Thursday, January 21, 2010

Israel Provides Assistance to Haiti

Here is something that isn't getting much press. Israel is helping Haiti during its time of crisis. More here. From the article:

Palestinian-American journalist Ray Hanania discusses the Israeli aid effort: "200,000 Haitians died in an earthquake. [Israel] sent doctors and supplies to help. That is a good thing. Just because [Palestinians] are fighting with Israel doesn't mean we should sneer at that assistance to people in need...I wish Israel could show the same compassion for Palestinians. But Israel and Haiti are not at war and Israelis and Palestinians (mainly Hamas and the settlers) are."

Here is a link to a YouTube video showing some of Israel's relief efforts. (Hat tip to Rosa M.)

By the way, Ray Hanania is quite an interesting person. I don't have any direct links to give readers, but if you are interested in learning more about him, try a google search for "Ray Hanania."

Bonus: even the Palestinians are helping out. More here.

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.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

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.

The information on this site is provided for discussion purposes only. Under no circumstances do any statements here represent a recommendation to buy or sell securities or make any kind of an investment. You are responsible for your own due diligence. To summarize, I do not provide investment advice, nor do I make any claims or promises that any information here will lead to a profit, loss, or any other result.

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."

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

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.

Monday, January 18, 2010

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.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

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.