It’s not often that anybody gets to write about the Alien Tort Statute outside of law school. That’s because for most of two centuries, it was pretty rare for anybody to break the law, which says that American government, military, and corporate leaders can be held accountable for human rights abuses committed as a result of their presence in a foreign country. Nowadays, the law is a favorite new tool of labor unions and foreign plaintiffs to sue American corporations for human rights abuses in developing countries. The trial against Birmingham-based Drummond Ltd. currently taking place should prove an intriguing test of this new use for the old law.

Other trials taking place around the state this week include Alabama NOW vs. Operation Save America and the brave Mrs. Barbara Wilson of Jacksonville vs. Alabama Power. Certain parties in those proceedings could stand a lesson in civility.

On a lighter note, the fud jors at Little Savannah can now learn you a thing or two about how to shop, then cook, then eat. And local music mainstay Damon Johnson is at again, this time with an all-new gig. You Kill Me is staying at local theaters another week and we went ahead and ran Allen Barra’s review of Rescue Dawn, hoping against hope that some Birmingham theater will actually get that movie in the coming weeks. If not, at least we have Sidewalk, with its upcoming Scramble screening featuring the handiwork of the original J’migga.

Finally, the regulars of one of our favorite local watering holes are mourning a major loss this week. Go by and buy the good barkeeps a drink, why don’t you. It’ll make everybody feel better.