News & Media
Alan Dershowitz' Sex Orgies??? (I call bullshit)
A woman by the name of Virginia Roberts claims that a convicted sex offender, Jeffery Epstein, “trafficked” her to rich, powerful, and famous people while she was underage. One of those people is Prince Andrew, and another is Alan Dershowitz. (source) Riiiiight. I suppose that anything is possible. But, Dersh had this to say: “I’m planning to file disbarment charges
Where is Israel?
Harper Collins is getting some deserved flak for omitting Israel from its world atlas specifically designed for Middle Eastern markets. (source) The map simply omits Israel, as if it does not exist. Collins Bartholomew, the subsidiary of HarperCollins that specialises in maps, had told The Tablet that including Israel in the Middle East Atlas would have been “unacceptable” to its
Thank you, Sarah Palin
Wow, I would have thought that Michael Palin wrote this, not Sarah. Aren’t you the same anti-beef screamers blogging hate from your comfy leather office chairs, wrapped in your fashionable leather belts above your kickin’ new leather pumps you bought because your celebrity idols (who sport fur and crocodile purses) grinned in a tabloid wearing the exact same Louboutins exiting
Time off and the Bar
Brian Tannebaum, ethics lawyer to the stars, recently tweeted that he would be ok with a complete shut-down of the legal profession from December 23 to January 2. I thought that sounded like a good idea too. We have to take all these bullshit CLE hours about recognizing substance abuse. We have rules that we have to “be nice,” even
Bar Associations, Weed, and Ethics
I was the keynote speaker at the US Virgin Islands bar association meeting a few weeks ago. My talk was on online defamation, and a challenge to the USVI to pass an Anti-SLAPP law. But, the conference itself was quite heavy on the discussion of marijuana decriminalization — in particular, the ethics of advising clients on marijuana issues. The USVI,
Rest in Slack, Brother
In honor of Cliff Heller, who merged with the infinite on this day in 2006, the Legal Satyricon flag is lowered to half mast and there will be no posts today. If you happen to find yourself with a bottle of tequila nearby, I would like to invite you to take a shot (no salt) in his honor. If you
What is wrong with you people?
These are the top search terms for yesterday’s traffic to this site.
America: Wussy Nation?
USA Today has a pretty damn good editorial calling us out on the fact that the American Eagle has turned into a scared kitten. From Ebola, to terrorism, to academia’s paranoia about hurting the little snowflakes’ feelings, to the initial response to The Interview — we’ve lost The Spirit of ’76, to say the least. Part of the explanation for
Belated – Don't Be Mad At Sony – It Learned from Us
Although Sony reversed course, this post by Brad Willis is still spot on. Capitulation. That’s a hell of a word. Last time it occurred to me, it rhymed with something called The Patriot Act. Ask yourself this: in the name of security, in the name of Protecting the Homeland, in the name of protecting what America holds dear, what have
Murum Aries Attigit – Το έμβολο έχει αγγίξει τον τοίχο – Teaching Achievement Unlocked!
Murum Aries Attigit. That phrase gets batted around a lot with my name attached to it. But, what does it really mean? Caesar described the concept in Commentarii de Bello Gallico. It literally translates to “the ram has touched the wall.” The “ram” meaning a battering ram, and “the wall” meaning a besieged city’s outer defenses. Under Roman Law, a
The Wall Street Journal Rips Off Turkewitz – WSJ Needs to Learn What Fair Use Is
As someone who blogs, it bugs me when other people steal my work and re-post it on their own blogs. It bothers me even if they provide a link back. Why? Because fuck you. This is my work. If you want to quote part of it, you’re most welcome. You feel like you need to do a large block quote?
"The Interview" Was Awesome
Yesterday, I wrote this: I personally have not seen The Interview. I watched the trailer for it. That is two minutes and 28 seconds of my life that I want back. I sure as hell don’t want to waste my time watching this movie. Well, of course, I do predict that one day I’ll be wasted enough to watch it,
Just because you use words, it doesn't mean your conduct is First Amendment protected
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court just issued a unanimous opinion in Commonwealth v. Johnson – a case in which William and Gail Johnson found themselves on the ass-end of a prosecution after engaging in a pretty persistent course of harassment. The Johnsons were convicted under Mass. Gen. L. c. 265, § 43A: Whoever willfully and maliciously engages in a knowing
Did America Find its Balls in Seth Rogen's Bong?
If you ever read this blog, you’ll already know that I think the United States is a cowardly bunch of mewling pussies hiding behind some very out-of-date fairy tales to try and appear otherwise. It is as if Dick Cheney gelded us 5 minutes after Osama Bin Laden punched us in the nose. (see, see, see, see, see) While we
Doctor Theopolis
In some cultures, Dr. Theopolis would be considered “bling.” That is all
Argentine Debt Crisis Case Will be Opened
The motion we filed on behalf of Argentine journalist Jorge Lanata was granted yesterday. (Order) The order has some very inspiring language in it. When a judge cites to Madison’s writings, you know you’ve had a good day as a First Amendment lawyer. JAMES MADISON, THE FEDERALIST NO. 51 (“If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls
Fighting to keep court proceedings open
I have the privilege of representing Argentine journalist Jorge Lanata and The Center for Investigative Journalism in the Americas. I’ll let them speak for themselves – here – but suffice to say, I’m quite proud to be working for them.
Pearl Harbor Day – Never Forget
On this day, in 1941, the Empire of Japan attacked the United States. We reacted by kicking the shit out of them. It wasn’t all a Frank Capra film. We made some little mistakes along the way, internment camps for Japanese and Italians, for example. But, for the most part, we went through the War with our ideals intact. In
Well, not ALL feminists, right?
“[F]eminists adore trigger warnings because it reinforces the idea that women are ruled by their emotions, are incapable of recovering from trauma and are just generally hysterical nitwits unprepared to confront adulthood and reality.” (source)
Julien Blanc Denied Visa to Enter UK – Nothing to Rejoice
I do not think much of Julien Blanc. That much has made its rounds on the internets due to a letter I wrote. I did not release that letter to the public, so I do not want to link to it. Despite having a very negative opinion of Blanc, I was dismayed to see this — that he has been