Jeanine's Journal

Judge Pirro's New Year Resolution

As we usher in the New Year, we celebrate with family and friends hoping that next year will be better than last. That shouldn't be hard given the disastrous year 2008 has been. We've seen almost unprecedented job losses, a tumbling housing market, record high gas prices (although they're inexplicably down again) and an extremely unpopular war. It was the worst year for the Dow Jones since 1931. To add insult to injury, we watched our hard earned taxpayer dollars fund the bailout of Wall Street firms and car companies that simply failed. The sad irony is that no one will bail us out from credit card debt and usurious interests rates and penalties that each month makes it almost impossible for families to survive.

Walmart Black Friday Death

The death of a Wal-Mart employee this past 'Black Friday' could have been prevented. His death is not only on those who trampled him, but also on Wal-Mart itself. The facts are relatively undisputed.

Crowds gathered throughout the early morning hours to be among the first to purchase various advertised sale items including flat screen TVs and DVDs. There were no surprises here. Throngs of shoppers are not unexpected. In fact, they are the goal of retail merchandisers on the busiest shopping day of the year.

Nebraska Safe Haven Law

"Please don't bring your teenager to Nebraska." Curious words from the governor of a state who signed a bill into law and now wants people to ignore it. Even more curious is why it has taken so long for this chief executive to call a special legislative session to repeal the very law that he signed.

Mayor Richard Daley's Disappointing Thoughts on the Hudson Case

Chicago's Mayor Richard Daley expressed one of the most disappointing sentiments I have ever heard. An October 29, 2008 article on the Hudson family homicides in the Chicago Sun Times reads, "Daley expresses grief, says tragedy could not have been prevented." According to the article Mayor Daley said, "It happens. But this crime could NEVER have been prevented, unfortunately." (emphasis added). HOGWASH! (my emphasis)

Jennifer Hudson Case

Mention the term 'domestic violence' and one typically visualizes a man beating a woman -- his fist clenched and the woman cowering in fear. But it is often much worse than that. Some men do more than abuse. They kill who and what is most loved by their intended victim. I know. I started one of the first domestic violence units in the nation as a young prosecutor in 1978 when battered women were considered irrelevant, inconsequential and responsible for their own abuse.

Lindsay Lohan Has Another Bad Week

Lindsay Lohan had another bad week. She deserves it. Three men allege she held them hostage after she jumped into the driver's seat of their GMC Denali truck to chase an assistant who had just quit her employ. Lohan claims the men had a good time and the lawsuit is baseless.

Caylee Anthony, Casey Anthony and Spin

Spin. The word is so much a part of our daily lives that we sometimes don't even realize when it's happening. Advertisers convince us that we simply can't live without their products. Politicians convince us that things are better or worse than they really are. Spinning is relating a story in such a way as to influence public opinion in the desired way (Encarta World English Dictionary).

OJ Simpson is Guilty in Vegas

As I watched OJ Simpson's recent guilty verdict, I couldn't help but focus on his hands in handcuffs as he was led out of the courtroom, bail pending sentence denied, on his way to jail. He will presumably be sentenced for a very long time -- he faces a minimum of 15 years on the top count -- first degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon (although he could be eligible for parole in 5 on that count). He stands convicted of 12 serious crimes including robbery, conspiracy, burglary, assault, coercion and use of a deadly weapon. He could be sentenced to consecutive terms which means, one sentence after another for each of his twelve convictions. This would essentially amount to a life sentence.