2 days ago
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Bitcoin dealers charged in US with money laundering
- Court: Disgraced ex-journalist can't practice law Would you trust him to be your lawyer?
- Ride service Uber faces lawsuit after fatal San Francisco crash Uber seems to think laws don't apply to them.
- Florida congressman Radel resigns after cocaine charge I'm glad he realized he's unfit to serve.
- Northern Cyprus lifts ban on gay sex
Bad News
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Semi-random thoughts
- When did "USC" start referring to the University of South Carolina and not the University of Southern California?
- My glob just passed 125,000 visitors. Thank you for reading it.
- The post office sent me back a piece of an envelope I had mailed--most likely one of my estimated tax payments. All I got was the empty end with my return address on it. I was afraid that I'd be hit with a late payment charge, but both of my checks got to the tax people just fine.
Public service announcement
The price of a first class postage stamp is 49 cents as of today. Post cards are 34 cents.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Today's news round-up
Good News
- RNC showcased update, while losing image remains The Republicans will get fewer and fewer people to vote for them as long as some of them insist on regulating women's uteruses, advocating the deportation of people's parents, and saying that their children should have to mop floors to qualify for free school lunches.
- Doctors Abusing Medicare Face Fines
Friday, January 24, 2014
Compare and contrast
Germany's Olympic uniform:
One small step for LGBT equality.
U.S. Olympic uniform:
One small step from ignominy.
One small step for LGBT equality.
U.S. Olympic uniform:
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Judge Orders Hospital to Remove Pregnant Woman From Life Support
- Missouri Obstructing Health Law, Judge Rules
- Online lender settles New York lawsuit amid crackdown on massive 'payday' loans
- Notorious 'revenge' pornster charged with hacking
- AP says Zimmerman painting is copy of AP photo I hope they sue him for tons, like they did Fairey (I blogged a lot about that.)
- From last week: Federal Appeals Court Reinstates Portion of NYC Law Regulating Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Bad News
- Pakistan: Briton sentenced to death for blasphemy Pakistan is a dangerous place. Stay away.
- Indian village council orders gang-rape of woman as punishment India does not respect women. Stay away.
- S.C. lawmakers vote to allow concealed guns in restaurants South Carolina is a dangerous place. Stay away.
- German court orders Google to block Max Mosley sex pictures
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Yesterday's news round-up (don't ask)
Good News
- Court: Gay juror was taken off panel improperly
- A majority of Americans don't believe Chris Christie's story I'm glad I'm in the majority on this one.
- UN to launch legal challenge against Malawi anti-gay laws
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Animal headline of the day
NJ's pigskin-picking camel dies before Super Bowl
They should have a moment of silence for her at the game.
They should have a moment of silence for her at the game.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Micro-ish movie review
Anatomy of a Murder: I had never seen this 1959 film, which appeared in a retrospective of Otto Preminger's work at this year's New York Jewish Film Festival. It is the gripping courtroom drama about a husband who killed the man who had raped his wife, and then claimed temporary insanity. The cast was amazing: Jimmy Stewart played the defense attorney, a young Lee Remick as the wife, an equally young Ben Gazzara as the husband, a still young-ish George C. Scott as the assistant attorney general helping out the in-over-his-head district attorney, Eve Arden as Stewart's secretary... It goes on and on, including the real-life lawyer famous for scolding Joseph McCarthy at the Army-McCarthy hearings playing the judge. It was also the first film to explicitly talk about rape, contraception, etc. Some people (even Jimmy Stewart's father) were outraged, and the film was banned in Chicago.
Being a lawyer, I know that courtroom dramas are distortions. For instance, in a real trial, attorneys never come right up to a witness and lean in to ask a question. Despite this, I found the film quite compelling. The performances were excellent, and my attention never lagged, throughout its 2 hour and 40 minute length.
You can watch the entire film for free on YouTube using the first link above.
Being a lawyer, I know that courtroom dramas are distortions. For instance, in a real trial, attorneys never come right up to a witness and lean in to ask a question. Despite this, I found the film quite compelling. The performances were excellent, and my attention never lagged, throughout its 2 hour and 40 minute length.
You can watch the entire film for free on YouTube using the first link above.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Today's news round-up
Good News
- North Carolina ultrasound abortion law ruled illegal by judge Correction: Abortion Lawsuit-NC story
- Pennsylvania judge strikes down state's voter ID law
- Uganda leader says gays 'sick', but blocks controversial law UPDATE However: Ugandan President Denounces Anti-Homosexuality Bill — But Stops Short Of Blocking It — In Letter To Parliament
- NIAA to allow transgender athletes access to sports for their identity
Bad News
- Winter Olympics: Putin cautions gay visitors to Sochi
- Ukrainian leader signs anti-protest bills
- Nigerian man whipped and fined for breaking gay laws
- Man sentenced to jail in Greece for mocking monk Any country that criminalizes blasphemy does not have true freedom of religion or freedom of speech.
- Federal judge sent hundreds of bigoted emails
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Federal Judge Upholds Health Care Subsidies
- Affordable housing for gay seniors opens in Pa.
- Support Builds for This Bullied Transgender Student Charged With Battery
- Judge orders professor removed from no-fly list
Bad News
- India: Two held over gang rape of Danish woman in Delhi India is a dangerous place for women. Stay away.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Today's news round-up
Good News
- US judge strikes down Okla. same-sex marriage ban
- Judge Reinstates Federal Oversight of Voting Practices for Alabama City
- Va. Gov. McAuliffe Sworn In, Signs Nondiscrimination Order
- Charges Seen as Unlikely in Scrutiny by the I.R.S.
- FBI to revisit fatal beating of California transient after police cleared
- Atheist Afghan granted religious asylum in UK
Bad News
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Montana judge, blasted for 1-month rape sentence, to retire: official This is not his only trivialization of violence against women. He's not fit to serve.
- Embattled Los Angeles County sheriff to retire
- American held in UAE over video to be released There's no freedom of speech there. It's a dangerous place. Stay away.
- U.S. judge blocks Ohio's new election law
- Federal judge refuses to halt same-sex benefits for Houston city employees
Bad News
Saturday, January 04, 2014
Friday, January 03, 2014
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Idaho to take over privately-run state prison
- Komen sees big drop in contributions after dispute
- On New Year's Day, Boy Scouts of America officially lifts ban on gay youth
- Conn. to require insurance coverage for gender transition treatments
Bad News
Ridiculous News
- China's oddball demolition king eyes the New York Times This guy is a clown. I don't care if he is a philanthropist.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Florida Law on Drug Tests for Welfare Is Struck Down
- Irish law clarifying abortion grounds comes into force
- 125th Rose Parade hosts its first same-sex wedding But nothing was said about this on the ABC coverage. They didn't even show the float.
- Federal judge rules Ohio must recognize same-sex marriages on death certificates
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Micro movie review
American Hustle: The highly fictional I'm sure story of a couple of con-artists and their involvement with a very ambitious FBI agent using them for his own purposes, the Abscam operation. Highly entertaining, if a bit long. The plot doesn't always hold together (especially as to the law), and the con-man's wife's personality is very inconsistent. But it's still an enjoyable film.
Friday, December 27, 2013
From the Worldwide Communication Is Cheap file
Our housecleaner went back to Colombia for 5 weeks for dental work (it's much cheaper than here). Her sister is now here as her substitute. I believe her sister just called her in Colombia for instructions.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Micro movie review
Philomena: Judi Dench plays a woman looking for the son she was forced to give up for adoption (and forced to work in a convent for having) in 1950's Ireland. This is based on a true story. A bit of a tearjerker, fairly well done. It certainly showcased the abuses of the Catholic Church and some of its later efforts to cover-up what it had done.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Alan Turing, Enigma Code-Breaker and Computer Pioneer, Wins Royal Pardon
- Same-Sex-Marriage Supporters Applaud Ohio and Utah Rulings
- Federal court: No halt to gay marriages in Utah
- 2 Pussy Riot members reunited after leaving prison
- Colorado St. assistant suspended for gay slur
- Appeals court rules gender change does not invalidate marriage This has always been the assumption for trans spouses, but this is the first time a court has actually said so.
- Indiana Finds It’s Not So Easy to Buck Gay Marriage Trend
Plat du jour
I am going to assume that this doctor is not the mother of 18. Or that she was born in 1918. Or that she became a doctor in 1918. Perhaps she's the 18th person who wanted a DR MOM plate.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
Bad News
- Bangladeshi Factory Owners Charged in Fire That Killed 112
- U.S. rights group sues Florida school for rejecting gay-straight club That reminds me: I have to renew my ACLU membership.
- U.S. court rejects stay in Utah pro-gay marriage ruling
Bad News
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Canadian court strikes down anti-prostitution laws
- Obama orders military to review sexual assault
- U.S. Senate approves Obama nominee for IRS chief
- Amnesty to free Pussy Riot duo despite 'disgraceful' protest: Vladimir Putin
- US economy expands at 4.1 percent rate
- Vienna Philharmonic strips ex-Nazis of honors I wouldn't call them ex-Nazis. They were Nazis. And why did this take 68 years?
- Judge strikes down Utah's same-sex marriage ban
- National Guard ends holdout on same-sex marriage benefits
- Social Security begins paying same-sex couple claims
- U.S. Customs to broaden recognition of same-sex families
- Education Dept. to count married gay couples for financial aid This sounds nice, like the above items. However, it will mean that some gay students will get less financial aid, because now the income of a non-adoptive spouse of a parent will count. Ditto, the income of the spouse of the student.
- Lockheed halts Boy Scouts donations over gay rights
Bad News
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Michigan man charged in porch shooting will face trial
- Muslim fanatics guilty of brutal British soldier murder
- Republican Concedes in Virginia, Ending Recount in Attorney General Race
- Pennsylvania Governor Supports Anti-Bias Bill
- Patriarch off 'Duck Dynasty' after gay comments
- New Mexico Supreme Court: Same-sex marriage legal
Bad News
Correction of the day
From the NY Times:
An earlier version of this article misstated the name of a movie Mr. Goldstein starred in. It is “Al Goldstein & Ron Jeremy Are Screwed,” not “Al Goldstein & Ron Jeremy Get Screwed.”
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Friday, December 13, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- U.S. Senate confirmation marathon approves two more Obama nominees
- Belgian Senate votes to extend euthanasia to children
- Guard Acts to Issue IDs to Members’ Gay Spouses
- Medicare to examine ban on gender reassignment surgery
Bad News
- Gay rights rewind: India criminalizes homosexuality again
- U.S. judge approves retail credit card fee settlement I'm suspicious of the litigation release.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Filibuster Threat Gone, Senate Confirms 2 Presidential Nominees
- Regulators seek to curb Wall St. trades with Volcker rule
- Reporter can keep sources secret in Colorado theater shooting: court
- Canada G20 policeman sentenced to 45 days
- Georgia Nat’l Guard to process same-sex benefits
- Taiwan to allow legal gender changes without [physically] transitioning
- Democrat Clark wins Mass. congressional race
Bad News
Sunday, December 08, 2013
Animal headline of the day
Dog robs store
A friend of mine had a dog which was also a shoplifter. She took him with her to the pet supply store, and after the cashier rang up her purchases he said, "And are you going to pay for that, too?" He pointed to her dog who had a new toy firmly clenched in his teeth.
A friend of mine had a dog which was also a shoplifter. She took him with her to the pet supply store, and after the cashier rang up her purchases he said, "And are you going to pay for that, too?" He pointed to her dog who had a new toy firmly clenched in his teeth.
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Satanists seek spot on Oklahoma Statehouse steps
- Officer Who Fired on Runaway Family's Minivan Fired
- Judge Orders Colorado Bakery to Cater for Same-Sex Weddings
- Three members of 'Muslim patrol' jailed in London
- Louisiana to process military benefits for same-sex spouses despite state ban
- Hyattsville, MD City Council passes trans-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance
- Rhode Island Home to 1st Transgender High School Coach
Bad News
Friday, December 06, 2013
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Pa. gay marriage suit takes big step toward trial
- The HOPE Act Permits Transfer Of HIV-Infected Organs
- Homeowner charged in Michigan porch shooting
- New EpiPen law could save lives of schoolkids with severe allergies
- Chicago hacker tied to Anonymous given 10 years in prison
- Seattle elects socialist to city council
Bad News
- High school plans on removing transgender student from yearbook To add insult to injury, Yahoo classifies this article as "Odd News."
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Today's news round-up
Monday, November 11, 2013
Happy anniversary--to me
Fifteen years ago today I first ventured forth as Caprice. I think it's working.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
- New rule demands parity for mental health coverage
- Card Act Cleared Up Credit Cards’ Hidden Costs
- PBS' 'Downton Abbey' to return for a 5th season
- Atheist 'mega-churches' take root across US, world
- Republicans even stupider than imagined, disenfranchise own voters
- Florida cop fired after he sexually harassed a rape victim while investigating her assault
- GOP 'extremist movement' prompts NC candidate to switch to Democrat
Bad News
Friday, November 08, 2013
Plat du jour--guest submission
why, oh why, oh why, oh --
why did i ever leave Ohio?
From Wonderful Town.
I know why I left Ohio.
Found by Joanne.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Senate moves ahead on gay rights bill
- German art hoard held unknown Chagall, Matisse
- FAA overhauls airline pilot training requirements
- Senator Rand Paul Faces New Charges of Plagiarism
- Computer-generated 'Sweetie' catches online predators However, I see great problems trying to prosecute any of these men.
- Coast Guard enacts pro-gay non-discrimination policy
Bad News
- India Launches First Mission to Mars Unbelievable poverty in India, and they spend their money on this.
- Russian police harassed Norwegian journalists reporting on Sochi: rights group
Monday, November 04, 2013
Sounds good, but is it correct?
From Americans Against the Tea Party on Facebook.
An excellent illustration of our screwed up tax system, but I have to wonder how that last number was calculated.
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Saturday, November 02, 2013
Friday, November 01, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Aspire to greatness
 |
| (Eduardo Parra/Getty Images) via the Wall Street Journal: http://blogs.wsj.com/.../10/19/photos-of-the-week-oct-13-18/ |
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny charged again Russia is not a democracy.
- Iran gives activist actress 18-month sentence Iran is not a democracy.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Semi-random thoughts
- I'm always a little angry when someone writes "Here, here!" It's "Hear, hear!"
- When burlesque performers have moving sales they post things like, "I will mostly have clothes, shoes, costumes, a few tables, wired shelves and a 6 ft tall carrot." UPDATE: I realize I have actually sat on that carrot (it's like a pillow). She had it at one of her shows.
- I could never be a plumber. For one thing, my arms aren't long enough.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Women gain as gender gap 'narrows' But the U.S. is only 23rd.
- Majority-woman crew officiates D-2 football game
- Judge Who Changed Baby's Name Could Be Disciplined
- United fined $1.1 million for tarmac delays at O'Hare: DOT
- Court-at-law judge switches to Democratic Party
- Universal Studios Cancels 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure'
- Appeals court: Eden Foods can’t claim religious exemption on contraception mandate
Semi-good News
- 'So Help Me God' Optional in Air Force Honor Oath It shouldn't just be optional, it should be eliminated.
Bad News
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Judge declines to halt 'Obamacare' insurance subsidies
- Shutdown Helping Build a 2014 Wave While this is encouraging, I'm not terribly optimistic the Democrats can retake the House. First, people have short memories--though if the Tea Idiots continue their obstruction as they say they will this would be taken care of. Second, so many of the Republicans are in safe, gerrymandered districts.
- Medicaid Expansion Is Set for Ohioans
- New Technique Holds Promise for Hair Growth
- As Gays Wed in New Jersey, Christie Ends Court Fight
- New York Sets Work Rules for Young Models
- Gay couple uses tribal law to marry in Oklahoma
Bad News
- Major League Baseball teams under fire from anti-gay fans for taking a stand on LGBT bullying
- Texas dad alleges bullying in 91-0 football game I don't think this guy understands what bullying means.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Take your pick: Animal headline of the day, or my 14th Walmart warning
6-foot gator makes appearance at Fla. Wal-Mart
As I keep saying, Walmart is a dangerous place. Stay away.
As I keep saying, Walmart is a dangerous place. Stay away.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- France mayors 'cannot block gay marriage' - top court
- Kansas ex-attorney general license suspended over abortion case conduct
- Sheriff Would Arrest Cyberbully Suspect's Parents If He Could UPDATE: Mom of Florida bullying suspect arrested on child abuse charges
- NJ court agrees to allow same-sex marriages Monday
- Oregon To Recognize Marriages of Gay Couples Wed Out of State
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Hollywood-style sting nabs alleged pirate kingpin
- Louboutin women's shoes banned in anti-Islam advert
- A High School Is Actually Not Manhattan's Saddest Spot, a Researcher Says It's good that he admitted his mistake.
Bad News
- Vegas nightclub closes after battle over sex shows A couple of my burlesque performer friends worked there occasionally. I saw them perform there last summer, and one of their acts certainly ran afoul of these rules.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Sunday, October 06, 2013
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