ZERO - Too Little, Too Late

UPDATE: Saturday, June 16, 2007 - News reports indicate that District Attorney Mike Nifong will be disbarred for his disastrous prosecution of three Duke University lacrosse players falsely accused of rape, a disciplinary committee decided Saturday.

Friday, June 15, 2007 - A ZERO award goes out to Durham County, North Carolina District Attorney Mike Nifong for handling--and perhaps lack of handling- of the alleged 2006 Duke University Lacrosse case.

Today Mr. Nifong admitted he got carried away with his comments about the case. Also during his bar ethics hearing, he disclosed that he plans to resign.

What is shocking about this case is that it really took this long for Mr. Nifong to appear to realize the grave error of his ways. He appears to have hid information, mislead the court and defense attorneys about crucial material facts in the case, used the publicity of this case to further his own political reelection campaign and finally, attempted to subvert the rule of law with a blinded eyes of justice.

Detroit news story link

ZERO - Expensive Pants

Thursday, June 14, 2007 - A ZERO award goes out to Washington DC Administrative Law Judge Roy Pearson who appeared in court this week to present his points in a suit he's filed against a local dry cleaning store owners for $54 million dollars. Seems the cleaners misplaced his pants.

Although the owners attempted to settle, Judge Roy has pressed his case that he should be rewarded with this windfall.

If ever there's a case that cries out for swift and concise judicial wisdom, this is is the one. Judge Roy should be ashamed of his new legal infamy and move on.

HERO - Good-bye Mr. Wizard!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - A HERO award goes out to Mr. Wizard, Don Herbert, who died today at age 89. For those too young remember, Mr. Wizard brought the magic of science to children of all ages via the magic of television.

The original show ran from 1951-1964 and showed how science experiments could be done using simple household items. Week after week, these experiments motivated millions to consider science as a career.

Good-bye, Mr. Wizard.

NERO - Judge Sets Genarlow Wilson Free

Monday, June 11, 2007 - A NERO award goes out to Georgia state judge Thomas H. Wilson who today threw out Genarlow Wilson's previous sentence and amended it to misdemeanor aggravated child molestation with a 12-month sentence, plus credit for time served. Not quite a HERO but certainly not a ZERO.

This is a rather complicated case. In the end, was justice served? Hopefully, the state of Georgia will think carefully before automatically appealing the decision.

The Washington Post has a rather complete article regarding the case found HERE.

ZERO - Burger Anyone?

Sunday, June 10, 2007 - A ZERO award goes out to United Food Group in Southern California for their recall of 5.7 million pounds of hamburger due to possible contamination from E. coli bacteria. That's a lot of burgers!

MSNBC has a less than insightful article about the recall. Does the Mainstream Media not ask any probing questions anymore? Maybe these are just so common now that its just "here's the facts, Jack".

Seems to me that the Company's business practices should garner some closer examination. If last month's food wasn't safe, how do we know this month's is going to be any better?

ZERO - Recall the Sheriff?

Saturday, June 9, 2007 - A ZERO award goes out to Los Angeles County Sheriff Baca for releasing socialite Paris Hilton from jail under the most flimsiest of reasons, and then, when ordered by the judge to bring her on back to jail where she belonged, transferring her to a special medical section where she'll be able to avoid the fate of thousands of other lawbreakers.

Sheriff Baca needs to remember that there are thousands of inmates under his jurisdiction who "can't stand to be locked up", have medical conditions worthy of medical release, and have family and friends who would like them sprung from the hospitality of LA County.

UPDATE: Seems the good sheriff has riled the feathers of others, RecallBaca.com

HERO - Here Comes the Judge!

Friday, June 8, 2007 - A HERO award goes out to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer for having the common sense to remember, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime!". Judge Sauer saw fit to ensure that his court's ruling that Paris Hilton serve her time in a correctional facility--and not her mansion home-- was enforced by the LA county sheriff.

Paris Hilton's return to the LA County pokey will serve as a reminder to citizens in Los Angeles, those who are celebrities or not, that crime doesn't pay. And oh yes, be sure to show up to the court on time!