Once upon a time, lawmakers could get away with a modicum of privacy. But now, every time one opens their mouth someone whips out a cell phone and records the moment for posterity. Here are some of the biggest political gaffes of the decade.
We all know that speed limits are there for our own protection. But who decides how fast we should drive? Also, some studies have shown that roads that have no speed limits aren’t necessarily death traps.
You’ve likely never been involved in an illegal money laundering scheme, knowingly passed counterfeit bills, or thought of yourself as a forger or a thief. However, there are some financial crimes you might be guilty of without ever considering your actions as illegal.
Anti-bullying laws didn’t save Tyler Clementi, in New Jersey, or Phoebe Price, in Massachusetts, both of whom committed suicide after enduring ongoing harassment from their peers. And any high schooler will likely tell you that no matter how many rules and laws are in place, whatever the stated consequences, bullying happens, and it happens a lot.
France’s law banning the wearing of hijabs, or headscarves, by Muslim girls and women in public schools went into effect in 2004 among much criticism and controversy. Take a look at hijab bans in other countries such as Turkey, Germany, and Belgium.
Con artists often target senior citizens, for a variety of reasons. According to the FBI, cons exploit the fact that older generations were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Here are some of the scams to watch out for, for yourself or for older friends and relatives.
There’s a reason Hollywood blockbusters such as “Ocean’s Eleven” and “The Italian Job” are box-office hits. People love the mystery, the suave burglars, crazy twists, and the idea of all that money. Real-life heists probably don’t have as many hotties, but their schemes can rival any movie.
Maybe you filed your taxes electronically, used your debit card at the grocery store, or charged your drinks at a bar to your Visa credit card. Millions of Americans do similarly mundane activities every day without a second thought, and any of them could allow thieves to steal an identity.
Japan’s rigorous building codes saved lives in the wake of the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami that hit the country earlier in March. The earthquake, which measured 9.0, was the fifth-strongest on record. If a comparable earthquake hits the U.S., will we be as prepared as Japan?
Could a terrorist organization acquire and use a nuclear weapon? The idea has proliferated in popular culture, and while it is, according to some experts, a plausible threat, the scenario isn’t quite as likely as action movies and the tv show “24” would have you believe.