Justice Prevails

Washington D.C. Administrative Law Judge, Roy Pearson, lost a lawsuit involving pants that he took to a dry cleaners and subsequently were misplaced. The pants were ultimately found again but that didn't satisfy Pearson. He filed suit against the shop for the misplacement of the pants and for violation of a D.C. consumer protection statute -- the cleaners had a "satisfaction guaranteed" sign on the wall and since the judge wasn't satisfied, the store breached its warranty under the statute. The claim on the lost pants were subsequently dropped. The lawsuit sought damages in excess of $54 million dollars.

$10,000's worth of defense attorney's fees later, the dry cleaner operators prevailed with the judge hearing the claim ruled that the dry cleaners did not owe Pearson anything and that Pearson would have to pay approximately $5,000 in the defendants' court costs. The judge reserved ruling on whether Pearson will have to pay the defendant's attorney's fees.

The American Bar Association is looking into sanctions against Pearson for filing a frivolous lawsuit and action has been instituted directed at removing Pearson from office. As an ALJ, it is unlikely that Pearson was voted into office but he can be removed by those who appointed him. Losing a $100,000 job seems to be worth his vindictive pursuit of this joke of a claim.

For more on this story, click here.

Inspirational

Res ipsa loquitur: the thing speaks for itself.

Cubs Motivation

A Double Standard?

OK, Sammy Sosa has hit his 600th home run. And even though I am quite positive that he juiced up during the 90s, I don't have the same level of distain for him as I do for Barry Bonds. Why is that? I'm pretty sure it's not racism.

Maybe it's because that throughout most of his career, Sammy was a cuddly, fan friendly "Base-a-ball hab bin beddy beddy good to me" kind of player; whereas Bonds has been a giant douche-bag since he came to the majors.
But I think it goes deeper than that. Sammy is not going to get 700 home runs and is not going to challenge Hank Aaron's record. If he were closing in on 755, I might rethink my position on that.

Also, he got number 600 against his former team, the hapless Chicago Cubs. I always like a bit of ironic twist. So good on you, Sammy. Now go away.

Unimportant?

Well, Salman Rushdie's 1988 novel the Satanic Verses has ignited tempers in the Middle East and elsewhere in the Islamic world with Great Britian being vehemently denounced for knighting Rushdie. "The British monarch lives under this illusion that Britain is still a 19th century superpower and that bestowing titles is something still deemed important," proclaimed Mohammad Reza Bahonar, first deputy speaker of Iran's parliament.

Of course, if it weren't something important, why is Iran and Pakistan going berzerk over the whole thing? It's apparently important enough to "justify" suicide bombing according the the Pakistani government. I never read the book before (adverse as I am to most fiction) but I think I just may have to now.

Calling It Like He Sees It

I was listening to tonight's Brewers-Giants game online (MLB Gameday Audio) and in the bottom of the 3rd with the Brewers leading 3-1, Brewers rookie third baseman, Ryan Braun, came up to bat with a man on first. Braun flew out routinely to Barry Bonds in left field and a chorus of boos decended upon Bonds as he made the catch.

Brewers broadcaster, Jim Powell (the great Bob Uecker's broadcast partner), commented that "Bonds gets booed for just catching a flyball. As well he should. He gets booed going to the grocery store. He certainly gets booed going to the drug store." I nearly wet myself with laughter.

I don't think that's Major League Baseball's official party-line but I'm sure it voiced the sentiments of many. It certainly voiced my sentiments regarding Bonds and his tainted pursuit of Hank Aaron's record. I just wonder if Powell can get into trouble for the comments. Hopefully, he'll be on the air tomorrow night with more on-the-nose commentary and analysis.

Hands Off

A school in Virginia has instituted a policy prohibiting students from making any physical contact. Apparently, the school is incapable of differentiating inappropriate contact such as punching, fondling and "making out" as opposed to proper conduct such as shaking and holding hands, "high fives" and brief hugs. It's so comforting to know that school administrators can't make the distinction. For more on this ridiculous policy, click here.