Women Can’t Vote in Sistersville
At least according to the city charter.
Laws (Outdated)
Odd Law Book News
As I've mentioned before (probably more than once), I have been collecting examples of odd, dumb, and/or unnecessary laws for a while now, both for this blog and for a book project. I am happy to announce that the book…
Saudis May End Beheadings; Said to Be Short on Swordsmen
But if you thought (and you probably didn't) that Saudi Arabia had finally taken a giant leap forward into the eighteenth century by deciding that chopping off heads is inhumane, think again. A joint Saudi committee composed of representatives of…
Court Rules Icelandic “Girl” Can Use Her Own Name
The Reykjavik District Court has ruled that a 15-year-old Icelandic girl can legally use the first name "Blaer," reversing a contrary decision by government officials. Iceland has strict naming laws that require, among other things, that names fit standard grammar…
Woman Arrested for Voting
In 1872, but still. Here are two things I did not know until recently: Susan B. Anthony was actually arrested, tried, and convicted of the crime of voting while female. The "B" stood for "badass." According to "The Trial of…
TSA: Too Sad for an Acronym
One more just to complete the trifecta, and then I will try to get a little more lighthearted. We've recently seen the TSA harassing the elderly, the very young, and now … the disabled. (Also the nude, but in that case…
Court: Warrantless Search Can’t Be Justified by Smell Alone
The state contended the search was justified under a “plain smell” theory, and I am not making that up.
Karaoke-Triggered Assault Sends Man Through Plate-Glass Window
With the news that half of Americans now favor legalizing marijuana – a number that as many have pointed out is significantly higher than the approval rating of any of our current leaders – isn't it finally time to end…
Pantless Objection to Topless Protest
I guess it's not quite "Headless Body in Topless Bar," but it's as close as I'm likely to get. At least the story behind this headline is much more pleasant, if almost as baffling. Police in Asheville, North Carolina, said…
In Defense of Monkey Copyright [Updated]
Thanks for your responses to my question about who if anyone owns the legal rights to a monkey photographer's work. The responses varied, although none were too favorable to the monkey. Here are some thoughts, with the disclaimer that I'm…