Random: Employment Law

Ah, the joys of employment law: Calling a woman a “b*tch,” by itself, may not prove sex discrimination. If the word “b*tch” is directed at a particular woman, rather than at women in general, it does not show a discriminatory animus against women. See Kriss v. Sprint Communications Co., LP (8th Cir. 1995) 58 F3d 1276, 1281.

American Stock Market

Just a short note: the U.S. stock market seems ready to start falling. Alicia Keys and I might see you at around 1000. (Right now, the S&P 500 is at 1150.) A 13% to 16% drop sounds about right. I have a long list of stocks I'd like to buy, and I've been waiting patiently since late 2009.

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John Yoo's Greatest Hits

John Yoo told George W. Bush that he did not need Congressional approval to deploy troops or wage war, and that in some cases, Bush could interpret the definition of "torture" however he liked:

1. "The President may deploy military force preemptively against terrorist organizations or the States that harbor or support them, whether or not they can be linked to the specific terrorist incidents of September 11." [Emphasis added.]

2. "I do not think that the president is constitutionally required to get legislative authorization for launching military hostilities."

3. "I argue that the president has the sole authority to interpret the Geneva Conventions on behalf of the United States, rather than the courts or Congress."

Should You Go to Law School?

HERE is Felix Salmon's (depressing) outlook for law school grads. Ouch.

For the record, I am pleased with my alma mater, Santa Clara Law School.

Myth of the Underpaid Government Employee

Chris Martenson has an excellent article here about the ballooning size of American government.

Also, see here for an excellent article about the myth of the underpaid government employee.

Favorite Songs

Shirley Bassey's I (Who Have Nothing) [especially her performance in Turkey in October 1991 for the European Lottery, broadcasted by VRT Belgium]

George Michael's Father Figure

Sting's Englishman in New York

Alphaville's Forever Young

John Scatman's Scatman's World

Pet Shop Boys' Being Boring (extended mix)

Ben King's Stand by Me

Janet Jackson's Pleasure Principle

Honorable Mention: Maxi Priest's "Close to You"; L.A.D.'s "Ridin' Low"; Hassan Shamaizadeh's "Ye dokhtar daram shah nadareh"; LSG's "Curious";and Nâdiya & Enrique Iglesias' "Tired Of Being Sorry" (Laisse Le Destin L'emporter) Live @ NRJ Music Tour.

Interesting Quote from a Romantic

Deeply earnest and thoughtful people stand on shaky footing with the public. -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe