News & Media
ACLU sues after middle school girls expelled over Facebook comments
The ACLU filed a complaint in the Northern District of Indiana against the Griffith Public School district after it expelled three middle school girls for a lengthy conversation they had on Facebook outside of school hours. According to the complaint, the conversation “spanned numerous subjects,” beginning with one girl complaining on her Facebook wall about cutting her legs while shaving
You are Fined Twenty Dollars for Violation of the Verbal Morality Statute.
Creating a well-timed and well-phrased barrage of expletives has been around since the beginning of time and those who have mastered the art should be revered as national treasures (George Carlin, rest in peace). Middleborough, Massachusetts does not share this sentiment. Frustrated malcontent Mimi Duphily was fed up with young hooligans dropping the F-bomb near her auto parts store. So
What What, Fair Use on a 12(b)(6)?
“What what, in the butt?” was the question recently before justices Easterbrook, Cudahy and Hamilton in the appeal of Brownmark Films LLC v. Comedy Partners from the Eastern District of Wisconsin. (Opinion) At issue was whether South Park’s interpretation of Samwell’s “What What In The Butt,” as performed by Butters in the episode “Canada on Strike,” was non-infringing fair use
Your Time Is Their Time (Wasn’t There An Amendment Against That Sort Of Thing?)
Amy Alkon discusses the New York Bar’s new pro bono requirement in Mens News Daily. In her post, Alkon describes some of the virtues of pro bono work–including the pro bono work provided to her by attorney Marc Randazza. Alkon says: I couldn’t have afforded a lawyer to defend me, but that doesn’t mean I am entitled to a lawyer’s
Boston to $10,000!
A law firm in Boston is offering the princely sum of $10,000 per year. (source) Well, in all fairness, that is the projected income for the incoming associate. “Compensation is mainly based on percentage of work billed and collected … We expect an associate to earn $10,000 in compensation in the first year.” Still, if you ever were wondering just
The only time Bill Clinton genuinely smiled
Is in this photo, with two well-known adult actresses. I’ve noticed that Hilary Clinton has been growing her hair out and shedding the paige-boy look she sported much of her adult life. That’s great, and more women should do the same – there are no two things worse on any girl than flip-flops and a short haircut. Unfortunately, Hilary’s efforts
Flashing your headlights to warn other motorists of a speed trap = free speech
A judge in Seminole County, Florida (of all places) ruled that when a motorist flashes his lights at other motorists to warn them of an upcoming speed trap, he is engaging in First Amendment protected speech. (source).
What Gives Them The Right To Frisk Henry Kissinger?
Huffington Post writer Christopher Elliott discusses the TSA’s pat-down policy. Attorney Marc Randazza offers his opinion on the issue. Randazza said the procedures were: “implemented as part of the post 9-11 giddy civil liberties message, that we have all been forced to endure, because questioning anything that is done in the name of combating terrorism is tantamount to treason.” Read
A model for all teachers
By J. DeVoy [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDnX6ubgnk8&w=560&h=315] “Re-write that paragraph, less terrible this time.” Being mean works and gets results.
Blogger Asserts Copyright, Newspaper Editor Gets Irate – YouTube
How to properly assert your copy rights: Blogger Asserts Copyright, Newspaper Editor Gets Irate – YouTube. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAtOs5yzVus&w=560&h=315] h/t Ethics Alarms
Did You Know?
The White House recently made some changes to the American Presidents’ biography page to include little factoids and tidbits about President Obama. Biographies of 20th century presidents now include a “Did you know?” section at the end that outlines what President Obama has done that relates to the particular President whose biography you happen to be reading. Source. See for
Why I moved from the UK
by Charles Platt Yes we have our problems but the UK tends to be that little bit worse. No Constitution and all that. “Campaigners say the Public Order Act is being abused by over-zealous police and prosecutors to arrest Christian street preachers, critics of Scientology, gay rights campaigners and even students making jokes. Currently, Section 5 of the 1986 Act
More Book Banning.
Fifty Shades of Grey, currently number one on the New York Times Best Seller list, is a charming story about a college graduate, her billionaire boyfriend, and their sex life. It’s labeled as erotic fiction, but it sounds more like porn for housewives. It was apparently developed from a work of Twilight fan fiction under the author’s penname (I shit
Florida's "Stand Your Ground" Does Not Mean What You Think It Does
NOTE: Nothing in this post is meant to be legal advice. If anyone acts on what they perceive to be advice, does so at their own peril. Also, as you will see, one does not want to find themselves having to utilize this defense. Lastly, the law cited is Florida Law. This post is NOT about Trayvon Martin or George Zimmerman. The
You know… instead of the G…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCF_uusfyw8]
Orlando Beats Out Sin City for Title of Smuttiest City in America
…According to Men’s Health Magazine. (source.) Florida takes honors as the “Most Salacious State,” with five cities ranked in the top 60.
Couple receives largest internet libel award
A jury in Fort Worth, Texas awarded a husband and wife $13.78 million in a libel lawsuit after anonymous commenters started an online campaign designed to ruin their reputations. (Source). The judgment is the largest ever awarded in an internet libel case. The plaintiffs—an attorney and a salon owner—had previously been the subject of a criminal trial after one of the
Wait, What? NC's Anti Gay Marriage Amendment Actually Targets Miscegenation?!
By Jonathon C.A. Blevins On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, North Carolina has the opportunity to join the ranks of “progressive” states that allow some form of same-sex union. Conversely, the populace may also send the state into the annals of history as one of the many states that openly discriminate against homosexuals. Not surprisingly, the amendment was drafted by a
Wanna own the Righthaven trademark?
By J. DeVoy Hey, you! Give your failed life some meaning by purchasing Righthaven’s registered servicemark! Available now on eBay! OWN RIGHTHAVEN’S “COMMERCIAL GOODWILL” LOLOLOLOLZ!