law

OA541: Monica Miller on Happy the Elephant and Legal Personhood for Animals

After our episode on Cocaine Hippos, we were contacted by previous guest and all-star attorney Monica Miller about the efforts to free Happy the Elephant. Monica works with the Nonhuman Rights Project, and they are utilizing a fascinating legal strategy to try to free certain animals from captivity. She takes us through the case and the law!
In the first segment, we've got a number of OA was...

Miss Ashley's for the Week of Nov. 4th

SO many good stories!

#T3BE 250 - Full Question Text for Patrons

OA540: The Bizarre Case of Steven Donziger

It's one of the most requested stories for OA to cover – Steven Donziger won billions in judgment against Chevron in an Ecuadorian court in 2011. Then Chevron fought back. Now, 10 years after the original victory, Donziger has been handed loss after loss, been disbarred, and been found in criminal and civil contempt of court. His cause is deeply sympathetic to left wing audiences. But is it a...

QnA 48 audio

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#T3BE 249 - Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas gets back in the win column along with the coin, both correctly picking (C).  He's now 131-for-249 (52.6%), while the coin improves to 10-for-24 (41.7%).

OA539: Pablo Escobar's Cocaine Hippos Are People, My Friend (?)

It's time for a good old fashioned low stakes fun legal deep dive! Get ready to learn what on Earth this episode title even means! Before that, we've got some Thomas was allegedly wrong about duck duck grey duck! And then a wildcard segment about Dan Tana's vs. Dantana's!

Links: 2021-11-01 03:49:47 +0000 UTC View Post

OA538: The Rittenhouse Trial Instructions, Explained

Yet another packed episode! Our main story is what's really going on with the Rittenhouse Trial Instructions. You might have seen the coverage stating that the victims can't be called victims but can be called rioters and looters. Is reality as bad as the coverage? Andrew explains! Then in what is our co-main segment, Andrew gives us his initial thoughts on the hot off the presses Build Back Be...

#T3BE 249 - Full Question Text for Patrons

The triumphant return of #T3BE!

The Triumphant Return of Miss Ashley's!

Oh man, you won't want to miss this!

Q&A Thread! Tuesday 11/2 at 4 pm Pacific / 7 Eastern

You know the deal!  Post your questions here and upvote with the heart the ones you want answered.

OA537: Why CA Prop 22 Was Ruled Unconstitutional

Another classic deep dive! You might remember California passing AB5, which sought to elevate so-called "gig economy" workers from independent contractors to full on employees. It was not a perfect solution and left some small businesses wondering how they would cope. However, after that was passed, tech companies poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Proposition 22, which would basically...

OA536: The Tennessee Judge Who Keeps Jailing Kids

So much in today's episode! First: a Thomas rant on police striking and quitting over the COVID vaccine. Next: a brief look into Striketober and when Reagan ruined unions. Third: Steve Bannon contempt order! Then finally our main segment on the awful 2021-10-22 05:12:03 +0000 UTC View Post

OA535: Roe is Doomed. Contraceptives Could Be Next - Part 2

This is part 2 of the deep-dive into Griswold v Connecticut. If you didn't catch part 1, make sure to listen! It's OA533!
But also, since we love you so much, there's a wildcard on more Sidney Powell terrible lawyering! She's the grift that keeps on giving.

Appearances

N...

OA534: State and Federal Agencies Now Fighting EACH OTHER in Blizzard Activision Case

Our own Andrew Torrez broke this news while on vacation, no less! Here's an article referencing the podcast! We had assumed that the DFEH and the EEOC were working in coordination on the Blizzard Activision case, but that tur...

#T3BE 248 - Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas got this one wrong, picking (A).  The coin also got it wrong, going with (C).  In reality, the right answer was (B) -- this is a corner case of revoking acceptance of goods under the UCC and a VERY tough question.

Thomas porks his winning streak and falls to 130-for-248 (52.4%), while the coin drops to 9-for-23 (39.1%).

OA533: Roe is Doomed. Contraceptives Could Be Next

Today is part 1 of a much needed but quite dire deep-dive. The case is Griswold v. Connecticut, which may be familiar even to the layperson. It's what gives us the right to buy contraceptives and not have shopkeepers ask us if we're married. How could that possibly be overturned, you might ask? Well, legally speaking, it is justified in the exact same way as Roe. Listen to learn more.

App...

Breaking News - Activision

Andrew dug deep into the documents and there’s a potential conflict of interest that could imperil the entire California state investigation of Activision Blizzard. Read all about it and view the source docs here: https://twitter.com/openargs/status/1446872978067705869?s=21

OA532: OK I'll Bite What is the Debt Ceiling

If that's something you've been too afraid to say lately, this is the episode for you! Andrew breaks down the history of the debt ceiling, and why it is as pointless as it is potentially catastrophic! And a wildcard segment on Texas SB 8 being enjoined.

Come see Thomas and others (like Ross and Carrie!) for California Freethought Day! It's online this year! 2021-10-08 04:43:38 +0000 UTC View Post

Miss Ashley's Stories in the News

For the week of 10/7

#T3BE 248 - Full Question Text for Patrons

#T3BE 247 - Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas got this one right, too, and for the right reasons -- breach of contract will render the plaintiff whole, so the answer is (A), $150.  Thomas is now 130-for-247 (52.6%), and the coin is 9-for-22 (40.9%).

OA531: Pop-law! Nirvana Sued by the Nevermind Baby; and a #FreeBritney Update!

Everyone's favorite Ace Associate, Morgan Stringer, is back for another rousing edition of Morgan's Pop-law! So many of you asked us about the Nirvana lawsuit, so we've got the full breakdown for you. And Jamie Spears is no longer the conservator over Britney! We are one step closer to hashtag freeing Britney!

Links: 2021-10-04 06:57:09 +0000 UTC View Post

OA530: Andrew Testifies to Congress on Christian Healthshare Ministries!

Mr. Torrez went to Washington! Ok ok, not quite as glamorous as all that, but Andrew DID testify via Skype in a closed door congressional hearing about Christian Healthshare Ministries! How cool is that! Andrew breaks down what he talked about, and the new facts he dug up in his preparation! Also, if you or anyone you know has been harmed by a Healthshare, please write into the show! Email is b...

OA 530 Show Notes

#T3BE 246 - Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas got this one right, nailing the analysis and everything, and picking (D)!  The coin, on the other hand, whiffed badly, picking (A).  Thomas is now 129-for-246 (52.4%), while the coin is a very sad 8-for-21 (38.1%).

OA529: The Weird Al Deep-Dive We Didn't Know We Desperately Needed

Alright so... we got a lot of emails from our satire-related episode. Like a lot. And it all focused on the same one thing from a quick aside about Weird Al. Since then, a massive debate has taken place in the Facebook group over whether or not satirists like Weird Al would owe royalties. Andrew's previous segment said no; many commenters say yes. So are we issuing an Andrew was wrong? Find out...

OA528: Disgraced Ex-President Sues Niece Mary Trump

for... revealing the depths of the Trump family tax crimes. This suit has not been reported very well in the media. Andrew has the breakdown, and the main takeaway that should be the headline everywhere this is covered. But that's not all the Trump related news! In...

#T3BE 246 - Full Question Text for Patrons