Archive for August, 2007
Gay Relationships
Two inmates recently paroled are being allowed to continue their relationship of almost 20 years. Normally that wouldnt be allowed because felon on parole cant have contact.
Originally the homosexuals, Daniel Mangini, and Steven Roberts were also held by that rule, because they arent realted or married. The men say they have turned their lives around and are eager to move forward with it. By the old law they would recieve 1 12 hour visit, and just 2 phone calls a week, for the first 6 month period.
On July 31, the Federal courts said that they have the same rights under our constitution ad a straight couple would. They were backed by the ACLU.
Mangini admits they are not role models but believes he has the same rights as non gays.
No commentsConvict Gets Life on Appeal
A child molester in prison who had spent many years appealing for freedom accidentally extended his Louisiana prison time, now hes got a life sentence.
Sherman Burton has a 20 year sentence hes appealing and has been in the penitentiary since 1999. He was set to be released in 1999, but all his fuss caught the intention of the courts who then noticed who was a 3 time felon who hadn’t be sentenced as such, and they gave him life in prison.
If Burton not gone after his appeal, he would have been free when he sentence expired. His case was in with many askew in a judicial issue.
Burton has 2 prior rape convictions and will spend the rest of his like in Louisiana Penitentiaries.
No commentsNursing Home Verdict Nets 160 Million
I bet the big wigs who scoff the eldery residents in their nursing homes arent smiling now!
Many coporate executives and others figure that the seniors in their homes wont ever get a settlement of any substantial size due to age or preexistiong condition. enter the case of an 81 year old man who was savagely beaten by the vioelent and mentally ill roommate he was assigned by nursing home staff.
In a few weeks the victim recovered, but he never recovered mentally and emotionally. He became a shell of his former self. He was never the same. He died 3 years after the beating.
His family members brougth the suit against the nursing home. They descrive him as vibrant, and someone who enjoyed his family and friends to soemone who became withdrawn, apathetic, and frightened.
The family states that the home knew the other man was unstabe and violent, and he should have been discharged, but discharging that viloent man would mean less money for them. SO he was kept in the facility.
The defense attempted to downplay the injuries but medical records don’t lie. 150 million was in punitive damages alone.
No commentsEthics of Recalls
A look at the ethics of product recalls.
No commentsCell Phone Driving Fatalities
If if seeing a driver to your right on the interstate, gabbing away on his cell phone gets you ticked off, you’ve got a right to be. Multiple studies have demonstrated that operating a vehicle while talking on a cell phone can be as deadly as driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. Estimates of the number of U.S. traffic fatalities instigated by cell phone use while operating a vehicle are normally in the 2,000 - 3,000 range with 100 times as many injuries.
The best fix for the plague of cell phone collisions, would be common sense by many drivers and a realization that the common practice is rude and dangerous. Without a sudden epidemic of intelligence, law creation and strict enforcement need to be actualized. Bringing forth legislation will be difficult given the lobbying ability of the cell phone industry. The effort, though, added to public education, can rescue thousands of lives annually .
No commentsStupid Laws In New Hampshire

It is illegal to keep time with music via tapping of feet, or nodding your head, etc, in any public establishment.
You may not sell the clothing upon your person to rectify gambling debts.
It is illegal to check into a hotel under an assumed name.
Its unlawful to pick up seaweed off a beach.
TITLE XVIII
FISH AND GAME
CHAPTER 207
GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO FISH AND GAME
Collecting Seaweed
Section 207:48
In Night. ? If any person shall carry away or collect for the purpose of carrying away any seaweed or rockweed from the seashore below high-water mark, between daylight in the evening and daylight in the morning, he shall be guilty of a violation.
Source. 1973, 532:10, eff. Nov. 1, 1973.
Cattle crossing state raods must have a bag or similar device to catch their fecal matter.
It is illegal to operate machinery on Sundays.
It is illegal to eliminate waste from your body one a Sunday while looking skyward.
You may not get intoxicated, have a picnic, enter the grounds at night, or enter alone if under age 10: this is in regards to cemeteries.
Anyone caught cleaning or beautify parks or faorests will be fines 150 dollars for “maintaining a park without a permit”.
No comments10 Million Dollar Settlement Against Evenflo
The parents of a child killed in a car collision were awarded money damages by a Montana Court. The defective car seat at issue was made and sold by Evenflo. The Plaintiffs case showed proof that Evenflo was aware the car seat had a issue in its design that might lead to the belt hooks snapping; however, they still made the choice to put in on the store shelves. The total jury award is roughly $10 million , several million dollars in punitive damages to punish and hopefully correct the conduct of Evenflo.
Reducing Personal Liability
Reducing personal liability in a business environment.
No commentsClearinghouse of Drivers
Congress is being asked to authorize, create, and fund a nationwide database that will store oll positive drug tests, and DUI encounters. The American Trucking Association wants to see a centralization of these records and for the records of these to be released to any interested employer in an effort to keep abusers from behind the wheel of large and potentially dangerous vehicles.
The ATA has noted that with just 2% of the nationwide commercial drivers testing positive for drugs, the number of drivers affected by drugs is roughly 68000. A positive test during any portion of the employement process would be added to the databse and that applaicant would have that permanent mark on his record, likely barring him from any commercial driving job.
No commentsDefective Imports
As is the norm, product safety is a great burden for consumers. lately, the list of defective items imported from some foreign countries, namely China, has been receiving much needed press coverage. From the contaminated pet food fiasco to a smorgasboard of items meant for human consumption, the public is coming to the realization that they should consider twice before using any product that is brought in from China or any country where safety regulations are a far cry from regulations that are in place currently in America.
It is accurate that the amount of exports of food, drugs and consumer products has grown very rapidly in recent years. So much so, that it is progressivley arduous for inspectors in the States to catch contaminated or potentially dangerous shipments. It has been divulged
that with so much money at risk, China will try to center on product safety in an attempt to stave concerns about its faulty products. It is not, however, anticipated to be an easy job given the level of corruption, pollution and product piracy problems are deeply embedded in that society.
What can we do to better protect ourselves? Starting in 2008, money to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission will be escalated. The greater financial contribution will allow the agencies to hire and field more inspectors. In addition, Legislators will also empower the FDA and USDA to issue food recalls, which is not something they are currently commissioned to do, and to declare stricter reporting and labeling.
Many Americans feel they are getting a “bargain” when buying imports. However, with the seriously defective products of late, it’s sure to leave one wondering whether they are really obtaining bargains at all.
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