CitizenSugar -- Breaking News, Together.

Stevens Guilty of Felony Charges

CitizenSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:23:32 -0700

Stevens Guilty of Felony Charges Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Senate Republican in history and patriarch of Alaska politics, was found guilty of felony charges for making false statements. The verdict could spell the end of a 40-year Senate career for a man who rose to be one of the most dominant figures in the upper chamber and who helped transform Alaska in its 50 years of statehood. The verdict was reached after the jury deliberated since Wednesday and found the 84-year-old senator guilty of failing to report more than $250,000 in gifts from Bill Allen, the former head of Veco Corp., and other friends.

BYU Yanks Degree From Men on a Mission Calendar Maker

CitizenSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:00:40 -0700

Ding-dong! And that's in the metaphorical and literal sense, I suppose. A whole calendar of Mormon missionaries shirtless? Yes — though the hotness of the bell-ringing men depicted has landed its creator in some hot water with his alma mater, Brigham Young University.

Chad Hardy graduated from BYU and created the calendar called "Men on a Mission" aimed at shaking up the boring or cookie-cutter stereotype of the LDS lads. After selling more than 11,000 copies featuring the missionaries in shirtless beefcake poses, last month Hardy received a letter saying that there had been a nonacademic hold placed on his degree. He'd been excommunicated from the church, and that "If in the future you are reinstated as a member of the church in good standing, you are invited to contact my office regarding your possible eligibility for the awarding of a degree." He plans to fight the decision "tooth and nail."

Reasons for the excommunication include the calendar as well as failure to pay tithing and other religious obligations. The 2009 version is on sale now. The controversy is all well and good, but want to see the missionaries sans shirts? Then without further ado,

Dubai: Pumping Sewage, Jailing Lovebirds, and Growing

CitizenSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Dubai is everywhere. Well, not everywhere, it's specifically on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates and the most populous city of the UAE. On the plane to the RNC I read Ben Mezrich's new book, Rigged: The True Story of an Ivy League Kid Who Changed the World of Oil From Wall Street to Dubai. It's excellent and piqued my interest for this rapidly expanding city blending western ideas deep in the heart of the Middle East. Then my dad forwarded a photo taken from the top of the construction of the world's tallest skyscraper being built there. Seems like Dubai is a glittering paradise?

Sort of. To see what I mean,

Court Case Against God Tossed Out For Lack of Address

CitizenSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:00:55 -0700

Ernie Chambers, A Nebraskan State Senator has been issued a setback in his lawsuit against God. That's right. God. He says the Lord Almighty has made threats against him and his electorate in Omaha and is responsible for "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants." His setback however, hasn't come in the form of a lightning bolt or a plague of frogs but rather from the court itself. It turns out that the judge has thrown out the suit because no home address could be furnished.

The lawsuit, Senator Chambers says, was filed to make the point that all persons should be able to have access to the courts regardless of wealth. Regardless of the reason, Douglas County District Court Judge Marlon Polk was steadfast: "Given that this court finds that there can never be service effectuated on the named defendant this action will be dismissed with prejudice." Not being dismayed by the law . . . or reason (?) Chambers believes he has a hole in this ruling: "The court itself acknowledges the existence of God. A consequence of that acknowledgment is a recognition of God's omniscience. Since God knows everything, God has notice of this lawsuit."

Source

9/11 Guantanamo Defendants Denied Access to the Internet

CitizenSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:00:40 -0700

Five defendants, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed professed mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, are being denied Internet access as they prepare for their death penalty trial. The men are being held at the Guantanamo Bay Naval base for the 9/11 attacks on the United States and are facing charges from conspiracy to terrorism. The no-net ruling was handed down by a US military judge siding with prosecutors who argued at a pretrial hearing last month that providing these “high value” defendants access to extra-prison communications would pose a security risk.

Among the other items refused to the inmates by their captors were printers and the ability to speak with their families by telephone. They were, however, given laptops installed with a legal dictionary, the US Constitution and the Geneva Conventions. Three of the five awaiting trail are representing themselves although the Pentagon is providing standby counsel should they wish assistance.

Is the ruling fair? Can they fairly and adequately prepare without Internet access — or is even considering giving it to them, ridiculous?

Source

Front Page: Fed Cuts Interest Rate, Judge Orders 17 Freed From Gitmo, Russia Begins Georgia Pull-Out

CitizenSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:58:30 -0700

Fed Cuts Interest Rate:
In an effort to shore up the global market slide, the Federal Reserve and six other major banks worldwid cut interest rates. The Fed downgraded from 2 percent to 1.5 percent. Banks in the UK, China, and Canada followed suit after five days of tumbling stocks. The Fed's action will reduce borrowing costs immediately to US borrowers whose home-equity loans are tied to the prime interest rate.

Judge Orders 17 Freed From Gitmo:
A federal judge ordered the Bush administration to free 17 Guantanamo Bay detainees by the end of the week, the first such order in seven years of disputes over the detentions. The 17 men have been held since 2002 and are members of a western Chinese minority. The judge says, “I think the moment has arrived for the court to shine the light of constitutionality on the reasons for detention."
Russia Begins Georgia Pull-Out:
Russia says its troops are leaving the so-called "buffer zone" around South Ossetia and five of the six checkpoints have been dismantled. Under a ceasefire deal, Moscow has to pull troops out of other areas around South Ossetia by Friday, though they will keep 8,000 troops in areas they've recognized as independent states. The move is part of the deal brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in August.

Source

Guilty Simpson On Own in Jail, Focused on Coming Appeal

CitizenSugar — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:53:11 -0700

After being found guilty of kidnapping and robbery, OJ Simpson is being being held away from other prisoners for his own safety, and is planning a motion for new trial. He's waiting to see if he'll be released on bond pending that appeal, a move considered unlikely due to the seriousness of the crimes he was convicted of. His attorney said Simpson will be alone, is planning not to do media interviews and is allowed to see only family members and a few friends.

Simpson will be held in Clark County Detention Center until his early December sentencing, then it's thought he'll be transferred to state prison. His lawyer says, "He is in isolated custody and being protected from other inmates. The jail is taking very special precautions to make sure he is safe." Surprised at the guilty verdict? Do you think it was payback by the jury? Are you into the OJ saga — or is the juice just not worth the squeeze?

Source

Judge Throws Out Case Against "Ladies' Night": Right Call?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:15:54 -0700

A judge in New York City has thrown out a lawsuit alleging that "Ladies' Night" pricing at bars and nightclubs discriminates against men. The lawsuit was brought by an attorney known for his fight against gender-specific constructs like suing Columbia University for its Women's Studies department. (Have you heard the one about the Men's Studies department? It's called "History." But I digress.) Now the gender-equalizer is taking his fight to the $3 cosmo. The judge tossed the case saying that bars and nightclubs have a right to price their product any which way they'd like because they're not acting as representatives of the state. The attorney's case tried to prove that through the state-run liquor license program, it does just that. After losing, he called the judge a feminist and said that the toss-out was right on par with the deeply embedded gender discrimination in tons of American institutions. It makes one wonder if this crusading lawyer has ever gotten his hair cut or clothes dry-cleaned. I reckon he makes back the difference in "Ladies' Night" at the bar right there . . . Does any gender preference signify discrimination? Drinks aside, is the lawyer fundamentally wrong? Source

Judge Throws Out Case Against "Ladies' Night": Right Call?

Yes. Private institutions can deal with gender as they see fit.

It's tricky because the case seems silly, but the argument really isn't. I don't know.

No, the lawyer's right. How is preferential gender treatment OK, but the reverse isn't?

Other. Is it "Ladies' Night" in the comments? I'll head in there.

Front Page: Bin Laden Driver Sentenced, 13 Dead in Texas Bus Crash, Iraq Proposes Timetable

CitizenSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:54:43 -0700

Bin Laden Driver Sentenced:
A panel of military officers have sentenced the convicted former driver of Osama bin Laden to five and a half years in prison. Ignoring the prosecution's pleas for a strict sentence, the 66 month decision means that the first detainee convicted of a war crime in court could complete his punishment by the end of the year. The military judge said he had already planned to give credit for the 61 months the detainee has already served.

13 Dead in Texas Bus Crash:
A charter bus carrying 55 church members rolled on its side killing 13 instantly and sending 24 to the hospital. A blown tire caused the bus to run off a highway overpass. The passengers had been on their way to a religious festival honoring the Virgin Mary.

Iraq Proposes Timetable:
Iraqi negotiators have decided on October, 2010, as the deadline when combat troops will have left the country. US troops will begin to withdraw from the streets in the middle of next year, and be gone by 2010, though some support units would stay on. If agreed upon by President Bush, the schedule will be close to the proposal of Barack Obama.

Source

Courtroom: Flight Attendant Says Osteen's Wife Pushed Co-Worker

CitizenSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:25:01 -0700

Courts: Flight Attendant Says Osteen's Wife Pushed Co-Worker The wife of renowned evangelical pastor Joel Osteen got physical when her demands that a small spill on her seat be cleaned up were not immediately met, a flight attendant testified Thursday at a civil trial over the incident. Brown is suing Victoria Osteen, alleging that she threw her against a bathroom door and elbowed her in the left breast before the start of a 2005 flight to Vail, CO.

Want to Know if There's Anyone You Can Sue? Find Out!

CitizenSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:00:10 -0700

Slipped on a pile of goo and wondering if you have a case? If you have the Internet, starting next month you can log on to WhoCanISue and see for yourself. Started by a Florida lawyer, the website will help prospective litigants figure out whether they have a case as well as find a lawyer in one fell click. (Legal disclaimer: the lawyers will pay an annual fee of $1,000 to appear on the site.)

Though there are similar services out there, this one is the first that offers real-time access to attorneys. After a brief questionnaire, those with promising grievance will instantly be put in touch with an interested attorney. Easier access to the legal system seems like an improvement, but there might be a downside. To see what it is,

Verdict Issued in Trial of Osama bin Laden's Driver

CitizenSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:40:57 -0700

The military jury's verdict in the Guantanamo Bay trial of Osama bin Laden's driver is in: he has been found not guilty in the more serious count of conspiracy to aid terror, and guilty of material support of terrorism. The sentencing phase of the trial begins this afternoon. The prosecution's case did not prove that he intended to do harm, but that he aided the al Qaeda network in accomplishing acts that caused harm. This was the first war crimes trial since WWII.

Butt Out: German Court Partially Overturns Smoking Ban

CitizenSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:07:33 -0700

Butt Out: German Court Partially Overturns Smoking Ban Germany's highest court partially overturned bans on smoking in bars Wednesday, ruling that states must either ban smoking in all restaurants and pubs or offer exceptions for single-room establishments. Smoking laws in German bars are set individually by each of the 16 states. A patchwork of legislation has taken effect across the country — traditionally one of Western Europe's more nicotine-friendly nations — over the past year.

Front Page: Doping Team Quits Tour, Madrid Bombing Convicts Freed, Obama Behind Republicans in Money

CitizenSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:00:47 -0700

Doping Team Quits Tour:
After a third team rider tested positive for blood-doping, the Italian Saunier-Duval team withdrew from the Tour de France this morning. Rider Riccardo Ricco was found using EPO. The team director said, "He's our leader, we can't act as if nothing happened." Ricco was taken off the Saunier-Duval team bus by police ahead of the start of the day's race and booed by spectators. He was in ninth place overall before being removed.

Madrid Bombing Convicts Freed:
Spain's Supreme Court overturned the conviction of four people found guilty of connection to the 2004 Madrid train bombings. The four were part of 21 people convicted over the attacks, which left 191 dead. The court also upheld the acquittal of the suspected Egyptian mastermind as he'd already been convicted of the crime in Italy. The attackers were part of a local Islamist militant groups inspired by al Qaeda.
Obama Behind Republicans in Money:
Democrat Barack Obama raised $52 million last month (his second best take) ending June with the DNC and Obama with $92.3 million in the bank. Though the numbers still fall behind the Republicans and McCain. McCain raised more than $22 million in June (his best take) and combined with the RNC, Republicans start July with $95 million to spend.

Source

Front Page: Guantanamo Secret Footage, Suicide Attack Kills Iraqi Recruits, Bush Press Conference

CitizenSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:06:43 -0700

Guantanamo Secret Footage:
A secretly filmed tape of a detainee being questioned at the US prison camp in Guantanamo Bay has just been released. The video shows 16-year-old detainee, Omar Khadr, being questioned by Canadian officials about events that led to his capture by US forces. The Canadian detainee is accused of throwing a grenade resulting in a US soldier's death in Afghanistan in 2002. In the video, he can be heard repeatedly chanting, "help me". The tape was released by Khadr's lawyers after a Supreme Court ruling that key evidence be released that would allow a full defense of the charges he's facing, and they're hoping the tape will cause PM Harper to demand that the US not prosecute Khadr.

Suicide Attack Kills Iraqi Recruits:
Two suicide bombers dressed as army recruits detonated at an Iraqi base this morning killing at least 35 Iraqi recruits and wounding 63. The bombers were wearing belts packed with explosives as they infiltrated a crowd of more than 200 recruits and exploded about 30 seconds apart in front of the headquarters of an Iraqi brigade where the recruits had gathered.
Bush Press Conference:
US President George W. Bush is set to speak in moments (10:20 a.m. ET) with an opening statement on steps he has taken to fix the economy. The White House said, "he will talk about the overall state of the economy," and, "the president will talk about steps his administration has taken to stabilize the housing and financial markets." The news conference is expected to overlap Barack Obama's proclaimed major policy address on Iraq, scheduled for 10:45 a.m.

Jury Awards $11 Million Payout to Neighborhood Denied Water

CitizenSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:00:32 -0700

Imagine one family with 10 children sharing two tubs of water between them on bath night. Imagine a neighborhood where residents either pay for private wells to be dug, haul water from cisterns, or collect rain water to be able to drink, cook, and bathe.

In your mental image, what year is this happening? What country is this taking place?

Did you say Columbus, OH, up until 2003? No!? Oh, yes, it's true — and the 67 plaintiffs denied public water service from 1956 up until five years ago have just been awarded $15,000 to $300,000 after civil rights attorneys sued and won a discrimination case in which residents of a mostly black neighborhood were denied public water service. The award totals $11 million.

The residents of the Coal Run neighborhood went without public water for decades. One resident says, "As a child, I thought it was normal because everyone done it in my neighborhood. But I realized as an adult it was wrong." The money will compensate the plaintiffs for pain and suffering as well as monetary losses. To see the defense's argument,

Texas Man Cleared of Shooting Burglars — Victory For Justice?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:15:19 -0700

It's a big day for guns in the news: new Georgia laws go into effect allowing residents to carry concealed weapons into parks, restaurants, and onto public transportation, and in Florida, employees and customers will now be able to conceal firearms on private property if locked in a car. Then there's this story: Joe Horn, a 62-year-old Texan has been cleared by a grand jury yesterday after he fatally shot two men he suspected of burglarizing his next-door neighbor's home.Horn's case has sparked controversy between those who think he acted illegally and recklessly, and those who praise his swift action. Horn's attorney says, "he wasn't acting like a vigilante. He didn't want to do it," and that he's not a "wild cowboy" who shot unprovoked after he saw the two suspected burglars carrying bags out of windows of his vacationing neighbor's home. His lawyer says Horn was a scared man who was trying to defend his neighbor's home when the burglars came onto his property and threatened him, "He was scared. He was in fear of his life."The details of the night are recorded in a 911 call, where a dispatcher urges Horn, "Don't go outside the house. You're going to get yourself shot if you go outside that house with a gun. I don't care what you think." Horn responded, "You want to make a bet? I'm going to kill them." Both suspects were shot in the back with a 12-gauge shotgun. After the incident, he called back saying, "I had no choice. They came in the front yard with me, man. I had no choice. Get somebody over here quick." The case illuminates part of the complicated relationship between guns and crime — in this instance, was the jury correct in letting him go? Was Horn acting in self-defense? Source

Texas Man Cleared of Shooting Burglars — Victory For Justice?

Absolutely. Horn did what he had to do to defend himself, justice prevailed.

It's unclear, though since the victims were both shot in the back, I have my doubts.

No! He didn't have to go outside! That's the only reason he had to "defend" himself.

Other. I'll tell you what I think in the comments.

Abu Ghraib Inmates Sue Contractors, Claim Torture

CitizenSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:10:35 -0700

Abu Ghraib Inmates Sue Contractors, Claim Torture
Former detainees of the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq are suing US contractors in four states for alleged torture. The complaints allege that innocent people who were arrested and taken to the prison were subjected to forced nudity, electrical shocks, mock executions, and other inhumane treatment by employees of defense contractors CACI International and L-3 Communications, formerly Titan Corporation.

Man Gets Jail After Buying Beer For Minor. Justice Served?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:01:59 -0700

This is sobering food for thought as we head into the backyard beer-and-barbecue season: David Leone, a 26-year-old man of Vandergrift, PA is heading to prison for buying alcohol that a minor consumed. Leone pleaded guilty for furnishing beer for a party where a sixteen-year-old girl proceeded to drink herself to death. Lynn Scheuring died of alcohol poisoning with a blood level of 0.44 — five times the legal limit in PA.Leone has been sentenced to six to 23 months prison time for providing the alcohol and of furnishing alcohol to minors and the corruption of minors. The woman who was renting the house where the party occurred is also serving up to 23 months for involuntary manslaughter. Given that the people sentenced to prison merely provided the setting and means — and didn't force the girl to drink to excess — should they be punished for what was ultimately her own choice?Source

Man Gets Jail After Buying Beer For Minor. Justice Served?

Absolutely! He was the adult. If he purchased alcohol, he's responsible for any results.

No way. Buying beer is not a contract requiring you to be responsible for any outcome.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Missing White House Email Records Can Remain Secret, Judge Rules

CitizenSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:55:18 -0700

Missing White House Email Records Can Remain Secret, Judge Rules
A federal judge ruled Monday that a White House office that has records about millions of possibly missing emails does not have to make them public. US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly says the Office of Administration is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, enabling the White House to maintain the secrecy of a lengthy internal paper trail about its problem-plagued email system.

Air India Attendants Too Fat (Ugly) to Fly? Court Says A-OK

CitizenSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:00:23 -0700

India's state-owned airline, Air India, has just won the right to prevent attendants from taking flight for carrying on extra weight. The Delhi high court ruled on a case filed by five flight attendants protesting the fact that they'd been grounded by the airline for being too fat to fly. They're expected to appeal.

The judges sided with the airlines, saying a chubby crew presents a safety hazard — but then there's this addition to the judgment — in the highly competitive airline industry, flight attendant's physical condition and appearance play an important role in her overall personality. (Emphasis, mine.) How can someone's appearance dictate her personality? I buy that flight attendants have to be in a physical condition good enough to save people from a burning plane, but the beauty factor of the ruling is not so pretty.

The government-run airline is up against private airlines who don't clothe their employees in traditional saris, opting for Western get-ups, and they've pinpointed the crux of being competitive with their employees' looks. At a recent recruitment drive the airline refused applicants with acne or bad teeth.

Can a court rule that the attractiveness of an employee has business ramifications? OK, some industries — modeling, and the like — depend on appearance, but maintaining safety on an aircraft? Is the ruling fair justice, or just pretty ugly?

Source

World Wide Web of Justice: People's Court RAW

CitizenSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:15:14 -0700

I'll admit, in my youth I abused TV courtroom dramas. Hey, I was young, it was summertime, and the talkshow/reality TV circuit was in its nascent stages. That's why to this day I can recite the whole opening to The People's Court. You know, "both parties have agreed to dismiss their court cases and have their disputes settled here, in our forum, The People's Court.

You can imagine my excitement about this: People's Court Raw. It takes the court concept and smashes it into YouTube, letting bickering parties upload videos of their side of the argument, and letting the Internet community decide who wins. This is why the Internet was invented — so we can all be Judge Wapner. It's so brilliant, it just might work.

Cases on the docket now and open for voting: "Why do we need 4,000 giant dog beds?" and "Do you think it's OK if guys show emotion and cry?" That's it folks, you won't hear another peep from me today, I'm going to being playing bailiff on this site.

Would you submit a case for adjudication by a jury of your Internet peers? What question would you like settled? Is it even worth it without Doug Llewelyn asking the tough questions in the lobby?

Front Page: Hillary To Drop Out, 9/11 Tribunal, Abbas to Meet With Hamas

CitizenSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:00:36 -0700

Hillary To Drop Out: Hillary Clinton will endorse Barack Obama on Saturday, ending her 17-month campaign for the White House, according to aides. Her decision was influenced by Democrats' urges to leave the race and allow the party to come together around Obama. She is going to express support for Obama and party unity at an event in Washington, June 7. One adviser hinted that Clinton would concede defeat, congratulate Obama, and proclaim him the party’s nominee— looking forward to do what was needed to assure his victory in November. Obama told reporters of his plans for Clinton, “we’re going to have a conversation in the coming weeks.”

9/11 Tribunal: Five top alleged al Qaeda prisoners, including September 11 mastermind suspect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, began appearances before a military commission this morning after extended time in CIA prisons and battles over the court itself. All the defendants were just arraigned before a military court at Guantanamo — all five are accused roles in the 9/11 attacks, responsible for the death of nearly 3,000 people. They all face potential death sentences if convicted. Mohammed has been forthright with his involvement — in a written statement read at a March 2007 hearing, at which he was present, he said he was responsible for the attacks "from A to Z."
Abbas to Meet With Hamas: Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president called late yesterday for a resumption of dialogue with the Islamic militant group Hamas. In a short address, Abbas, expressed the plan as part of his desire to restore national unity. Hamas took control of Gaza in June 2007. The move could halt peace talks with Israel, who only met with Abbas after he broke away from Hamas. Israel has refused to have direct contact with the group, considering it a terrorist organization, and has threatened to cut off talks with Mr. Abbas if he rejoins forces with Hamas.

Texas Loses, Found To Have Illegally Seized Polygamy Kids

CitizenSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 07:30:31 -0700

A divided Supreme Court of Texas agreed 6-3 yesterday that the state had illegally seized 468 girls and boys from the FLDS ranch last month on unproven grounds of physical and sexual abuse. State officials said they would now begin moving swiftly to return the children.

A spokesman for the Department of Family and Protective Services, who took custody of the children after a raid on April 3, said,

“We are disappointed, but we understand and respect the court’s decision and will take immediate steps to comply. Our goal is to reunite families whenever we can and make sure the children will be safe. We will continue to prepare for the prompt and orderly reunification of these children with their families."

One man who has authored a history of polygamy and who is now a member of the mainstream Mormon Church said, "this will embolden them. It’s definitely a big win for the polygamists.”

Source

Spanish Twins, Separated at Birth, Sue for Millions

CitizenSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:30:22 -0700

You know that movie Big Business where Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin play twins switched at birth? This is like that, but in Spain — and with a lawsuit. What happened?

In 1973, a set of identical twins were accidentally separated at birth. One of the twins was allegedly removed from her crib shortly after birth and accidentally replaced with another girl. To see how they figured out what happened

Girl Seeks Rape Justice on YouTube: Too Much Sharing?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:45:08 -0700

It's a grim addition to the court of YouTube: a Florida 16-year-old who says she's a victim in a rape case that's gone unprosecuted by the Orange County state attorney's office is airing her plea for justice on the video-sharing site.

Get Flash to see this player.

In the video, she says, "Hi, my name is Crystal . . . I need some help. I didn't want to do it this way, but it's the only way I know that's going to work, that someone out there in the world is gonna listen to me. "The prosecutor wrote in her case file since Crystal was "a mere 1 month away" from turning 16, when it would be "legal to give consent," her case would not be prosecuted. Florida law states that a 15-year-old cannot give consent to sex. To see the danger behind this use of technology,

California Supreme Court Overturned Gay Marriage Ban

LibertySugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:56:15 -0700

Just moments ago, the California Supreme Court overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage. The court held that "to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional."

The court ruled 4-3. Unless overturned by the US Supreme Court, gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry in California. The SF Chronicle reports that:

Outside the city clerk's office, three opposite-sex couples were waiting at 10 a.m. for marriage certificates. City officials had prepared for a possible rush on certificates by same-sex couples, but hadn't yet changed the forms that ask couples to fill out the name of the "bride" and "groom."

The case goes back to February 2004, when SF Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered the city clerk to issue marriage licenses to couples regardless of their gender because he doubted the constitutionality of the state marriage law. California's highest court just agreed with him.

Source

Man Sues Jet Blue After Having To Spend Hours In Toilet

CitizenSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:52:26 -0700

Man Sues Jet Blue After Having To Spend Hours In Toilet A New York City man is suing JetBlue Airways Corp. for more than $2 million because he says a pilot made him give up his seat to a flight attendant and sit on the toilet for more than three hours on a flight from California. Gokhan Mutlu, of Manhattan's Inwood section, says in court papers the pilot told him to "go 'hang out' in the bathroom" about 90 minutes into the San Diego to New York flight because the flight attendant complained that the "jump seat" she was assigned was uncomfortable, the lawsuit said.

eHarmony Says Love Is Not For Liars or Gays?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:00:31 -0700

The eHarmony dating site bills itself as the ultimate uniter, but a piece in Newsweek shows that the very practices that make it so successful — 236 eHarmony users marry every day — could get them sued.

The roots of the site have long been speculated about. It was founded by 72-year-old Christian self-help author Neil Clark Warren, who published several of his books under the imprint of Dobson's Focus on the Family, and then consummated that relationship when eHarmony started out by peddling eHarmony the service on Dobson's radio show.

Adding to the buzz, and a fact successfully exploited by competitor Chemistry.com, is that eHarmony rejects about 20 percent of its applicants and doesn't fully explain why. Their official statement says that the site rejects people who are underage, already married or dishonest—as well as those whose answers raise flags about their mental health. Some don't see it that way. To see who,

Was the Sean Bell Verdict Justice Served?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:59:46 -0700

As we reported this morning, the three New York City police officers charged in the 50-bullet shooting death of an unarmed black man, Sean Bell, have just been found innocent of all charges.

In the November 2006 incident Bell, 23, was shot along with two friends after his bachelor party at a strip club. The judge in the case cleared two officers of manslaughter and other charges and a third of reckless endangerment in the death. Following the reading of the verdict this morning, passionate responses on both sides broke out. Some supporters of Bell stormed out of the courtroom, followed by screams in the hallway moments later. The three detectives — Gescard F. Isnora, Michael Oliver, and Marc Cooper — were escorted out of a side doorway, and outside a huge crowd gathered among a throng of police officers.The defendants waived their right to a jury, leaving the decision to the judge. He said in his verdict, “the police response with respect to each defendant was not found to be criminal. The people have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt” that each defendant was not justified in shooting. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: There are no winners in a trial like this. An innocent man lost his life, a bride lost her groom, two daughters lost their father, and a mother and a father lost their son. Judge Cooperman’s responsibility, however, was to decide the case based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. America is a nation of laws, and though not everyone will agree with the verdicts and opinions issued by the courts, we accept their authority. There will be opportunities for peaceful dissent and potentially for further legal recourse — those are the rights we enjoy in a democratic nation. We don’t expect violence or law breaking, nor is there any place for it.

Is Bloomberg right? Was the case fairly decided by the judge? Will any dissent to the verdict remain peaceful?

Was the Sean Bell Verdict Justice Served?

Yes. If the judge doesn't believe the People didn't prove their case, justice was served.

It's complicated because there wasn't a jury, and the decision was left to only one man.

Not at all. It's another case of justice being hijacked by prejudice.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Front Page: Not Guilty in Bell Case, al-Sadr Calls Truce, Syria Secret Nuclear Program

CitizenSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:03:45 -0700

Not Guilty in Bell Case: Three New York City police officers have just been found innocent of all charges in the shooting death of an unarmed black man, Sean Bell, who was killed by 50 bullets on his wedding day. Bell, 23, was shot along with two friends, after a bachelor party at a strip club in November 2006. The case has generated outrage in New York's black community. A New York State Supreme Court judge cleared two officers of manslaughter and other charges and a third of reckless endangerment in the death.

al-Sadr Calls Truce: Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr this morning called for an end to fighting between his militia and Iraqi troops. al-Sadr declared that his threat of an "open war" will be carried out only on US-led foreign forces. al-Sadr urged Iraqi soldiers and policemen "not to support the occupiers in combating your brothers." In other Iraq news, the largest Sunni bloc has just agreed to return to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s cabinet after a boycott of almost a year. A recently passed amnesty law and the government’s crackdown on Shiite militias were cited as reasons for the move.
Syria Secret Nuclear Program: The United States has accused North Korea of helping Syria build a nuclear reactor that "was not intended for peaceful purposes." The US released photographs it said linked North Korea to a plutonium-producing reactor under construction in Syria. The accusation was an effort to put pressure on Pyongyang to come clean about proliferating nuclear technology. Though the accusations are not expected to derail international talks aimed at ending the communist state's own nuclear arms program, Japan is concerned saying, "of course, if North Korea was helping Syria's secret. . . nuclear activities, then this is a serious issue."

Front Page: eBay Sues Craigslist, Zimbabwe Recount, India Rebuffs US

CitizenSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:53:37 -0700

eBay Sues Craigslist: The "shop victoriously" eBay is suing the popular no-frills community and ad website Craigslist, saying it needs to "safeguard its four-year financial investment." eBay claims that Craigslist executives took actions that "unfairly diluted eBay's economic interest by more than 10 percent." No further details of that action were gvien. Craigslist responded saying it was surprised and disappointed by eBay's "unfounded allegations." Craigslist is the seventh most popular English-language website.

Zimbabwe Recount: In a recount, Zimbabwe's ruling party (Zanu-PF) has been confirmed as the winner of the first of 23 constituencies to analyze the results of March's election. The opposition, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has questioned the recounts as an attempt to rig the election and overturn its parliamentary majority. The initial results of the election have not been announced. The deputy information minister said that Zanu-PF was preparing for a second round in the presidential election."We are waiting for the official announcement of results to say, we're waiting for a re-run, that's a fact. MDC knows that, Zanu-PF knows that, that there is no clear winner. No-one has got 51 percent." Post-election violence in Zimbabwe has displaced 3,000 people, injured 500 and left 10 dead.
India Rebuffs US: India has declined a call by the US for it to ask Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program. India's foreign ministry said neither India nor Iran needed US guidance on how to proceed with relations. The rebuff came after a senior US official said the US would welcome India telling Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to curtail Tehran's nuclear program. Ahmadinejad is set to visit Delhi next week. A foreign ministry spokesman said, "India and Iran are ancient civilizations whose relations span centuries. Both nations are perfectly capable of managing all aspects of their relationship with the appropriate degree of care and attention. Neither country needs any guidance on the future conduct of bilateral relations as both countries believe that engagement and dialogue alone lead to peace."

The US to Televise Hearings to 9-11 Families. Thoughts?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:45:17 -0700

The US military has decided to televise the Guantanamo trial of accused September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and five other suspects so relatives of those killed in the attacks can watch the proceedings. The chief prosecutor said, "we're going to broadcast in real time to several locations that will be available just to victim families." The defendants are charged with murder and conspiracy, and prosecutors have asked that they be executed if convicted of plotting to crash hijacked planes into New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. The six will be the first Guantanamo prisoners charged with direct involvement in the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.Some of the families are grateful for the information. One man whose father and stepmother died on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, called the prosecutors "true patriots," and is glad for "the ability to see justice being fulfilled in one of the most significant attacks on America's heartland."But detractors say showing the trials is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. A lawyer for the defense says, "I can just imagine American soldiers and sailors and airmen being subjected to similar show trials worldwide."Though I'm not the almost lawyer around here, does choosing to show the trials to the families somehow imply guilt before the proceedings? Is this something you feel like you could watch if you were one of the family members? Will it make Americans more vulnerable or is it justice of information? Where do you stand on the decision? Is it as complex as it seems?Source

The US to Televise Hearings to 9-11 Families. Thoughts?

The families should absolutely be able to watch to see justice served.

I think they should have the choice to watch, though I certainly couldn't do it.

Showing the trials to a select audience is totally preassigning blame. We shouldn't do it.

I'm surprised we're concerned about the Geneva Conventions all of a sudden.

Other. Oh, boy. I've got a lot to say in the comments.

Front Page: HRC Fire, London Trial, Iraq, Arrest in Mexico

CitizenSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:02:31 -0700

A fire has destroyed the Terre Haute, Indiana campaign office of Sen. Hillary Clinton. The flames broke out just after midnight. There were no injuries, and the incident is under investigation.
The trial began yesterday for three British Muslims accused of helping the suicide bombers in the attacks on London’s transportation system in July 2005. It's the first case against people accused of helping plan those attacks. The men on trial were arrested in March 2007 and are accused with carrying out a preparatory mission seven months before the July attacks on three subways and a bus. The men have all denied the charges.

A relative and follower of radical Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr has been killed in the Iraqi city of Najaf. Police have imposed an indefinite curfew in the city following the shooting. The Sadr movement has been recently involved in violent clashes with government forces. Also in Iraq, today saw US air strikes on suspected Shiite militiamen planning to launch attacks on security forces, killing at least 12 people in Baghdad and Basra, according to US and British officials. A British spokesman said, "the air strike was launched after positively identifying a mortar team that was engaging the Iraqi troops on the ground."
According to the FBI, US Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean, was captured last night in Mexico, three months after fleeing North Carolina. Laurean is the main suspect in the killing of a 20-year-old pregnant Marine, Maria Lauterbach.

The Road to Justice at Guantánamo Bay

CitizenSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:00:02 -0700

Outside my window I can see a faded poster hung in my neighbor's window that reads: "The America I Believe in Would Close Guantánamo Bay." The US military prison houses detainees who have been identified by the government as "enemy combatants" and is certainly controversial. Today, the New York Times reports on the hurdles to justice at the detention center.

In an effort to start the wheels of justice two months ago, military officials announced war crimes charges against six detainees of the Guantánamo Bay detention center for roles in the Sept. 11 attacks. The charges were part of an effort to accelerate the carriage of justice in a sluggish system which has yet to hold a single trial.

Despite the charges, military defense lawyers are in short supply, and two months later, not one of the six detainees has met his military lawyer. Trying the cases is especially complicated because they involve potential death penalties and claims of torture by interrogators — issues that could take months or longer to sort out. Though at Guantánamo, even simple cases without capital penalty issues are proceeding slowly. To see what's causing the slow down,

Appeals Court Upholds Judge's Ban of the Word Rape

CitizenSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:00:20 -0700

An appeals court just let stand a judge's ban of the use of the words, "rape," and "rape kit," "assailant," and "victim" during a sexual assault trial. Three judges on the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals said that the federal court didn't have jurisdiction in the case forcing the plaintiff, Tory Bowen, to continue her appeal still seeking justice.

During the original trial, the judge allowed the defendant's attorney to use the words, "sex" and "intercourse." The judge objected to the words like "rape" because the terms are value-laden, not legal terms, and could inflame the passions of a jury. The plaintiff therefore had to testify for 13 hours describing the event that happened to her as "sex." She said the ban in her opinion meant she had to lie on the witness stand. “The word ‘sex’ implies consent. I never once would describe (what happened) as sex.” She was afraid that the jury would think she had chosen to use the word.

The first trial ended in a hung jury.

Do you agree with the judge that words like rape are unfairly inflammatory? Do you think delaying justice over the parsing of a term makes the plaintiff have to relive the experience over and over?

Source

Front Page: Cheney in Afghanistan, Germany Limits Spying, McCain in the UK

CitizenSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:03:29 -0700

Vice President Dick Cheney visited Afghanistan today to meet with President Hamid Karzai. The visit is in anticipation of a NATO summit where Washington is expected to urge its allies to send more troops to the troubled country. The NATO-led force has about 43,000 troops in Afghanistan, charged with fighting Taliban militants. The militants have regrouped since US and Afghan forces removed the hardline Islamist movement from power after the September 11, 2001 attacks. They relaunched their insurgency two years ago. Cheney said of the need for troops, "all free nations have an interest in a secure, democratic Afghanistan."

Germany's highest court has restricted an anti-terrorism law making telecom companies store private data for six months. Uner the new ruling data may still be kept but is only to be accessed during investigations into serious crime. The original ruling was a result of the discovery of a number of alleged terrorism plots in Germany in recent years. The case was spurred by a class-action suit against the original ruling filed by 30,000 people. The German court's decision comes amid US debates over FISA and telecom rights.
Senator John McCain met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown today to discuss Iraq, the world economy and climate change. Addressing the fact that Brown hopes to cut British troops near Basra from 4,000 to 2,500 soon, McCain said, "having just come from Iraq, I can tell you unequivocally that the situation has improved dramatically over the last year. Iraqi people are going about their normal lives, but the fact is al Qaeda is on the run. They are not defeated." He added, "We appreciate enormously the long service and sacrifice of the British men and women in the military both in Iraq and Afghanistan."

California Supreme Court Hears Gay Marriage Arguments

CitizenSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:00:23 -0800

The California Supreme Court heard over three hours of oral arguments for and against same-sex marriage, yesterday.

In 2004, the Supreme Court of California invalidated over 4,000 same-sex marriages authorized by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Citing Proposition 22, a 2000 state initiative which legally defined marriage as between a man and a woman, the Court said the same-sex marriages violated state law. Twelve couples, along with the City of San Francisco sued the state of California, arguing that the law is unconstitutional.

For some of the arguments presented during oral arguments