Dogs vs. SUVs vs. the earth, debunked Nov 7, 2009
" Take the first half of that sentence: No nation can dominate another. There is no 8-year-old who would say that -- it's so absurd. And the second half? That is adolescent utopianism. Obama talks in platitudes, but offers a vision to the world of America diminished or constrained, and willing to share leadership in a way that no other presidency and no other great power would. Could you imagine if the Russians were hegemonic, or the Chinese, or the Germans -- that they would speak like this? Is... (Salon)
Investors fear repeat of 2000 election turmoil Nov 7, 2009
"I'd say it's a one-in-five chance we won't know at the end of November. There are thousands of lawyers who are looking at litigation in Ohio, in Florida and in Wisconsin. "It's a cliche, but it's a true cliche that markets don't like uncertainty," he added. Valliere is not alone in seeing a strong chance of a challenged election. Both political parties are far more prepared for court challenges than they were going into the 2000 election. Lawyers for the two sides were arguing before the U.S.... (Yahoo News -- Presidential Election 2000)
Students rally for choice as charter interviews begin Nov 7, 2009
Two lawsuits pending in Fulton County Superior Court challenge the constitutionality of the Georgia Charter Schools Commission. At the rally, students from charter schools named in the lawsuits Ivy Preparatory Academy of Norcross and Statesboro s Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts ology shared the podium with community leaders and state legislators ... "I'm kind of mad," Brown said of the pending lawsuits. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Democrats clear impasse blocking health care vote Nov 7, 2009
wjl wrote on Nov 5, 2009 2:33 PM:" One would have to wonder why the CEO's are not in jailPfizer, Inc. announced today it has agreed to plead guilty to criminal conduct and to pay more than $2 billion in criminal and civil fines, penalties and damages to settle allegations made in multiple whistleblower lawsuits that the pharmaceutical giant defrauded Medicare, Medicaid and other government-funded health care programs in connection with its market practices for four of its drugs. The settlement... (Montana Standard, MT)
Letter: Reader finally sees the light; no more government service Nov 7, 2009
Fred Brewer wrote on Nov 6, 2009 8:43 AM:" You neglected to address one of the key issues that would be necessary for the privatized fire industry to effectively compete with the socialistic public fire department: tort reform. They would have to be assured of immunity from frivolous lawsuits over whether they made the right decision when they bulldozed your yard to create a fireline. ". homer wrote on Nov 6, 2009 7:53 AM:" I like! ". (Montana Standard, MT)
Cities will sue Brewer over policy items in bill Nov 7, 2009
Globe Mayor Fernando Shipley said the public-benefits requirement could prove a minefield for local governments, opening them up to potentially frivolous lawsuits. Anyone could bring a complaint against a city or town, even if a staffer makes an innocent mistake by issuing, say, a library card to a patron, Shipley said. (AZCentral -- News)
Minn. Bridge Collapse Lawsuits Settled Nov 7, 2009
Bridge Collapse Lawsuits Settled - CBS News ... Bridge Collapse Lawsuits Settled ... (AP) Victims and the families of those killed in the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis in 2007 agreed Friday to settle their lawsuits against a construction company that was resurfacing the span at the time. (CBS News)
Los Angeles moves to ban declawing of cats Nov 7, 2009
A small Northern California city has banned medical marijuana growing and dispensing, a move opponents say will bring lawsuits ... A small Northern California city has banned medical marijuana growing and dispensing, a move opponents says will bring lawsuits. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Coinstar drops on suit against studios Nov 7, 2009
slumped after the owner of Redbox movie rental kiosks said lawsuits against three Hollywood studios may limit its access to some new movie titles. Coinstar is buying DVDs from other outlets to get titles not available directly from the studios, the Bellevue, Wash. (Boston Globe)
Boston Scientific agrees to pay $296m settlement Nov 7, 2009
3 million to rival Johnson & Johnson s Cordis unit to resolve more than a dozen patent lawsuits over heart devices. Industry analysts said the moves suggest Ray Elliott, who took over as Boston Scientific s chief executive in July, is eager to clear away lingering legal problems and move forward with restructuring plans he has alluded to in recent conference calls with investors. (Boston Globe)
State Street adds $250m to legal reserve fund Nov 7, 2009
State Street, which provides financial services to institutional investors like retirement plans and insurance companies, said it boosted the legal reserve to cover potential fines from regulatory probes and to address ongoing lawsuits regarding risky investments. The Boston company established the reserve during the fourth quarter of 2007 with $625 million. (Boston Globe)
6Texas Woman Sues Facebook for Privacy Violations» Nov 7, 2009
As a result, Harris filed two lawsuits one against Blockbuster last year and one against Facebook last month. The suits claim a partnership between the two companies allowed Blockbuster to send Harris' movie-renting habits to Facebook without fair opportunity to opt out. (Fox News)
Carrie Prejean Lost Crown, Now Lawsuit Nov 6, 2009
Earlier this week, after the beauty queen and the pageant dropped their lawsuits against each other and agreed to settle their differences, Prejean demanded more than a million dollars during settlement negotiations. She sued the organization in August for libel, slander and religious discrimination, accusing pageant organizers of telling her to stop mentioning God even before her controversial remarks against , or as she called it during the Miss USA pageant, sparking a firestorm of criticism,... (ABC News)
Health care issues: What are GOP's reform ideas? Nov 6, 2009
House Republicans on Wednesday released a bill draft that focuses on bringing down costs and limiting malpractice lawsuits. The bill leaves out many provisions of the Democrats'1,990-page legislation, such as new requirements for employers to insure their employees. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Source: Tape spurred settlement Nov 6, 2009
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The sudden end to a legal battle between dethroned Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and pageant officials was prompted by the revelation of a "sex tape," according to a source familiar with the lawsuits' settlement ... A settlement of both lawsuits was signed in New York Tuesday, but no details were made public. (CNN -- Showbiz)
Officials: Pentagon Probed Finances Nov 6, 2009
Under then-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, the Pentagon expanded its collection of intelligence within the borders of the United States -- a development that stirred concern among members of Congress and prompted stern criticism and lawsuits from civil liberties advocates. These efforts are overseen by the Pentagon's Counterintelligence Field Activity agency, or CIFA, which was established in September 2002 by then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz. (Yahoo News -- Privacy Issues)
Drug consistency needed Nov 6, 2009
A small Northern California city has banned medical marijuana growing and dispensing, a move opponents says will bring lawsuits. Red Bluff's city council approved two measures Tuesday night restricting the drug. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
From Branchville? Far from it Nov 6, 2009
And we can t spend the insurance money because we have to keep our money handy to fight the lawsuits of former police officers and residents. Also there are those pesky fines. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Lawyer in landmark breast implant lawsuits dies Nov 6, 2009
By 1992, he began a long and profitable run of silicone breast-implant lawsuits with a $25 million verdict against Bristol-Myers Squibb ... In 1995, Dow Corning, an implant manufacturer, cited his lawsuits as reasons for its bankruptcy filing. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Skype founders, buyer of service reportedly reach deal Nov 6, 2009
They also will drop lawsuits filed against Skype and the investor group in London, California, and Delaware, the people said ... Zennstrom and Friis struck back, filing lawsuits in federal courts against the group. (Boston Globe)
LETTER: What's wrong with this health reform picture? Nov 6, 2009
Considering the small percentage of costs from lawsuits, the issue of tort reform seems like a red herring to me too. Doctors are forced to pay just as high of premiums in states that have enacted cap limits on law suits. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
No comments posted. Nov 6, 2009
9 percent of the states 12 million voters turned out for the Sept. 13, 2003 election which included the constitutional amendment limiting non-economic (punitive) damage assessments in medical malpractice lawsuits. Conversely, the 2005 election brought out more voters 18 percent - than any other constitutional amendment election in 20 years. (Boerne Star, TX)
Skype founders buy in Nov 6, 2009
They also will drop lawsuits filed against Skype and the investor group in London, California and Delaware, the people said ... They also will drop lawsuits filed against Skype and the investor group in London, California and Delaware, the people said. (New York Post -- Business)
Intel Faces Antitrust Lawsuit, Kickbacks Alledged Nov 6, 2009
Cuomo has pursued many high-profile lawsuits and probes as New York's top legal officer. The Democrat is expected to run for the state's governorship in 2010. (Datamation)
LETTER: Government not good at running a business Nov 6, 2009
Harry Potter wrote on Nov 4, 2009 11:17 AM:" Medical Malpractice Insurers Profits Higher Than Nearly All Fortune 500 Companies.The American Association for Justice the trial lawyers lobby group has just released an astounding statistic: medical malpractice insurance companies average profits are higher than those of 99 percent of Fortune 500 companies.As the nation remains mired in a debate over health care reform and how to keep down the costs of expanding coverage, AAJ is trying to point out... (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Investors fear repeat of 2000 election turmoil Nov 6, 2009
"I'd say it's a one-in-five chance we won't know at the end of November. There are thousands of lawyers who are looking at litigation in Ohio, in Florida and in Wisconsin. "It's a cliche, but it's a true cliche that markets don't like uncertainty," he added. Valliere is not alone in seeing a strong chance of a challenged election. Both political parties are far more prepared for court challenges than they were going into the 2000 election. Lawyers for the two sides were arguing before the U.S.... (Yahoo News -- Presidential Election 2000)
Bighorns, domestic sheep don't mix Nov 6, 2009
If the Forest Service plan in Payette strikes a fair balance between bighorns' safety concerns and the ability of sheep ranchers to make a living -- and survives the inevitable salvo of lawsuits -- it could offer a blueprint when officials in the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest revise the bighorn portion of their forest plan. "The information they're developing, and the direction they're going, will set the direction nationally" for management of bighorns and domestic sheep, said Donnie... (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Bylaw is a bad sign for Framingham businesses Nov 6, 2009
"There will be lawsuits," said Daley. "A lot of businesses will just ignore the town.". (Framingham TAB, MA)
Third furlough lawsuit claims rights violation Nov 6, 2009
The case, naming Gov. Linda Lingle and Schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto as defendants, will be heard Monday in U.S. District Court before Judge Wallace Tashima, along with the other two lawsuits already filed over the furloughs ... The case, naming Gov. Linda Lingle and Schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto as defendants, will be heard Monday in U.S. District Court before Judge Wallace Tashima, along with the other two lawsuits already filed over the furloughs. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
ResCare Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results Nov 6, 2009
4 million, recorded as a result of the Company's increasing its legal reserves due to adverse developments on four lawsuits ... 4 million, recorded as a result of the Company's increasing its legal reserves due to adverse developments on four lawsuits. (Primezone Releases)
SBLHC limits patients' visitors to age 16 and older Nov 6, 2009
Hound Dog wrote on Nov 5, 2009 6:23 AM:" Wonder if any 14 or 15 year olds will file age discrimination lawsuits? ". medic57 wrote on Nov 5, 2009 6:52 AM:" Will they call the cops if you refuse to leave with your child?They'll have you arrested anytime they ask you to leave and you don't, as well they should. I remember years ago not being able to visit mom at the old Memorial Hospital because I was under 12. This is not a new rule, but it is a good one. ". (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Denver immigrant asylum center latest to close Nov 6, 2009
A judge on Friday ordered nine medical marijuana dispensaries in Fresno to close in response to lawsuits filed by the city. The order by Fresno County Superior Court Judge Alan M. Simpson came two days after he issued a tentative ruling to propose the shutdowns, and one day after he postponed a final decision when challenged by the businesses' lawyers. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Minorities, Women Gain Professionally Nov 6, 2009
But minorities have made strides in both fields, helped by lawsuits and a recent push for recruitment of Spanish-speaking police officers. Overall, women and minorities make up a growing share of all civilian workers, although the figures point to varied progress across occupations, which is reshaping the nation's labor force. (Yahoo News -- Census)
Andersen Will Settle Suit Over WorldCom Nov 6, 2009
There are still about three dozen outstanding WorldCom shareholder lawsuits in federal and state courts filed by plaintiffs who declined to join the class-action case before Cote in New York. The judge has urged all the remaining plaintiffs to settle. (Yahoo News -- WorldCom/MCI)
Catholic church's anti-abuse chief quits on eve of scathing report Nov 6, 2009
In the US the church has been the subject of multi-million dollar lawsuits. Pope Benedict XVI has pledged to exert his authority on the issue. (Yahoo News -- Catholic Church Abuse Scandal)
Productivity Up: Bad News for Job Seekers? Nov 6, 2009
Countries such as China and Mexico often have lax labor laws, lax environmental restrictions, less requirements for safety equipment, few or no labor unions, and fewer lawsuits. Americans workers are not playing on a level playing field with workers in other countries. (CBS News)
A veterinarian's view on 'defensive medicine' raising health costs Nov 6, 2009
DOLITTLER: VIEWS FROM A VET. an award-winning blog on pet health; she writes weekly for the Miami Herald and monthly for Veterinary Practice News. (USA Today -- Life)
Learning how to save lives Nov 6, 2009
Fear of lawsuits, in Hawaii and many other states, is eliminated by Good Samaritan laws that gives immunity from all liability to people trying to help a cardiac arrest victim. "You can't harm anyone who is not breathing and has no heartbeat," Foster said. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Real funding for virtual schools? Nov 6, 2009
Two lawsuits in Fulton County Superior Court seek to challenge the authority of the GCSC to grant charters without local district buy-in and fund them with a share of the district s state allocations. We want to look at all of the political issues, said Wanda Barrs, state board chairwoman. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Judge throws out LA deal for digitizing billboards Nov 6, 2009
Superior Court Judge Terry Green's decision would nullify the city's agreement with CBS Outdoor Inc. and Clear Channel Outdoor Inc. in 2006 that settled lawsuits by the companies challenging the fairness of a city billboard ban in place at the time ... The deals settled lawsuits by the companies challenging the fairness of the city's billboard ban. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Court Revives Cell Phone Radiation Cases Nov 6, 2009
In a ruling that has grabbed the attention of the product liability and telecommunications bars, the D.C. Court of Appeals last week revived a series of lawsuits by individuals who say they were harmed by cell phone radiation, reversing a lower court decision that found the claims were blocked by federal law. The court's opinion in Murray v. Motorola added yet another wrinkle to a debate within U.S. courts over whether national regulations trump state laws when it comes to issues surrounding... (Law.com)
House GOP health care reform plan Nov 6, 2009
There is room for some tort reform giving judges the ability to dismiss frivolous lawsuits (like Orly Taitz ) and protecting against suits over why didn t you do this obscure test ... Stopping the frivolous lawsuits would help too ... This should apply to all types of lawsuits because that would certainly unclog all civil courts of frivolous suits. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Joe Klein digs Time's hole deeper still Nov 6, 2009
Back in April, 2006 -- a mere four months after the illegal NSA program was first revealed, and right after Bush had asserted "state secrets" to block any judicial inquiry into the NSA program -- about the Bush administration's use of the "state secrets" privilege as a means of blocking entire lawsuits rather than limiting the use of specific classified documents. Q]uite unsurprisingly, the Bush administration loves this doctrine, as it is so consistent with its monarchical view of presidential... (Salon)
Tenants: Vantage must meet demands Nov 6, 2009
Friday November 06, 2009. Residents living in Vantage-owned buildings rallied in Sunnyside on Monday, demanding an end to what they see as unfair and even illegal practices on the part of the real estate giant. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Workers' comp reform? Don't forget the workers Nov 6, 2009
In turn, employers are protected from lawsuits, even when employer s negligence is contributory ... Without a worker s compensation program, few employers could bear the costs of severe injuries and/or lawsuits and remain in business. (Longview Daily News, WA)
TotalBank files a pair of foreclosures Nov 6, 2009
TotalBank filed a pair of large foreclosure lawsuits over the past week one against a condominium developer in Fort Lauderdale and another against a mortgage company that worked closely with the bank. In the largest case, the Miami-based bank filed a $5. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
N.Y. files antitrust suit against Intel, alleges threats, kickbacks Nov 6, 2009
"In terms of impact, these series of lawsuits are either a minor or a major wild card," says Shane Rau, who follows the PC chip market for IDC. "These things are inherently unpredictable." ... And dozens of class-action lawsuits seeking unspecified damages for consumers being harmed by Intel's dealings with PC makers have been filed across the U.S. All of these cases tie back to a civil antitrust lawsuit AMD filed against Intel in 2005, says Intel corporate spokesman Chuck Mulloy. (USA Today -- Tech)
Killing and selling women as "ghost brides" Nov 6, 2009
The U.S. is spending between $60 billion and $200 billion a year on protection against lawsuits ... Everybody I practiced with spends hours and enormous amounts of money on wasted tests, diagnostic and procedures -- all to avoid lawsuits. (Salon)
Post-Katrina, New Orleans coming back more Hispanic Nov 6, 2009
Ms. Rosenbaum filed two lawsuits on behalf of large groups of immigrant laborers who say they were cheated out of wages while working in New Orleans for major US companies. The study found that almost half of the reconstruction workforce in New Orleans is Hispanic - and half of those are illegal immigrants. (Yahoo News -- Latinos & Hispanics)
Judge approves $660-million clerical abuse settlement Nov 6, 2009
SAN DIEGO Supporters of people who have been sexually abused by local priests said Monday they hoped the Los Angeles Archdiocese settlement would prompt Bishop Robert Brom to settle 150 lawsuits here and release decades' worth of documents about pedophile priests in the San Diego Diocese. Release of the documents, they said in a news conference on the steps of St. Joseph Cathedral, is key to preventing future molestations. (Yahoo News -- Catholic Church Abuse Scandal)
Letters to the editor Nov 6, 2009
Parker explains lawsuits. To the editor. (Ipswich Chronicle, MA)
Minorities, Women Gain Professionally Nov 5, 2009
But minorities have made strides in both fields, helped by lawsuits and a recent push for recruitment of Spanish-speaking police officers. Overall, women and minorities make up a growing share of all civilian workers, although the figures point to varied progress across occupations, which is reshaping the nation's labor force. (Yahoo News -- Census)
Catholic church's anti-abuse chief quits on eve of scathing report Nov 5, 2009
In the US the church has been the subject of multi-million dollar lawsuits. Pope Benedict XVI has pledged to exert his authority on the issue. (Yahoo News -- Catholic Church Abuse Scandal)
Lawyer in landmark breast implant lawsuits dies Nov 5, 2009
By 1992, he began a long and profitable run of silicone breast-implant lawsuits with a $25 million verdict against Bristol-Myers Squibb ... In 1995, Dow Corning, an implant manufacturer, cited his lawsuits as reasons for its bankruptcy filing. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Dim-bulb law leads to cancelled elections Nov 5, 2009
100s of lawsuits were filed today but leave it to the AJC to always advertise the race-card. When did Al Sharpton become the editor of the AJC. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Supreme Court appears split on tackling rogue prosecutors Nov 5, 2009
The high court has long recognized that prosecutors presenting a case at trial enjoy absolute immunity from citizen lawsuits seeking compensation for alleged violations of their constitutional rights ... In another camp were Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito who appeared primarily concerned with the potentially "chilling impact" on all prosecutors if the court allowed some defendants to file such citizen lawsuits ... Paul Clement, a former solicitor general arguing on behalf of... (Christian Science Monitor)
Italians convict U.S. officials, agents in kidnapping case Nov 5, 2009
Americans kidnapped a lot of people off the streets of the USA during Bush and renditioned them WHO WERE INNOCENT AND THE BUSH AND OBAMA ADMINISTRATIONS ARE FIGHTING THEIR LAWSUITS USING THE STATE SECRETS DOCTRINE. This is going on right now ... We have a lot of lawsuits now by people where that was done, who were at Gitmo and are now free, and who were renditioned. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
NY's attorney general files antitrust lawsuit against Intel Nov 5, 2009
Intel has also faced similar lawsuits in Asia and Europe, and in May the European Commission fined the company a record 1. 45-billion-U.S. dollar for antitrust violations. (Xinhuanet, China)
ConsumerMan: Chinese drywall a big threat Nov 5, 2009
Have an agent in at least one state where the company does business that would accept the service of legal papers for any lawsuits or regulatory claims. In the Congressional Record, the bills sponsor, Sen. (MSNBC -- Business)
JOHN BOEHNER: Republicans have a much better plan Nov 5, 2009
End junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it's good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued. Visit gop. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
San Joaquin County sues state over prison hospital planned for Stockton Nov 5, 2009
"The people of the Central Valley need jobs, not more lawsuits," Patino said. "The project can pump hundreds of millions of dollars worth of jobs and economic activity into the Stockton area, both during construction beginning in 2010 and for many years thereafter. Lawsuits will only delay needed relief from the recession." ... The lawsuits are bound to interfere with productive dialogue, he added. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
The Framers on the Framers Nov 5, 2009
The Supreme Court has held that while cops have only limited immunity from lawsuits, prosecutors enjoy what's known as absolute immunity for their conduct under most circumstances. (Otherwise every conviction would end in a lawsuit. (Slate)
Insight increases earnings forecast in 3Q Nov 5, 2009
It also resulted in pending lawsuits filed by shareholders. The restatement and pending litigation brought a one-time charge of $560,000 in the third quarter for professional fees and other costs. (AZCentral -- Business)
Former HP CEO Fiorina announces Senate bid Nov 5, 2009
She instead suggested expanding community clinic access and putting stricter restrictions on medical malpractice lawsuits. The 55-year-old former Silicon Valley executive served as economic adviser to 's failed presidential bid last year, a position that elevated her national profile. (USA Today -- Money)
Court: Mecklenburg Co. can build new stadium for Knights Nov 5, 2009
Jerry Reese, who has filed multiple lawsuits to stop the uptown ballpark, said he plans to ask the N.C. Supreme Court for a discretionary review of the case ... Reese has filed five lawsuits against a complex land deal that paved the way for the stadium. (Herald Online, SC -- Sports)
