Access Now, Inc. v. Town of Jasper, Tennessee

Access Now, Inc. v. Town of Jasper, Tennessee, 268 F.Supp.2d 973 (E.D.Tenn.,2003)

Plaintiffs acting on behalf of nine-year-old girl suffering from spina bifida and hydrocephalus brought action alleging that town's refusal to permit girl to keep miniature horse as service animal at her residence violated Title II of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). After bench trial, the District Court, Edgar, Chief Judge, held that: (1) plaintiff was not "disabled," and (2) horse was not "service animal."
Judgment for town.

Jesus Christ.

I try to forget that religous fanatics vote, and vote for other religous fanatics who are going to keep Jesus in the White House and maintain America's status as a Christian Evangelical theocracy of inbred hillbillies. These books probably have been there for a while, but I am just getting around to going to the bookstore...

The Faith of George W. Bush: "In 1986, Bush responded to the Biblical conversion story of the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus by asking Jesus to be his friend, and as a result he overcame a growing dependence upon alcohol and turned to the Bible to save his marriage and his family. During his presidential campaign, he brought leading pastors to his governor's mansion to lay hands on him and pray for his future, telling them that he had been 'called' to seek higher office. "

Or how about this sweetheart, A Man of Faith: The Spiritual Journey of George W. Bush:
"More than any other world leader in recent times, George W. Bush is a man of faith…a conservative Christian who has brought the power of prayer and the search for God’s will into the Oval Office. His faith has proven to be a bedrock of strength and resolve during two of the most tumultuous years in our nation’s history.According to Newsweek magazine, “this presidency is the most resolutely faith based in modern times. An enterprise founded, supported and guided by trust in the temporal and spiritual power of God.”David Aikman, skilled journalist and former senior correspondent for TIME magazine, pens this dramatic and gripping account of Bush’s journey to faith. Based on interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, you’ll learn how…

· His life changed after a conversation with Billy Graham on the beach at Kennebunkport

· He walked away from alcoholism toward a new destiny

· The events following 9/11 caused many to view him as God’s chosen man for this critical time in history

· His decision to go to war with Iraq became the ultimate test of his faith

A Man of Faith…an intimate look at how Bush’s spiritual life has impacted his presidency, the nation, and the world."

Judicial Clerkship?

A somewhat disturbing article from TSG. I'm sure glad I didn't apply for a judicial clerkship with this guy. And I promise after today no more sexual fetish stories in immediate succession.
Here Comes The Judge - June 24, 2004: "JUNE 24--While seated on the bench, an Oklahoma judge used a male enhancement pump, shaved and oiled his nether region, and pleasured himself, state officials charged yesterday in a petition to remove the jurist. According to the below complaint filed by the Oklahoma Attorney General, Donald D. Thompson, 57, was caught in the act by a clerk, trial witnesses, and his longtime court reporter (these unsettling first-hand accounts will make you wonder what's going on under other black robes). Visitors to Thompson's Creek County courtroom reported hearing a 'swooshing' sound coming from the bench, a noise the court reporter said 'sounded like a blood pressure cuff being pumped up.'"

Burusera Ordinance.

This country just gets stranger and stranger to me. I'm going to add this Japanese news site to a forthcoming links section. For now, check out mainichi.com article which discusses a new ordinance in Tokyo:

"Tokyo's Burusera Ordinance, which takes its name from the Japanese-English contraction of the words 'bloomer seller,' bans the purchase of used panties from anybody under the age of 18, as well as any activities that would facilitate such a sale."

The way of circumventing the law, according to the article, is for these Japanese schoolgirls to meet their clients without the protection of Burusera middlemen in dark alleys. There are more gems on the site including this story about Kazuhide Uekusa, a Japanese economist and professor, who is credited as being "one of Japan's finest minds" and, apparently, an afficianado of looking up the skirts of young schoolgirl commuters. This equally bizarre article proposes a viable, but confusing "solution" to the "huge number of sexless marriages" in Japan.

On the Convoluted Path of a Composer

This piece by Max Giteck Duykers about his self-described "convoluted path as a composer" articulates a lot of my feelings about the role of conservatory-trained classical musicians who have day jobs outside of the music field (like myself). From NewMusicBox:

"So there I was at the end of my college career without a clue as to how to get to the music in head and certainly no idea of how to make others hear it. I think it was at this time that a fundamental element of my personality was formed: I need to have a strong and secure personal and financial foundation before I can give credence to my creative impulses. Many musicians, such as my father who is an operatic tenor, essentially live hand-to-mouth and rely on their craft as their breadwinner. This has made no sense to me. I have always felt like working as a composer or performer for a living would spoil the thing I love. "

G-Squatting

Today's word: g-squatting. From TheAgitator.com:

"The guy who registered RadleyBalko@gmail.com also wrote me back, and said he did it to prevent someone from G-squatting me. Well, okay. Not sure that was really much of a threat. Unfortunately, I've already registered under a different username."