Stalin Libel Claim Dismissed
I thought today's proceeding was another hearing in the case, but it turns out the judge was ready to announce his decision. That decision: it is indeed fair to say that Joseph Stalin was a bad guy. The judge found that…
Articles by Kevin
“I’ve Come Here to Defend Stalin,” Says Lunatic
The Associated Press reports today that hearings had resumed in Moscow in a libel suit filed by Yevgeny Dzhugashvili. Dzhugashvili is suing a newspaper that printed some negative comments about his grandpappy, Josef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, better known as "Stalin." Now, I…
Justice Stevens: Never Been Recognized, Except Once at the Video Store
There are more good tidbits in the series of C-SPAN interviews of Supreme Court justices, the series in which Justice Scalia suggested that smart lawyers should find something more productive to do. In his interview, Justice John Paul Stevens was…
Hint: The Little Bowl at the Security Checkpoint Is for Metal Objects, Not Drugs
Not a great idea to bring marijuana with you to the courthouse, but if you must, you should at least be aware that at least in Texas it is still illegal to possess it. And so you should not, for…
45-Day Sentence for 6-Year-Old Caught With Camping Utensil
Hardened Delaware criminal and recent Cub Scout recruit Zachary Christie faces 45 days in reform school for bringing a camping utensil to school. School officials decided that the utensil, which combines knife, fork and spoon, violated the district’s “zero-tolerance” policy….
Armed Robber Sues After Being Shot by Armed Victim
In September, 22-year-old Scott Zeilinski sued the owner and staff of Nick's Short Stop Party Store in Clinton Township, Michigan, alleging that he was shot and wounded during a visit to the store. Those allegations appear to be true. The…
President Wins 2009 Nobel Prize for Not Being George W. Bush
The Swedish Nobel Committee announced today that President Barack Obama had been awarded its prestigious Not-Being-George-W-Bush Prize for 2009. While the committee noted that Obama has successfully not been George W. Bush for the past five decades or so, it…
No Getting Around It: Terrorism Will Not Look Good on a Resume
In general, I think that once somebody has served a sentence or been pardoned for a crime, he should be free to get on with his life, get a job, maybe even practice law if he wants to. A past…
Cell-Phone Conversation Blamed for Accident at Sea
From a recent report of filings in San Francisco Superior Court: Bryerton v. Westar Marine Services, CGC-09-493160 (10/2/09) Marine personal injury action. The plaintiff was throwing a line to another ship when his ship's captain, who was distracted and talking…
UPDATE: Opinion in “Pilates Instructor” Case
The opinion in this case (linked below, previously discussed here) is worth a read. Just to clarify a few of the details, the parties had filed cross-motions for summary judgment. Plaintiff's claims against the credit-card company were dismissed, which appears…