American Exceptionalism

In more than 160 countries worldwide, workers enjoy a legal entitlement to paid sick leave. The US is not among them. Instead, like such bastions of individual liberty and economic efficiency as Mongolia, Angola, and Mozambique, we leave our workers free to choose between their health and their job.

GOP Senators <3 judicial activism — when it suits their reactionary agenda

A foolish consistency may be the hobgoblin of little minds, but the problem doesn’t seem to afflict mindless little hobgoblins like Senators Cornyn, Coburn, and Sessions. Meanwhile, in a twist on their argument that Ms. Kagan might be a “judicial activist” who would legislate from the bench, some Republicans expressed concern on Wednesday that she [...]

A nice parting shot from Mr. Justice Stevens

On the merits, I generally agree with the majority’s conclusion in McDonald v. Chicago that the Second Amendment applies to the states and not just the federal government; I also agree with the holding in Heller that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to possess and use guns. On the more specific question [...]

Unlicensed fishing costs $1.2 million

Here’s a story for my “law & fishing” file. Bonus points because it happened in North Carolina. The crew of the Citation thought they were sitting pretty, having pulled in the biggest fish in the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, N.C., an 883-pounder. This would have netted (pun intended) them over [...]

Scenes from the post-racial society: Courthouse edition

The New York Times reports on the continuing practice of excluding African-Americans from juries in Southern states. The article is based on a study by the Equal Justice Initiative: During two years of research in eight southern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee), EJI interviewed over 100 African-American citizens who [...]

Fool for a client

This may be the very best story about a crazy pro se litigant ever: West Virginia Record Woman files another suit against Oprah CHARLESTON — A Charleston woman is suing Oprah Winfrey again, this time claiming the talk show host took funds from her Social Security account and deposited them into the U.S. Treasury. Famous [...]

Speaking figuratively, of course

Amusingly-named Utah State Senator Chris Buttars (pity his forebears left off the final “e”), who sponsored an anti-Gay marriage amendment to the state constitution, now says he might sponsor legislation to prohibit housing and employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Explaining his position, Buttars said, “I don’t mind gays. But I don’t want [...]

Justice O’Connor’s husband “reportedly in the final moments of life”

Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was to have visited Greensboro and Elon Law School tomorrow. Sadly, her appearance has been canceled as a result of her husband’s worsening health. An announcement from the law school stated that John Jay O’Connor III, whose condition prompted Justice O’Connor’s retirement, “is reportedly in the final moments [...]

Hey, we know how to play softball!

The best comment I’ve seen concerning the atrocity of a health care “reform” bill passed by the House comes from comment to this post at Lawyers, Guns & Money. Speaking about the way Nancy Pelosi was snookered into allowing anti-choice Democrats to make an already bad bill even worse with the Stupak amendment, commenter Aimai [...]

Corporate medicine is hazardous to your health

I’ve read several criticisms of universal health care (a.k.a. “government-run medicine”) on the grounds of “you get what you pay for.” As stories like this remind us, that would be a vast improvement over the current insurance corporation-run system.