As Tropical Storm Karen nears the Gulf Coast, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recalled staff members who have…
Why does the government shut down?
The Constitution! Congress has the power of the purse. If Congress can’t agree to pass a law about how to…
Is plagiarism illegal?
Plagiarism is not a crime. Image courtesy Betty x1138 That’s not to say that plagiarists plagiarize with impunity. Schools often…
Why can’t you discharge student loans in bankruptcy?
You can! Image courtesy Images_of_Money. Sort of. Depends on your circumstances. It used to be easier, especially before 2005. Congress has…
Why can you be arrested for killer cantaloupe?
In 2011, a deadly listeria outbreak killed 33 and hospitalized 147. Cantaloupe from Jensen Farms in southeastern Colorado was the…
Why is marijuana usage illegal in (parts of?) the United States?
Back in the day, marijuana was a remedy for everything from gout to inflamed skin. Image courtesy Matthew Kenwrick In…
Why can you buy gas with an 85 octane rating in Colorado when the standard is usually 87?
Why are there regional variations in octane ratings? Why do some Rocky Mountain states allow 85, 85.5, 86, or 86.5…
Why aren’t movies rated by the government?
Why aren’t movies rated by the government? Image courtesy M4D Group. They were, before the 1960s! Some states and big…
Why does FM radio go from 87.9 to 107.9?
In the United States, the frequency modulation (“FM”) radio band stretches from 87.7 MHz (megahertz) to 108 MHz. The center…
Why does bedding have a tag that says "Not to Be Removed Except By Consumer?"
Back in the day, mattresses came stuffed with nasty stuff. Not my modern mattress! All new material, baby. Secondhand stuffing…
The Law in Life 