Declarations

Neither Applaud nor Condemn

“The legislature’s policies, so long as they are constitutional, are beyond our purview … We neither applaud the wisdom of such choices nor condemn their folly. We simply assess their legality.”

— Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter ruling that a wounded police officer can’t sue a sporting goods store that sold a handgun, which was later used to shoot him, because of immunity granted to gun sellers by Indiana law.

Flustered

“He was a bit flustered after his vehicle being hit by a train.”

— Lake Charles, La., police Cpl. Shaun Touchet refers to 64-year-old Frank Scalisi Jr., who, after a train clipped a side mirror off his car, lost the whole door when he pulled up to another intersection and opened it to tell the crew about the mirror. The train took off the door and damaged the 2016 Volvo V60’s front quarter-panel.

Healthcare Reality

“We have the chance to make universal health care a reality now.”

— Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, is one of many California lawmakers considering a proposal that would substantially remake the state’s healthcare system by eliminating insurance companies and guaranteeing coverage for everyone.

Farm First

“Sometimes an operation that’s being sued was there first. I feel like if a farm is there first, and you know this is going on, then don’t complain.”

— North Carolina Rep. Larry Pittman, who supported legislation giving hog and poultry operations protections from nuisance lawsuits by neighbors.