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Saw a couple of interesting blurbs over the last several days...

First, last week a woman left paralyzed when her Ford Explorer rolled over was awarded $369 million dollars by a San Diego jury. The damages were broken down as follows: $246 million in punitive damages and compensatory damages of nearly $123 million to her and her husband. Ford had previously tried 11 of these cases to verdict and had prevailed on each and every one. Ford not suprisingly, vowed to appeal the verdict.

In an interesting sidenote, the plaintiff offered to forego $100 million in damages if Ford would recall all Explorers made through 2001 and address the alleged defects - including a center of gravity that is too high. Ford, not suprisingly declined, noting that "...there is no defect with the Explorer"[apparently ignoring the fact that a jury had just decided there was, to the tune of $369 million].

Also, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that a California woman can sue to recover $150 million dollars worth of family paintings stolen by the Nazis. The six paintings, done by Gustav Klimt, apparently included portraits of family members, including an aunt. Presently they are being held by the country of Austria. The Bush Administration had been fighting the case, arguing that these matters would be better settled "diplomatically". I can I can understand the woman's frustration. After all, WWII ended some sixty years ago and those darn diplomats apparently haven't been able to accomplish anything in six decades or so. I think this lady has been patient enough. Hope she gets everything back...