley Thornton Jr., aka “Adult Baby,” has demanded an apology from Sen. Tom Coburn, who Thorton says effectively accused him of fraud when Coburn called for the Social Security Administration to review his qualification for benefits. Thornton was featured on the National Geographic channel reality television show “Taboo.” Thorton lives part of his life as an “adult baby” and collects Social Security disability payments.
Gingrich: You Cannot Trust Politicians Who Do Not Pray
Published 1, October 19, 2011 Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 47 Comments
Recently, I wrote a column in the Washington Post about the increasing use of faith as an issue in the 2012 presidential campaign. In the Western Republican Presidential Debate, the candidates appeared to double down on the use of politicized piety. Rick Santorum reaffirmed that a candidate’s faith was essential to his qualifications. Newt Gingrich, however, used the opportunity to again attack agnostics, atheists, and secularists – saying that you cannot trust any leader who does not pray.
Continue reading ‘Gingrich: You Cannot Trust Politicians Who Do Not Pray’
MIT Scientists Discover X-Ray Vision . . . Sort Of
Published 1, October 19, 2011 Academics , Science 10 Comments
We just moved a little closer to making Superman obsolete. MIT scientists at the Lincoln Laboratory have announced that they have developed a new radar system that looks through walls using “ultrawideband multiple-input, multiple-output phased-array sensor.” For the rest of us, they developed x-ray vision!!!
Continue reading ‘MIT Scientists Discover X-Ray Vision . . . Sort Of’
Tommy or Tammy? California Parents Give Son Hormone Treatment To Delay Puberty To Allow Him To Explore a Female Identity
Published 1, October 18, 2011 Bizarre , Society 58 Comments
A lesbian couple in California has triggered a controversy by giving their son hormone blockers to delay his puberty so that he can decided whether to be a girl or a boy. The 11-year-old boy named Tommy could decide to be a Tammy now that he is approaching puberty, but many are questioning the basis for such treatment or the ability of a minor to make such a decision. I am one of them.
Continue reading ‘Tommy or Tammy? California Parents Give Son Hormone Treatment To Delay Puberty To Allow Him To Explore a Female Identity’
Is “Break” A Racist Term?
Published 1, October 18, 2011 Free Speech , Politics , Society 136 Comments
I was curious recently about a statement by Ed Schultz, host of MSNBC’s the Ed Show, that Sen. Jim Demint, R-S.C., used racist langauge in his opposition to Obamacare when he said “If we are able to stop Obama on this [health care law], it will be his Waterloo. It will break him.” There are ample reasons to criticize this statements — not the least of which is the notion that we will destroy health care simply to gain a political advantage. However, is “break him” a racist term?
Continue reading ‘Is “Break” A Racist Term?’
“Strip Search” Worth 18 or a Lawsuit? Scrabble Competition Rocked By Controversy Over Missing G
Published 1, October 18, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 12 Comments
The World Scrabble Championship was rocked by controversy this year when Chollapat Itthi-Aree, from Thailand, demanded officials take Ed Martin, an IT consultant from London, to the toilet for a strip search. The contraband was the letter “G”, which went mysteriously missing in the match.
Continue reading ‘“Strip Search” Worth 18 or a Lawsuit? Scrabble Competition Rocked By Controversy Over Missing G’
Did The HMS Edinburgh Just Try To Murder The First Lady?
Published 1, October 18, 2011 Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 16 Comments
The Secret Service recently stopped a threat to First Lady Michele Obama during her trip to Cape Town, South Africa while sitting in her five-star hotel. They promptly called authorities to confront the culprit: the HMS Edinburgh. The agents were alarmed that the British war ships had its Sea Dart missiles turned toward the hotel . . . and the First Lady. The Secret Service is infamous for overreacting but this really takes the cake. Of course, no one will be disciplined for such an insulting and moronic objection.
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Was Van Gogh Murdered?
Published 1, October 18, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 8 Comments
a new book is making a shocking claim that Vincent van Gogh might did not commit suicide in 1898 but was in fact killed by a local boy named Rene Secretan. In “Van Gogh: The Life,” Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith suggest that van Gogh was shot by Secretan and then lied to protect the boy.
Continue reading ‘Was Van Gogh Murdered?’
Gallup: Half of Americans Now Support Legalization of Marijuana
Published 1, October 17, 2011 Criminal law , Politics , Society 22 CommentsA new Gallup poll just released shows a record number of Americans want marijuana legalized — 50 percent of those polled. This comes days after the prestigious California Medical Association called for legalization and regulation of pot like alcohol. Nevertheless, the Obama Administration has continued the aggressive position of the prior Administration in raiding marijuana shops and prosecuting people for federal drug violations.
Continue reading ‘Gallup: Half of Americans Now Support Legalization of Marijuana’
Lagy Gaga Crushes Lady Goo Goo
Published 1, October 17, 2011 Free Speech , International , Media , Society 27 Comments
I have never hidden my concerns over the expanding claims of trademark and copyright protections over common names, symbols, and parodies (here and here and here and here). Now, Lady Gaga has sent in the lawyers to stomp on Lady Goo Goo, a cartoon character on Moshi Monsters, a website on which children adopt and name characters. Lady Goo Goo sings a popular parody called “Petty-razzi” below — a youtube hit.
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Pennsylvania Officer Threatens Ron Paul Supporter With Arrest for Filming Him in Public
Published 1, October 17, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , Politics , Society 20 CommentsWe have yet another case of an officer threatening to arrest a citizen for filming him in public. In the perfect libertarian nightmare, the officer was threatening a Ron Paul supporter who he had accused of distracting traffic with his sign in Exton, Pennsylvania.
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California Medical Association Calls For Legalization Of Marijuana
Published 1, October 17, 2011 Criminal law , Politics , Science 19 CommentsCalifornia’s largest doctor group has called for legalization of marijuana. Despite its remaining uncertainty over marijuana’s medical benefits, the Trustees of the California Medical Association (representing more than 35,000 physicians statewide) adopted the policy last week and called for marijuana to be regulated in the same fashion as alcohol.
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Rock of Ages: Scientists Determine Mars Once Had Mild Surface Temperature
Published 1, October 17, 2011 Academics , Science 12 Comments
This is a very cool story. Scientists have discovered that Mars once had a mild temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit. They deduced the temperature from a rock found in Antarctica that had a wild ride starting four billion years ago. (Of course, the scientists again ignore the “creation science” account and misjudge the age of the rock by just short of four billion years).
Continue reading ‘Rock of Ages: Scientists Determine Mars Once Had Mild Surface Temperature’
Just when you think you have planned for everything on your cross-country bike trip in South Africa . . .
Continue reading ‘Antelope 1, Biker 0′
The GOP Continues to Wage War on Women with H. R. 358
Published 1, October 16, 2011 Congress , Politics , Uncategorized 115 Comments
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
The GOP continues to wage its war on women’s rights. Last week, the House passed HR 358. HR 358, ironically named the “Protect Life Act,” could be the cause of women being left to die in hospital emergency rooms without treatment if the bill becomes a law—which is unlikely since President Obama has already released a statement in opposition to the bill.
Here’s a brief explanation of the bill from Human Rights Watch:
Bill Would Permit Hospitals to Let Women in Need of Care Die
(Washington, DC) – The United States House of Representatives approved a bill on October 13, 2011, that would put women’s lives at risk, Human Rights Watch said today. The bill, if it becomes law, would reverse longstanding federal policy requiring hospitals to provide life-saving care regardless of expense, Human Rights Watch said.
The Protect Life Act, HR 358, would amend the healthcare reform law to grant hospitals far-reaching powers to deny patients abortion care, without any exception for emergency situations. US law currently requires hospitals receiving federal funds to provide emergency care to anyone in need up to the point at which they can be stabilized or transferred, if the original hospital is incapable of providing the care they need.
“The misnamed Protect Life Act is about allowing women to die if they need an emergency abortion,” said Meghan Rhoad, women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “It is a vicious attack on women’s rights and on the most basic right to life.”
Continue reading ‘The GOP Continues to Wage War on Women with H. R. 358′
Never Put Off Until Tomorrow …
Published 1, October 16, 2011 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law 18 CommentsSubmitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
As an undergraduate I learned the wisdom of management guru, Peter Drucker, who reminded us that, “Efficiency is doing things right; but effectiveness is doing the right thing.” True words, indeed, but I wonder how Professor Drucker would explain Franklin, Tennessee native, Mark Burgen.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
The Fourth Amendment often appears to be on life support, however in Arizona v. Gant, it got a slight reprieve. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 with Stevens, joined by Scalia, Souter, Thomas, and Ginsburg voting in the majority. Not the usual grouping for a 5-4 decision. This case involves the search-incident-to-arrest exception to the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Although covered by just about everybody, today we have the original, Barrett Strong in glorious STEREO!
Here is our picture of the week from our erstwhile colleague in the City of Light, Eric Tenin.
Continue reading ‘Sunday in Paris With Eric’
CATHOLIC BISHOP INDICTED
Published 1, October 15, 2011 Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Religion 52 Comments
Respectfully Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw)-Guest Blogger
I was surprised when I read an article yesterday that reported the news of an indictment that was handed down in Jackson County, Missouri. You may be asking what is unusual about one more indictment in the State of Missouri? The news worthy aspect of this indictment is the person and organization that was indicted. The Grand Jury in Jackson County indicted the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph as well as its Bishop, Bishop Robert Finn! Continue reading ‘CATHOLIC BISHOP INDICTED’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Republicans want to raise taxes on the poor to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. CEOs are using taxpayer funded bailouts to rake in obscene salaries and bonuses. The wealthy fund play-for-pay think tanks that spit out position papers that support their benefactors’ desire to get wealthier. Certain media enterprises push messages such as corporate tax holidays and corporate deregulation that enhance the wealth of the few at the expense of the many.
Jewish Women: Step Aside For Men
Published 1, October 15, 2011 Constitutional Law , Religion , Society 40 Comments-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
In the Hasidic neighborhood of South Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York, persons unknown has been putting up signs in Yiddish that translate to: “Precious Jewish daughter, please move to the side when a man approaches.” City workers have removed the signs, not based on the message but because it’s illegal to affix signs on street trees.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
For your listening pleasure, we present The Moody Blues in glorious STEREO!
The Politics of Pain: Florida Legislator Seeks To Bring Back Electric Chairs and Firing Squads For Executions
Published 1, October 14, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 47 Comments
Rep. Brad Drake (R., Eucheeanna) wants to put the pain back into executions. The Florida Republican has filed a bill to require the use of electrocution or firing squads to execute people — saying that lethal injection is simply too easy a way out for convicted murderers.
Continue reading ‘The Politics of Pain: Florida Legislator Seeks To Bring Back Electric Chairs and Firing Squads For Executions’
School Horrors: Teacher in France Lights Herself On Fire on Playground While A Teacher in Illinois Hangs Herself in Her Classroom
Published 1, October 14, 2011 Academics , Bizarre 15 Comments
This week proved rather gruesome for teachers and students alike. In Illinois, Linda Walker (shown here) decided not only to hang herself but to do it in her kindergarten class. In France, a high school math teacher set herself on fire in the playground during the recreation period full of children.
Continue reading ‘School Horrors: Teacher in France Lights Herself On Fire on Playground While A Teacher in Illinois Hangs Herself in Her Classroom’
This video may be the ultimate chop shop. I ran across it on YouTube and was mesmerized by the sight of a 1985 Dodge Daytona being devoured by an industrial shredder.
Continue reading ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’
PM Cameron Blocks Inquiry Into Killing of Irish Lawyer Pat Finucane
Published 1, October 14, 2011 Criminal law , International , Lawyering , Religion , Society 6 Comments
As I and others were celebrating last night at the home of Irish Ambassador Michael Collins, there was one Irish lawyer who could not attend: Pat Finucane. Finucane was gunned down in front of his wife and three children in a savage murder in in Belfast in 1989. His family was crushed this week in a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron when he told them that he was blocking a public inquiry into the death — linked to a police informant. Instead, Cameron said he would ask a lawyer to look into the matter.
Continue reading ‘PM Cameron Blocks Inquiry Into Killing of Irish Lawyer Pat Finucane’
The annual selection of the Top 100 Irish Lawyers in the World has been released by The Irish Voice and I am honored to be included again among the honorees this year. Last night, I received the award with fellow honorees from around the world at the residence of the Irish Ambassador, Michael Collins and his wife Marie. Despite a downpour that left some of us dripping like we had just swum across the River Shannon, Collins greeted us with a towel and a warm welcome. He is a great credit to Ireland and turned out his home to lawyers from around the world for the evening.
Will Canada Arrest George Bush?
Published 1, October 13, 2011 Criminal law , International , Politics 101 Comments
With Barack Obama refusing to allow the investigation, let alone the prosecution, of CIA employees or Bush Administration officials for our torture program, human rights and civil liberties groups are calling on Canada to fulfill international obligations and arrest George Bush on his planned visit to that country.
Ending Molasses Mayhem: Leahy Moves To Make False Labeling of Maple Syrup A Crime
Published 1, October 13, 2011 Bizarre , Congress , Criminal law , Politics , Society 34 Comments
We may be watching civil liberties and federal programs fall like leaves in Montpelier, but Senator Patrick Leahy (D, Vt.) is moving aggressively to address the need for yet another federal crime . . . the crime mislabeling products as containing maple syrup. That’s right, despite criticism of the over-criminalization of America (here and here and here), we need to add a federal law on maple syrup mobsters.
Continue reading ‘Ending Molasses Mayhem: Leahy Moves To Make False Labeling of Maple Syrup A Crime’
Pension Trifecta Winners: Chicago Labor Officials Set To Receive Pensions As High As $500,000 a Year in “Charitable Interpretation” of State Law
Published 1, October 13, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 19 Comments
We have yet another grotesque pension story involving a city struggling with financial woes. This one is out of my home town of Chicago. Charles LoVerde III, a former trustee of the city laborers’ pension fund, will receive three pensions for the same time period totaling nearly $500,000 a year — that’s right, three pensions for the period. The triple crown of pensions was also won by union official, Liberato “Al” Naimoli, would will receive $438,000 a year. Since he is only 59 years old, he stands to rake in at least $9 million over his expected lifetime.
Continue reading ‘Pension Trifecta Winners: Chicago Labor Officials Set To Receive Pensions As High As $500,000 a Year in “Charitable Interpretation” of State Law’
Court Rules That Feds Cannot Be Sued For Destruction of $750,000 Ferrari After Alleged “Joyride” By Agent and Prosecutor
Published 1, October 13, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 18 Comments
We have been following the lawsuit against the FBI after an agent destroyed a $750,000 Ferrari on what was described as a joyride. FBI agent Fred Kingston was accused of taking out a stolen 1995 Ferrari F50 — one of only 50 such cars in the United States. Kingston was instructed to move the car from the FBI garage and so Kingston reportedly called Assistant US Attorney J. Hamilton Thompson to come along for the ride. The agent ended up crashing the car — causing $750,000 but now the Justice Department insists that it is not liable for the damage. This week the court agreed and dismissed the case — leaving the FBI with little deterrent for the negligent damage to private property. There has been no mention of any discipline for Kingston — beyond having to drive his own car. As for the prosecutor, his office prevailed in establishing a rule that even a joyride fits within the discretion of the government.
Sacramento Police Search For Men Who Beat Disabled Woman on Video
Published 1, October 13, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 15 Comments
Police are searching for two men shown below after a shocking video was posted on the Internet showing an attack on a woman at a strip mall in Sacramento. The attackers wanted to show others how they attacked this woman — listing the credit first as “Dylan G The Kid” and later as “Rhekidd.” Here is the video.
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Random Task: Austin Powers Actor Charged With Murder of Cellmate
Published 1, October 12, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 28 Comments
. Joseph Sun, the actor who played Random Task in the first Austin Powers film, Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery, has outdone himself. Serving for life for one felony count of torture, Sun is now accused of murdering his prison cellmate, a sex offender at the Wasco State Prison.
Continue reading ‘Random Task: Austin Powers Actor Charged With Murder of Cellmate’
Why does this sign seem to capture the current state of American politics?
Continue reading ‘End of the Road?’
Georgia Court Rules Against Teacher Who Lost Job After Posting Facebook Pictures Drinking in Europe
Published 1, October 12, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Society 15 Comments
A Georgia teacher, Ashley Payne, has lost her lawsuit seeking damages after she said she was forced out due to a Facebook picture taken of her drinking in Europe. A teacher or parent had filed an anonymous complaint against Payne for photos showing her holding drinks in Europe — not normally a shocking image.
Continue reading ‘Georgia Court Rules Against Teacher Who Lost Job After Posting Facebook Pictures Drinking in Europe’
Video: Man Catches Boy In Fall From Escalator
Published 1, October 12, 2011 Bizarre , Society 9 Comments This is an amazing video that one of our regular readers sent to me. It shows a boy falling from a high escalator only to be caught by a passing man in what could have been a crippling or fatal fall.
Continue reading ‘Video: Man Catches Boy In Fall From Escalator’
Florida Governor Campaigns Against . . . Anthropologists
Published 1, October 12, 2011 Academics , Politics , Science , Society 35 Comments
Florida Governor Rick Scott is messing with the wrong people. Recently, Scott used anthropologists as an example of the type of degree that the state could do without. Anthropologists have reacted across the country, suggesting that Scott should be re-classified as a Homo Moronus. I would be careful before you tick off people (in the case of forensic anthropologists) who dig up bodies for a living. In the academy, we have long viewed our anthropologist colleagues with a certain fear and intimidation. When you confront one of these guys at a faculty senate meeting, they make it clear that there are “a lot of still active tar pits around the country where mammals can disappear for thousands of years.” When a critic for another department disappears, they just shrug and say, “Louie, is sleeping with the aquatic vertebrate.”
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Boston Mayor: Civil Disobedience Will Not Be Tolerated
Published 1, October 11, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , Politics , Society 111 Comments
As complaints rise over mass arrests by Boston police in the Occupy Boston protests, Mayor Thomas Menino decided to add a rather draconian note by announcing ” “Civil disobedience will not be tolerated.” It was a moment reminiscent of former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announcing in the 1968 Democratic Convention protests that “the policeman isn’t there to create disorder; the policeman is there to preserve disorder.”
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City Lights Repossessed For Failure To Pay Utility Bills
Published 1, October 11, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 17 Comments
You know the economy is in a free fall when repo men are taking away city property for failing to make their bills. That was the scene this week when DTE Energy officials ordered the repossession of street lights from the city of Highland Park due to overdue bills.
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Chicago Lawyer Faces Suspension Over Calling Other Attorney “Gay Scum” and “Child Molester”
Published 1, October 11, 2011 Bizarre , Lawyering 16 Comments
I have seen a few angry lawyers in court, but Chicago Thomas Guadagno, 66, may take the cake. Guadagno has agreed to a month suspension of his license after calling opposing counsel “gay scum” and a “child molester,” among other bizarre statements.
Continue reading ‘Chicago Lawyer Faces Suspension Over Calling Other Attorney “Gay Scum” and “Child Molester”’
EU Bans Unsupervised Children Blowing Up Balloons
Published 1, October 11, 2011 Bizarre , International , Society 9 Comments
For those who have complained about the growing “nanny state” laws in the European Union, it may not come as a surprise that your kid now needs a nanny to blow up your balloon or blow a whistle. Under new EU rules, balloons can no longer be blown up by unsupervised children under the age of eight as well as prohibitions on other party favorites for young children like whistle blowers.
Continue reading ‘EU Bans Unsupervised Children Blowing Up Balloons’
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