According to Simon Bucks at Sky News, “the crossword editor is planning to leave a gap when he publishes the puzzle’s answers, with a note blaming the omission on legal considerations.”
Archive for 2010
“Texas woman beaten by son must cover legal costs”
Teresa Fuller says her 15-year-old son was arrested 20 times for physically abusing her, and that she suffered concussions and other injuries. “Because she’s the boy’s only legal guardian, she is now responsible for his legal bills and court costs. She said because her total wages fall just above the poverty level, her son didn’t qualify for a public defender or an appointed attorney.” More bad news from her from the county attorney’s office: “Fuller does not qualify for a protective order against her son because the only person who can be held responsible for abiding by the order is the son’s parent or legal guardian.” [El Paso Times via ABA Journal]
Slightly related update: Hans Bader writes to say that the Virginia proposal putting parents on the financial hook for support of children up to age 23 attending college has been stricken from the House docket, probably dooming its chances in this session. See Dave Briggman, Richmond Sunlight.
The year in Chicago slip-and-fall cases
Confetti on a nightclub stage, a wrestler hurt getting out of the ring, and of course the celebrated dolphin-splash suit [Jennifer Fernicola, Chicago Now]
Infamous terrorist Carlos the Jackal sues to protect his image
“[A]pparently determined to control his image even from his Paris prison cell, he has brought suit against a French production company shooting a documentary film on his life and legend, demanding a say on the final cut.” [Edward Cody, Washington Post].
While we’re at it: “Mirandizing the Christmas Day Bomber — Why?” [Paul Cassell, Volokh on this Bill Otis post, versus many critical commenters]
D.C. government has “trouble legislating its way out of a plastic bag”
Among the consequences of the District of Columbia’s ordinance meant to encourage recycling: a bookstore stops selling mints at the checkout counter to avoid being defined as a food store. [WSJ via Hodak Value] More: Washington Post on consumer reactions, via Katherine Mangu-Ward, Reason “Hit and Run”.
Four years for sleeping drunk in parked car
The car hadn’t been operated and it wasn’t clear that it was even operable, but Minnesota, like so many states, has a strictly worded DUI law. “Intending to sleep off a night of drinking [is] treated as the same crime as attempting to drive home under [the state’s] legal theory which does not take motive into account.” [The Newspaper; Minnesota v. Fleck, PDF; Alkon]
Be nice to staff
Departing assistant sets up email autoanswer taking revenge on lawyer boss. [Above the Law]
California school district bans dictionary from classroom
It’s a Merriam-Webster Collegiate and contains naughty bits that kids might stumble across or even look up on purpose. [Southwest Riverside News Network via Popehat]
Wherein I’m supposedly worth three electoral votes
Stephanie Mencimer suggests that 11% of Alaskans would have switched their votes to Obama in 2008 if they knew that the eeeevil author of this op-ed was in Anchorage helping Governor Sarah Palin address the politically-motivated “Troopergate” investigation. Color me skeptical.
“US to lift 21-year ban on haggis”
P.S. Not unrelatedly, a haggis-related Blawg Review #248 at Scots Law Student. More: Alex Massie, Spectator (via Katherine Mangu-Ward).
P.P.S. Jumping the gun? An email to Andrew Sullivan from someone claiming to be with USDA says the ban is under review for revision but that no decision has been made yet. And more from Katherine Mangu-Ward.