News & Media
Thank W.F. Price
By J. DeVoy Programming note: I’ve recently become a contributor for the men’s rights publication The Spearhead. While The Legal Satyricon will remain my primary focus, a few times a month I’ll be gracing them with some of my more, uh, “unique” social commentary. In contrast, my rants here will be more focused on legal matters like the scourge of filial support laws. (Don’t we have enough young-to-old value transference in this country on the federal level?) My first post, about online anonymity, is up here.
Aqua Teen Hunger Farce
By J. DeVoy For almost a decade, I’ve been a fan of the cartoon show Aqua Teen Hunger Force (ATHF). I even convinced Marc to heavily quote the show in a recent USPTO filing. Beyond being pointlessly amusing, though, the show has offered some real-life intersection with the law. Most memorably, the residents of Boston thought that LED displays of the shows more memorable characters – the Mooninites – were bombs. Panic ensued, and a city once considered annoying solely for its accents defused and ruined a costly public relations campaign. To avoid possible criminal charges or civil claims, Time
Guatemala has regrettable, sloppy hookup with United States
By J. DeVoy And all it got to show for it was Syphilis and Gonorrhea! No, this isn’t some tribute to Larry Flynt and Hustler’s famous ad about Jerry Falwell; we actually did this. Consistent with the CIA’s penchant for involuntary testing of chemicals – such as LSD on Americans and the French, and extreme plutocratic capitalism throughout Central America – this time an unnamed branch of researchers infected hundreds of Guatemalans with gonorrhea and syphilis without their knowledge. (source.) Naturally, Hillary Clinton and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius fell over themselves to over-apologize. “The sexually transmitted disease inoculation study
Injustice and § 2257 problems abound in Duckburg
By J. DeVoy [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmpAx8Z5z40&fs=1&hl=en_US] A-woo-oo!
Excellent question, Carl
By Tatiana von Tauber Often I’ve been told America is and was founded as a “Christian nation”. As a devoted human being to all the people and roles in my life I attend to, I don’t have the time to research everything I want or should know. Good this post in the Huffington Post came up to remind me of some facts about American history and prompted my memory bank to dig up these beautiful words by Carl Sagan as written in “A Demon Haunted World” (pg. 428): “When we consider the founders of our nation – Jefferson, Washington, Samuel and John Adams,
Suicide note rights and liabilities
By their very nature, suicide notes are controversial documents. Nobody likes to think or talk about them, despite accompanying many – probably most – of the suicides that occur in America. There were 34,598 reported suicide deaths in 2007 alone, making it the fourth leading cause of death for adults aged 18-65. So, where to begin? Who owns the note A Slate article from 2008 states that either the medical examiner or sheriff “controls the contents” of a suicide note. While true, Eugene Volokh notes that this does not resolve the issue of ownership. The imperative to investigate deaths grants
Big pot joints big labor
By J. DeVoy Despite the decline of organized labor in the United States with sagging manufacturing, construction and transportation sectors – areas long associated with unionized workforces – the Teamsters union has made inroads with medical marijuana growers. (source.) The Teamsters added nearly 40 new members earlier this month by organizing the country’s first group of unionized marijuana growers. Such an arrangement is likely only possible in California, which has the loosest U.S. medical marijuana laws. But it’s still unclear how the Teamsters will safeguard the rights of members who do work that’s considered a federal crime. “I didn’t have
Octomom offered $500k to do porn
By J. DeVoy Vivid Entertainment has offered Nadya Suleman, commonly known as Octomom, $500,000 for a single one-hour-long scene. Based on her recent bikini photos, Suleman has recovered nicely from her extreme pregnancy, and such an offer is not unrealistic. I think Vivid could have offered something in the $100-300k range, but what do I know? It’s probably not in the company’s best interest to be seen as lowballing vulnerable quasi-celebrities who are facing foreclosure.
The Hoyts
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy8hOOvM0t0] Off topic, but epic win.
In Savannah we ask and we tell
By Tatiana von Tauber It’s terribly difficult seeing the truth that sits before me. In the #2 spot for romance and weddings in the U.S., love on the whole seems to be elusive rather than understood. “The City of Savannah is considering extending benefits to same-sex couples. Do you think the extension is a good idea?” Yes: 21.1 % No: 68.4 % Not sure: 10.5% (source) Sorry to disappoint you Lady Gaga. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG5VK2lquEc]
This week in good deeds
By J. DeVoy Earlier this week I tried to start Ferdinand Bardamu’s political career. I submitted evidence of my efforts to him, which is available at In Mala Fide.
he's got a point…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX1CvW38cHA]
The Art Cure for Boobies
by Tatiana von Tauber As much as I fought integrating into Southern living, I’ve managed to walk into terrains new to me and it brought unexpected happiness. After a friend came down with stage IV cancer, I suddenly got tired of trying to make “my” life good. From the looks of it, it was. I was breathing with no possible end in its near future unless I was hit by a bus. Within a weekend I went from trying to figure out which way to tweak my professional life to creating an international art show and charity event, a most humbling
Supreme Court Justice Questions the Right to Burn a Koran
by Charles Platt On Good Morning America, Breyer compares burning a Koran to shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater. I guess this must mean that if you do anything at all which upsets delusional wackos, you are not protected by the First Amendment. That’s good to know.
Well, Delaware *is* Below the Mason-Dixon Line, Right?
Congratulations, Delaware Republicans, you just nominated an actual, honest to goodness, imbecile. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UFn_DoaSKw] Edit: Delaware is not below the Mason-Dixon line. That line takes a 90 degree turn and encompasses Delaware’s western border with Maryland.
Carl Paladino – the man to watch in November 2010
By J. DeVoy “They say I’m too blunt. Well, I am.” — Carl Paladino, Sept. 14, 2010 Tonight, Carl Paladino cinched the Republican nomination for Governor of New York State. Paladino, a lawyer-cum-real estate magnate in upstate New York, has had a storied past. Before wading into the political realm, he would buy radio and print advertisements to air his grievances with people he disliked in New York, specifically local politicians in Upstate cities. After announcing his candidacy, the Western New York media network obtained e-mails from Paladino, featuring racist photos and videos, pornography of all kinds, and general insanity.
Blog L00t!
Hola! Chris is back with more L00T! This is a lovely collection of the best from the friends of the Satyricon this week. Corporate Stiffness is Bad for Innovation, Particularly in the Tech World Being a Boston guy, I had to reference this post by Lee Gesmer at the Mass Law Blog. The post presents the differences between the technology areas of the Rte 128 corridor in Massachusetts and Silicon Valley. Gesmer points out the massive changes in the tech sector since the 1990s Internet boom in Silicon Valley, and how the region has left the Boston area in
If your son is a complete pussy…
It might be because you’re raising him in a world where a football coach calls 911 to break up a fight between two 10 year old boys. Or, it might be because you’re raising him in a world where a dipshit prosecutor has nothing better to do than actually charge one of the boys with a misdemeanor for getting in a fight. (source) H/T: Greenfield
Unprotected Speech from Outside the US
by Charles Platt Send a drunken email from the UK to the White House, calling the president a prick, and you’re banned from the United States for life. Or so it says here.