News & Media
New School of Orlando Sues for Defamation
Sonjia McSween’s daughter once attended the New School of Orlando. From what I understand, it is a pretty ritzy place to send your kids. She wasn’t happy about the service she got, so she launched a blog about the place. I don’t know if her statements are true or not. I don’t care. This post is not a defense of
A Follow up to Bush Lied, They Died Case
The forces of free speech have prevailed in Frazier v. Boomsma (at least at the preliminary injunction stage). The case, previously blogged here, “Bush Lied – They Died” T-Shirts and Free Speech has resulted in a federal court giving the State of Arizona a remedial course in First Amendment law.
McCarthy Meets Santa!
This is going to be required viewing for the first day of my trademark law class and my entertainment law class. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auzC0JLgfAg&eur] HT to Le petit Musée des Marques.
Adverse Secondary Effects of Mega Churches?
Yet another “christian” congregation rocked by a sex scandal. Brought to you by the same people who scream that adult bookstores cause a decline in morality. Hat tip to Above the Law.
One More Reason to Boycott Wal Mart
Who taught Wal Mart’s lawyers IP law? The New York Times reports that Wal Mart, Macy’s, and other mega-stores have incompetent counsel who think that sale prices are protected by copyright. (source)
Red Hot Chilli Peppers dont want Showtime Californicating up their Rights
The Red Hot Chilli Peppers are suing Showtime for naming their latest series “Californication.” Showtime’s producers claim that the Red Hots didn’t coin the term though. (complaint) “Apparently in the ’70s there were bumper stickers that said ‘Don’t Californicate Oregon,’ because Californians were coming up there, and I just through it was a great, great title for this show,” said
McAfee Releases Typosquatting Report
This should be useful for anyone trying to understand the typosquatting business, or who has to explain it to a judge or a legislator who isn’t so versed in the intertubes . What’s In A Name: The State of Typo-Squatting 2007 Hat tip to Marty.
Just a Reminder: These are our Allies
Yep, in Saudi Arabia, the punishment for rape is 90 lashes. 200 if you appeal and lose. Oh, that’s if you are the victim. Saudi Arabia. Saudi Ariabia Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
The Bible Replaced by SEX KITS!!!!
I open my email today, and I get this: One of the funniest mailing lists I am on is that from this “American Family Association.” They sent me an email once asking me if I wanted to lead a protest against the DaVinci code. I wish that I had recorded the phone call I made to them (yes, I am
I Love My Bike… No I REALLY Love It.
Wow… so a guy in Scotland not only figured out how to have sex with a bicycle, but he actually got caught, arrested, and convicted for it. (Yes, really). In the BBC report on the story, one person asked, “Would they have done the same to a woman with a sex toy?” In the UK, no. In the UK you
Kudos to Posner on Secondary Effects
Hat tip to my good friend and First Amendment Lawyer’s Association brother Cary Wiggins over at Meeting the Sin Laws: Posner, for whom Mr. Wiggins and I share a common affinity, just authored an opinion invalidating the Village of Washington Park’s ban on alcohol in adult entertainment establishments:
Here it Comes… Convert your savings to Euros
I’m not much of an economist, but I know that my credit score goes down when I charge a lot on my credit card. You idiots who voted for Bush both times, congratulations, we are screwed. At least you got your office of “faith based initiatives.” That and an illegal war charged on the country’s credit card. Why did they
Congratulations to Brian and Amanda Misuraca
Well my “little” cousin Brian got married last night. Watch the video here. I wish that all my friends and family members would be so considerate as to do it this way. Four minutes and thirty three seconds of my life was taken up watching this solemn occasion. Now I get Amanda as a family member for a lifetime. That
Pumpkins, Beer, and Acrylic Nails Don't Mix, Y'all
FORT PIERCE — A Tuesday night domestic incident deputies say involving a pumpkin, beer and acrylic nails landed two people in jail, according to a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s report obtained Wednesday. Where else but Flori-duh? Story here.
Flying Spaghetti Monster on Religious Panel's Menu
This weekend, at a gathering of religious scholars in San Diego, my second-favorite religion will be on the menu. (source) When the “intelligent design” crowd went on their latest lunatic rampage in Kansas, Physicist Bobby Henderson sent a letter to the Kansas Board of Education demanding equal time for his beliefs to be presented alongside “intelligent design” in Kansas classrooms.
The Right Way to Shut Down an Adult Bookstore
Using force of law to shut down a First Amendment protected businesses is unlawful and wrong. But, this is America, and you can always use your money to buy out a business you don’t like. Cary Wiggins reports on just such a move in a Detroit suburb. Lots of people still harbor the superstition that adult businesses cause adverse effects.
Bob Allen Convicted
I guess that the greatest-excuse-ever (“I offered him $20 and oral sex because I am afraid of black men”) didn’t fly with the jury.
Singapore Bans Video Game over Lesbian Sex
Singapore’s Board of Film censors has banned “Mass Effect,” because players have the option of having their female avatar make out with (and feel up) a female alien. Photos after the jump.
First Amendment Victory in Illinois Establishment Clause Case
Illinois used to have a “moment of silence” law, passed in 1969, that allowed teachers to hold a moment of silence with a specific provision that it was not to be considered to be an endorsement of prayer. In October, 2007, the Illinois legislature amended the law to make the period of silence mandatory. An Atheist parent brought an action
Holier Than Thou Types Are Full of Crap? O-RLY?
I saw this headline on Yahoo! news, Oddly, Hypocrisy Rooted in High Morals, and of course started to chuckle. As if I didn’t already know that usually those who purport to be the most “moral” are usually the slimiest eels in the pit. In the new study, detailed in the November issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology, researchers find
