Due to national security issues, this may be the shortest appellate opinion ever. See opinion in Abdul v. Obama. Its says simply "Classified opinion not available to public."
General
LCPL Schmidt Laid to Rest
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
Six years ago, I was sitting at a desk at FOB Danger, Iraq processing applications for CERP funds. Periodically, I would go "outside the wire" to look at ongoing reconstruction projects. I was one of some 150,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines and Airmen serving our country. We served on a large team, my brothers and sisters…
School Teacher Loses Job Over Facebook Photos
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
A Georgia school teacher lost her job over Facebook photos of her holding an alcoholic drink during a European vacation. A parent supposedly complained and she was forced out. Now, she is suing for damages. The district judge granted summary judgment to the employer. See Atalanta Journal-Constitution report.
The school teacher, Ashley Payne, claims…
San Antonio Marine Killed in Afghanistan
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
LCPL Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt was killed in Afghanistan. he apparently suffered a gunshot wound. LCPL Schmidt was a sniper for the Marines. He was the son of Dr. David Schmidt, team physician for the San Antonio Spurs. He was also the son of Becky Whetstone, former advice columnist for the San Antonio Express News. Ms. Whetstone…
Texas Supreme Court Dismisses Writ Regarding Facebook Discovery
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
Some time back, I discussed a case where the defendant in a personal injury lawsyit was trying to obtain continued discovery of a plaintiff’s Facebook and My Space entries. See my prior post. The Houston trial judge had ruled that after the plaintiff changed her settings to private, the defendant could no longer obtain…
San Antonio Soldier Killed in Afghanistan
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
Insurgents have killed a San Antonio soldier, 1LT Andres Zermeno, in Afghanistan. See Defense Department news release. 1LT Zemeno died from wounds suffered in an RPG attack. 1LT Zermeno graduated from St. Mary’s University where he met his wife. He served in the ROTC program and studied psychology. See KSAT news report.
9/11 Changed Our Lives
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
It has been ten years since 9/11. That was a huge day for millions of Americans. 9/11 lead directly or indirectly to the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. For those of us in the military or formerly in the military, 9/11 marks the starting point of multiple deployments, moves, new jobs, lives changed, and…
Family Sues Furniture Store Over Work Place Shooting
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
A worker at Ashley Furniture was killed here in San Antonio in May, 2011 by a co-worker. Now, the family of Aileen Harbridge has sued her former employer. See San Antonio Express News report. The suit claims that the killer, Jose Martinez used a pistol he borrowed from a store manager. There had been…
OSHA Safety Rules Apply Primarily to Industrial Workers
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
The Occupational Health & Safety Act requires employers to provide a safe working environment for all workers. The Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) protects some workers, but not all. There are no protections for repetitive stress injuries or ergonomic requirements. See "Can my boss do that?" There are simply few rules for…
Photographer will not Aid Facebook Bullies
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
Facebook has become a big part of the lives of many Americans in a very short amount of time. One photographer recently was hired to take senior pictures at a high school. The photographer came across a FB page poking fun at some girls. Someone had created a fictitious name just so they could post…