Observer Online | A $54 Million Chuckle

Edition of June 15, 2007

A $54 Million Chuckle

Every now and then, a "News of the Weird" case comes along that captures people's imaginations and brings all kinds of attention from around the world. Remember the images of O.J. Simpson's white Bronco slowly cruising along the Los Angeles highway as millions of people around the world tuned in?

Well, for news junkies around the world, this week we have the case of the administrative law judge in Washington, D.C., suing a cleaners for $54 million because, he says, they lost a pair of his pants.

I have no idea how that case actually came to trial, for it seems ludicrous to think that the man has any standing to collect the outrageous sum he's demanding, but now that it's in the courts, it's international news, baby.

The two-day trial this week attracted reporters from around the world, including some national reporters from the United States, to a courtroom and a trial that would normally not be given the second glance.

Like so many other cases throughout history, this is another opportunity for people around the world to say "Those crazy Americans." And the funny thing is, we do it to ourselves.

Remember the $400 million lawsuit over the hot cup of coffee at McDonald's? It made for fascinating reading, but it sure didn't mean much. And the $54 million pants? Good luck to the plaintiff and the defendant. After the trial is over they will all be getting their 15 minutes of fame.