Yahoo! News reports that State Farm no longer trusts Mississippi's legal system to enforce its contracts. The state's "current legal and political environment is simply untenable. We're just not in a position to accept any additional risk in this homeowners' market," said public affairs VP Mike Fernandez.

The damage this time was caused by federal courts, as readers of this e-zine know very well. One might think that State Farm's decision will exacerbate hostility toward the company -- I imagine some interesting simulations were undertaken before this decision was reached.