In the wake of the recent death of Michael Jackson, many worldwide are remembering his music, his dancing, and the early years in the Jackson 5.  But how many remember him as an inventor and patentee?  Perhaps the attorney who drafted the patent application, or Examiner Patterson, who recognized the inventive novelty during prosecution.  I’ll venture to guess few even knew Michael Jackson also wore the inventor hat in addition to that cool fedora.  Read more here.

This week I attended a luncheon featuring Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as the keynote speaker. It was an incredible opportunity to hear a sitting Supreme Court justice in person, speaking about the path by which he reached his current position, as well as the role he plays on the current Court. Not only that, but his personal story is one that encapsulates the American dream – a young boy born into extreme poverty rises up to become one of the greatest men in America. His story exemplifies the truth that anyone can achieve anything with the freedoms we have here in this country.

The only thing that shocked me, though I suppose it really should not have, was the utter lack of publicity his arrival and time in Dallas generated. Not one local news outlet highlighted the event, to my knowledge, nor even mentioned that a sitting Supreme Court Justice was in town! The local newspaper did not write up the event in advance of or after its occurence. The only place I could find mention of the event was on blogs, and organizational websites of participating organizations.

Compare that to the previous year, when retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor came to Dallas. Months before her arrival, news outlets reported on her coming and gave information about the event. The public was made aware of the opportunity and her time here received much press. I attended that event myself, and enjoyed hearing her persepective about her time on the Court. The question is, why the difference? Why does one retired Justice receive an enormous amount of attention, while another sitting Justice receives barely any at all?

The answer may be found in the lone editorial reviewing Justice Thomas’ new book, in which the columnist writes:

If Clarence Thomas were a liberal, he’d be widely regarded as an American hero.

(interestingly, although the DMN editorial was written only a week prior to the event this past Tuesday, no mention is made of Justice Thomas coming to Dallas)

Recently, on a favorite blog of ours, the questionable moral nature of a duck was displayed. View duck crime here

Apparently, the baboons who viewed what the duck could get away with have taken crime one step farther. As peer pressure rises, we urge you to take precautions against the rest of the animal kingdom (whatever that might mean).

Read about baboon crime here

A Nebraska State Senator has sued God, blaming God for terrorist attacks and seeking an injunction against God for future threats. The defendant (that would be God) filed his response yesterday with a bolt of lightning . . . okay, no actual lightning was reported. But a response was found on the county clerk’s desk, signed by God himself! And get this – apparently God resides in Corpus Christi, TX! I knew Texas was the promised land, but of all the cities . . . really God?

To read about the lawsuit click here

To learn more about God’s response click here

The verdict is in – 2006 Tour de France champion Floyd Landis must forfeit his title due to the arbitration decision upholding the doping charges against him. Unless he wins on appeal, Landis will be the first in the history of the race to lose his title based on doping allegations. Interestingly, former champion Greg LeMonde testified against Landis during the hearings.

For the full story click here