December 2009

Attorney Sued For Nose Biting; Claims Self-Defense

According to media on Friday, a Memphis attorney has been sued by a man who is missing part of his nose.  It appears that Greg Herbers is blaming Mark Lambert for the injury to his nose, on the grounds that…


First “Brüno” Lawsuit Filed

Sacha Baron Cohen, who was repeatedly sued by people who were unhappy with the way he depicted them in "Borat" (a group that includes most people who were depicted in "Borat"), has now been sued by someone unhappy with his…


The Answers to Your Questions About Wisconsin’s State Symbols

Okay, I know that many of you are probably going nuts trying to remember Wisconsin's official state "song, flower, bird, tree, fish, state animal, wildlife animal, domestic animal, mineral, rock, symbol of peace, insect, soil, fossil, dog, beverage, grain, dance, ballad,…


Bill Would Designate Bacterium as Wisconsin’s Official State Microbe

Boing Boing reports that the Wisconsin legislature is considering whether to designate Lactococcus lactis (right) as the state's official microbe.  If it passes, Assembly Bill 556 would honor Lactococcus for the crucial role it plays in the Wisconsin economy (it turns milk into…


Feds Say Use of Bogus “Promissory Notes” On the Rise

Did you know that you have the right to create your own promissory notes that the government and other entities are required to accept in payment of your debts?  No?  Then congratulations on not being insane. I've written many times…


If Darth Vader Were a Senior Partner

He'd have this desk in his office: "Join me, and I will complete your training." According to the designer, Tom Spina, this is a "one-of-a-kind" item that is not for sale (unless you are in fact Darth Vader or possibly…


And Still More Comical Case Names

Batman v. Commissioner, 189 F.2d 107 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 342 U.S. 877 (1951). and United States ex rel. Mayo v. Satan and His Staff (W.D. Pa. 1971). A reader just sent me the excellent “Batman v. Commissioner,” of which I wasn’t…


Yet More Comical Case Names

Added about half a dozen new ones to the list, including: United States v. 2,507 Live Canary Winged Parakeets, 689 F. Supp. 1106 (S.D. Fla. 1988). United States v. An Article Consisting of 50,000 Cardboard Boxes More or Less, Each…


Car Sounded Like It Was Speeding, Officer Testifies

In 2007, Daniel Freitag got a speeding ticket in West Salem, Ohio.  Patrolman Ken Roth said he had measured Freitag's speed with a radar gun, but that evidence was thrown out on appeal because the state had failed to provide…