News & Media
"Happy Holidays" Cause of Economic Crisis
Ken over at Popehat points out the latest Wall Street Journal bizzaro-world editorial; one which bears further gawking. According to editorial page Deputy Editor Daniel Henninger, the cause of the current economic crisis can be boiled down to the cultural trend to offer your neighbor a “Happy Holidays” instead of the more traditional “Merry Christmas.” This year we celebrate the desacralized “holidays” amid what is for many unprecedented economic ruin — fortunes halved, jobs lost, homes foreclosed. People wonder, What happened? One man’s theory: A nation whose people can’t say “Merry Christmas” is a nation capable of ruining its own economy. Yeah. That’s right. You lose your Christmas spirit, you lose your house. Duh. What really went missing through the
You So Smart
This website claims to analyze what “type” a blog is. By extension, this would also suggest what “type” the bolg’s readers are. Here’s the result for Legal Satyricon: The logical and analytical type. They are especialy attuned to difficult creative and intellectual challenges and always look for something more complex to dig into. They are great at finding subtle connections between things and imagine far-reaching implications. They enjoy working with complex things using a lot of concepts and imaginative models of reality. Since they are not very good at seeing and understanding the needs of other people, they might come across as arrogant, impatient and insensitive to people that need some time to understand what they are talking about. Can
The First Amendment Is A Beautiful Thing
Often we are challenged to remember the importance of the First Amendment in the context of truly objectionable expression, such as hate speech. But every once in a while, the truly objectionable transgresses into the truly hilarious – as is the case with this gem. It’s an amicus brief filed in the California Supreme Court by the Kingdom of Heaven: World Divine Government in support of Proposition 8’s ban on same-sex marriages. The brief’s author, one D. Q. Mariette Do-Nguyen, “Heiress Of The Almighty Eternal Creator,” is not merely advancing her own political perspective here. She had a dream. After a night full of dreams, before dawn of November 11, 2008, before I woke up the morning, the Almighty Eternal
This is how we do it, baby
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOvqF4ZPDNM]
The Recession Isn't All Bad News
Quizlaw reports that the recession appears to be hurting the douchebaggery industry: [Y]ou know what the best part of the recession is? Focus on the Family, the right-wing nutjob institute of religious zealotry that just spent $500,000 to defeat Prop 8 in California, is having to lay off 20 percent of its workforce! Yay for unemployed bigots! Want more: Oral Roberts, which spits out hate-and-fear mongering evangelist by the hundreds, is also laying off 10 percent of its staff! Yay for unemployed, academic bigots. Ha ha!
Douchetastic Defamation Suit Filed in Nevada
Michael Minelli, a 27-year old “club promoter,” is spewing vinegar at Simon and Schuster, publisher of the book Hot Chicks with Douchebags. Apparently, Mr. Minelli finds the description “douchebag” to be inaccurate, and to say the least, neither sweet nor fresh. In his complaint, Minelli seeks at least $10,000 in damages per count in his five-count action for defamation, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and a loss of that fresh feeling (to his goodwill, anyhow). Minelli says he “has been, is now and continues to be called a douchebag by friends, acquaintances, coworkers, employers and strangers alike.” (source) The book, which began as a popular website , describes Minelli in less than flattering terms —
Medway, Mass. May Increase Areas Available for Adult Entertainment
The town of Medway, Mass. is considering expanding the size, but changing the location, of its adult entertainment zoning district. At this time, the only place in Medway where adult entertainment businesses can locate is “a small trapezoidal block on Rte. 109, east of Pond Street.” (source) Resident Mark Cerel, a municipal lawyer and the town moderator, said he is concerned the allowable area is so small – only a couple of properties – that the courts could find it unfairly limiting, and then permit adult entertainment to locate in any retail spot in town. (source) Mr. Cerel is correct. While there is no set formula for how much area in a municipality must be available for adult entertainment uses,
Are Speech Codes Coming Back?
Before Constitution voters start doing a victory dance over the Obama win, lets not forget that threats to free speech come from the left as often as they come from the right. See Unlike Others, U.S. Defends Freedom to Offend in Speech. The article quotes a “legal philosopher” as saying that he isn’t sure that the Europeans are wrong – referring to European restraints on so-called “hate speech.” Of course, it is only “hate speech” when it is speech that the would-be censor doesn’t like. I don’t trust anyone to apply such principles fairly, evenly, or in any way sanely. Unfortunately, there are many American liberals who would love to see laws that would allow citizens to ban speech that
News Flash – California Supreme Court to Consider Constitutionality of Prop 8
Just over an hour ago, the California Supreme Court issued an order stating that it will hear the challenge to the consitutionality of Proposition 8, the ballot measure banning same-sex marriage in California which was approved by voters in this month’s election. The issues to be heard by the Court are: (1) Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution? (See Cal. Const., art. XVIII, §§ 14.) (2) Does Proposition 8 violate the separation of powers doctrine under the California Constitution? (3) If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8? Briefs are set
Your New Job's "No Wussies" Health Plan
By Jessica Christensen, Employment Law Correspondent Who says the AFL-CIO doesn’t have a sense of humor? Joining the viral-video age, “big labor” brings you “Your New Job,” endorsing the Employee Free Choice Act (which I previously wrote about here). [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlbfpzC_-I0]
Strip Club Coming Soon (Just Kidding – Local Pols Freak Out Anyway)
The town of Simsbury, CT woke up to find a sign in front of an abandoned Ford dealership announcing the arrival of a new adult entertainment establishment by the name of Titti City. The Hartford Courant reports that local police suspect that the sign was merely a practical joke. The Courant does not report why this was a police matter. Town officials, however, hinted that they will begin taking steps to try and ban adult entertainment in Simsbury. “[Z]oning commission Chairman Austin Barney II said the panel is discussing a moratorium on adult business applications until the town can write regulations to restrict such uses.”
Look Who is Against Proposition 8
The California Council of Churches has petitioned the California Supreme Court to invalidate Proposition 8 on the same grounds as gay rights groups have claimed — that Prop. 8 was not a constitutional amendment, but rather a constitutional revision — which requires more than a vote of the electorate. “Proposition 8 poses a grave threat to religious freedom,” said Rev. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director of the California Council of Churches. “If the Court permits gay men and lesbians to be deprived of equal protection by a simple majority vote, religious minorities could be denied equal protection as well—a terrible irony in a nation founded by people who emigrated to escape religious persecution. If the Court permits Proposition 8 to take
Contest – Identify this Item
Yes, some organization is encouraging its members to ring in the holiday season with this lovely display. Who is it? [polldaddy poll=1120013] Answer here
Ted Stevens Loses
Convicted Felon Ted Stevens (R-AK) has apparently, finally, lost his bid for re-election to the Senate. The really good news? Had he been re-elected, he likely would have been expelled from the Senate, and then Bible Spice (a.k.a. Sarah Palin) would have either been allowed to appoint a successor, or there would have had to be a special election. Had there been such an election, Palin would certainly have done her best Suzanne Stone impersonation and likely would have been elected to the Senate.
Indiana Public School Offers Christianity Classes – Gets Sued
Horace Mann Elementary School in Huntington County, Indiana, allows a local church to provide an in-school religious indoctrination program to third- and fourth-grade students. Those who choose to participate in the program are released from school for one hour per week in order to attend the “By the Book Weekday Religious Instruction” provided by the Associated Churches of Huntington. “By the Book” classes take place in trailers on school property, use school electricity, and teachers lead participating students to the trailers for their hour of religious education. (source) A student known by the initials “J.S.” and the student’s mother, “H.S.” filed suit against the school district claiming that the “By the Book” program violates the Establishment Clause. According to the
Naked Bike Ride Protected by the First Amendment
Michael “Bobby” Hammond, 21, inspired by his recent participation in the annual World Naked Bike Ride — an event that protests against car culture, decided to take his vintage 10-speed bicycle for a spin through the streets of Portland, Oregon while wearing nothing but a bicycle helmet. Portland Police were not amused. Mr. Hammond was arrested for indecent exposure under Portland, Or., City Code § 14.24.060, which states that “it is unlawful for any person to expose his or her genitalia while in a public place, or a place visible from a public place, if the place is open or available to persons of the opposite sex.” However, Mr. Hammond’s conduct was held to be protected speech, and the charges
Indiana's "In God We Trust" License Plate Upheld
In January, 2007, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles began offering 75 different specialty license plates including an “In God We Trust” option. The first 74 plates required payment of a $15 administrative fee. The In God We Trust plate was free. The ACLU challenged the cost differential. However, the Marion (Indiana) county court dismissed the case — accepting the state’s argument that the “In God We Trust” plate is not a “specialty plate,” but rather just another “regular” plate. (Source). The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the decision. Indiana’s BMV website lists a number of “standard” license plates including “Support our Troops” and “Boyhood Home of Lincoln” without additional charge. (source) Although it does not seem that the State
No Communion For Obama Supporters
MSNBC reports: COLUMBIA, S.C. – A South Carolina Roman Catholic priest has told his parishioners that they should refrain from receiving Holy Communion if they voted for Barack Obama because the Democratic president-elect supports abortion, and supporting him “constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil.” Funny. But when Cardinal Bernard Law (former Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Boston) learned that his priests were molesting little boys, he just shifted them around so they could molest fresh crops of new boys. When Bernie Law was looking at being called to task for it, the Pope reassigned him to the Vatican (and out of reach of the Massachusetts authorities). Question: If voting for Obama is “material cooperation with intrinsic evil,” what is giving
Okay, I'm Convinced
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cheT8e8sz-8]
