Gavin Sheridan, a writer in Ireland, has been threatened with legal action by John Gray, author of the poop, er, pop-psychology book, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus."

Mr. Grey publishes his books under the name John Gray, PhD. His academic credentials, however, have come under question repeatedly. Mr. Grey lists B.A. and M.A. degrees from Maharishi European Research University, and a PhD from Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. These schools have the reputation of being diploma mills; in fact, the "university" in Iowa, whose specialty seems to have been teaching levitation, is now defunct. Yes, you read that correctly. Levitation.

I suppose that is one way to get from Mars to Venus.

Gavin Sheridan recently drew attention to this fact, and has been served (via e-mail) with a Demand for Correction; a threat of libel suit. In what seems to be typical of modern legal representation, Mr. Grey's attorneys have not brought claims against others who have questioned the validity of Mr. Grey's credentials or of the granting institutions.

I'm not sure whether or not men are from Mars, but I'm fairly certain that many lawyers are complete assholes.