LegalFish: The Daily Tackle

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Adrienne

Forced to Quit? Read On!

You know, sometimes it REALLY is them and not you.

As in, maybe your employer really IS trying to make your working environment so intolerable, in an attempt to force you to resign.  No, making 100 copies of a 25 page Powerpoint or going on a coffee run does not constitute intolerable working conditions.  We’re talking substantially increasing/decreasing your workload without cause, demoting your responsibilities or just acting with an unprovoked level of hostility towards you.  Sounds like this applies to you?  Well, be aware that this type of behavior is what is referred to as “constructive discharge”.

Freedom of Speech and Twitter – Where Do We Draw the Line?

Courtney Love has made history.  

But, given her reputation – probably not in a good way, eh?  

Back in March 2009, Courtney Love was sued for defamation by fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir for comments Love made to Simorangkir on Twitter.  One of the alleged tweets was “Oi vey don’t (expletive) with my wardrobe or you will end up in a circle of scorched earth hunted ‘til your dead.”  So, yes, although this comment is pretty harsh, isn’t Love entitled to freedom of speech?

Same-Sex Marriage Debate Goes to Maine

In a few days, Maine voters will decide whether or not to repeal their new same-sex marriage law.  If they choose to keep it, the state will be unique for upholding the law via popular vote.  The issue – of civil rights and family – provokes hand-wringing and loud speeches on both sides of the ballot. 

We’ll start in 1996, when President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act prohibiting same-sex couples from receiving federal rights and benefits.  DOMA also (this is possibly the biggest kicker in the whole debate – a total bane to gay marriage supporters, and the saving grace of its opponents) defined marriage, at the federal level, as a union between one man and one woman.  An idea wrought with intensely personal spiritual values, “marriage” is culturally and linguistically more significant than “civil union.”  Cue disagreement and polarity, even within each individual group. 

Hazy Debate Continues: Legalizing Marijuana in California

Here’s the Scenario:

The campaign to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana in California has gained some traction since the last time we touched on the topic. Lawmakers are holding a hearing today considering the effects of widely legalizing the substance throughout the state. Also, supporters have organized themselves so much so to create multiple initiatives to collect signatures to appear on next year’s ballot, which according to the New York Times, would allow “adults to possess marijuana for personal use and allow local governments to tax it.”