OA202: Roundup (With Special Guest the SciBabe!)

Today’s episode takes an in-depth look at the recent $289 million dollar verdict handed down by a California state jury for a man who alleges that the herbicide Roundup (TM) gave him cancer.

First, we break down the facts of the lawsuit.  Then, we have on special guest Yvette d’Entremont — a.k.a. the SciBabe — to break down the science behind glyphosate (the active chemical in Roundup).

After that, it’s time for everyone’s favorite Thomas (& Yvette) Take the Bar Exam, where our dynamic duo attempts to get it right when it comes to the proper measure of damages for breach of contract.  Remember to follow our Twitter feed (@Openargs) and like our Facebook Page so that you too can play along with #TTTBE!

Recent Appearances

None! If you’d like to have either of us as a guest on your show, drop us an email at openarguments@gmail.com.

Show Notes & Links

  1. If you’d like to read some of the original court documents, here’s the Roundup complaint, the Roundup motion to strike; and finally, here’s the Roundup verdict.
  2. In the legal analysis, we discussed Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence and the standards set forth in Daubert v. Merrell Dow, 509 U.S. 579 (1993).
  3. And, of course, you should check out the SciBabe’s website.

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OA150: Janus, The Angry Roman God Of Doorways (And Labor Law?)

In this fast-breaking episode, Thomas and Andrew preview a significant labor case scheduled for oral argument before the Supreme Court this coming Monday, Janus v. AFSCME.  You’ll know all about it before the news breaks!

In the initial segment, “Andrew Was Wrong” returns with listener criticism over our repetition of the common media statement that Parkland was the “18th” school shooting of 2018.

After that, Andrew walks us through Janus v. AFSCME and its implications on the future of unions.

Next, the guys revisit ex-Google employee James Damore and discuss the significance of a recent memorandum issued by the National Labor Relations Board regarding his termination.  Is The Most Important Lawsuit In The History of Western Civilization still on track?  Listen and find out.

Finally, we end with an all-new TTTBE #64 about criminal dog law.  You won’t want to miss it!  Remember that you can play along with #TTTBE by retweeting our episode on Twitter or sharing it on Facebook along with your guess.  We’ll release the answer on next Tuesday’s episode along with our favorite entry!

Recent Appearances

Check out the NEW PODCAST created by our very own Thomas Smith and friend-of-the-show Aaron Rabi, “Philosophers in Space.”  You’ll be glad you did!

Show Notes & Links

  1. Janus is, in fact, the angry god of doorways.
  2. We covered the Parkland school shooting in Episode 148.
  3. This is the Washington Post article critical of the “Everytown for Gun Safety” statistics, and here is a link to Everytown’s actual database of incidents.  Judge for yourself!
  4. Here is Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, 431 U.S. 209 (1977), discussed extensively during the show.
  5. You can read the NLRB memo advising dismissal here.
  6. We covered the (still-pending) James Damore lawsuit on Episode 111 of Serious Inquiries Only.

Support us on Patreon at:  patreon.com/law

Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/

Don’t forget the OA Facebook Community!

And email us at openarguments@gmail.com


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