On December 10, 2009 President Obama received the Nobel Peace prize. The Nobel Peace Prize has been given to only four American presidents since its inception in 1901. There was much criticism amid President Obama’s being awarded the Nobel Prize. Some say he was a new president with little to no experience in peace. That’s true. Others clamored that the United States is in two wars now. Just a week before his acceptance, President Obama ordered thousands more troops to be sent to Afghanistan. That’s true too. Then there’s the torture issue surrounding Guantanamo Bay. Others who have received the Nobel peace prize have been committed to nonviolence and sustainable peace. Martin Luther King, Jr, on whose shoulders Barack Obama stands, opposed war and fought for civil rights through non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi was the mastermind of nonviolent resistance to attaining peace. He never received the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite the criticism of President Obama, I feel honored that … [Read more...] about President Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize
LegalSpeaks Blog
Was This The Best Buy For Mayor Dixon?
The State Prosecutor’s case was paper thin against Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. Yet, it had enough meat on its bones to convict Mayor Dixon of one misdemeanor count of misappropriation of Best Buy and Target gift cards intended for the poor. The jury found her not guilty of the felony theft counts of the cards and was hung on one count. The 7 day jury deliberations show it was a difficult case to decide. It was by no means a slam dunk for the prosecution. The jury deliberated almost as long as the testimony took. Yet for a paltry $500 Sheila Dixon stands to lose her pension, position as Mayor and be fined, imprisoned or both. Was this the best buy for Mayor Dixon? Republican State Prosecutor Rohrbaugh’s almost 4 year investigation of Mayor Dixon’s bank statements, tax returns, credit card statements and house search finally yielded a return. But was justice served? No one is above the law including mayors, governors and even presidents. Mayor Dixon is no exception. Yet, the … [Read more...] about Was This The Best Buy For Mayor Dixon?
Tiger Woods Gone Fishing?
Tiger Woods' accident is causing the vultures to circle around him looking for meat. As a private citizen, he doesn't owe them anything nor an explanation about his SUV accident. The problem is Tiger is a public person. Tiger Woods has guarded his privacy throughout his career. The price he pays for his celebrity status is people poking into his private life. That's what comes with fame as the world's best known athlete. Tiger has posted a statement of sorts on his website. Inquiring minds will still want to know more. What is perplexing is why the Florida law enforcement want further information. No alcohol was detected by the police. The accident occurred on private property. Wherever Tiger was going is a private matter. It's not against the law to leave your house at 2 am. The police infer that Tiger's injuries appear inconsistent with his accident. They suggest his injuries are more serious than what might be expected from hitting a tree. Well, it was not a minor accident. … [Read more...] about Tiger Woods Gone Fishing?
Movie Review- The White House Party Crashers
We all remember the movie The Wedding Crashers about two men who crash parties as uninvited guests. It was fiction. We all just saw the sequel to that movie called The White House Party Crashers. It is fact. Fact is sometimes stranger than fiction. Two days before Thanksgiving an aspiring reality TV couple crashed the White House formal state dinner. Neither were invited. Nor were their names on the guest list. Yet, they boldly strut their stuff right past Secret Service on their evening escapade. Is it that easy to get into a formal White House event these days? Apparently, it is. How did this happen? It's quite simple. Secret Service was not doing their job. Reveling in their clever charade, the interlopers posted their photos on Facebook. These uninvited persons shook hands with President Obama, posed with Vice President Biden, and was in the same room with Mrs. Obama, Indian Prime Minister Singh and other honored guests. This is no laughing matter. And it should not … [Read more...] about Movie Review- The White House Party Crashers
SARAH PALIN AND ROGUE ETIQUETTE
Sarah Palin came out swinging with her Going Rogue book tour. Book stores are required to buy 2500 advance copies in order to sponsor a 3 hour advance ticketed signing event. It worked. Most copies are being sold. Yet many people stand outside looking inside without a ticket. At one Noblesville, Indiana store, people stood outside for hours in the rain hopiing for a chance to greet Sarah Palin. And here's where the rogue etiquette issue begins. Palin strusts right past them without so much as a mere hello. She heads straight for her bus and next book signing event. I recall being at American University in January, 2008 with Senator Ted Kennedy and then Senator Barack Obama. Unfortunately I was one of those on the outside looking in to get a glimpse. Unlike the Palin onlookers, I got so much more than a mere glimpse. Barack Obama decided to come outside and address the outside crowd after speaking to the packed full house inside. It was one of those memorable unforgetable … [Read more...] about SARAH PALIN AND ROGUE ETIQUETTE
Baltimore-Where’s the Beef?
Baltimore is best known for crab cakes, the Inner Harbor, the Ravens and now the trial of Mayor Sheila Dixon for stealing $1500 in gift cards. But where's the beef? Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon is on trial for allegedly stealing $1500 in gift cards intended as gifts for the poor and needy. A former boyfriend and another real estate developer allegedly gave the cards to Dixon to distribute to less fortunate citizens of Baltimore according to the prosecution. The State Special Prosecutor's office has relentlessly pursued Mayor Dixon for years. Taking millions of dollars of taxpayer money and many years to investigate and try this case seems like a vendetta to me. Now don't get me wrong. If Mayor Dixon took from the poor to buy for herself that's just plain wrong. But will a Baltimore jury convict her for theft of $1500? Will the jury ask instead where's the beef? Will it be much ado about nothing? The prosecution stems from when Mayor Dixon was President of the Baltimore City … [Read more...] about Baltimore-Where’s the Beef?