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Home/ Law2 Spring 2011/ Contents contributed and discussions participated by Steph Starr

Contents contributed and discussions participated by Steph Starr

Steph Starr

'Vampire' Repeatedly Questioned On RTD - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver - 0 views

  • Any time there is a suspicious person, package or activity our bus operators and passengers are encouraged to report that to security and to police
    • Steph Starr
       
      You would think that if she had been riding the bus for months at the same time everyday, the bus drivers would get used to her, and no longer regard her as suspicious.
  • Hochhalter, who said she has a high sensitivity to light, wears a hooded cloak with a scarf that pulls across the face. She also carries a black umbrella.
    • Steph Starr
       
      While I realize that it's bad to judge a book by its cover, I would be wary of someone on a bus who is dressed like this. At the same time, this sounds like the burqas that some Muslims wear. I wonder if they face problems like this.
  • "Would you consider this profiling?" Marchetta asked. "Depends. Each case needs to be looked at," said Reed.
    • Steph Starr
       
      If it were profiling, are there laws prohibiting that? It seems like there should be some to protect one's rights. However, it's not as if I would want the police to stop looking into suspicious people.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • “I can't just get on the bus. Now I'm getting on the bus and wondering who on this bus is perceiving this and who is wanting to cause me this harm.
    • Steph Starr
       
      I understand that she is very sensitive to the sunlight, and that wearing all black helps because it absorbs light. Couldn't she wear a different color though? And does it have to be a hooded cloak? Wouldn't jeans and a sweatshirt with the hood pulled up do the same job?
Steph Starr

Vatican tells bishops to report sex abuse to cops - World news - Europe - msnbc.com - 0 views

  • This is telling the world that we mean business. We want to be an example of prevention and care
    • Steph Starr
       
      Seeing as how this problem has gone on for a while, building up a nasty reputation, I'm surprised they haven't issued letters before.
  • doubled a statute of limitations for disciplinary action against priests and extended the use of fast-track procedures to defrock them.
    • Steph Starr
       
      I know what statue of limitations means now, thanks to Law class! Yay! But I wonder how long the time window is. The article doesn't say.
  • Without fear of punishment themselves, bishops frequently moved pedophile priests from parish to parish rather than reporting them to police or punishing them under church law
    • Steph Starr
       
      The article said earlier that the letter that was sent did not contain enforcement mechanism to ensure bishops actually follow the guidelines. Here, it is saying bishops do not fear punishment. While the letter was a good idea, it seems like they're concentrating on the wrong problems.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • bishops "it is important to cooperate" with civil law enforcement authorities and follow civil reporting requirements, though it doesn't make such reporting mandatory
    • Steph Starr
       
      I find it strange that bishops wouldn't report it to the police automatically. What do they gain by not telling the authorities? Also, I think that the letter sent out is pretty pointless, as it doesn't make reporting mandatory. It seems more like a guideline than a rule, one that the bishops are already not following.
  • The Vatican has said such a binding rule would be problematic for priests working in countries with repressive regimes.
    • Steph Starr
       
      "Repressive regimes"? I don't understand what this is trying to say. Problematic for whom? The bishop reporting the abuse? Perhaps authorities in repressive regimes will disregard the report... but I guess this isn't the worst case scenario?
Steph Starr

Captain Backs Pilot Who Kicked Muslims Off Plane - News Story - WSOC Charlotte - 0 views

  • "I can promise you the captain didn't throw those people off because of the way they were dressed. There's more to the story,” Ray said.
    • Steph Starr
       
      I wonder what the rest of the story is then. You would think that if there WERE more to it, they would share the details so that it wouldn't look like such blatant racial profiling.
  • had a message from air traffic control. We don't know if he got a message from his corporate security people to take these people off
    • Steph Starr
       
      If he had received this message, airport security would probably have come themselves and removed the individuals, and not let the pilot take care of a potentially dangerous situation.
  • If it turns out the pilot was not justified in putting the imams off the plane, his office will sue for negligence and a violation of civil rights.
    • Steph Starr
       
      This makes me mad. If I were these two, I would definitely sue the pilot for violation of civil rights. I don't quite understand the negligence part, though. Wouldn't this count as one or those intentional torts?
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • passed multiple security clearances before boarding a Delta connection flight operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines.
    • Steph Starr
       
      Since they passed the requisite security clearances, is the pilot allowed to banish them from the plane like this? Since this is technically a business, can you refuse service to whomever you please?
  • They were even re-screened after they were pulled off the flight.
    • Steph Starr
       
      This is so upsetting. Even after they were rescreened the pilot refused them. It definitely gives off the impression that the pilot is racist and that this is a case of racial profiling.
Steph Starr

Actress sues over 'Elly May Barbie' doll - CNN.com - 0 views

  • federal lawsuit, filed in Louisiana, claims the toymaker is "engaging in the unauthorized use of (her) name, likeness, image and attributes
    • Steph Starr
       
      We just learned about civil lawsuits today, and at first, I thought that that was what she was doing. It says "federal lawsuit" though, and I guess that's different?
  • seeks damages in excess of $75,000 for each of four alleged violations of her right to control her public image, likeness, endorsements and publicity
    • Steph Starr
       
      While I understand the part about using her public image, I don't understand how she can sue about the "likeness" part. Of course it's going to look like her, she played the character. Can she control when or where the character is used? You would think that it wouldn't be up to her to decide, but up to the creator of the show or CBS.
  • She is demanding a jury trial
    • Steph Starr
       
      Just because she demands it, does that mean she'll get one? Do you get a choice?
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • was immensely popular. For the first two seasons, it was the No. 1 show on television.
    • Steph Starr
       
      I asked my mom if she had seen "The Beverly Hillbillies", and when she said yes told her about the case. She agrees with everything Douglas is suing for, saying that Donna Douglas WAS Elly May, that no one else played her, and that she should at least get some royalties. I'm not sure I completely agree with her, but now I can see the other viewpoint.
Steph Starr

Worcester Woman Answers Door, Killed By SUV « CBS Boston - 0 views

  • also get a warrant to inspect the SUV’s black box, which contains information about braking, speed and acceleration
    • Steph Starr
       
      I was aware that planes had a black box, but I did not know that cars also contained this information. How long back does it record? Could it have the entire car's history recorded?
  • That is expected to take several weeks.
    • Steph Starr
       
      Why is this going to take so long? If you need a warrant to go inside a house, the police can have it in minutes by calling a judge. Maybe they mean it will take several weeks to process the information, but that doesn't even make sense to me. It's not as if this is DNA evidence or an autopsy report that needs to go to a lab. I think the results should come back sooner.
  • It careened over an island, across four lanes of traffic, through Rosemary’s hard and through her front door.
    • Steph Starr
       
      When I read this, I immediately thought of a drunk driver. However, it was said that alcohol wasn't involved. If it was indeed a brake failure like the driver claims, why can he still not drive straight? He was purposefully driving through traffic and into a house?
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  • “There was something wrong with the break. I jammed the break. And the car didn’t stop.” He says he does not believe he was pressing the gas pedal instead of the break
    • Steph Starr
       
      If there had been something wrong with the brakes, then the charges would fall on the car company, right? If it had been the driver's fault, he would be charged with vehicular homicide?
  •  
    (absent 4/26 and 4/27)
Steph Starr

Animal Control Commissioner Found To Have Hundreds Of Cats In Home - East Bakersfield N... - 0 views

  • Animal Control commissioner was found to be keeping more than 384 cats in her home
    • Steph Starr
       
      She was an Animal Control commissioner?? She should be the first person to know better! This is very strange.
  • For the past 18 years, Watchus has been operating D&S Loving Animal Rescue in the city of Ridgecrest, where she has been violating the the city's allowance of having eight animals in a household.
    • Steph Starr
       
      Watchus has been working for the Animal Recue for 18 years! That means that she is not only somewhat older (it's not like she's straight out of high school), but she also has had significant experience dealing with animal hoarders (it's not as if she just started working there). You would think she would respect the ordinance.
  • But there was no indication if she would continue the rescue if she phases it out,
    • Steph Starr
       
      Since there is a city ordinance controlling the number of household pets, what would her punishment if she didn't comply? Wouldn't there be at least a fine?
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  • maximum of 30 shelter cats kept in an outdoor facility, 10 as personal pets in her home and five horses and five dogs outside.
    • Steph Starr
       
      I still think the amount of pets that are going to be kept outside is too many. Also, 10 personal pets in her home is still 2 over the city ordinance of 8 household pets. Why does she not have to follow the ordinance? I guess there are exception to the rule? That doesn't seem quite fair.
  • It is very difficult to say 'no' when you are an animal rescue
    • Steph Starr
       
      While I understand how it might be hard for her to turn down animals given what she has seen, I think she would have also seen the harmful effects of keeping too many animals, and been able to make the correct decision.
Steph Starr

NJ College Aims To Get 'Cyber-Bullying' Anonymous Website Shut Down « CBS New... - 0 views

  • That’s what posters are asking on an anonymous website catering to college students
    • Steph Starr
       
      For how long has this website been running? I feel like I have heard about this sort of thing before, but perhaps this particular website for this particular college is new.
  • Meanwhile, letters went out urging all students to boycott the website.
    • Steph Starr
       
      Did this work? I think that if this happened in high school, students would disregard the letter and continue posting. In college, however, I think they would be more respectful to other people and boycott the website.
  • state attorney general to shut College ACB down under cyber-bullying laws.
    • Steph Starr
       
      I definitely think, if cyber-bullying laws exist, that this web-site would be shut down. This definitely classifies as cyber-bullying. If this website existed for a while, it's a surprise it hasn't been shut down yet.
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  • “It’s been shown that bullying is associated with more suicidal thoughts, more suicidal acts
    • Steph Starr
       
      When I was reading the comments on this article, many people disagreed with shutting down the website, citing freedom of speech. However, since it does have this effect on people that could lead them to bodily harm, I agree with shutting the website down. It makes people feel horrible about themselves.
  • develop a sense of self, and a sense of self-esteem that’s vested within themselves, as opposed to what other people think
    • Steph Starr
       
      While this is easy to say, I think it is much more difficult to carry out. No matter what age, everyone cares at least a little about what other people think about them, especially what other people think about their insecurities. That's why these posts are particularly nasty.
Steph Starr

2nd child accused in NYC attack on Muslim girl - US news - Crime & courts - msnbc.com - 0 views

  • 12-year-old boy is in custody at a juvenile detention center in the Bronx
    • Steph Starr
       
      I assume the boy has already been tried and convicted? If so, then I think the girl will also be convicted.
    • Steph Starr
       
      Oh - it says in the beginning of the article that he was arrested last week. Is it standard procedure to hold him in custody? That seems slightly severe. Is the girl also in custody?
  • they said 'You're a Muslim', and hit me again, and then they called me a terrorist a few times
    • Steph Starr
       
      These kids are 3 and 4 years old when 9/11 happened, and I don't think they would be exposed to any other major terrorist attack, so I think their prejudice stems from surrounding adults. They might have heard their parents at home, or perhaps their teachers are biased, and this talk has influenced them to be prejudiced as well.
  • tormented a 13-year-old Muslim girl at the Staten Island school, calling her a terrorist and trying to steal from her
    • Steph Starr
       
      I think that the fact that the kids are this young and bullying her is ridiculous. Sure, kids can be mean, but this is over the top. When I was 12, even if I knew that extremist Muslim committed terrorist attacks, I wouldn't treat the Muslims that I know and see everyday any differently. I guess that can't be said for the majority of society.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • third-degree assault as a hate crime and attempted robbery. She was due to appear in family court Tuesday.
    • Steph Starr
       
      What is the difference between family court and juvenile court? Also, is "hate crime" just a legal term for bullying?
Steph Starr

Medical marijuana dispensary opens near Catholic Church and school. Should this be ille... - 0 views

  • Now city council is considering a new ordinance that would make this illegal
    • Steph Starr
       
      What would the law say? No medical marijuana dispensaries within a certain distance of schools? This seems silly. I understand why they're upset, but making it illegal doesn't seem plausible.
  • across the street from a Catholic Church and school in Owosso
    • Steph Starr
       
      The article never states what age these school kids are. They could be high schoolers, which would be less concerning than elementary students.
  • I think this is an assault on children's innocence. They go to school to learn, obviously they’re curious, but this is not a way to learn about life,”
    • Steph Starr
       
      While I understand why they are concerned, I think that making it a big deal might have a negative result. The more they argue about it, the more mystery surrounds it, which could lead to kids trying it just to see what it's like. It now has a kind of allure. Instead, if they were just honest with the kids, they would be able to make their own rational decisions.
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  • “It’s sad that children of this age have to be talked to about these things
    • Steph Starr
       
      First, what age??? Second, I think he might be a little naive. You can't shelter them forever! Educate them at an early age and they won't view it as enticing.
  • The co-owner says he plans on moving despite what city council decides
    • Steph Starr
       
      So this whole story was somewhat pointless, as he is going to move away from the church and school anyway.
Steph Starr

Apple sues Amazon over 'app store' name - CNN.com - 0 views

  • Amazon just revealed its own specially curated version of the Android Marketplace
    • Steph Starr
       
      I don't really know what an Android is. Is it the Amazon version of the Apple iPad or iTouch?
  • the phrase "'app store'" is generic for retail store services featuring apps and unregistrable for ancillary services such as searching for and downloading apps from such stores
    • Steph Starr
       
      When you think about it, "app store" IS incredibly generic... it's a store that sells apps. How can Apple place a trademark on this?
  • Apple filed a trademark protection over the phrase "App Store" after the release of the iPhone 3G
    • Steph Starr
       
      Why would Amazon name their store "App Store", knowing that it was pretty much exactly what Apple's was called? This seems quite dumb; it's almost as if they couldn't think of anything better to call it.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • confuse and mislead customers
    • Steph Starr
       
      I seriously doubt that customers will be confused by this, because they most likely won't have both the Apple and Amazon version.
  • One may suspect that Apple is actually mostly peeved that Amazon is trying to leverage off Apple's own successful brand to push sales of a rival smartphone and tablet PC platform
    • Steph Starr
       
      I would agree with this statement. Apple is much more successful than Amazon, and even though they're more popular, they still seem threatened by Amazon. However, I still predict that Apple will win this case.
Steph Starr

Five Somalis sentenced to life in piracy case - CNN - 0 views

  • first time in over 190 years that an American jury has convicted a defendant of piracy
    • Steph Starr
       
      Hasn't there been other reports of Somali pirates? Maybe this is just the first time that they've been brought to trial and convicted?
  • hold 650 to 800 people hostage
    • Steph Starr
       
      Are these people Americans? And how much effort is being put into getting these people back?
  • which has had no effective central government since 1991
    • Steph Starr
       
      I was wondering why the governement of Somalia was letting people do this. Even though this practice might be profitable for them, it seems like it would do more harm than good, as it is damaging foreign relations. I suppose there is no one to enforce any laws, if there are any against piracy to begin with.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • to life plus 80 years
    • Steph Starr
       
      What does this mean? How can you have 80 years more than life?
  • piracy, attack to plunder a vessel, act of violence against persons on a vessel, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon on federal officers and employees, conspiracy to use firearms during a crime of violence, and multiple firearm counts, including the use of a rocket propelled grenade
    • Steph Starr
       
      When I think of piracy, I think of Pirates of the Caribbean. That, of course, seems very cool. In real life, however, and not in the movies, piracy is very serious, with some very grave consequences.
Steph Starr

Inmate Wants To Donate Organs After Execution - Portland News Story - KPTV Portland - 0 views

  • Inmate Wants To Donate Organs After Execution
    • Steph Starr
       
      This situation is practically similar to Jodi Picoult's book, "Change of Heart". In this book, a man sentenced to death wishes to donate his heart to the victim's family. **spoiler alert** He appeals so that he can choose his execution method; he chooses to be hanged and doctors were on the scene to immediately remove his heart.
  • Do people suspect Longo might be making the gesture for publicity?
    • Steph Starr
       
      Even if this were for publicity, what would he gain by it? He's going to die anyway. Perhaps people think he is trying to buy his 15 minutes of fame. I think he should be able to donate his organs.
  • must die by a lethal injection of three drugs
    • Steph Starr
       
      Is there a particular reason why they must die by lethal injection? Why aren't they given a choice? If they were, Longo could choose to be hanged.
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  • followed up with a letter to the Corrections Department and former Gov. Ted Kulongoski last summer
    • Steph Starr
       
      What was the outcome? The article doesn't say, but I assume it wasn't good for Longo? Who would he appeal to next?
  • executions take place in prison, not in a hospital, where a donor’s organs are normally harvested
    • Steph Starr
       
      It seems that the two main obstacles Longo needs to overcome is the way to die (lethal injection vs. hanging), and where the execution should take place (prison vs. hospital). It seems that both of these problems could be overcome. The main problem that occured in Picoult's "Change of Heart", was the extra cost to the state it would take to make these exceptions. I wonder if the same issue would apply here too.
Steph Starr

Valley Family Buries Daughter Twice - Phoenix News Story - KPHO Phoenix - 0 views

  • heart and brain were maintained for further examination
    • Steph Starr
       
      What do they examine? Are they investigating into what happened to her? It doesn't seem like that. It seems like this is typical for anyone who dies in the military.
  • Linda Gillam still questions why her daughter died on a military base
    • Steph Starr
       
      This happened it 2007. Did they not want to get an autopsy report done?
  • what we wanted to do with her heart and brain
    • Steph Starr
       
      What does this mean? This makes it seem like they had a choice in the matter, when I thought they were forced to give up their daughter's vital organs.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • "We were not allowed near the grave,"
    • Steph Starr
       
      I can see why they wouldn't WANT to go near the grave, but they're not allowed to even if they wanted to? How can this be? It's their daughter! What grounds does the military have to enforce this?
  • did a short stint in drug rehab
    • Steph Starr
       
      This makes the military seem very irresponsible. How could they allow that to happen? It sounds like she was being observed constantly, if she were in medical rehab, so it surprises me that a problem like this occured.
Steph Starr

New Technology Eliminates Paper Speeding Tickets In Balt. Co. « CBS Baltimore - 0 views

  • Now a major technology upgrade will eliminate paper tickets, cutting down on the time you spend pulled over
    • Steph Starr
       
      Now that you think of it, it's surprising that they didn't have electronic tickets before. This seems like something that should have been implemented years ago.
  • It has, in fact, reduced crime in Baltimore County
    • Steph Starr
       
      I don't understand. How does the method of reporting crime decrease the crime rate? Are the criminals suddenly afraid because the system is more efficient?
  • They’ll be replaced by new, high-tech electronic citations
    • Steph Starr
       
      I wonder how many counties have electronic tickets. Is this a new idea for the whole country?
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • online permitting for building, plumbing and electric
    • Steph Starr
       
      This sounds very convenient! Are there any downsides to these new methods?
Steph Starr

Hot Cheese: Chula Vista parents sue Disney over hot nacho cheese - KSWB - 0 views

  • The boy's hand caught a food tray and a cup of nacho cheese flew onto his face, burning his upper lip and other spots, Cahill said, adding that his clients worry that their son's lip will be permanently scarred.
    • Steph Starr
       
      This sounds like an accident, not something you would be able to sue over.
  • no effort on Disney's part to regulate and monitor the temperature of nacho cheese being served to young children
    • Steph Starr
       
      Do businesses/restaurants often regulate cheese temperature? I thought they simply heated it up.
  • clients worry that their son's lip will be permanently scarred.
    • Steph Starr
       
      I'm surprised that hot cheese could do this to his lip. Normally, you would wipe it off and put ice on it. Either the cheese was very, very hot, or the parents are just exaggerating.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • after months of trying to resolve the case out of court.
    • Steph Starr
       
      What does this mean? That they were asking for money from Disney, but Disney refused to cooperate?
Steph Starr

Pharmacy Mistakenly Gives Pregnant Woman Abortion Pill - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver - 0 views

  • exact same last name as Silva's and a similar first name
  • exact same last name as Silva's and a similar first name
  • exact same last name as Silva's and a similar first name
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • exact same last name as Silva's and a similar first name
  • exact same last name as Silva's and a similar first name
  • exact same last name as Silva's and a similar first name
  • exact same last name as Silva's and a similar first name
  • exact same last name as Silva's and a similar first name.
    • Steph Starr
       
      I wonder what the woman's first name is. If it was very similar, for example only a letter off, I can see why the names would be confused.
  • She could miscarry, carry the child to full-term with severe birth defects or she could have a happy, healthy baby.
    • Steph Starr
       
      So even though the drug was absorbed, the baby could still be in danger? When will they know if the baby will be ok? Not until it's born?
  • where they gave her charcoal to absorb the drug
    • Steph Starr
       
      I guess she couldn't throw up the drug. I was surprised to read that charcoal was given! It would have to be different than the everyday charcoal, right?
  • "I took it because I thought it was mine," Silva said.
    • Steph Starr
       
      In hindsight, she really should have looked at the bottle and made sure it was her name. I will definitely make sure to do this in the future.
  • common practice at Walgreen's and other pharmacies to ask for your address when issuing prescription medication just in case names are similar.
    • Steph Starr
       
      This is very reassuring that this problem will not happen again in the future. I wonder why Safeway didn't have this policy as well.
Steph Starr

TSA Unveils New, Modest Body Scanner - ABC News - 0 views

shared by Steph Starr on 03 Feb 11 - No Cached
  • where they would report back to the checkpoint if they see anything suspicious
    • Steph Starr
       
      This seems like the relaying of information would take much longer. The new scanners would not only provide more privacy, but hopefully be able to keep the long lines moving more efficiently
  • which make up 239 of the approximately 500 scanners that are available in 78 airports throughout the nation
    • Steph Starr
       
      So not even half of the current scanners would be able to use this new device? Why can't they make a version that fits both types of scanners?
  • It will also allow the passengers to see what the TSA agents see when they step through the scanner
    • Steph Starr
       
      I think this is a good idea. By involving the passengers in the process, I think they would be less likely to complain, making the whole event less tedious.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • The current scanners show the detailed contours of the participant's body
    • Steph Starr
       
      I wonder how detailed the scanners actually are. Is it just the outline of the body? While I can understand why this might upset people, I think they should look at the bigger picture. The current scanners are detecting weapons, and the people viewing the scans are professionals, not perverts (hopefully).
Steph Starr

Security Lapses Blamed For Russian Airport Blast : NPR - 0 views

  • "I have a schedule that I have to keep to. There's no way I can call my boss and say I'm not working anymore today."
    • Steph Starr
       
      I don't think this is too unusual. After seeing something this tragic, I think it would be typical to try to return to normalcy.
  • metal detectors at airport entrances. Yet they are used only occasionally
    • Steph Starr
       
      When do they decide to use the metal detectors and when not to? Is it random?
  • bombs have derailed a luxury train, killed commuters on the Moscow subway and now claimed lives at this gleaming international airport.
    • Steph Starr
       
      I didn't realize that this wasn't the first attack within Russia. I would be very afraid to travel
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • that the remains of the presumed bomber were found.
    • Steph Starr
       
      If enough of the remains were found and still intact, like the skull and some bones, a forensic anthropologist should be able to identify the body.
  • all eyes will also be on Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
    • Steph Starr
       
      I wonder how long he has been Prime Minister? Is he going to be able to handle the aftermath of keeping his country safe?
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