The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to…
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California's Proposed AB 1414 Would Deprive Lower-Income Tenants of Critical Internet Service

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.

There’s a good reason why one of Ronald Reagan’s most memorable adages remains so poignant today.

Namely, government officials’ ability to harm people whom their well-intentioned laws are meant to benefit remains a tragic and all-too-common pitfall of government activity.

A recent illustration of that tragic paradox exists in a California proposal known as AB 1414, which if enacted would prohibit landlords from making internet service subscriptions with specific service providers part of their rental packages.

Although any proposal that purports to increase tenant choice seems superficially positive in the abstract, the problem with AB 1414 is that it would only…[more]

July 23, 2025 • 01:03 PM

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Jester’s Courtroom
Doing Their Patriot-ic Duty – Suing
Thursday, April 07 2016

A group of New England Patriots fans are suing the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodall and Patriots owner Robert Kraft in an attempt to get back the 2016 first- round pick and the 2017 fourth-round pick taken from their favorite team in the wake of "Deflategate."

According to news reports, seven Patriots fans are being represented by Maine lawyer Seth Carey in their federal lawsuit that charges the league and its commissioner with fraud, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and racketeering. The lawsuit names Kraft as a defendant because he failed to try to persuade the NFL to change its mind regarding the penalties.

“In short, after a three-month, multi-million dollar investigation, actual proof of a plot to deflate footballs was never found,” Carey writes. “In the absence of such evidence, it is difficult to understand why [outside investigator Ted] Wells found such a plot ‘more probable than not.'”

The seven fans include a season ticket holder from Connecticut who said the scandal has left his 7-year-old daughter disillusioned and a Florida man who said the NFL's sanctions have caused him stress and lost sleep.

The Patriots and league declined to comment.

Source:  profootballtalk.nbcsports.com and espn.go.com

Bar Brawl Ends in Lawsuit
Thursday, March 31 2016

A Chicago-area man is suing a restaurant and bar owner for injuries he received following a fight with another customer.

According to news reports, Todd McCarthy is suing Durty Nellie's for $50,000, plus the cost of the suit. McCarthy claims he was assaulted by another customer  the restaurant was unable to control, resulting in numerous painful and severe injuries. McCarthy further alleges that the restaurant and bar owner were negligent for allowing the presence of a quarrelsome and disorderly customer in the establishment.

Source: cookcountyrecord.com

Plaintiffs Seek A-Latte Money for Coffee Shortfall
Tuesday, March 22 2016

Two Californians are suing Starbucks claiming their Grande-size lattes don't measure up to the 16 fluid ounces advertised on the coffee giant's menu.

Sierra Strumlauf and Benjamin Robles are seeking class-action status in California federal court for what they allege are underfilled lattes that have saved Starbucks "countless of millions of dollars in cost of goods sold."

According to the complaint, “Starbucks lattes are uniformly underfilled pursuant to a standardized recipe ... leaving at least (a quarter-inch) of space below the rim of the serving cup."

The lawsuit sets forth multiple counts, including fraud, breach of express warranty, and breach of implied warranty of merchantability.

“We are aware of the plaintiffs’ claims, which we fully believe to be without merit,” a Starbucks spokesperson said. “We are proud to serve our customers high-quality, handcrafted and customized beverages, and we inform customers of the likelihood of variations.”

—Source:  losangeles.cbslocal.com

Not Digging This Lawsuit
Thursday, March 17 2016

An Oregon woman is suing her apartment complex after she stepped into a hole that children dug on the playground, causing her to fracture her foot.

According to news sources, Ellen Saiz was crossing a grassy area of the complex near a playground when she stepped in a hole dug by the children. In her lawsuit, Saiz states she suffered injuries to her ankle, knee, back and shoulder, in addition to fracturing her foot.

Saiz claims the management company was aware that the children were burrowing into the ground, but failed to stop the children or later fill the hole. She is seeking $120,000 in damages — $15,500 in medical expenses and $104,500 for disruption to her normal life activities and diminished quality of life.

The lawsuit doesn't say how deep the hole was.

—Source:  oregonlive.com

Next Big Step Is a Lawsuit
Tuesday, March 08 2016

A Napa, California, man is suing the California Department of Transportation and others after he fell from a bridge while trying to cross over the median.

Joseph Montano of Napa County was walking on a sidewalk on the Imola Avenue Maxwell Bridge around 9:30 p.m. on January 31, 2015, when he decided to swing his legs over the median barrier and jump to the other side. According to news reports, Montano thought there was a walkway beneath the two parallel spans.

“There is no walkway connecting the two spans,” and Montano fell about 40 feet, landing on rocky ground below, according to the suit. Montano claims he suffered severe and permanent injuries and is currently out of work as a result of the fall.

Allegations against the defendants include negligence, dangerous condition of public property and unsafe design.

“The open-median design of the bridge creates a concealed trap that, in the absence of suitable warning devices and sufficient lighting, would not be anticipated and, therefore, poses a danger,” the suit asserts.

“Public municipalities are supposed to anticipate all uses,” Montano's attorney, Thomas L. Gill said. “Normal people do jaywalk. Our laws say they are supposed to anticipate something like jaywalking and not ignore the safety of jaywalkers.”

David C. Jones, the assistant city attorney for Napa, one of the other defendants, countered, "The Maxwell Bridge was built to design and lighting standards, and the city has no reason to believe that any improper design, or lighting or signage deficit, contributed to Mr. Montano’s accident in any way."

—Source: napavalleyregister.com



Notable Quote   
 
"Federal employee unions are bracing for battle after courts have lifted a series of injunctions that were stalling the Trump administration's plans to end collective bargaining rights at a number of agencies.Trump in March signed an executive order laying the groundwork for a sweeping rescission of a number of existing union contracts at government agencies. The administration argues 18 different…[more]
 
 
— Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill
 
Liberty Poll   

Do you believe that President Trump's ordered deployment of National Guard troops to enhance police efforts in Washington, D.C., will yield a significant, measurable reduction in that city's crime rates?