Notes On Refinancing A Home

Having just completed the paperwork necessary to refinance a home mortgage, it is appropriate to share a few thoughts.

First, there is a reason people hate lawyers, to wit, the preposterous number of signatures required.  For a simple refinance, same residence no second mortgage, it required a total of 32 signatures and 14 initials to consummate all of the necessary documents.

Second, why is it essential to disclose one’s race and ethnicity to borrow money?

Third, it was in sum a positive move.  The refinance resulted in a 5-1 ARM at %4.5.

yojoe out

P.S.   Premier Lending Group, Brian Baker,  was very helpful in making this loan happen.

Marine Corps Banns Access To Twitter, Facebook, And MySpace

The Marine Corps recently published MARADMIN 0458/09, entitled IMMEDIATE BAN OF INTERNET SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES (SNS) ON MARINE CORPS ENTERPRISE NETWORK (MCEN) NIPRNET, which prohibits access,

TO INTERNET SNS FROM THE MCEN NIPRNET, INCLUDING OVER VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN) CONNECTIONS.

The SNS mentioned in the order include,

FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, AND TWITTER.

At first blush this may not appear to be a radical move by the Marine Corps.  After all, it is rational for an organization to ban the use of websites that are used exclusively for gossip about old high-school friends, taking useless quizzes, and online dating.

However, Admiral Mike Mullen, USN, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has his own Twitter account, entitled thejointstaff.

According to 10 USC 152(c), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff “outranks all other offers of the armed forces.”  Thus, Admiral Mullen is the highest ranking member of the armed forces.  As the most senior military officer it would seem important for Marines to remain aware of what the Chairman has to say.

Jonathan Lee Riches©To Be Named Most Litigious Man By The Guinness Book Of World Records

Jonathan Lee Riches©, or the JRL as he is known on Dreadnaught, is back in the news.  The inmate from Federal Correctional Institution Williamsburg, SC, is to be named the most litigious man by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Here are some of the JRL‘s lawsuits for your reading pleasure:

• Michael Vick
• Barry Bonds
• Wal-Mart
• President Bush
• The World Wide Web
• 50 Cent
• Iron Mike Tyson
• Ashlee Simpson
• Viagra, Cialis, Lavitra

yojoe out

Burning Of Witches In Africa: Video Of Accused Witches Being Murdered

Until recently I was blissfully ignorant of the burning of suspected witches in Africa.  This is an unbelievable problem, and one that is not getting sufficient attention.  Apparently Kenya, specifically the area around Kisii, is plagued with witch burnings.

In May 2008, eleven people were burned to death,

The mob dragged them out of their houses and burned them individually and then set their homes alight, our correspondent says. Enoch Obiero, a Pentecostal minister, says the mob came to his door and dismembered his wife, a retired schoolteacher.

In February 2009, five people were burnt to death, (video below, caution the video is disturbing)

“They include four women and a man in their 80’s who were accused of having abducted a child,” Kisii deputy police Commander Manasseh Musyoka said yesterday.

This practice has been ongoing for some time in this area,

In 1993, eight elderly people from Kisii were also accused of witchcraft and burned to death in their huts by a mob.

These killings are not limited to the Kisii area, witch burnings have also occurred in the Malindi district of Kenya.  From the Daily Nation,

“I can confirm that seven elderly people have been lynched on suspicion of practicing witchcraft in my Gongoni Location in a relatively short time,” said district officer Patrick ole Ntutu.According to statistics from the local police station, at least 14 elderly people had been killed between last year and January in Magarini constituency alone. . . . In just two months, five elderly people have been hacked to death by gangs of youths purporting to be cleansing the villages of witchcraft.

A government official in Kenya commented on the burning of 15 women accused of being witches,

“This is unacceptable. People must not take the law into their own hands simply because they suspected someone,” said Mwangi Ngunyi, the head of Nyamaiya district. “We will hunt the suspects down,” he added.

Though he condemned vigilante acts, Mr. Ngunyi stated that the government will hunt the suspects down.  Suspects?  These people are suspected of being witches.  How in the world is the government going to “hunt” these people?  This also reveals that government officials believe in witchcraft.  What can possibly be done to stop these horrific murders if government officials believe in witches?

This is abhorrent and must be stopped.

A final word of caution: this video is graphic and disturbing.

yojoe out

The Story Of Former USC Quarterback Todd Marinovich

Esquire magazine has a story about former Trojan great Todd Marinovich, Todd Marinovich: The Man Who Never Was.  Trojan fans will remember Marinovich, or Marijuanavich, as the starting quarterback for the Men of Troy in the 1989 and 1990 seasons.  He was first freshmen quarterback ever named to the All-PAC 10 team and led USC to victory in the Rose Bowl against Michigan, sending Bo Schembechler into retirement with a loss in his final game.

Marinovich was also notable for being bread to be a quarterback by his father,

He has never eaten a Big Mac or an Oreo or a Ding Dong. When he went to birthday parties as a kid, he would take his own cake and ice cream to avoid  sugar and refined white flour. He would eat homemade catsup, prepared with honey. He did consume beef but not the kind injected with hormones. He ate only unprocessed dairy products. He teethed on frozen kidney. When Todd was one month old, Marv was already working on his son’s physical conditioning. He stretched his hamstrings. Pushups were next. Marv invented a game in which Todd would try to lift a medicine ball onto a kitchen counter. Marv also put him on a balance beam. Both activities grew easier when Todd learned to walk. There was a football in Todd’s crib from day one. “Not a real NFL ball,” says Marv. “That would be sick; it was a stuffed ball.”

Marinovich’s life did not turn out as planned.  His NFL career only lasted three years with the Raiders.  And things when down from there. He was most recently arrested, in April 2009, for failing to appear in drug court.

One Of The Problems With The English Language: The Same Word Having Opposite Meanings

As observed in this VC post, contranyms should be avoided,

[T]he Court has sanctioned the use of speech as evidence in establishing that ….

Is that “sanctioned” in the sense of “approved” or in the sense of “punished” (a common use of the term “sanction” in litigation)? The reader should be able to figure this out from context, but it’s usually better not to put the reader to the work of having to do that, or risk even briefly leading the reader in the wrong direction.

A word I have always found vexing in the military context is “secure.”

Secure

Connecticut Judge Curtissa Cofield Arrested For DUI Calls Officer Negro Washington

2008 was the year of Judge Elizabeth Halverson.  First Judge Halverson was removed from the bench for misconduct, then she was attacked by her husband,  Her husband pleaded guilty to domestic battery and she lost her reelection bid.

That was 2008, it is now 2009 and we have Judge Curtissa Cofield of Hartford, CT.

Judge Cofield was arrested and charged with a DUI after she ran her BMW into a state trooper’s vehicle.  A recent video was released showing Judge Cofield referring to the arresting officer as “Negro Washington.”  She then asked the officer “if a Negro was sent to arrest a Negro.”

Finally, Judge Cofield explained her conduct.  She stated that she “was suffering from Negroitis.”

Here is an article by Judge Cofield wherein she explains that underage drinking is a crime.  Not quite irony, but close.

yojoe (in judicial mode) out

The police should leave us alone and let us sell our weed

The title of this post is a quote from Antoine Blalock, a DC resident who was convicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Recently, Mr. Blalock’s case was on appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  The facts of the case were less than normal,

Blalock drove to the Seventh District Police Station on Alabama Avenue S.E. in May 2007. He pulled a handgun from the trunk and started firing, shooting in the air outside the station. Five shots. He shouted, according to court records, “The police should leave us alone and let us sell our weed!”

Blalock complied with demands to drop his gun—and he did not stop there. He dropped his pants, standing naked before officers wrapped him up in a towel. Police seized 23 bags of marijuana. Blalock told police he wanted to “throw weed” and shoot the gun to get recognition from a record label.

For more on marijuana, see the devastating rope shortage facing California.

yojoe out

H/T: The BLT

Charles Barkley Arrested, Not For Gambling But DUI

Charles Barkley plans to run for governor of Alabama. His latest trouble with the law may not help him.  He was arrested on 31DEC08 on suspicion of DUI in Arizona.  This after his previous $400,000 gambling debt, does not seem to improve the odds of his gubernatorial run.

yojoe out

Washington DC Has Plan To Fix All Its Problems: Rename A Street "Taxation Without Representation Street"

The residence of DC have a great new plan to solve all their woes: rename the portion of South Capitol Street between N Street and Potomac Avenue “Taxation Without Representation Street.”

That should do it.  No more problems in the District.

This should help your rate of HIV/AIDS infection, which is the highest in the nation.  (128.4 cases per 100,000 people, compared to 14 cases 100,000 people for the rest of the United States)

Murders that “are the second-leading cause of premature deaths among the District population as a whole . . .” are no longer a problem.

A 6th-place ranking in a ranking of the most dangerous cities in the United States, is no longer an issue.

And, some of the worst public schools in the nation.  Fixed.

Jonathan Lee Riches© Sues Blizzard Entertainment

The JLR (as Jonathan Lee Riches©  is known at Dreadnaught) has filed a lawsuit against Blizzard Entertainment.  Here is his latest lawsuit:

Comes now the interveners, moves Jonathan Lee Riches d/b/a Gordon Gekko, Vincent Dragonetti, Steven Iaria, Mario Cassarino, moves this honorable court to intervene in this case as Plaintiffs under fed r. civ P rule 24(A)2 – as a matter of right, or under rule 24(B) – permissive intervention, as interverors have a intrest in this case against Blizzard Entertainment Inc and their World of Warcraft video games which caused Intervenors to commit federal crimes.  World of Warcraft caused Riches mind to live in a virtual universe, where Riches explored the landscapes committing Identity theft and fighting cybermonster rival hackergangs.  Riches was addicted to video games and lost touch with Reality because of defendants.  This caused Riches to commit fraud to buy defendants video games.  Riches chose World of Warcraft over working a legit job.  I move for Amicus Cuaie, I can provide this court with my medical charts, credit and receipts of buying their video games with fraud.  I have newly discovered evidence.  I pray this court will grant Intervenors motion for relief.

For all of the JLR’s lawsuits.

yojoe out

Judge Elizabeth Halverson: Husband Pleads Guilty And She Loses Election

The past year has not been a good one for Judge Elizabeth Halverson of Las Vegas, Nevada.  First she was barred from the courthouse.  Then she faced a judicial-misconduct hearing, which was delayed by her health problems.  After that the domestic problems began.  Judge Halverson’s husband attacked her with a frying pan, which required her to undergo surgery on her skull.  This was followed by her husband being charged with attempted to murder.

Now Judge Halverson’s husband, Edward Halverson, has reached a plea agreement, wherein he agrees to plead guilty to a felony: battery domestic violence with the use of a weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm.  He will likely serve 3 to 10 years in prison.

On top off all of this, Judge Halverson lost her reelection race.

yojoe out

Supreme Court Rules Navy May Use Sonar During Training Despite Possible Harm To Whales

As previously reported here, the National Resources Defense Counsel has sued the Navy to prohibit the use of sonar during training exercises off Southern California because such training may be harmful to whales.  This case made its way through the 9th Circuit, and was recently ruled on by the Supreme Court.  Chief Judge Roberts authored the opinion,

Roberts wrote that “the Navy’s need to conduct realistic training with active sonar to respond to the threat posed by enemy submarines plainly outweighs” the environmental concerns raised by advocacy groups. “We do not discount the importance of [the challengers’] ecological, scientific, and recreational interest in marine mammals,” the opinion remarked.

USC Football: Mustain Number 2 Quarterback

Mitch Mustain has moved to number 2 on the depth chart for the Trojans.  Mustain was behind Mark Sanchez, Garrett Green, and Aaron Corp before the Oregon State game.  Looks like completion for quarterback is still fierce at SC.

Also on the in Mustain news,

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit accusing the University of Arkansas of mishandling an investigation over e-mails critical of former quarterback Mitch Mustain.

yojoe Fight On!

H/T: inside usc

Judge Halverson Update: Husband To Face Charges Of Attempted Murder

First, in July 2007, Judge Elizabeth Halverson was prohibited from entering the courthouse where she sat as a judge.  Then she faced a hearing before the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission for her alleged misconduct, which was delayed by her health problems.  Then her husband fractured her skull with a frying pan.

Now Judge Halverson’s husband, Edward Halverson, has been indicted by a grand jury in Las Vegas on charges of,

attempted murder with the use of a deadly weapon and battery constituting domestic violence with use of a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm.

More updates to follow as this case develops.

yojoe out

Duke: Worst Team In College Football According To Lawyer

Duke entered into a contract to play four football games against the University of  Louisville.  According to the complaint, Duke breached the contract.  Duke defended the lawsuit based on a provision of the contract that allowed Duke to avoid having to pay $150,000 penalty for each game not played, if Louisville could find an opponent of “similar statute” to Duke.

Duke’s lawyer argues there is no team of similar stature,

I think the Court can absolutely positively take judicial notice that Duke is probably the worst football team in Division I football. Everybody knows that. That’s no secret. The longest losing streak, the inability to ever win games. Everybody knows about it. That’s well documented. We certainly don’t have to go out and take six months of discovery to establish that for you.

No argument here.

yojoe out

Judge Elizabeth Halverson Update: Surgery On Skull

Judge Elizabeth Halverson is the Las Vegas judge accused of abusing her bailiff and other staff members.  She was eventually suspended, and a misconduct hearing was conducted.

One of the complaints against Halverson was that she would, “put her husband under oath to ask if the house was clean.”  Apparently Mr. Halverson tired of the abuse and took matters into his own hands.

Edward Halverson is accused of beating Judge Halverson with a frying pan.  The injuries required Judge Halverson to undergo surgery to repair skull fractures.

According to reports,

According to the arrest report, when police arrived at the scene, they found Edward Halverson wearing only camouflage shorts covered in blood. There was also blood on his arms, legs, and his back.

The report also detailed the condition in which police found Elizabeth Halverson. She was apparently found on the bed in the master bedroom, bleeding profusely from her head due to a large, gaping wound.

UC Berkeley Ejects Hippies From Trees To Build Football Facility

The Cal athletic department has finally succeeded in ejecting a group of longhairs who had been living in trees in an area the university had selected for construction of a new $140-million sports-training center.  A judge in Alameda County ruled,

late Tuesday, Miller orders the injunction that has been in place since February 2007 to be lifted seven days from today.

“(Construction) is going to start as soon as the injunction is finally over and we are very, very close,” said UC attorney Charles Olson. “We’re delighted with the judge’s judgement. It is exactly what we had asked her to do and we are very pleased.”

But first, the last three tree sitters will have to be removed from a redwood at the grove where the sports training center is planned. As part of the construction, 44 trees will be cut down. Tree sitters are protesting the plan. The university has been supplying food and water to the tree sitters for several weeks after cutting off supplies from outside groups.

University officials declined to say what will immediately happen with the tree sitters.

This is welcome news for Cal fans, who have enjoyed a resurgence in their football program, which now regularly competes for the Pac-10 title.  And, but for the dominance of USC may actually have a chance to win the Pac-10.

Brady Quinn Involved in Gay Dating Scandal

Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn is doing his best impression of Mike “I’m not gay. I’m heterosexual” Piazza.  According to TMZ, Quinn’s lawyer has sent a cease-and-desist letter to a homosexual-dating website demanding that photos of Quinn be removed from the advertisement.

The message: Brady Quinn is not gay.  Evidently Quinn is willing to go so far as to fight gay people to prove his heterosexuality.

While it is normal, and expected, that a professional athlete would not want his image used for advertising without his permission, it is quite another matter to go out of one’s way to deny he is a homosexual.  To quote The Bard, “The Brady doth protest to much, methinks.”

Here are a few suggestions for Quinn:

1. Stop being so homophobic.
2. Keep your shirt on.
3. Stop taking homoerotic photographs.
4. Try to stop dressing like a member of the Village People.
5. Stop sucking at football.

As a side note, Coach Charlie “I looked at myself and saw a disaster” Weis, may want to get in contact with Quinn’s lawyers.  Not to appeal the jury verdict “You Are Fat” from his failed-gastric-bypass lawsuit, but to represent Jimmy Clausen.  If Clausen keeps taking pictures wearing a banana hammock and posing oil with two other guys, it will not be long until the gay rumors start flying.

yojoe Fight On!

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Jonathan Lee Riches© Sues Venture Capitalist Vinod Khosla

Jonathan Lee Riches© (known as the JLR on Dreadnaught) the litigious inmate from Florida has reappeared in the news.  The JLR has sued venture capitalist Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures:

“Khosla’s fund invests in prison buildings. I’m suffering from no medical treatment. This is a conspiracy. Bhutto was killed on my birthday. I can’t see outside, this is unconstitutional. I seek $43 million.”

Khosla is just one of 12 defendants listed in the lawsuit, which seeks various amounts of money, ranging from $5 million to $99 million, from each defendant.

It is good to hear from the JLR again.  It has been too long.  Here are some of the JLR’s previous lawsuits: Michael Vick,

Former Trojan Mike Williams: Back To Form With The Tennessee Titans

Former USC Football star wide receiver Mike Williams left USC in 2005 to enter the NFL, and was the 10th pick in the draft that year.  To say he was highly touted is an understatement, with descriptions such as this: There may not be a better physical specimen in the entire draft.  Williams did not live up to the expectations.  Then last November the Tennessee Titans signed him.  Now, according to a recent story, Williams may be back.

Today, the 6-foot-5 Williams is down nearly 30 pounds to 242 from his weight in January. He opened eyes in practices open to media in May and June, which got the attention of his teammates. But when someone paid him a compliment on the last day of organized workouts, he had a matter-of-fact reply. Williams, more than anyone, knows he’s done nothing yet.

When Mike Williams played at USC he was listed at 6-5/230.  According to the story, he was up to 272.  Remember, he is a wide receiver to a center.