“The problem started when Mr. Bernard’s duplex was visited by Keene, New Hampshire housing inspector Carl Patten. Bernard lives in half of the duplex and rents out the other half. Patten cited him for a couch that was on his tenant’s side of the lawn. … Ian refused to pay because he did not believe there was evidence of a complaining party. He attempted to negotiate with the city, but the judge only wanted to set a court date. … Bernard had a meeting with Patten regarding an offer he made to the city during the hearing. He later said that he was willing to remove the couch if the original complaining party would step forward. The Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution, after all, does give everyone the right ‘to be confronted with the witnesses against him.’ So much for that old piece of parchment. All of these events led directly to the Friday trial in which Ian was sentenced to 30 days in jail for a contempt of court charge involving his ‘refusal’ to sit down, 3 days for the couch violation, and 30 days each for two yet to be explained contempt of court charges.” [editor’s note: Am I the only one tempted to drive up to New Hampshire with a U-Haul full of old couches to donate to local politicians’ lawns? - TLK] (11/15/08)