Michigan has implemented some sweeping changes to the role of jurors and judges in trials, including allowing jury to ask questions of witnesses. I have some reservations about the changes below, but I am most concerned over the ability of judges to summarize the evidence. This could invite considerable bias and influence into trials.
Continue reading ‘MIchigan Implements New Changes In Role Of Jury and Judge In Trials’
Archive for June, 2011
MIchigan Implements New Changes In Role Of Jury and Judge In Trials
Published 1, June 30, 2011 Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 16 CommentsImagine: John Lennon As A Reagan Republican
Published 1, June 30, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 76 Comments
John Lennon fans may be a bit surprised to see an interview in the new documentary, Beatles Stories, with Lennon’s long time friend Fred Seaman. Seaman says that Lennon had moved away from his early radicalism and became a fan of . . . wait for it . . . Ronald Reagan.
Continue reading ‘Imagine: John Lennon As A Reagan Republican’
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something uD ‘ej Hurgh
Published 1, June 30, 2011 Bizarre , Society 8 Comments
I just saw this on Reddit and I have just one question: what do you give to a Klingon couple for their wedding?
Continue reading ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something uD ‘ej Hurgh‘
Decorated Combat Photographer Arrested For Checking Wrong Box On Passport
Published 1, June 30, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Military 19 Comments
In Jacksonville, Florida, a decorated Army combat photographer has been arrested and is facing 10 years in jail for checking a wrong box on a passport application. Elisha Dawkins’ crime was merely checking a box “no” for the question, “Have you ever applied before?”
Continue reading ‘Decorated Combat Photographer Arrested For Checking Wrong Box On Passport’
This is Mackie, a Boston Terrier who reacts rather oddly to tickling. That is all.
Continue reading ‘Don’t Tickle The Terrier’
Bangor Police Arrest Homeless Man For Charging Cellphone At Outdoor Outlet
Published 1, June 30, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 10 Comments
It appears that the insatiable demands of cell phone batteries have claimed another victim. Recently, we saw a Florida lawyer arrested for charging his cellphone in a neighbor’s motor home. Now, in Maine, Shaun Fawster, 23, a homeless man has been arrested because a Bangor police officer spotted him using an outside outlet to charge his phones.
Continue reading ‘Bangor Police Arrest Homeless Man For Charging Cellphone At Outdoor Outlet’
Democrats Raise Constitutional Argument In Favor Of Raising Debt Limit
Published 1, June 29, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics 603 Comments
Democratic members have raised a novel argument under the Fourteenth Amendment that the refusal to raise the debt ceiling is unconstitutional. For full disclosure, I was asked about this argument weeks ago by members who believe that forcing the country to default would be not just catastrophic but unconstitutional. I will be discussing this topic today on CNN and tonight on Countdown.
Continue reading ‘Democrats Raise Constitutional Argument In Favor Of Raising Debt Limit’
Opus Dei in Court
Published 1, June 29, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 24 Comments
A French woman has brought charges against the controversial and secretive Catholic society Opus Dei, alleging that she was brainwashed into working as a domestic servant with virtually no pay. This would have been the story line if Silas had simply sued Bishop Aringarosa in The Da Vinci Code.
Continue reading ‘Opus Dei in Court’
In Maine, Dr. William Phillips was giving a lecture on heart attacks at the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston when he had to respond to a man in the audience having . . . you guessed it . . . a heart attack.
Got Milk? Delaware Woman Charged With Breast Milk Assault
Published 1, June 29, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 19 Comments
We previously thought that we saw a unique breast milk assault case, but we were wrong. The Delaware County sheriff’s office this weekend arrested Stephanie Robinette, 30, at a wedding banquet hall and charged her with attacking deputies with her breast milk. Robinette is an elementary school teacher at Summit Academy, a school that specializes in dealing with children with autism, ADHD and other disorders.
Continue reading ‘Got Milk? Delaware Woman Charged With Breast Milk Assault’
North Korea Slashes Rations To As Little As 375 Calories a Day
Published 1, June 29, 2011 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 29 Comments
The second happiest place on Earth is cutting rationed food to as low as 150 grams (5.3 ounces) a day. That is roughly 375 calories a day for North Koreans in the worker’s paradise.
Continue reading ‘North Korea Slashes Rations To As Little As 375 Calories a Day’
Obama: I’ve Made A Decision To Leave The Decision To States On Gay Marriage
Published 1, June 29, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 31 Comments
For years, we have followed the painful display of Barack Obama trying to deal with same-sex marriage by finding the best political position for himself. Principle has never been part of the equation, of course. The decision whether to stop discrimination against homosexuals is clearly based on what would be the most useful to the President. The result has been rather ugly with Jay Carney prompting laughs with the recent position that the President has been clear that his position is unclear. Now the President has adopted another position tailored for the election.
Continue reading ‘Obama: I’ve Made A Decision To Leave The Decision To States On Gay Marriage’
Houston Man Hits Stranded Motorist and Then Drives Away With Dead Man in Passenger Seat
Published 1, June 28, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 10 Comments
A Houston driver appears to have an instant solution to satisfying HOV requirements — after hitting a stranded motorist, the driver allegedly continued to drive with the dead victim in the passenger seat next to him.
Judge Arrested After Allegedly Trying To Enter Hotel Room of Female Judge While Naked and Wrapped in Bed Sheet
Published 1, June 28, 2011 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Society 26 Comments
One of my colleagues sent me this incredible story. This is judge Douglas Gummo, 42, who was arrested after allegedly appearing naked in a bed sheet at a female judge’s hotel room door and demanding to be let in. The Huntingdon County District Magistrate has been charged with public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and harassment.
No Hijab On The Job? Abercrombie & Fitch Sued Over Alleged Discrimination Against Muslim Woman
Published 1, June 28, 2011 Constitutional Law , Society , Torts 19 Comments
Hani Khan, a former stockroom worker for Abercrombie & Fitch Co., has sued the clothing retailer for allegedly firing her for refusing to remove her Muslim headscarf or hijab while on the job.
The Train To Nowhere? Mica Project Draws Criticism Over Wasteful Spending and Corporate Windfall
Published 1, June 28, 2011 Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Society 10 Comments
The late Senator Ted Stevens was once mocked for the “bridge to nowhere” — a massive construction project that would have connected the town of Ketchikan, Alaska with Gravina Island — with 50 residents. Now, during an economic crisis and painful cutbacks, Rep. John L. Mica, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is pushing through a $1.2 billion rail line that is expected to serve just 2,150 commuters a day.
The SunRail project has been widely denounced as a giveaway to Mica’s campaign donor, CSX, which will receive hundreds of millions for its rail line and upgrades. When confronted over the CSX windfall, Mica responded “Everybody has different vested interests. But you look at what is being proposed on paper, and it just make sense.” The problem is that a wide array of Republicans and Democrats have looked at the project (as well as federal officials) and found it to be wasteful.
Yet, even at this time of tremendous budget cutbacks and suffering, our Congress is still incapable of blocking such pet projects. If you recall, the solution to Stevens’ absurd bridge showed how out of touch our leaders have become. In proclaiming the end of the bridge to nowhere and congratulating themselves on actually stopping a single wasteful project, Democratic and Republican leaders promised to let Alaska keep the money. Problem solved.
Source: NY Times
Egyptian Telecom Mogul Attacked By Islamic Leaders Over Cartoon of Mickey Mouse With Beard
Published 1, June 28, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 7 Comments
Egyptian telecom businessman Naguib Sawiris is being sued in various lawsuits for “religious contempt” because of a simple cartoon showing Mickey Mouse with a beard and Minnie Mouse with a veil. Sawiris is a Christian secularist and was making a joke. However, an Islamic group called the Salafis has led a campaign against him for insulting Islam and demands for prosecution.
I have to admit that I have never been a fan of former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin who appeared to be the very symbol of dysfunctional incompetence during the Katrina catastrophe. He was universally criticized for doing relatively little during the crisis from his hotel room overlooking the disaster. His reelection left many less sympathetic with the city and, as a former New Orleans resident myself, I was appalled by Nagin’s utter failure to act (let alone lead) during the disaster. Nagin has now written a book that seems intent on showing that he is not really incompetent . . . just completely delusional.
Continue reading ‘Ok, Nagin’s Crazy’
Supreme Court Upholds Free Speech in the Violent Video Game Case
Published 1, June 27, 2011 Constitutional Law , Free Speech , Politics , Society 25 Comments
In a major victory for the first amendment, the Supreme Court ruled that a California law regulating the sale of violent video games is unconstitutional. It was a strong 7-2 vote with only Justice Clarence Thomas and and Stepen Breyer dissenting — an odd couple to be sure from both ends of the ideological spectrum. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the majority opinion.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Upholds Free Speech in the Violent Video Game Case’
Gingrich and Bachmann Call For Campaign Against Same-Sex Marriage
Published 1, June 27, 2011 Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 335 Comments
It appears that same-sex marriage is being groomed for a major issue in this election. With Jay Carney insisting that President Obama remains clear that his views are unclear, Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann stepped forward this weekend to put the issue front and center in their campaigns. Gingrich this weekend announced that he will lead the fight against same-sex marriage to stop the nation from “drifting toward a terrible muddle.” He said that he would be looking for ways to “defend that view as legitimately and effectively as possible.”
Continue reading ‘Gingrich and Bachmann Call For Campaign Against Same-Sex Marriage’
Attorney Calls For Cessation Of Lethal Injection After Use of Animal Tranquilizer Allegedly Lead To Botched Execution
Published 1, June 27, 2011 Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Society 8 Comments
Attorney Brian Kammer has called for the suspension of further lethal injections in Georgia after he said the execution of his client, Roy Blankenship, was botched with the use of an untested animal tranquilizer.
Continue reading ‘Attorney Calls For Cessation Of Lethal Injection After Use of Animal Tranquilizer Allegedly Lead To Botched Execution’
When Judges Attack: Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser Accused Of Choking Colleague During Argument
Published 1, June 27, 2011 Bizarre , Courts , Politics , Society 82 Comments
We have been following the intra-court war on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the recent narrow victory of conservative Justice David Prosser in his reelection. The prior controversy involved Prosser calling Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson a “total bitch.” Now, fellow justice Ann Walsh Bradley has accused Prosser of putting her in a chokehold during a dispute. Prosser denies the allegation.
North Carolina Prosecutor Removed From High-Profile Murder Case After Being Arrested For Drunken Bicycling
Published 1, June 27, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 12 Comments
North Carolina prosecutor Eric Bellas, 45, has been placed on administrative leave and removed from the high-profile murder case of Zahra Baker following his arrest this month. What is strange is the charge: drunken bicycling. I do not wish to make light of drunken bicycling, but is it really such a crime that warrants removal from a murder case?
Continue reading ‘North Carolina Prosecutor Removed From High-Profile Murder Case After Being Arrested For Drunken Bicycling’
Colorado Woman Allegedly Hits Boy on Bike, Stops Car To Retrieve Hub Cap, Leaves Boy In Road
Published 1, June 27, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 13 Comments
When an eleven-year-old boy was hit by her car, driver Brittany Gonzales, 21, reportedly did not just drive on like she didn’t care. According to witnesses, Gonzales stopped and got out of her car. Unfortunately, she simply retrieved her hubcap and proceeded to drive away — leaving the boy in the road.
Continue reading ‘Colorado Woman Allegedly Hits Boy on Bike, Stops Car To Retrieve Hub Cap, Leaves Boy In Road’
Yesterday, we took the kids with some friends for one of our favorite hikes along the river on the “Billy Goat Trail.” This is the sign we encountered at the start of the hike. Does this mean some bilingual citizens are counted twice by the National Park Service since they drown in two languages?
Continue reading ‘Bilingual Victims Count Twice?’
TSA Searches Dying 95-Year-Old Woman For 45 Minutes and Reportedly Forces Her To Remove Adult Diaper
Published 1, June 27, 2011 Bizarre , Society 40 Comments
While TSA has finally given into complaints about its staff groping children, it appears undeterred with geriatrics. A family was horrified last week when TSA subjected Lena Reppert, 95, to a 45 minute search and forced her to remove her adult diaper. Reppert is in the late-stages of leukemia and was traveling to her native Michigan to say goodbye.
Continue reading ‘TSA Searches Dying 95-Year-Old Woman For 45 Minutes and Reportedly Forces Her To Remove Adult Diaper’
The “Departed” Returns to Boston: A Sordid Tale of Mobster Whitey Bulger & the FBI
Published 1, June 26, 2011 Criminal law , Justice , Uncategorized 23 Comments
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
I’ve lived in the Boston area all my life. I, therefore, have read a lot of news stories about the Bulger brothers—Billy, a once powerful politician, and Whitey, the
fugitive mobster who had been “evading” capture by the FBI since 1995. Both my husband and I were astonished when we heard the news that Whitey Bulger had finally been arrested by the FBI in Santa Monica, California, a few days ago. We have doubted for a long time that the FBI seriously wanted to find Whitey. After all, agents at the Bureau had once looked the other way when the mob boss committed serious crimes–including murder–while he was serving as an informant for them.
Illegal Immigrants and the Bill of Rights
Published 1, June 26, 2011 Constitutional Law , Courts , Supreme Court 41 Comments-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Do illegal immigrants have a Second Amendment right to own guns? In the case of United States v. Portillo-Munoz, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that illegal immigrants are not part of the “people” protected by the Second Amendment and have no constitutional right to bear arms.
Continue reading ‘Illegal Immigrants and the Bill of Rights’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
In addition to writing numerous hits, Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich were The Raindrops, here in glorious STEREO! With studio talk and count-off.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
A little over a month ago, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal (left) signed HB 87, an Arizona-like immigration law. The law was designed to drive illegal immigrants out of Georgia, and now state officials are shocked feigning shock that it worked.
The resulting labor shortage has meant that millions of dollars of unharvested blueberries, onions, and other crops will be left rotting in the fields. Since many farmers live harvest-to-harvest, the loss of one crop could mean the loss of their farm.
Amsterdam Court Acquits Geert Wilders of Hate Speech
Published 1, June 25, 2011 Free Speech , International , Religion 5 Comments-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
We have previously discussed the case of Geert Wilders, here, who was accused of inciting hatred with his anti-Islamic diatribes. In an unusual move, the prosecution team had asked for an acquittal. Wilders has advocated outlawing the Koran in the Netherlands, like Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf. He also referred to Mohammed as “the devil.”
Wilder’s right of free expression has been upheld, the same right of free expression he wants to deny to Muslims.
Continue reading ‘Amsterdam Court Acquits Geert Wilders of Hate Speech’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Written by Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich, we present Tommy James and the Shondells in glorious STEREO!
When “Gage Is Not Gage”: Neuroscience And The Law’s Assumption of Free Will
Published 1, June 25, 2011 Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Science , Society 155 CommentsSubmitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
The bedrock of modern Western jurisprudence is the supposition that we are free to choose our actions from a range of choices. Some of these choices are socially acceptable and we deem them “legal.” Other choices made in specified contexts are socially unacceptable, and we deem these “illegal.” For those extremely unacceptable actions denominated as “crimes” we reserve progressive punishments to deter their occurrence. Gratuitous violence is one of the most important of these condemned actions, and we have striven for centuries to overcome this endemic feature of our nature. The basic assumption being that we can deter conduct that is the product of free will by imposing undesirable consequences on the actor. How have we done? I suppose the obvious answer is that despite a multitude of approaches ranging from severe punishment to compassionate rehabilitation, we haven’t yet mastered a way to banish senseless violence from our midst. Perhaps it is time to question that basic assumption that violence is purely volitional conduct.
Continue reading ‘When “Gage Is Not Gage”: Neuroscience And The Law’s Assumption of Free Will’
Mexican Invasion! United States Objects To Mexican Troops Briefly Entering U.S.
Published 1, June 24, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 33 Comments
For years, many of us have been noting that the United States continues to violate international law and the sovereignty of foreign nations in some of our military assaults on terror targets. We have often asked how we would respond to countries like Mexico sending military personnel into our territory. Well, it happened this week when three military trucks loaded with Mexican soldiers crossed the border at Bridge Number Two into the U.S.
Continue reading ‘Mexican Invasion! United States Objects To Mexican Troops Briefly Entering U.S.’
Self-Help Guru James Ray Convicted in Sweat Lodge Deaths
Published 1, June 24, 2011 Criminal law , Society , Torts 13 Comments
We have been following the case of self-help guru James Ray, who was criminally charged in the deaths of three people in his Arizona sweat lodge. He has now been found guilty of negligent homicide, though he was acquitted on the manslaughter charge. Once again, I believe the verdict shows the wisdom of the jury system. The jurors reached a fair result given these facts.
Continue reading ‘Self-Help Guru James Ray Convicted in Sweat Lodge Deaths’
Amish Man Arrested For Alleged Sending Lewd Photos To Minor And Showing Up At Her House in Horse and Buggy
Published 1, June 24, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 14 Comments
Ok, I assumed that this story was a hoax until I found the mugshot. In a criminal charge that seems written by the Saturday Night Live, Willard Yoder, 26, was arrested in Connersville, Indiana for sending lewd messages to a 12-year-old girl and then going to her house. Unfortunately, that is no so remarkable. However, Yoder is Amish and showed up in a horse and buggy in Rush County. No, there was no extremely slow chase, just a “plain” arrest.
Continue reading ‘Amish Man Arrested For Alleged Sending Lewd Photos To Minor And Showing Up At Her House in Horse and Buggy’
Tom Melsheimer, counsel for Mark Cuban, has mastered the principle of “brevity is the soul of wit” — and apparently the grounds for dismissal. In a truly brief brief, Melsheimer answered claims by Ross Perot Jr.’s that Cuban has been “reckless and careless” in running the Dallas Mavericks, with a picture of fans celebrating the NBA Championship.
Continue reading ‘Best Motion To Dismiss Ever?’
Illinois Girl Dies Trying To Save Family Dog
Published 1, June 24, 2011 Animals , Society 8 Comments
This is one of the saddest stories I have read this year. An Illinois family is grieving after Taylor Mae Stinchcomb, 15, tried to save the family dog from being put down and stole their minivan. The resulting accident killed both Taylor and the dog, Romulus.
Continue reading ‘Illinois Girl Dies Trying To Save Family Dog’
Blogger Jailed For Calling Food At Taiwan Restaurant “Too Salty”
Published 1, June 24, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Torts 9 Comments
Recently, in Kuwait, we saw a blogger sued by management at a Benihana for a bad review. Now, A Taiwan court has gone one better: it sentenced a blogger to jail for criticizing a restaurant food as “too salty.”
Continue reading ‘Blogger Jailed For Calling Food At Taiwan Restaurant “Too Salty”’
Martha Stewart Exploding: Stewart Sued Over Exploding Patio Table
Published 1, June 23, 2011 Uncategorized 24 Comments
Martha Stewart’s line of glass top patio table are attractive, tasteful, and apparently explosive. In Colorado, Nancy Passarella and her family were celebrating Father’s Day when they say that the table suddenly exploded — sending glass flying everywhere.
Continue reading ‘Martha Stewart Exploding: Stewart Sued Over Exploding Patio Table’
Courtesy of Andrea Bauer (Chicago Reader)
Continue reading ‘Meet Chicago’s Best Bartender’
Clinton: Support The War Or I’ll Accuse You Of Being Gaddafi’s BFF
Published 1, June 23, 2011 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , International , Military , Politics , Society 65 Comments
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton took the debate over Libya to a new low yesterday. (For full disclosure, I am lead counsel representing members challenging the constitutionality of the Libyan War). Clinton is largely responsible for entering the United States in another undeclared war. She is now dismissing all of the constitutional and fiscal concerns of members and publicly asking members “Whose side are you on?”
Continue reading ‘Clinton: Support The War Or I’ll Accuse You Of Being Gaddafi’s BFF’
Television Star Ends Jackass Career With A Case of Reality and Entertainment Merging
Published 1, June 23, 2011 Bizarre , Society , Torts 10 Comments
It turns out that those Jackass guys are not just acting. “Jackass” star Ryan Dunn had an alcohol level (0.196%) twice the legal limit when he took his 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 up to 140 mph before crashing and killing himself and his passenger.
Continue reading ‘Television Star Ends Jackass Career With A Case of Reality and Entertainment Merging’
Designer Galliano On Trial For Bad Language
Published 1, June 23, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Free Speech , International , Society 10 Comments
We have been following the case of fashion designer John Galliano who went on trial Wednesday for making anti-Semitic comments in Paris. It is part of the growing trend in the West of the criminalization of speech. It is not clear what came off more pathetic yesterday, the drug-wasted Galliano or the French court.
Continue reading ‘Designer Galliano On Trial For Bad Language’
A couple days ago, we saw how an US Airways pilots evacuated a plane and arrested a young man for wearing saggy pants that showed his underwear. Yet, US Airways allowed this man to fly in women’s underwear. I am confused.
Continue reading ‘This Is Ok, But Not Saggy Pants?’
Obama To Order Troop Reduction — By November 2012
Published 1, June 22, 2011 Military , Politics , Society 44 CommentsPresident Barack Obama will reportedly announce tonight that he is going to reduce our current 100,000 troop level in Afghanistan by 30,000 — by November 2012. That date may seem familiar. It is the next election day.
Continue reading ‘Obama To Order Troop Reduction — By November 2012′
Basta! Italy Breaks With NATO Over Libya
Published 1, June 22, 2011 International , Military 7 Comments
While the United States presses ahead with our commitment to the latest war (at a projected cost of over $1 billion), Italy has been the latest NATO ally to break with NATO in calling for a suspension of hostilities in Libya. Of course, the Administration still insists that there are no hostilities to suspend. (For full disclosure, I am lead counsel representing the members challenging the Libyan war and its underlying policies).
A colleague at the law school sent this case to me of a woman suing over third-degree burns suffered allegedly due to an underwire in her bikini. Robin Corrente, 50, is suing Coco Reef manufacturer Swimwear Anywhere in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Continue reading ‘New York Woman Burned By Bikini’
Good Citizen, Bad Arrest: New York Woman Arrested After Videotaping Police — From Her Own Front Yard
Published 1, June 22, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 81 Comments
There is a new report of police arresting a citizen because she videotaped them (below) — this time from her own front yard. According to his report, a woman named Emily Good was arrested after videotaping an arrest of a man at a traffic stop in Rochester, New York.
Professor Arrested For Running Prostitution Site
Published 1, June 22, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Society 9 Comments
Professor David Flory, 68, of Fairleigh Dickinson University has an odd hobby for an academic. Flory was arrested this week in New Mexico and reportedly admitted to running a prostitution website as a hobby and said that he did not make any money off the site. Police say that Flory told them that he created a site on “GoDaddy” “for prostitutes and johns so they wouldn’t have to worry about being busted by law enforcement.”
Continue reading ‘Professor Arrested For Running Prostitution Site’
As typos go, this one is a doozy. When the White House recently released President Barack Obama’s remarks from a June 20, 2011 fundraiser at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, there was one surprising line: after the President claimed to have created jobs, everyone one laughed. It turns out that the parenthetical reference to “Laughter” was wrong but it could not have been a more poignant moment for the Administration which has been forced to admit that the President’s “shovel ready” projects had not produced the sought after new jobs despite hundreds of billions of dollars.
Continue reading ‘Worst Typo Ever (Groan)’
Smoke This: FDA Unveils Graphic Images To Be Placed On Cigarettes
Published 1, June 21, 2011 Bizarre , Politics , Society 23 Comments
I have long been critical of the new disgusting images that various governments have required to be placed on tobacco products. Now, the FDA has issued our own gallery of horrors from diseased lungs to a stitched up corpse.
Continue reading ‘Smoke This: FDA Unveils Graphic Images To Be Placed On Cigarettes’
Combat Pay For Non-Combatants: Administration Paying Extra Pay To Military Serving in Libyan Operations
Published 1, June 21, 2011 Bizarre , International , Military , Politics 33 Comments
As previously announced, I am lead counsel representing members of Congress challenging the Libyan War. The White House has insisted that this is not a war and that, for purposes of the war powers resolution, there are no “hostilities” in Libya. Putting aside the appearance of Western forces taking out tanks and coordinating attacks with the rebels, it now appears that military personnel in the Libyan operations are being given extra pay for “imminent danger” for the non-hostilities.
Continue reading ‘Combat Pay For Non-Combatants: Administration Paying Extra Pay To Military Serving in Libyan Operations’
Carney: The President Has Been Clear That His Position Is Unclear
Published 1, June 21, 2011 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 56 CommentsFinally, clarity. For years, many civil libertarians have denounced President Barack Obama for his failure support same-sex marriage and over two years of opposing the claims of gay and lesbian soldiers in courts. He still refuses to recognize same-sex marriage but White House Spokesman Jay Carney has finally cleared up the confusion. This week Carney dismissed suggestions that the President’s position claiming to support gay rights but not supporting same-sex marriage is confusing. Carney insisted Obama has been “very clear that his position is evolving.”
Continue reading ‘Carney: The President Has Been Clear That His Position Is Unclear’
Ohio Moves Toward Allowing Concealed Weapons In Bars
Published 1, June 21, 2011 Criminal law , Politics , Society 33 Comments
Ohio is about to change state gun laws to allow people to wear concealed guns into facilities that serve alcohol, including bars, restaurants, and sports stadiums. Republican Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign the bill.
Continue reading ‘Ohio Moves Toward Allowing Concealed Weapons In Bars’
Islamic Militants Kidnap Nine-Year-Old Girl And Attempt To Use Her As Human Bomb
Published 1, June 21, 2011 Bizarre , International , Religion 9 Comments
Those morally correct, God-fearing extremists in Pakistan have added another outrage to their already ample list of atrocities. Pakistani Islamic militants kidnapped a girl of nine and tried to use her as a human bomb at a checkpoint. Sohana Jawed, a girl of nine, was able to escape at the last minute and the militants will now have to kidnap another child for a good deed.
Continue reading ‘Islamic Militants Kidnap Nine-Year-Old Girl And Attempt To Use Her As Human Bomb’
Portland Dumps 8 Million Gallons Of Treated Water After Man Urinates In Reservoir
Published 1, June 21, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Politics , Society , Torts 19 Comments
Portland officials were shocked this week when a security camera captured a man urinating in a city reservoir of treated drinking water. Others were equally shocked by the city’s response — it flushed 8 million gallons of water down the drain.
Continue reading ‘Portland Dumps 8 Million Gallons Of Treated Water After Man Urinates In Reservoir’
Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Wal-Mart in Important Discrimination Case
Published 1, June 20, 2011 Courts , Society , Supreme Court 43 Comments
As anticipated, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Wal-Mart in an important workplace discrimination case. The Court divided 5-4 in adopting more stringent standards for future cases. From the outset, I viewed this as an extremely bad case that would likely make bad law for those fighting workplace discrimination. It now has.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Wal-Mart in Important Discrimination Case’
Driver in Crash Claimed To Have Been Drunk, Having Sex, and Almost Entirely In Backseat At Time Of Accident
Published 1, June 20, 2011 Bizarre , Torts 11 Comments
A lawsuit stemming from an accident last year near my house as a few surprising allegations by injured cab driver. First, the defendant is accused of driving drunk. Second, he is accused to having sex at the time of the accident. Finally, he is accused of being partially in the backseat during the tryst. Defense counsel denies the allegations.
Continue reading ‘Driver in Crash Claimed To Have Been Drunk, Having Sex, and Almost Entirely In Backseat At Time Of Accident’
Satanic Shorts: Iranian Morals Police Cracks Down on Necklaces and Shorts
Published 1, June 20, 2011 Bizarre , International , Religion 11 Comments
The clerics running Iran have launched a new crackdown on the latest threat to Islamic values: men wearing necklaces and shorts. Such items are now viewed as immoral and “unIslamic.”
Continue reading ‘Satanic Shorts: Iranian Morals Police Cracks Down on Necklaces and Shorts’
For those of you who have been suffering from Countdown withdrawal, your long wait is over. Today Keith Olbermann returns to the air with a new Countdown on Current Television, the cable network co-founded by Al Gore.
Continue reading ‘Olbermann Returns Today With New Countdown Show’
The Curious Incident of the Dog That Was Not Stoned . . .
Published 1, June 20, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Media , Religion 10 Comments
Over the weekend, the Israeli Maariv newspaper ran a story that spread like wildfire on news sites and blogosphere: a Rabbinical court sentencing a dog to be stoned to death as the reincarnated spirit of a disgruntled lawyer. As they say in the business, it was a fact too good to check. It turns out to be false and Maariv has issued an apology, but not until the story ran on sites from BBC to Drudge. For some who thought the story did not smell right, they were right.
Continue reading ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog That Was Not Stoned . . .’
“I Once Saw a Deer Fly”: Officials Perplexed Over Outage Caused By “Deer With Wings”
Published 1, June 20, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Environment 19 Comments
If you read the story below, you will see a picture a deer that appears to have taken flight and landed on a power line — causing a major outage. Montana officials believe that an eagle was able to snatch the small deer but dropped it when it proved too much of a load.
Continue reading ‘“I Once Saw a Deer Fly”: Officials Perplexed Over Outage Caused By “Deer With Wings”’
No Joke: Teen Pulls Gun On Clown, Clown Shoots Teen
Published 1, June 20, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 20 Comments
This is precisely why clowns scare some people. A Chicago teen went up to a man dressed up as a clown, pulled a gun, and demanded money. The clown promptly grabbed the gun and shot and killed the kid. It turns out that the man was an off-duty police officer who was participating in a South Side fundraiser for a day-care business. (Clown shown here is not a picture of the officer)
Continue reading ‘No Joke: Teen Pulls Gun On Clown, Clown Shoots Teen’
This is conclusive proof that eating disorders are not limited to humans in the animal kingdom.
Continue reading ‘Nuts? What Nuts?’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
In a remarkably rare event, President Obama has chosen to reject the legal opinion of the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) on the subject of his responsibilities with respect to the War Powers Resolution (WPR).
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
It’s been nearly a decade since the death of Manadel al-Jamadi, an Iraqi prisoner known as “the Iceman.” In Alexandria, Virginia, a secret federal grand jury has begun calling witnesses in its investigation of the death of “the Iceman”. Manadel al-Jamadi was killed while in CIA custody at Abu Ghraib and got his nickname from an attempt to keep his body cool and make him look less than dead.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
The Dave Clark Five in glorious STEREO!
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
During the Republican presidential debate on Monday, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann announced that she had filed paperwork for a 2012 run. She has a J.D. from Oral Roberts University and an LL.M. degree in tax law from the William & Mary Law School, and worked as an attorney representing the IRS.
There’s No Such Thing As Psychics
Published 1, June 18, 2011 Bizarre , Religion , Science 27 Comments-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
The Sheriff’s department of Liberty County Texas, about 70 miles northeast of Houston, received a tip about multiple bodies buried at a farmhouse near Hardin, Texas. The tip came from a psychic who goes by the nom-de-psyche of Angel. She also claims to be a prophetess and that her information came from Jesus and 32 angels.
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
A real foot-tapper from Little Richard in glorious STEREO!
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
We recall with considerable mirth the recent unsuccessful prediction of The Rapture and subsequent world annihilation by Family Radio Worldwide leader Harold Camping who said he made the discovery after much study, reflection, and prayer. Sadly, Mr. Camping suffered a stroke after seeing the fall of his Rapture prediction on May 21, 2011, and after spending an estimated $100 million dollars over seven years to “educate” the public on his prediction. Not to be outdone, the revised prediction is now set for October 21, 2011. It got me thinking about the success rates of some other famous prayerful requests and predictions:
US Airways Pilot Orders Evacuation Of Plane and Arrest Of Man Wearing Baggy Pants
Published 1, June 17, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 191 Comments
There is a rather bizarre case involving a 20-year-old man, Deshon Marman, who entered a plane wearing baggy pants and failed to pull up his pants fast enough for a US Airways pilot who had him arrested at San Francisco International Airport.
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Warrant Issued For Arrest of California Professor For Allegedly Urinating On Door Of Colleague
Published 1, June 17, 2011 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law 27 Comments
San Fernando police have issued an arrest warrant for California State University Professor Tihomir Petrov after a hidden camera reportedly captured him urinating on the door of a colleague in the math department.
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We’ll Search For You When Its Cooler: Texas Manhunt Called Off Due To Heat
Published 1, June 17, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Uncategorized 144 Comments
Residents in Houston are a bit concerned when Harris County police decided to call off a manhunt of an escaped prisoner because of the heat. The man was arrested for possession and suspected of robbery. However, he was able to get out of his handcuffs during transport and escaped. The police started the manhunt but then called it off because it was just to darn hot.
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Mad Dogs and Englishmen: Yorkshire Man Removes Wart (and Finger) With A Shotgum
Published 1, June 17, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , International 20 Comments
Sean Murphy’s career as a dermatologist appears short-lived. Murphy had long complained about a wart on his finger, so he decided to remove it . . . with a 12-gauge shotgun. It succeeded and took off the wart with the rest of his finger. He was later arrested and convicted of illegal possession of a firearm.
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Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) will resign today from his seat in Congress. In addition to the political pressure from his own party, Weiner had a couple of strong legal reasons to resign.
Continue reading ‘Weiner To Resign’
Long Island Woman Finds Garbage in Cremated Remains Of Father
Published 1, June 16, 2011 Bizarre , Society , Torts 13 Comments
There is an interesting Long Island case that could be the basis for a lawsuit on the mishandling of a corpse. In spreading her father’s ashes around his favorite places (including on a dinosaur at the Museum of Natural History), Jennie Spooner, from Amityville, found an array of garbage in the urn, including ballpoint-pen springs, glass shards, metal staples and a half-melted crucifix.
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Just in case you did not see this, I felt you should see what may be the most awkward moment in the history of the world. This is Australian anchor Karl Stefanovic who decides that, if you have the spiritual leader of millions of Buddhists for an interview, you should start with a joke.
Continue reading ‘Worst Joke Ever’
The Scales of Justice? San Francisco Moves Toward Banning Sale of Gold Fish
Published 1, June 16, 2011 Animals , Environment , Politics 10 Comments
San Francisco’s Commission of Animal Control last year was lambasted over a move to ban puppies, hamsters, and kittens from being sold in the city. Now, the Commission is moving on to a new proposed ban: goldfish.
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Prisoner Elected Most Likely To Succeed
Published 1, June 16, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law 16 Comments
In high-profile cases, clients will sometimes ask defense counsel how they should look in a mug shot that will be plastered across the media. There are different schools of thought, but John Edwards clearly went with the smiling “I Can’t Believe These Guys Are Doing This” shot.
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Members of Congress Challenge Libyan War in Federal Court
Published 1, June 15, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , International , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Military , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 102 Comments
Today, I have the honor of representing ten members of the United States House of Representatives in challenging the constitutional basis for the Libyan War — and the underlying claims made by President Obama. These members include Democrats and Republicans from across the political spectrum. They share a belief that Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution expressly requires the authorization of Congress before a president can commit the nation to war. The lawsuit will be heard in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. We filed this afternoon and held a press conference with the members in front of the courthouse. A copy of the complaint (which will be heard by Judge Reggie Walton) is below.
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Chief District Judge Rejects Disqualification Motion of Judge Vaugh in Same-Sex Marriage Case
Published 1, June 15, 2011 Constitutional Law , Courts 9 Comments
Chief Judge James Ware of Federal District Court for the Northern District of California has rejected a motion for disqualification of Judge Vaughn Walker (shown left) because of his longtime relationship with his partner. Judge Ware noted that there was no evidence that Judge Walker intended to marry his partner.
Study: Only One Out Of Five Children Are Proficient in U.S. History
Published 1, June 15, 2011 Academics , Society 33 Comments
If George Santayana was correct that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” there are a lot of surprises in store for the raising generation of Americans. A new study shows a shocking lack of knowledge about U.S. history among our school children, including the fact that only 35% of fourth-graders knew the purpose of the Declaration of Independence. The results of the study are part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
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Boehner Accuses Obama of War Powers Violation
Published 1, June 15, 2011 Congress , Constitutional Law , Military , Politics 35 Comments
House Speaker John A. Boehner sent a letter to President Obama on Tuesday informing the President that the Congress now views him in breach of the War Powers Resolution absent authorization from Congress for his military deployment in Libya.
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Court Rules Against School in Disciplining of Teens For MySpace Parody
Published 1, June 14, 2011 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Free Speech , Politics , Society 14 Comments
We have been following the trend against free speech rights of students and the disciplining of students for speech outside of school. This includes the opinion in Doninger v. Niehoff with then Judge Sotomayor. Now, the Third Circuit has handed down a major victory for free speech in rejecting a parody on MySpace as the basis to discipline two teenagers in Pennsylvania. The case is J.S. v. Blue Ridge Mountain School District, 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 11947 (June 13, 2011).
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Police Search For Stolen 780-Year-Old Relic
Published 1, June 14, 2011 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 14 Comments
Police in Los Angeles are searching for a stolen 780-year-old religious relic of St. Anthony of Padua. What is fascinating is that I cannot find a single article saying what the relic was — clothing, teeth, bone, or other object. I would love to read the police report under description of property. In the meantime, Catholics are praying to the patron saint of lost and missing items . . . St. Anthony of Padua.
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Lesbian Blogger Revealed As Middle Aged Man After Objecting To Another Middle Aged Man Who Pretended To Be Lesbian Blogger
Published 1, June 14, 2011 Bizarre , Media , Society 12 Comments
After the disclosure that heroic Amina Arraf, a Syrian lesbian blogger, was actually a guy from Georgia, many believed it could not get weirder on the blogosphere. Then Bill Graber came forward to admit that, like Tom MacMaster, he is also a guy masquerading as a lesbian blogger. With the search for an actual lesbian on the blogosphere, I want to put to rest a growing rumor that I am actually an Iranian lesbian masquerading as a middle-aged professor. It may indeed that all of the actual lesbians are pretending that they are middle-aged men as middle-aged men pretend they are lesbians. However, I am not an Iranian lesbian. That should do it.
Banana Foster Tort: Four Customers Burned By Flambé
Published 1, June 14, 2011 Bizarre , Society , Torts 16 Comments
There is an interesting torts case in Palm Harbor, Florida where four diners were burned by the banana foster at Ozona Blue Grilling Co. The waiter accidentally added too much rum to the bananas foster causing burns to the people around the table, including one severe burn case of a woman whose dress caught fire.
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It appears that President Barack Obama is having a severe meteorological effect on the nation, according to Laurie Cardoza-Moore, president of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations (PJTN). Cardoza-Moore has warned that, after Obama’s speech in support of the Palestinian border claims, tornadoes ravaged the United States and weather patterns changed. A coincidence? Not in Cardoza-Moore’ world.
Iraqi Leaders Denounce Congressional Delegation After One Member Suggests Iraq Should Help Pay War Expenses
Published 1, June 13, 2011 Bizarre , Military , Politics , Society 61 Comments
Many of us have been objecting for years that we are closing down essential programs and selling off public lands on the state and federal level while we gush billions to fund wars like the one in Iraq — an oil rich country. The Iraqis, however, have called for billing the United States for damage to their country from the war. When Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican from California, went to Iraq with a delegation he caused a diplomatic incident when he politely suggested that Iraq might want to pay some of the costs back now that it is again selling oil at record high prices. The response was a statement from the government that the entire delegation was not welcomed in the country after making such a “stupid” proposal.
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New Hampshire Police Criticized For Tasering Wandering Cow
Published 1, June 13, 2011 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , Society 18 Comments
In New Hampshire, Wendy Bordeleau and her neighbors are up in arms over the repeated tasering of a 500-pound 1-year-old heifer that had escaped from her herd in Dracut, Massachusetts. People were trying to herd the cow back into the fenced area when police were called and began to taser the animal over the objections of onlookers.
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Cleveland Man Charged With Shooting 11-Year-Old Girl Playing On His Front Lawn
Published 1, June 13, 2011 Criminal law , Society 14 Comments
Charles DuBose, 55, is accused of the heinous act of shooting Ivhan`e Merritt, 11, for the offense of playing on his front lawn in Cleveland at 10:40 p.m.
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Chinese Butcher Sentenced For Using Industrial Nitrates in Meat — And Killing At Least One Customer
Published 1, June 13, 2011 Uncategorized 7 Comments
China has released the details of the latest food scandal case. Gao Yanjun wanted his meat to look fresh when it wasn’t so he added industrial nitrate used in fertilizer. It produced better color and texture . . . and at least one death. The pig intestine meat cost only 5 yuan or 75 cents and, of course, your life.
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Syrian Lesbian Advocate Amina Abdallah Is Alive And Well . . . And Living As A Man In Georgia
Published 1, June 13, 2011 Bizarre , Free Speech , International , Politics , Religion 8 Comments
For over a week, an international campaign has grown — with growing media coverage from CNN, NPR, and other outlets — to support Amina Abdallah Araf al Omari, a self-described 35-year-old lesbian who had been abducted in Syria after blogging about her life and dreams. The American-born Amina’s disappearance led to the creation of websites and set off demands for governmental inquiries and sanctions. She has now been found alive and well . . . and a man from Georgia with a rather twisted view of advocacy and integrity. Tom MacMaster, 40, a graduate student has now admitted that there is no Amina, no abduction, and only a very pathetic story about a man from Georgia.
Continue reading ‘Syrian Lesbian Advocate Amina Abdallah Is Alive And Well . . . And Living As A Man In Georgia’
-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
The Republican spin machine is in overdrive working on their plan to replace a government-run program (Medicare) that directly pays health care providers with a program that would funnel taxpayer funds to private insurance companies (Vouchercare). They are trying to convince the media that their plan to end Medicare is actually a plan that creates a “new, sustainable version of Medicare.”
As Atrios puts it, “when we replace the Marines with a pizza, we’ll call the pizza the Marines.”
Will Free Speech Have To Make A Bus Stop In Arkansas?
Published 1, June 12, 2011 Constitutional Law , Courts , Free Speech , Justice , Religion , Society 13 CommentsSubmitted By Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
The Central Arkansas Coalition of Reason has a First Amendment problem. When the coalition of atheists, agnostics, and skeptics attempted to place advertising on Little Rock transit buses, they were met with an unusual demand. In order to place $5,000.00 worth of advertising, the Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA) required them to purchase insurance against angry Christians in the amount of $36,000.00. The policy was needed said the bus company’s ad agency, On The Move Advertising, because a handful of similar ads had been vandalized in other states.
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-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Today we have the golden voice of Dean Martin in glorious STEREO!
Redefining When Life Begins: A Post about Personhood USA and Legislative Bills That Could Make the Use of Some Contraceptives Illegal
Published 1, June 11, 2011 Criminal law , Politics , Society 52 Comments
Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
Until last week, I had never heard of an organization called Personhood USA. Then I read a post about it on Think Progress titled Anti-Abortion Groups Push To Outlaw Contraceptives By Redefining Personhood. According to the
Think Progress piece, Personhood USA has been quite successful at pushing legislation in a number of states that would “redefine life as beginning at the moment of fertilization…”
Dr. Dan Grossman, an obstetrician/gynecologist at the University of California, San Francisco, said that the medical community has been in agreement that a pregnancy begins “once implantation occurs.” Only about a half of fertilized eggs, however, actually implant into a woman’s uterus and result in a pregnancy. The rest of the fertilized eggs never begin dividing, never implant, or spontaneously abort. In fact, some spontaneous abortions occur so early in a woman’s pregnancy that she may not even be aware that she is pregnant.
Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Anthony Weiner may not be the only politician whose electronic shortcomings could derail his career. The State of Alaska has released 24,000 pages of emails by then-governor Sarah Palin pursuant to a FOIA request. The emails cover all sorts of Palin controversies like Troopergate, Travel Expense-gate, and even the flurry of activity surrounding her eventual selection as John McCain’s running mate. One email details Palin’s frustration with questions from reporters about whether she believes humans and dinosaurs co-existed.
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