legal

Today the FAA released the tapes from the flight that went down into the Hudson River.  The captain was hailed as a hero and one would be hard-pressed to disagree.
What I find most interesting is that the FAA released the tapes in the first place.
They still won’t release the 9-11 tapes, citing privacy, etc.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 5-1 that autopsy results should be public.  The court took up the case after two newspapers sued to find out the results of the autopsy of an Easton, PA, police officer.
The coroner refused to release the results, hence the suit.  The officer was shot by another officer in a gun-cleaning [...]

While I’m typing, my wife is watching Parking Wars.   In case you haven’t seen it, it’s the story of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.  There are two segments: one which follows the parking attendants and one which covers people getting their towed vehicles back.
The first thing that must occur to most humans watching this show is [...]

Twas the night before Christmas, from here to L.A.
And nothing was stirring, except the NSA.
The wiretaps were placed at the phone companies
They’re listening in, from a fax to a sneeze.
The press were nestled all snug in their beds
While printing everything the government said.
And my wife with her cell phone and me with email
None of us [...]

Speaking of separation of Church and State, a coworker just sent me this article.
Before we even go there, I am constantly amazed at the ignorance displayed by the people who play this game.  What really gets to me is that some of these people are legislators, who are supposed to know the difference.
American Atheists, Inc., [...]

Know the Facts of the Three-Day Cooling-Off Period
You have three days to return a lot of items costing $25 or more.  But there are exceptions.  Educate yourself.
FCC Pushing for Free Internet Plan
Sounds great, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately they claim it will be smut-free, but adults can opt out of it.   Yeah, right.
Know the Facts of the [...]

Vermont doctor, Robert W. Hyde, was involved in one of the nation’s darkest chapters in medical science: In the 1950s, Hyde conducted drug and psychological experiments at a Boston hospital through funding that apparently originated with the CIA. Later, he became director of research at the Vermont State Hospital… In addition to patient Karen Wetmore’s [...]

Three bloggers in New York City are suing the NYPD for not giving them press credentials because they work for online or nontraditional publications.
I find this case very interesting…

what are the criteria for giving out press credentials?
when can credentials be refused and why?
are credentials supposed to be handed out to all?
does any of this fall [...]

Sheriff Mike Scott, from Lee County, FL (where most weird election stories start), got to be the warmup act for a GOP Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Warming up the troops, he started with, “On November 4, let’s leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering what happened.”
Sheriff Scott was left wondering what happened when the FBI rolled up [...]

Starting today I’ll be `organizing’ things a bit by putting the more blatant rights grabs on one page.  Don’t worry - this is the closest I ever get to organization.
What Are ‘Community Standards’ When It Comes To Obscenity Online?
that sure as hell isn’t my community..
Most People Don’t Realize Their ISPs Are Already Spying On Them
read [...]