Category Archives: Legal

Facebook’s New Libra Digital Currency, Trust Issues (Many), and Sovereignty

Trust issues with Facebook’s Libra for users, regulators, and technically. And is Facebook seeking to become a sovereign?

Why Is CalPERS Still So Afraid of Elisabeth Bourqui?

CalPERS is acting awfully guilty.

Climate Change: Judge Allows New York’s Martin Act Lawsuit Against Exxon to Proceed

New York state judge allows climate fraud lawsuit brought under the Martin Act to proceed, rejecting defendant Exxon’s claims for dismissal.

Leaked Messages Confirm: Imprisonment of Brazil’s Lula da Silva was Politically Motivated

Real News Network interview with Mike Fox discussing ramifications of documents released by the Intercept, revealing political motivations behind former Brazilian president Lula da Silva’s prosecution and conviction.

Privacy Watch: US Visa Applicants Must Provide Social Media Details

The US will now require applicants for visas to share social media details, thus formalizing an existing policy of government monitoring of such traffic.

Consumer Contracts Restatement Delayed: Consumers Win…For Now

Following pushback from Elizabeth Warren, state attorneys general, and both consumer advocates and business groups, consumer contracts restatement delayed – for now.

Glyphosate Use Surges in Midwest, Lawsuits Mount: What Will the Supremes Say?

Glyposphate use increases throughout the Midwest, and Bayer loses its third Roundup case. The company appears confident that higher US courts will reverse pro-plaintiff verdicts.

AOC Calls for Ban on Revolving Door as Study Shows 2/3 of Recently Departed Lawmakers Now Lobbyists

AOC outs an unlikely ally after tweet calling for a lifetime ban on former members of Congress becoming lobbyists: an attempt to stop the revolving door between “public service” and personal profit.

Trump Admin’s Latest Rail Safety Rollback Sets up Industry to Make Its Own Rules

Trump administration continues to follow the self-regulation gospel – this time in the area of rail safety. This case study in corporate capture of American regulation is yet another area where the accidents are just waiting to happen.

Daniel Ellsberg on Julian Assange’s Espionage Charges

The US has added new charges againat Julian Assange that represent a threat to journalists.

Bankruptcy: An Option for Taxi Drivers Crushed by Medallion Loans?

Contrary to what the NYT asserts, taxi drivers who can get competent legal advice might find bankruptcy allows them to escape onerous medallion loan burdens – and keep their medallions.

FDA Allowed Medtronic to Shield Info on Heart Device Failures

Medtronic allowed to report in secret the failures of its heart device – concealing information from patients, their doctors, and consumer advocates.

EPA Changes Math to Allow Burning of More Coal

EPA proposes methodology change to allow states to opt to burn more coal.

The Battle for Rights of Nature Heats Up in the Great Lakes

Public interest lawyers strive to give legal teeth to a Lake Erie Bill of Rights, a ballot initiative passed by Ohio voters in February.

After Standing Rock, Protesting Pipelines Can Get You a Decade in Prison and $100K in Fines

Five states have enacted draconian laws after protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline generated national attention and inspired a wave of civil disobedience.