Hockey Captain Nathan Smith Arrested For Streaking While Penguins Nose Dive While J.R. Bouterse Sets Good Example?

Since there have been so many bad examples being set in this world, it is time for some Legal Pub basic education.

Bad Example: Nathan Smith, captain of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, was charged with indecent exposure. A police officer saw him running naked in downtown early Sunday. Ryan Stone, a teammate was arrested for public drunkenness. Nathan Smith told police he streaked because of a bet. Smith was charged with misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, open lewdness and disorderly conduct. Not surprisingly, Smith was also charged with public drunkenness. Smith was released on $10,000 bail.

The American Hockey League team suspended Smith for its second-round home playoff game Thursday. However, the team did not suspend Stone and it is not clear how Stone would be disciplined. I don't know, but if they were my children...

Good Example: J.R. Bouterse, an 11-year-old Boy Scout in Dorr, Michigan found a wallet with $800 inside. The boy understood what it is like to lose a wallet since only a few weeks before, he had lost his own wallet which contained $45. J.R. Bouterse told an adult about the wallet he found and it was turned over to the police. "We're just so proud of him," said Michelle Bouterse, the boy's mom. As a reward, the Michigan State Police threw a pizza party in the boy's honor. 30 scouts from Troop 90 attended. Jessica Cutler, also attended the party and personally thanked the young hero. J.R.'s own lost wallet has never been returned. (photo by T.J. Hamilton.)

Enough said?

Excel Institute in D.C. Serves As Backdrop For Another Idiotic Student Shooting ~ by Legal Pub

D.C. is the home of another school shooting. Apparently, a disgruntled student took a gun inside Excel Institute and shot a male and a female student outside the school. He then carjacked a vehicle and drove to 17th and East Capitol Street. After ditching this vehicle, he apparently attempted to carjack two other vehicles. He eventually gained control of a Terminix car; however, after a brief chase, he was apprehended at 19th and C Street SE. Prior to his capture, he apparently hit a police cruiser and another car. An office was injured as was a pregnant woman.

Both of the students who were shot should be ok. Their injuries are apparently non-life threatening. Excel Institute is a not for profit licensed post secondary educational institution . It was founded in 1997 by former football player, George Starke, and CEO of Parking Management, Inc, John Lyon. LINK This appears to be just another in a line of "idiotic shootings" for which Legal Pub will not recognize the shooter's name as "fame" only fuels the flames of idiocracy.

Update 5-1-08 For those wanting a link to Wesley Johnson, feel free to read this Washington Post article. LINK

Mr. Josef Fritzl Apparently Kidnaps And Holds Daughter As Sex Slave For Over 20 Years!

A 72 year old man known as Mr. Josef Fritzl, apparently admitted holding his daughter hostage for over 20 years. She was apparently held in a windowless cell in the basement of his home. Mr. F. also apparently admitted to police that he fathered with his daughter Elisabeth F. several children. One of the children apparently died and Mr. F. supposedly burned the body in an oven. Elisabeth F., age 42, is apparently "very disturbed." She went missing in 1984 at age 18. This sick ordeal was apparently discovered when one of the products of incest, a 19-year-old woman identified as Kristen F., was admitted to a hospital in Amstetten, outside Vienna. A DNA test apparently revealed the 19 year-old's grandfather, Mr. F., was also her father.

Josef F. may have fathered at least six children with his daughter. The daughter and three of her children apparently lived in hidden rooms in the cellar of his house. Elisabeth, apparently told police that her father drugged, handcuffed and dragged her into a basement back in 1984. The cellar room was accessible only through a hidden door with an electronic code. She said she was a constant victim of sexual abuse and incest.

The case is eerily similar to the kidnapping of Natascha Kampusch, an Austrian schoolgirl who was held in a windowless basement cell for eight years. She escaped in August 2006. LINK

These cases are simply, sick!

Update 4-30-08: Austrian police believe Josef Fritzl fathered seven children with his daughter. Josef Fritzl apparently admitted raping his daughter and fathering her children. According to the A.P., police are also investigating whether Josef Fritzl was involved in an unsolved murder of a young woman. In the mean time, a reunion of Fritzl's family apparently occurred this past week end.
According to Berthold Kepplinger, "It is astonishing how easy it worked, that the children came together and also it was astonishing how easy it happened that the grandmother and the mother came together." (Elisabeth and two of her children joined with three of her other children and her mother.) Elisabeth's eldest child, 19-year-old Kerstin Fritzl, remains in hospital.

Update 11-12-08: Prosecutors filed a murder charge Thursday against Fritzl who is accused of imprisoning his daughter for 24 years and fathering her seven children. Prosecutors claim that one of the youngsters who died in infancy might have survived if brought to a doctor. Good luck on that charge...

Update 3-17-09: Josef Fritzl pleaded "partially guilty" to multiple charges of rape, but denied charges of enslavement and the murder of the child who died shortly after birth. Trial continues...

Update 3-18-09: After hearing his daughter testify, the defendant pleaded guilty Wednesday to all charges against him — including negligent homicide. Josef Fritzl calmly acknowledged his guilt. Have mercy on his soul...

Can Foods Lower the Risk of Colon Cancer? by Doc B.

Our weekend guest volunteered to answer some tough questions.

L.P. : Can diet reduce your odds of colon cancer?

Doc B. : First, there is no substitute for seeing your physician regularly. Most doctor recommend a regular colonoscopy to take a look at whats going on inside. It is the best way to detect and remove polyps before they become cancer. So, follow your doctor's recommendation.

Now to answer the question, there is growing evidence that life style factors such as diet and exercise may reduce your risk of cancer. 1. Stop smoking. That may not only reduce your risk of various cancers, it should also reduce your risk of heart disease and pulmonary problems. 2. Reduce your consumption of red meat. Too much red meat may increase your risk of colon cancer. 3. Increase your consumption of green leafy vegetables. 4. Exercise regularly. 5. Eat raisins! Recent studies have shown that certain foods have some cancer-fighting properties. One of these studies suggests that raisins may be effective in blocking colon cancer.

L.P. : Why would raisins help block colon cancer?

Dr. B. : Raisins contain a compound that may help the colon get rid of waste more efficiently. The chemical is believed to be tartaric acid. Tartaric acid is believed to be essential for colon health. I recommend eating two handfuls a day along with a lot of fiber from green leafy vegetables. While more studies need to be done, this seems like a very good game plan.

L.P. : Any other advice?

Dr. B.: Yes, see your physician regularly. And if you have a history of colon cancer in your family, make sure your doctor is aware of that history so that you get a regular colonoscopy.

Disclaimer: This article should not be used as a substitute for medical advise or treatment. As always, if you need medical treatment or advice, immediately consult your physician.

Failure To Give Option of Methotrexate in 1998 To Treat Ectopic Pregnancy Is Not Substandard Care -by Doc B.

Ectopic Pregnancy and Methotrexate Question & Answer With Dr. B.

Question by Rachel: In January of 1998, my friend was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy. Her doctor gave her two options, one laprascopic surgery to remove the tube with the ectopic or wait and follow up with multiple HCG’s and ultrasound. She chose the surgery and then was not able to get pregnant without invitro fertilization. In 2003, I heard that methotrexate could have been used to treat my ectopic. Did my friend's doctor commit malpractice when he failed to treat her with methotrexate?

Doc B: Remember, the standard of care used to judge a doctor is the standard of care in effect at the time of the treatment, in the example that you give, January of 1998. It is never appropriate to view a doctors actions in hindsight which is always 20/20. The simple answer to your question is that the standard of care did not require giving such a patient the option of methotrexate in 1998. The following should explain the basis of my opinion.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized ovum is implanted in any tissue other than the uterine wall. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube (tubal pregnancies), but implantation can also occur in the abdomen, cervix and ovaries. A fetus produces enzymes that allow it to implant in varied types of tissues, and thus an embryo implanted in a place other than the uterus can cause tissue damage and pain in its efforts to reach a blood supply.

In a normal pregnancy, a fertilized egg enters the uterus and settles into the uterine lining where it grows. About 1% of pregnancies are in an ectopic location ( a location other than the the womb.) More than 98% of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tubes. This usually results in some bleeding. The bleeding usually expels the implantation out of the tubal end as a tubal abortion and no further treatment is often needed. (Many women who think that they had a miscarriage actually had a tubal abortion.) Inflammation of the tube with an ectopic pregnancy is not the cause of pain. Pain is caused by prostaglandins released at the implantation site, and by free blood in the peritoneal cavity. It is possible that bleeding can become heavy enough to threaten the health of the woman. However, if left untreated, over half of ectopic pregnancies will resolve without treatment. These are tubal abortions. Despite that fact, medical observation and/or treatment is always recommended.

Prior to 2000, the vast majority of ectopic pregnancies that needed treatment were corrected by either laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy (open surgery.) Treatment with methotrexate was not the standard of care in January of 1998 because it was not FDA approved nor was it recommended in the Physicians Desk Reference. The ACOG bulletin came out in December of 1998 for the first time recognizing it as a possible option. However, it still did not become the standard of care to offer this option until about 2000. After 2000, it became more common at research centers and large women’s hospitals to offer this option. In private practices, some doctors still do not recommend the option because the post medication pain can be severe and the required follow up very time intensive. Even today, methotrexate is not recommended for patients wanting to get pregnant any time soon, nor is it appropriate for patients who tend to be uncooperative because patient followup and reporting is essential. Furthermore, methotrexate remains only about 70% effective in treating ectopic pregnancy. That success rate is even lower in cases of repeat ectopic pregnancies.

Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy
Pelvic inflammatory disease, smoking, advanced maternal age and prior tubal damage are well known risk factors for ectopic pregnancy.Damage to the cilia or blockage of the Fallopian tubes is likely to lead to an ectopic pregnancy. Women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) have a high occurrence of ectopic pregnancy. Build-up of scar tissue in the Fallopian tubes causes damage to cilia. Surgery to remove damaged tubes remains a treatment of choice in most cases.

Older patients are at higher risk for ectopic pregnancy with advancing age. Also, smoking is associated with a higher ectopic risk. Women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero (aka "DES Daughters") also have an elevated risk of ectopic pregnancy.


Symptoms
Early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy may occur at a mean of 7.2 weeks after the last normal menstrual period. However, in the absence of an ultrasound demonstrating a heart beat in the Fallopian tube, ectopic pregnancies are rarely discovered until they are in the process of rupturing. Symptoms may include:
1. Pain in the lower abdomen, and inflammation.
2. Pain while urinating.
3. Vaginal bleeding.
4. Pain while having a bowel movement.

Patients with a late ectopic pregnancy typically experience pain and bleeding. This bleeding will be both vaginal and internal. External bleeding is due to falling progesterone levels. Internal bleeding is due to hemorrhage from the affected tube. The differential diagnosis at this point is between miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and early normal pregnancy. A positive pregnancy test typically rules out pelvic infection as the cause of the pain.(PID is often the first suspicion in diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy. ) With severe internal bleeding, the patient often has lower back, abdominal or pelvic pain. Other common symptoms include shoulder pain caused by free blood tracking up the abdominal cavity and severe cramping. Keep in mind the majority of ectopics are not definitively diagnosed until they rupture. When a patient gets these symptoms, it is incumbent upon her to immediately go to the emergency room.

HCGs
An abnormal rise in blood βhCG levels may indicate an ectopic pregnancy. The threshold of discrimination of intrauterine pregnancy today is around 1500 IU/ml of (βhCG). Today, a high resolution ultrasound may aid in a quicker diagnosis. An empty uterus with levels lower than 1500 IU/ml may be evidence of an ectopic pregnancy, but it is also consistent with an early intrauterine pregnancy or with fetal demise a (miscarriage.) If the diagnosis is uncertain, it may take several days with repeat blood work and ultrasound before a diagnosis is reached.. If the βhCG falls on repeat exam, this strongly suggests a miscarriage or possible rupture. The definitive confirmation of an ectopic comes with an ultrasound showing a gestational sac with a fetal heart beat in the fallopian tube. Free fluid which is non-echogenic is a normal finding in the late menstrual cycle and early normal pregnancy. This is a transudate and is not presumptive evidence of bleeding. Echogenic free fluid suggests the presence of blood clot and is suggestive of free blood in the peritoneum. A laparoscopic surgery or a laparotomy can often be used to visually confirm an ectopic pregnancy.

Surgical treatment

Surgical intervention may be necessary if there is evidence of ongoing blood loss. However, as already stated, about half of ectopic pregnancies result in tubal abortion and are self limiting. Laparoscopy or laparotomy can diagnosis and remove the ectopic or the entire Fallopian tube. Modern patients who use methotrexate, still sometimes need exploratory surgery because the medication does not work or because they are still in severe pain.

Chances of future pregnancy

Recurrent ectopic pregnancy is greater then 10% after the first ectopic. After a second ectopic it becomes three times more likely that another ectopic will occur. Most patients resort to invitro fertilisation to achieve a successful pregnancy. Use of invitro fertilization reduces the likelihood of further ectopic pregnancies and maximizes the chance of a healthy pregnancy.

Complications of ectopic

The most common complication is rupture resulting in internal bleeding. Death from rupture is rare in women who have access to medical facilities. Most ectopic pregnancies are definitively diagnosed at or about the time of rupture!

External resources

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust- Information and support for those who have suffered the condition by a medically overseen and moderated, UK based charity, recognised by the National Health Service (UK) Department of Health (UK) and The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Disclaimer: This article should not be used as a substitute for medical advise or treatment. As always, if you need medical treatment or advice, immediately consult your physician.

It's A Changing World ~by Ms. Calabaza

Legal Pub: Today headline news suggests that a woman can improve her chances of having a boy by consuming bananas (potassium) just before conception. Women on a restrictive diet increase their odds of conceiving a girl. Who would have ever thought one could engineer the composition of their family by better eating habits? In this ever changing world, Ms. Calabaza offers the following comparison.

SCHOOL -- 1958 vs. 2008

Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1958 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2008 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario : Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1958 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2008 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario : Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students .
1958 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2008 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario : Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1958 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2008 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario : Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1958 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.
2008 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario : Pedro fails high school English.
1958 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English , goes to college.
2008 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario : Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1958 - Ants die.
2008 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario : Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1958 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2008 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

Mortgage Foreclosure Crisis Contributing to Family Demise And Rising Divorce Rate? ~by Legal Pub

The quest for a more simple life is getting even more difficult. A small house, two cars, two kids and a dog all surrounded by a picket fence has become all but an illusion. As foreclosures rise, so does the divorce rate. "Historically, the three most likely reasons for foreclosure problems are: loss of job, loss of health and loss of spouse. On top of that, these days, escalating mortgage payments are exacerbating the divorce problem," said Nicholas Retsinas, the director of Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Do we really need a study to us what we already knows? The mortgage crisis is causing increased stress on couples. Faced with pressure it is easier to blame one another than attempt to work together to resolve the problem. What with tax laws that penalize marriage, it often becomes easier to separate than struggle. As a regular contributor observed, “When times are good, people are happy. They love and laugh in unison. When times are bad, people get ugly with each other. Human nature is cruel that way."

Financial planners have observed that many couples can't face the reality of mounting bills, higher mortgage payments and declining sex drives. (See Blondbombshell’s Why Women Stop Having Sex. LINK ). Speaking of mounting problems, a young woman was recently discussing with a secretary her broken engagement. The conversation went like this:

Secretary: Why did you break the engagement? Your ring was so pretty.

Girl: Yes the stone was fine, but he had mounting problems. By the way, what happened to your engagement to the guy who collected 30 years of sports illustrated magazines in his apartment?

Secretary: I ended it. He simply had too many issues.

Ryan Schallenberger's Parents Are True Heroes - by Legal Pub

Finally some parents taking action instead of making excuses for their kid. Ryan Schallenberger, an 18 year old high school student was arrested after his parents informed police that 10 pounds of ammonium nitrate (key ingredient in explosives) arrived at their home in Chesterfield according to Police Chief Randall Lear. The ammonium nitrate was apparently bought by their son on eBay. Ryan had not yet assembled a bomb, but he apparently had the ingredients and the know how.


According to the teens mom, "He seemed to hate the world. He hated people different from him -- the rich boys with good-looking girlfriends." The police chief said Schallenberger's journal detailed his sympathies for the teenage gunmen in the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado. (15 people died including the shooters.) Unlike Columbine, Schallenberger apparently planned multiple explosions at the school. Ryan apparently made an audiotape apparently to serve as a most massacre explanation. Ryan apparently had not set an actual date for the disaster.

By most accounts, Schallenberger is a decent looking kid, ambitious and smart. He does not fit the profile of the loner usually associated with such killings. Fortunately, his parents did the right thing. They are true American heroes. Legal Pub salutes them for their unselfish proactive behavior.

Ryan Schallenberger is presumed innocent until otherwise determined in a court of law.

Order In The Court Demanded of Adam Reposa? ~ by Tex

Order in the Court! Order in the Court! Lawyers can't say or do just anything in the court room. For example, apparently a flick of a lawyers wrist in Austin Texas resulted in jail time for contempt of court. Attorney Adam Reposa was apparently sentenced to 90 days in jail because the gesture was construed as lewd (it allegedly simulated masturbation.) The gesture was apparently made in the presence of a County Court-at-Law judge. (Talk about poor judgment.)

At a recent contempt hearing, Judge Jan Breland said Reposa, a 33 year old attorney, rolled his eyes and motioned with his right hand. Reposa apparently claims the gesture came from near his hip and was not aimed at the judge. (Apparently it was intended as a gesture to a prosecutor while discussing negotiating a plea in a drunken driving case.) Reposa's attorney advocated for a one day sentence. However, Special Visiting State Judge Paul Davis, said it was his "honor to uphold the integrity of the judicial process. " Judge Davis sentenced Reposa to 90 days.

A little research shows that Judge Paul Davis teaches a course on courtroom decorum to new judges. Judge Davis sounded genuinely concerned that Reposa seemed to be attempting to justify his behavior as "a zealous attorney" defending a client. In a closing argument, County Attorney Randy Leavitt argued that this was not Reposa's first offensive behavior and suggested that he had previously uttered offensive names in court. The Austin Statesman can be found here: http://www.statesman.com/

Adam "bulletproof" Reposa is a 2001 Graduate of University of Texas Law School. No disciplinary violations are reported at a State Bar of Texas Lawyer Site LINK

According to Keytv.com Reposa is out on bail pending an appeal.

Update 10-29-09: Adam Reposa interview on Youtube may demonstrate this lawyers cockiness, but it is hard to argue with his results. VIDEO LINK. And no, Reposa did not pay for the posting of this link.

Update 12-2-30-09: Adam Reposa received a decision this fall affirming his punishment of 90 days in jail. In an 8-1 decision, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied Reposa’s application for a writ of habeas corpus in his contempt case. Judge Lawrence Meyers, the lone dissenter in Ex Parte Adam Reposa, did not write an opinion. Http://www.cca.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/HTMLOpinionInfo.asp?OpinionID=18903

His 90 days should be close to being up soon. One wonders whether he will change his nick name of "bulletproof."

Pope Benedict XVI Recognizes Powerful Effect Of Marriage Strike On Catholic Marriages in U.S.? ~by Legal Pub

Did the Pope just recognize that the Marriage Strike Movement in the U.S. is having an effect on the Catholic Church? Yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI discussed the sex abuse scandal in the Church, pornography, and the "alarming decrease" in Catholic marriages in the United States. Marriage Strike LINK

The Pope recognized the U.S is a religious country by saying, "From the dawn of the republic, America's quest for freedom has been guided by the conviction that the principles governing political and social life are intimately linked to a moral order based on the dominion of God the creator." Yet, the Pope recognized that the number of Catholic marriages have hit the skids. Why? The Pope Jeopardy Game may enlighten you on what appears to be going on in the Holy Church.

Do Catholics regularly follow all of the Church's rules? Survey says... Pope Benedict XVI's election has revealed an intense interest in faith among some young people; however, the membership does not follow or believe in all of the Church's rules. For example, few parishioners go to confession. Similarly, most catholics believed they could be good Catholics without going to Mass. (The survey was conducted in February by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolic at Georgetown University.)

The Catholic Church's reaction? Survey says... (Well not exactly.) San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer was encouraged by a showing of faith but apparently thought it demonstrates a need for better religious instruction as opposed to the Church adapting to the times. "The challenge for church leaders is to help them see what Catholicism really means," said the Archbishop.

While the Pope prays for a "time of spiritual renewal for all Americans," do the Catholic parishioners pray that their Church adapts to their needs in 2008?

The survey says... eighty percent of Catholics were somewhat or very satisfied with the Pope's leadership.

Who are the most satisfied? Survey says Catholics born before 1960 or after 1980 tend to be the most faithful parishioners.

Is the fundamental belief involving the Eucharist still upheld? Survey says... among those who attend Mass at least once a month, a vast majority still believe that Christ is present in the Eucharist.

How about Lent? Survey says... Young regular Mass-goers tend to be the ones who most observe Lent and abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent. Young people are also more likely to to pray to saints.

How is mass attendance? Survey says... Only 36 percent of the younger Catholics attend Mass at least once a month. 64 percent of the older generation attend Mass at least once a month. Yet sixty-eight percent of all Catholics believed they could be in good standing with the church without going to weekly Mass. (This could explain a decrease in weekly donations.) Apparently one-third of the nation's 64 million Catholics on average attend Mass. Thirty percent go to confession less than once a year and 45 percent said they never go.

Philanthropy? Survey says... two-thirds of Catholics believe there is a moral duty for Catholics to financially aid the less privileged.

Birth Control? In other studies it has been estimated that over 80% of all Catholics ignore the Church's prohibition on birth control.

Satisfaction with current local church leaders? Survey says... Seventy-two percent of Catholics were somewhat or very satisfied with their local bishops' leadership, a 14% higher then in 2004, when clergy sex abuse was dominating the headlines.

Conclusion: If you play the Pope Jeopardy Game to it's ultimate conclusion, Catholics like the Pope, like their Bishop, like their faith, but they don't follow all of the rules. An alarming number are no longer getting married. Most believe the prohibition on birth control is out of touch with reality. Yet they still consider themselves good Catholics. Does the Church still consider them good Catholics?

Tricia Walsh-Smith Explores YouTube As A Weapon In Divorce Negotiations Or Just Venting? ~ by Legal Pub

YouTube, the new weapon in divorce cases? Tricia Walsh-Smith, the wife of a major Broadway theater operator, has apparently used YouTube to kiss and tell about the secrets of her marriage. Is this an unfair attempt to gain leverage and humiliate her estranged spouse? You can judge for yourself. YouTube has the potential to elevate humiliation to a level never seen before. See Tricia's YouTube: LINK

Tricia Walsh-Smith criticizes her husband, Philip Smith for all to see and hear. Philip is the president of the Shubert Organization, a theater owner on Broadway. Tricia review the wedding album on camera and sometimes labels family members as "bad" or "evil" or "nasty." She claims her husband is trying to evict her from their apartment. She reveals embarrassing allegations about their intimate life.

Famed divorce attorney, Raoul Felder, Felder, apparently thinks his client makes a good impression on the video. Philip Smith and his lawyers apparently have no public comment but are welcome to comment here on Legal Pub. What may be at the center of the dispute is a prenuptial agreement. One can expect Tricia's legal team to argue that the prenuptial agreement she signed with her 25 year older husband should not be upheld. Wonder if the court proceedings will be televised or just summarized on YouTube?

Our own Viper LINK added his two cents on the issue: " I think the use of YouTube to air dirty laundry may become a growing trend. In the absence of a gag order, I don't currently see anything improper about venting as long as what is said is true. On the other hand, lies may open the door to defamation claims. I would not recommend publicly airing dirty laundry to any of my clients; however, undoubtedly there is always going to be some release of built up emotions. The hope is that it can be done safely with the least amount of harm to all involved."

Same Sex Couples May Have Estate Planning Concerns Before Marriage Too. ~ Legal Pub

One of the comments on Legal Pub article asked about estate planning for same sex unions. Rather then address the issue in the original article, same sex unions and their dissolution are given their own article. Ever since gay couples struggled to marry or form civil unions, the problems with breakups began to rear its ugly head. For example, Rhode Island's top state court ruled that gays married in Massachusetts (where the state allows same sex marriages) cannot get divorced in Rhode Island. Currently, Missouri litigation is considering whether a lesbian married in Massachusetts can get an annulment in the show me state.

Massachusetts appears to be the only state where gay marriage is legal. However, nine other states allow same sex couples to enter into civil unions or domestic partnerships. The majority of these states require any such union to be legally dissolved. Same sex couples that move to another state seem to have the most problems with dissolving their union. While it is not clear how many gay couples have sought a dissolution, one would hypothesize that Legal Pubs Article concerning estate planning for second marriage would provide a good beginning to plan for such a same sex union. LINK. However, as always, consult with a local lawyers before you make any decisions.

In Massachusetts, more than 10,000 same-sex couples have married since 2004. Estimates are that probably more than 100 gay divorces have been granted in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, no good statistics are kept as to "gay couple divorces." The divorce rate among gays may be lower than heterosexuals because many same-sex couples were together many years before their marriage in Massachusetts .

Vermont apparently has dissolved 2 percent of its 8,666 civil unions. Divorce may be most difficult in the 40 states that have explicitly banned or limited same-sex unions.
Oregon may have an answer. They allow same sex couples to dissolve their union in Oregon even if the parties move out of state. This solution may not work if one of the parties who moves to another state refuses to recognize the jurisdiction of Oregon.

Church leaders in the Roman Catholic Church generally oppose same sex unions. Rev. Bernard Healey, is an example of a Catholic lobbyist.

Candy Bandits Apprehended As Thieves And Litterers? ~by Legal Pub

Cincinnati Police are trying to clean up the town. This means apprehending thieves and litterers. Fact is, sometimes they are one in the same. Four thieves apparently smashed a window and grabbed a bunch of candy. One of the thieves used a baby carriage to transport the loot (candy.) Police followed a trail of candy wrappers right to four people suspected of breaking into Peter Minges & Sons Candy Store in Cincinnati. 19 year old Christine Ruther was arrested as one of the suspects. She had with her a 7 week old daughter. Three others are also accused of participating in the theft.
The official charges are breaking and entering and possible child endangerment. The four suspects are accused of stealing about $400 in candy. They were arrested a few blocks away. A forensic trail of candy wrappers apparently documented their trail better then Hansel and Gretel did with bread crumbs. VIDEO LINK courtesy of TV 5 WLWT.com.

Judge Brad Greenberg of Hamilton County Muncipal Court ordered Christine Ruther held on $7,500 bond. He also ordered that she is not to have no unsupervised contact with her baby.

Estate Planning For A Second Marriage May Be Crucial. Update 12-28-11 ~by Legal Pub

If you are a supporter of MARRIAGE STRIKE or looking for humor, don't read the rest of this article! While estate planning prior to a second marriage could generate a lot of jokes, this article is intended to be truly educational. For students, yes it may be on a test, the test of real life in the school of hard knocks.

People are living longer and marrying later. Remarriages are becoming so common that potential estate problems could reach epidemic proportions. Estate planning with second marriage is crucial. One typically wants to provide for their new spouse, but at the same time, most want to also leave an inheritance for their children from their first marriage. Finding the right balance can prematurely cause one's death. So her are some suggestions that may help.

NEVER DIE
Well, perhaps that is not practical, but it certainly would avoid a lot of problems.

PREPARE A PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT (ANTE NUPTIAL AGREEMENT)

In most states, a prenuptial agreement will be upheld. However, asking your spouse-to-be to sign a prenuptial agreement can be difficult. Despite being difficult, it's a practical, almost essential thing to do. A prenuptial agreement is not just for the wealthy. A well-executed prenuptial agreement is helpful in any case where both spouses already have children.
What can a prenuptial agreement do? A good written agreement can make it clear which are his expenses, her expenses and their expenses. Similarly, a prenuptial agreement can clearly outline what happens to each of his assets, her assets and their marital assets in the event of dissolution of marriage or death of one of the parties.

Perhaps an equally important advantage is the potential protection that a prenuptial agreement can bring. For example, an agreement can protect each spouse from the other's "ex" by specifying who owns which assets. It can also help protect premarital assets from suits by your new spouse's creditors and future creditors.

How do you make a prenuptial agreement? It is strongly recommended that you seek an attorney's advice. To maximize the likelihood that the agreement will be enforced, it is recommended that each party have a separate independent attorney. An agreement should fully disclose each spouse-to-be's financial condition. You need to plan ahead. If a prenuptial agreement is not signed before the wedding plans are made and the invitations have been sent, your spouse later could later claim that the agreement was only signed to avoid the embarrassment of canceling the wedding. A court could rule that such an agreement was invalid because it was signed under duress. It’s best to sign the prenuptial agreement at least three months before the wedding.

Is a prenuptial agreement a sure thing? Prenuptial agreements are often litigated. They may be overturned in a court if a court rules that a party was under duress or if a party committed fraud. The difficulty of overturning a prenuptial agreement varies from state to state. If both parties are represented by lawyers, it becomes unlikely that the prenuptial agreement will be overturned.

How do you discuss a prenuptial agreement with your future spouse? Perhaps the easiest way is to have your attorney, accountant or financial planner suggest the idea.
A selling point is that an agreement may protect both spouses and their respective children. Focus on the positives of protecting each other from outside claims.


MARITAL TRUSTS
Marital trusts (qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trusts) can be used for estate planning. After the first spouse dies, assets go into a QTIP trust. The assets are invested in stocks, bonds, etc. The income (or a fixed percentage payment) from the trust goes only to the surviving spouse until his or her death. The trustee may invade the trust principal only under certain circumstances such as the surviving spouse having a critical need for additional money. After the surviving spouse dies, the trust assets pass to beneficiaries named by the first spouse to die, usually his children. Note: assets given to a QTIP trust may be subject to an estate tax at the survivor's death. They are generally not subject to an estate tax at the death of the first spouse.


INSURANCE
A married couple can purchase insurance naming their children as beneficiaries.

REAL ESTATE CONCERNS
Should the new family home be held jointly or kept in the name of the original owner?
If there is joint ownership with right of survivorship, the surviving spouse automatically will inherit the home. The original owner's children will not inherit any equity in the jointly owned home. A trust could own the home and provide a life estate to the surviving spouse and a remainder to the children. The surviving spouse will typically be responsible for the home's maintenance, insurance, property taxes, etc., as long as she lives.

WILLS
Even with the above planning, one still needs a will. Make sure your IRA, life insurance, transfer-on-death bank accounts, etc., are going where they're supposed to go. If such plans have specific beneficiaries, they will typically automatically transfer such ownership to the beneficiary irrespective of the will. Couples also need to decide who will have power of attorney in the event of their illness or inability to control their own finances. Wills can serve as the mechanism to transfer any asset that does not automatically pass to another upon your death.

SUMMARY
For those readers wanting to know more, consult your local attorney. Estate planning can be essential if you desire a smooth transition at your death without a "family feud."

Update 12-28-11: A 2010 poll by Harris Interactive reveals that prenuptial agreements are three times as common as they were in 2002. Even folks of relatively modest means are want ways to limit the financial downside of divorce. This remains especially true for those who are remarrying.

Hillary Clinton's Campaign Office in Indiana Destroyed By Fire ~ by Legal Pub

Friday around 12:30 a.m Terre Haute residents awoke to the whining of fire sirens that too many times before have disturbed sleepy residents. Fire officials are investigating a fire which destroyed Senator Hillary Clinton's Terre Haute Campaign Headquarters. The Westaff office located on 3rd Street was destroyed. "Flames were shooting out the tops" of the building, explained Terre Haute Fire Department Public Information Officer John Gardner. Two women were apparently inside the building when the fire started. One of the women's car also caught fire. Both women were able to safely exit the building.
George Leach is a witness to the fire and confirms that the building started on fire before the car.

Former President Bill Clinton arrived in Clinton, Ind. Friday morning. On the way, he made a surprise visit to the Clinton for President campaign office in Terre Haute. The new office is located just down the street. The Clinton motor procession was led by several police cars and for the most part went unnoticed as it paraded down third street. The former president wanted to be out of Dodge before Obama mania hits this evening at the local high school. Who would ever ever thought that Indiana would become the battle ground state for the Democrat Presidential nomination?

Former President Bill Clinton had been visiting the Wabash Valley; however, their is no known relationship between his visit and the fire. (All though one local comedian has joked that with Bill Clinton's love of cigars and women and Terre Haute's former reputation for being a wide open red light district, that anything is possible.)

We know that the secret service has been on the scene investigating. (So just how secret is the secret service if everyone knows they are here?)

The irony is that Hillary wanted her campaign to catch fire and propel her to a win in the May 6th primary. Obama wanted to destroy Hillary's come back and secure the nomination. Former President Clinton, well he is just plain Bill and we all know how he an Monica apparently enjoy a good cigar. It also rained last night and this morning and given Hillary's recent fibs, God may have been sending a lightning bolt message.

As always, keep in mind that all of the above suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Teen Violence Documented On Internet Makes Prosecutor's Job Easier and Hopefully Sentences Longer Update 4-14-08~ by Legal Pub

Girls are truly equal to boys. Unfortunately, equality brings a lot of negative problems. One is violence and the attitude that violence is justified. In 2003, 25 percent of high school girls said they had been in a physical fight during the previous 365 days according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (The figure for boys was 40.5 percent.)
A 2006 Justice Department report showed that by age 17, 21 percent of girls said they had assaulted someone with the intent to cause serious harm. A search of You Tube reveal hundreds of fights. Hundreds of blogs contain threats and describe fights.

You have the Florida cheerleader being beat by 8 other teen age girls. You have Jolita Berry, a teacher, being beat by a female student. With the increase in violence, the intelligence factor has declined. Not only are the teens becoming more violent, they are stupid enough to post evidence of the same on the internet. For all those convicted of such violence, Legal Pub advocates a prolonged vacation at the expense of the tax payers in prison. Let these teens finish their education in a controlled environment behind bars. If they wish to act like animals, then let them be trained liked animals. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. However, with all the internet evidence of violence, suspects may be making the prosecutor's job a little too easy.

Update: 4-14- 08 Courts and prosecutors are starting to listen. Bail for each of the eight teen defendants has apparently been set at $30,000 each. There is an allegation that a Dr. Phil staff member bailed out one of the suspects, Marcedes Nichols. Apparently seven of the girls will be tried as adults because of the March 30 attack in Lakeland, Fla. They may face charges of kidnapping, battery and witness tampering. For the names of defendants and their photos, follow the link.

PHOTO LINK

The more I see of the raw video and hear the poor defenseless girl's screams for mercy, the angrier I get. I know that teens make mistakes. But to continue to beat a defenseless girl is inexcusable. This is worse then any animal cruelty that I have seen. To the teens that suggest such a beating is justifiable, I sincerely hope that a bunch of your fellow teens never execute such barbaric justice on you.

AP VIDEO LINK TO BEATING

Dalai Lama Supports Freedom of Speech But Not Violence ` by U.P.

The Dalai Lama supports China's hosting of the Summer Olympics but says nobody has the right to tell protesters demanding freedom for Tibet "to shut up." The Dalai Lama went on to say,"We are not anti-Chinese. Right from the beginning, we supported the Olympic games... I really feel very sad the government demonizes me. I am just a human, I am not a demon." While The Dalai Lama said demonstrators have a right to their opinions, he called for nonviolence. Chinese authorities have tightly restricted access to Tibet and Tibetan areas of western China. We also know that China blocks access to Legal Pub. Tibetans have demonstrated in a request for more personal freedoms for almost two decades.

Japan's government remains quiet. Out of deference to Beijing, Japan apparently does not communicate officially with the Dalai Lama. However, the spiritual leader regularly visits Tokyo. Buddhism remains one of Japan's main religions. While I personally know little of the Buddhist faith, The Dalai Lama stance on nonviolence is refreshing and is worth consideration.

Five Best Things to Say if You Get Caught Sleeping At Your Desk and What Not To Put On MySpace ~ by K.M.

Before discussing the disturbing YouTube news involving a teacher and another capturing an alleged beating of a girl by her peers, let's explore the FIVE BEST THINGS TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK:

5. "They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen."

4. "This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time management course you sent me to."

3. "Whew! Guess I left the top off the Whiteout. You probably got here just in time."

2. "Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?"And the NUMBER ONE best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk...

1. Raise your head slowly and say, "...in Jesus' name, Amen."

Now to discuss disturbing MySpace incidents. First, A Baltimore teacher, Jolita Berry, said she was attacked by a student in her classroom and that a video of the attack was posted on MySpace. School police apparently didn't know about the incident until contacted by WBAL TV 11 News. A cell phone video purports to show a classroom fight. Berry is the person being beaten. Berry, an art teacher at Reginald F. Lewis High School, apparently told a student to sit down and behave. Apparently the students friends cheered her on when she got physical with the teacher. Who threw the first blow is not clear from the videos floating around on the net.

MySpace also generated controversy by capturing video of several Florida teen age girls apparently beating another teen age girl. (See Polk County Police Photo above.) Eight girls are accused of severely beating a cheerleader because she allegedly "trashed talked" them on MySpace. The girls apparently used cell phone video to document the beating and someone put it on MySpace. The 16-year-old victim is punched, kneed and slapped. Even though she huddles in the fetal position, or stands and screams at her attackers, the apparent assault continues. The 16-year-old Lakeland, Florida Teen was hospitalized with blurred vision, hearing loss, and a swollen face.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/crime/2008/04/09/grace.teen.attack.cnn

Update 4-11-08: Suspects range in age from 14 to 18. All face charges of kidnapping, which is a first-degree felony, and battery according to Chip Thullbery, a spokesman for the Polk County state attorney. Six will likely be tried as adults. Three are may also be accused of tampering with a witness. One or more could face life in prison if convicted! All suspects are innocent until otherwise proven guilty!

Terese Williams And His Bride Arrested On Wedding Night For Having Too Much Fun? ~by Surfer Dude

Everyone dreams that their wedding night will be memorable. Fortunately, the Vallejo, California police can help any couple accomplish that dream. For you Midwesterners, California can be a great place to get married. It really can. The experience is so pleasant that some of our residents do it several times. My advice is a simple reception at home. Just don't get too out of control or you may wind up like Terese Williams and his new wife. The Williams spent their wedding night in jail. How? Well, according to the dudes in blue, they had to go to the Williams residence twice because the music at their home reception was too loud. When police returned the second time, Williams allegedly removed his shirt and assumed a combative stance like he was going to open up a can of whoop ass on blue clad peace officer. The rather switch then fight officer changed his approach and tasered Williams and his cousin (Johnson.)

Now for the best part, a free honey moon! Williams and his cousin (Johnson) were apparently arrested for resisting arrest while the new bride was also brought down to the station because of suspicion of public intoxication. The news gets even better. Williams may get an extended stay honey moon because he was apparently on parole at the time of the shin dig.

What Is Up ~by T. Jethro and John S.

What is up with...

A child's parents fail to properly supervise their kid and seven innocent alligators lose their lives right after lunch.

A 27 year old New Zealand man, William Singalargh, is charged with assault with a prickly weapon -- a hedgehog after he threw it at a 15 year old boy.

A top notch French security force devises a plan to keep the Olympic torch from being put out by protesters by extinguishing it and transporting it on a bus during the Paris leg of the relay. (Violent protesters are upset with China because of its violence against human-rights activists.)

A minister used Mark Twain as an example of what can be accomplished through the power of faith when Twain's actual quote was: "You must not make the mistake of supposing that absolute peace of mind is obtainable only through some form of religious belief: no, on the contrary, I have found as perfect a peace as can be found in absolute unbelief." -Mark Twain, 1885

Calin Chi Wong Threatens Virginia Tech Like Massacre or Just A Business Man Wanting to Cash In on Hillary Clinton's Proposal to Ban Assault Rifles?

Calin Chi Wong may be a real bright 20 year old. But he also apparently has a problem which has led him to be charged with a serious crime. If guilty, he must be punished to send a message to other troubled young people that threats of violence are not a proper way to vent. Wong, a 20-year-old had possession of four AK-47s and was apparently making internet threats to undertake a Virginia Tech like killings. (Photo courtesy of A.P.)

A March 25 Internet message allegedly posted by Calin Chi Wong threatened to re-enact the Virginia Tech massacre. On March 27th, Homestead Police found assault weapons stacked on shelves in plain view. Wong apparently had 13 firearms, 5,000 rounds of ammunition, and 100 rounds powerful enough to "take down aircraft or military machinery," according to Detective Aquino. He had hidden two AK-47s in his parents' closet, and his parents said the guns did not belong to them, Aquino said. A book bag lined with bullet proof vests was also apparently found. Wong was charged with making written threats to kill via the computer and bonded out for $7,500. Additional charges may be filed.

Wong actually called Homestead Police back in February to complain he had been robbed of $800 over the Internet after he ordered a gun online. Wong apparently also called the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and other agencies about the issue.

Apparently Wong felt isolated. He had been buying and selling guns for about two years. However, dealers stopped selling to him apparently because of his age. He apparently was also banned from certain gun-sale Web sites. "I'm soon to the point to re-enact the whole event," Wong posted. Wong apparently claims that he was upset and frustrated but never actually planned a killing spree.

Wong graduated from an Oregon high school and attended a college for a year before moving in with his parents in Florida. Wong denies any wrong doing and instead claims that the weapons were an investment. Apparently Wong claims that, ".. if Hillary Clinton wins, she'll put a ban on assault rifles, and these assault rifles will be worth more in value."

While Legal Pub does not endorse Hillary Clinton, it is hard to blame this one on Hillary and her faulty cognitive recollection powers.

Update 6-17-08: Mr. Wong pleaded guilty to a federal charge of threatening over the Internet to pull off a Virginia Tech-style massacre. Under a proposed plea agreement, 20-year-old Calin Chi Wong would avoid prison time in exchange for surrendering his entire cache and agreeing to be barred from owning firearms in the future. Wong would also serve five years of probation, undergo mental counseling and perform 150 hours of community service. U.S. District Judge Alan S. Gold must approve the deal. Gold was concerned by the size of Wong's arsenal and will set a sentencing date in the future.

Jerry Seinfeld May Be Funny, But His Roll Over Accident Is Not ~ Legal Pub

Jerry Seinfeld is funny. He is rich. He is also darn lucky. Jerry was driving his 1967 Fiat BTM Saturday evening when his brakes failed. Seinfeld told the police that his emergency brake also failed. Seinfeld had to swerve to keep his car from entering an intersection. When he swerved, his car flipped over a few yards from the high way. Police say that the comedian's quick reactions "probably avoided a very serious accident."

Seinfeld, 53, lives in East Hampton. He did not require medical attention. According to his wife Jessica he seemed like he was in shock. But through out it all, Seinfeld kept his sense of humor and told the Post, "Because I know there are kids out there, I want to make sure they all know that driving without braking is not something I recommend, unless you have professional clown training or a comedy background, as I do... It is not something I plan to make a habit of."

Accidents are nothing new to the legal profession. Fact is, accidents are as common in our profession as bad jokes are to stand up comics. Neither one typically generates laughs. Seinfeld was lucky this time. In the future, he better spend some of his money and make sure his automobile collection is all in good working order before he puts the public and himself in danger.

Taking responsibility for one's own actions and omissions needs to become a more common theme not only among the rich and famous but among all people.

For a link to a vehicle roll over study, go here: LINK.

Internet Rage Saves Debbie Shank From Repaying Wal-mart Subrogation Lien - by Viper

Sam Walden must have been reading the angry blogs from the grave as Wal-mart finally showed Debbie Shank that the company may have a heart after all. Debbie is the former Wal-mart employee who suffered severe brain damage in a traffic accident eight years ago. As some may recall, this accident happened when a semi hit her minivan rendering Debbie Shanks void of short term memory and sentencing her to life in a wheel chair. Debbie now lives in a nursing home. Debbie was a Wal-mart stocker at the time and had signed up for health benefits with the company. Wal-mart paid some medical bill associated with the injury and had a contractual right to subrogation which means that she must pay the money back if she collects from a third party. Debbie and her husband collected one million dollars from the trucking company but after attorneys fees it really is not enough. Wal-Mart has finally agreed that she won't have to pay back the company for the cost of her medical care. "Occasionally, others help us step back and look at a situation in a different way. This is one of those times," said Wal-Mart Executive Vice President Pat Curran.

Wal-Mart originally initiated reimbursement of their health payments. But Shank and her husband, Jim, did not get the whole $1 million. Their share after legal fees was $417,000.
Wal-Mart actually sued the Shanks to recoup $470,000 it paid for her medical care. A court ruled that Wal-Mart was only entitled to about $275,000.

Shank appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which declined to hear the case. Last week thousands of angry blog comments and at least two online petitions to boycott the company may have resulted in Wal-Mart waiving its subrogation lien. The power of the people has never been greater since it has been enhanced by the internet.

Update 4-23-08: Eric M. of Washington D.C. suggested mentioning the secret Wal-Mart tapes (being shared by a production company apparently angry with Wal-Mart.) Apparently there is a clip of Wal-Mart execs having a drag show on company time. Wal-Mart may end up the subject of the biggest class-action discrimination suit in history. Eric shares that Walmart by current and former female employees who charge the company with paying women less and offering them fewer promotion opportunities. Eric suggest those interested may read : http://walmartwatch.com/issues/discrimination/ or watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2GpYjODgVk

Eric points out that now people who have a beef with Wal-Mart have a means to air their grievances. According to Eric, "As we saw from the Debbie Shank story it takes an enormous amount of public pressure and outrage to get Wal-Mart to do the right thing. Hopefully this video -- indisputable evidence of how Wal-Mart treated its employees -- can help."

Addicted Doctors and Gambling Sisters Like Barbara Markey Provide Real Life April Fools Bait -by Viper

Legal Pub's editor is in a jury trial so he turned over the controls to me. Any story runs the danger of being an April Fools joke. Besides yesterday's feature story shows how even a serious topic like brain cancer from cell phone use can evolve into a discussion of best pick up lines. Nevertheless, a story caught my eye so I will throw it out and let evolution take its course.

First, in the media there are reports that hundreds of doctors who are actively treating for substance abuse are still practicing medicine and prescribing medication for patients. (These doctors are different from the local drug dealer again how?)
Second, Sister Barbara Markey, a Roman Catholic nun has plead guilty to stealing from the Omaha Archdiocese and gambling much of the money away. Defense attorney J. William Gallup says she also agreed to pay $125,000 in restitution. Markey could get up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced in July. Markey was fired in 2006 as director of the archdiocese's family life office after an audit found irregularities. The audit apparently disclosed that Markey may have spent $307,545 without documentation. Prosecutors allege that Markey used the money to finance gambling trips and debts. Sister. How could you!

Update 2-1-10: Due to an abuse of spamming, all further comments on this topic that wish to be posted must be sent to legalpub@legalpub.net. All nonspam will be shared by posting.