Barb Dybwad, Mashable: “The proposed law comes from French MP Valerie Boyer and is inspired by a recent report she authored on anorexia and bulemia. She points to the detrimental effect that unrealistic body images can have on adolescents.” More: Jacqui Cheng, Ars Technica; Ken at Popehat (UK’s Liberal Democrats promote similar ban for some ads).
Looking after neighbor kids for free at bus stop
The Michigan Department of Human Services says Centerville mother Lisa Snyder needs to get a license as a child care provider. [WZZM via Balko; related story now ongoing in Britain, BBC] And an update on the latter story from the BBC: “Review of babysitting ban ordered“.
September 28 roundup
- Massachusetts: “New Law to ‘Protect’ Kids from Germs Would Kill Band Program” [Free Range Kids]
- ACORN lawsuit against videomakers analyzed [Above the Law, Ken at Popehat and more] More: Andrew Moshirnia, Citizen Media Law.
- “The Remoras Are Loose Again”: judge vs. opportunistic class action objectors [WSJ Law Blog, CL&P, 10b-5 Daily]
- How ill-considered FAR (floor area requirement) zoning regulations can uglify new houses [Fountain]
- Doctor wins $10 million libel award against St. Petersburg Times, deceased reporter’s notes not allowed into evidence [St. P. Times, ABA Journal]
- Norm Pattis vs. Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College, cont’d [Connecticut Law Tribune]
- “Mother’s Suit Over Tot’s Injury is a Real Hot Potato” [OnPoint News, Massachusetts Dunkin’ Donuts]
- Remembering Barack Obama’s days as a class action lawyer [Mark Tapscott, Washington Examiner]
“Explaining the Unpopularity of Lawyers”
Missed this Volokh.com thread from a month ago on the subject. My explanation (summed up in a speech ten years ago) overlaps but does not exactly duplicate Orin Kerr’s; a wide variety of opinions get aired in the comments.
“The Cy Pres Racket”
Karen Lee Torre, in the Sep. 28 Connecticut Law Tribune, hates cy pres even more than I do. See also Peggy Little at Point of Law.
Nassau D.A. won’t charge false Hofstra accuser
And Scott Greenfield has a word or two to pick with District Attorney Kathleen Rice:
Allowing a woman who lied about a heinous crime being committed against her to avoid prosecution, causing four men who committed no crime to be arrested, smeared throughout the media, sit in jail and have their names perpetually tied to a gang rape, has no rational connection whatsoever to encouraging real victims to come forward. It does, however, have a strong connection to encouraging false accusations, since the conditions of counseling and community services offer little disincentive to not take the risk.
“Police in South Carolina Town Not Allowed to Chase Suspects”
Not even on foot, announced Wellford, S.C. mayor Sallie Peake: “As of this date, there are to be no more foot chases when a suspect runs. I do not want anyone chasing after any suspects whatsoever.” She was tired of all the insurance premiums and workers’ comp claims: “The officers are costing us more money on insurance than most citizens here in the city of Wellford are even earning.“ [Lowering the Bar, WSPA] She’s now revoked the policy. [AP/Charleston Post and Courier] Commentary: Officer.com.
Courtesy of Goldman Sachs
The Wall Street firm stars in Michael Moore’s attack on capitalism — and also bankrolled his producers. [Ira Stoll, Future of Capitalism]
“Bank of America Sued for 1.784 Sextillion Dollars”
Because a quadrillion just doesn’t sound like real money any more [Reuters via Lowering the Bar]. “If [complainant Chiscolm] thinks Bank of America has branches on every planet in the cosmos, then it might start to make some sense.”
September 25 roundup
- “Highly embarrassing …ugly”: Florida Justice Association apologizes for race-baiting mailer intended to sway state senate race [Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel]
- Fanny-state regulation: they wouldn’t really ban soft toilet paper, would they? [Washington Post via Logomasini, CEI “Open Market”]
- Update on David Michaels OSHA nomination [Carter Wood, PoL] More: Fox News.
- Library of Congress has expanded its law research website, includes archiving project for legal weblogs including this one;
- David Leonhardt, NYT economics columnist, looks at defensive medicine debate [“Economic Scene”]
- “Republicans denounce identity politics, except when they engage in it themselves.” [Heather Mac Donald, Secular Right]
- Aw: Ron Coleman recalls “one of my proudest weeks of blogging”. [Likelihood of Success]
- Dewey Decimal System owner sues NYC’s Library Hotel [six years ago at Overlawyered — link fixed now]