strategist

Capitalism: Not How It Works

Capitalism rewards individuals who work hard and bring valuable services and products to markets. Capitalism is not about a government fighting against those hardworkers. Capitalism is not about BIG GOVERNMENT trying to beat up the capitalist. Nope. Not in my world. Whatever happend to Mr. G.A. Kennedy is not capitalism at work. But rather, I presume, a government trying to protect the entrenched interests (aka 'big players') from all the little fish in the pond. Whatever happened to the level-playing field? Or doesn't that work in the Republic?

NY Times: SEC backs down but still ruins another company

Spy Problems for Germany

This is going to hurt. I wonder if the intelligence agencies will allow the truth to 'see the light of day' or whether they will 'sweep it under the rug'. My guess is the latter. In no way - shape or form - will any of the world intelligence agencies allow their methods to be revealed to any world government. Not in this day and age. With the terrorists having the upper hand (terrorists are not bound by any nation-state laws), legitimate government intelligence agencies will fail.

Do you thin the world is spirally out of control? Me thinks it is. Let's hope that 'cooler heads' will prevail before the world goes 'kaboom'.

BTW, what do you all think about Canada becoming the final arbiter of all political disputes? I mean 'we, Canucks' are pretty easy going chaps, don't you think?

Read NY Times.

Death Penalty Candidate: Boyfriends kills Girlfriend's Son

Another incident of child abuse leading to death. How many more children must die before the NYC Government does something to stop kids from getting their heads banged in by violent adults? Where is the Mayor on this issue?

Name of the victim: Quachaun Brown

Ann Coultier Advocates Poisoning An Associate SCOJ

Has Ann Coultier gone bonkers? Did she really joke about poisoning Justice Stevens? Unfucking uncool!

Read CNN.

US Wiretapping: Slippery Slope?

With much of Washington DC debates the merits of 'unfettered wiretapping', I am sure most of the Republic could give a rat's ass about it. I mean - how many people lead such extraordinary lives that wiretaps would find interesting? I, for one, do not lead an interesting life. I work. I go home. I go to sleep. This is pretty much how my life has been since I came to Japan.

Now, if the Boyz in the White House want to listen in on 'sexy conversations' to get their political jollies, let them be. I'm sure that they are not getting enough sunshine or fun in their lives so, let them listen in on a couple of 'teenage lovers' or 'secret lovers' for some late night entertainment. Shit, what kind of harm could listening in cause? None. Period.

My question for GW and the GOP is simple: When the Dems retake the White House and Congress, will it be okay for a Democratic President to order the eavesdropping of these groups? NRA? Boys on K Street? Michigan Militia? People Against Abortions? I mean, couldn't a Democratic President and a Democratic-controlled Congress just claim that such groups are 'a Clear and Present Danger' to the security of the USA? Couldn't they? Do you think the boys and girls who own a couple of rifles will be upset to find out that the 'Guvernment' is listening in on our conversations? Would they be upset if they found out the Fibbies are tracking their day-to-day movements? If the GOP don't mind for that one fateful day, then 'let the wiretapping go on unchecked'. What's good for the goose is good for the gander right? Am I right?

Read NY Times: White House Defends Wiretapping, Again.

U.N. Wants to Question Syrian President

Shit. Just let the UN march a couple of hundred thousand troops into Syria and grab the president and bring him to NYC for interrogation. Yup - it's that simple. No fuss, no muss. Stop all this phony politicking and get Assad in front of the UN to explain his actions. No one, and I mean - no one, is above the law. Not now, not ever.

John Yoo: Torture Memo

If you don't know the name, you should. John Yoo wrote the now famous/infamous memo that laid out legal arguments for GW and the Gang in the White House to 'do as they pleased'. Yoo argued that the boyz in the White House were not bound by federal law prohibiting warrantless wiretapping. And even before that Yoo stated that the US could torture war combatants at will.

Either we will call Yoo a brilliant legal scholar or just, another political and opportunistic hack. Right now, I don't which one he is. I would like to give Yoo the benefit of the doubt or, at the very least, a couple of hours on Larry King to explain his rationale. Which brings me to a very important question: Has Yoo ever appeared on television to explain his memo? Or has he hidden by the White House Press Secretary and let the GOP machine speak on his behalf? If he has, shame on him.

Shit, if the GOP love what Yoo has done for the Republic, they should nominate him for a seat on the USSCOJ. I would really love to see that confirmation battle on television.

U.S. Bill: Illegal Music Copiers to Jail

Is the US government serious about sending illegal music copiers to jail? Is the illegal copying of music so serious that a person be sent to prison? If so, what does this say about society? Isn't there enough crime in the Republic to keep the justice system going 24x7? Do the police need to add 'arresting illegal music copiers' to their growing task of duties?

Libby Indicted

Well... not a big story. Everyone knew it was coming.

GW Nominates Bill Clinton to Supreme Court

Now, wouldn't that be a newspaper headline you'd pay to see happen.

CNN: Activists want blood-sucking 'gun-tottling' nominee

CEO spends $241K at Strip Club

Where can I apply for the same CEO job? I find it very funny that a corporate senior executive officer could spend over $200,000 at s trip club. What did he spend all that money on? What did he do? What he did is probably a bigger story than how much he spent.

CNN: CEO loves fun times

SCOTUS Nominees

Hypothetical: If a sitting US President (any party will do), nominates Jesus Christ to the U.S. Supreme Court of Justice, how will the opposition party attack J.C.?

It is always fun to watch how much the US gets into a frenzy when a vacancy opens up on the Supreme Court. Take a look at what is happening right now with the nomination of Roberts. I guess the only winners in the entire nomination process are the (1) political pundits - now they can earn their high salaries, (2) political strategists - now they can get more 'face time' on the boob tubes, (3) PACs - now they can solicit more donations from their supporters, and (4) television stations - they can accept more attack advertising.

When will the USA change the way it selects Supreme Court Associate Justices and Chief Justices? There has got to be a much better way that does not divide the republic. Heck, in an already volatile world filled with hate and violence, it's somewhat sad to see our cousins (I'm from Canuckland) down south getting into one another's face and see who can scream the loudest. As though screaming the loudest determines the winner.

I have often heard and read that the U.S. Constitution is a 'work-in-progess'. Well, if so, can some group of scholars, retired politicians, U.S. statesmen and stateswomen, and religious leaders return to Philadelphia and 'hammer out' a new constitution???

USSCOTUS Nominee Roberts

If GW wants Roberts to join the others on the Supreme Court, then let's give the GOP what they want. There are other more important issues facing the US. Roberts' nomination to the highest court pales in concern with the other major issues facing the US today and in the future. Issues such as: US dependency on foreign oil; terrorism; massive global trade imbalances; weakening of US military preparedness; poor education standards; and much much more. So, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture here - the fight for Roberts is nothing more than strange debate in the US Congress. A debate which takes the attention of the US public away from the other problems facing the republic.

(NY Times: Roberts' nomination to Supreme Court)

British Approach to Terrorism: Blast First, Question Second

No matter what happens in London, the British security forces have the right idea: Shoot First, Question Away Second. The only way to deal with acts of terrorism against the state and the security of the nation is to kill as many of them before they (the terrorists) kill you.

Now that the battle for freedom has been brought to the UK, I hope the British take a more aggressive approach to combatting terrorism versus how the USA attacks the same problem.

CNN: Shooting in London

NY Times: More evidence collected

MI-5: BBC Television Series

I picked up the first season of MI-5 at Virgin Megastore in SF last week. What a great show! It is so nice to see a great show come out of the UK.

Just finished watching the second episode where MI-5 sanctioned an assassination of a right-wing extremist who killed a MI-5 agent. Very classy. We take care of our own. Kill one of us and we'll kill you. That is not a threat. It is a promise. Watching the show makes me wish I were Briitsh. Well, I'll have to settle for being part of the British Commonweath. Long live the Queen!

Yet another reason to boycott Aruba!!

What do ya know? Another reason that justice does not work in Aruba: they let the killers walk out the front door instead of carrying them out in caskets. Yup. I'm never flying to that crime-laden island.

Why did it take so long for the police to release the suspects? Well, it took the police, the lawyers and their families that long to co-ordinate their stories and alibis. Once they were sure that their stories were solid, they let them go.

(CNN: Aruba releases two murder suspects)

Michael Jackson: Not Guilty

Gotta admit that I saw that one coming from a mile away. Now, let's hope that his personal and business advisors get him checked into some mental health clinic for some much needed rest.

(NY Times: Cleared of all charges)

Dutch Justice/Injustice: Aruba - Van der Sloot

Just another reason why I would never set foot on Aruba. Aruba is the 'Midnight Express' of our current times. Heaven help any tourist who gets robbed or killed by members of the Political Elite. Perhaps tourist agencies can warn unsuspecting families of the horrific dangers that lurk (also the sadistic sexist killers) on the island.

Since I'm at it, can the US Army go down to Aruba and kidnap those sons of bitches who committed the crimes and bring them back for US-style justice? I'd love to read about those young punks getting their just desserts in a US maximum security prison.

Warning: Don't Go Down to Aruba, Unless You Have A 9mm Pistol.

(Buttsville USA: Aruba Gone Mad)

Excerpt from Blog (Read about Mama's Boy)

In Holland/Aruba, it's all up to the Judge...who is a political appointee...by the *tada* Minister of Justice! (Surprized?)

One of the defendants, in MY mind the most likely perp, is a 17 year old spoiled brat, whose DADDY just HAPPENS (wink,wink) to be the Minister of Justice for Aruba, and a ranking member of the cabinet of the Aruban Prime Minister.

Now these three hoods were picked up immediately by the police, then released for an unbelievable 10 days...TEN DAYS...to scrub the forensic evidence from their car, to concoct alibis, to swear fealty to each other, etc.

Furthermore, while defendants over the age of 18 are not allowed to have visitors, Van der Sloop has had a visit from his Mama each day, filling him in with all the BS that the newspapers and media are putting out.

If you're listening carefully, you will note that a few hours after each media revelation, there is a big retraction.  I can see this percolating up to the Minister of Justice..."You said WHAT?"  "My son confessed to WHAT?"  "Get out there and retract it IMMEDIATELY"

Pastor Chan Chandler

A new sheriff is in town: Pastor Chan Chandler. It is his way or the highway. Either you are with him or you are against him. According to Chandler, if you wish to worship in his 'supposed' House of God, you must obey his every command. And his current command - Support GW Bush. What will Chandler ask his church members to obey next? Here's a possible list of demands sought by the 'Pastor'.

Future/Predicted Demands of Church Members
(1) Do not mix the races - keep the Pastor's church free of mixed races
(2) Hunt and kill those who listen to the devil's music - rock 'n roll
(3) Cut the heads off of all adulterers
(4) Release 'white men' from prison and keep all the coloured locked up behind bars
(5) Make everyone carry a Bible with them at all times
(6) Ban all books with words & topics such as freedom, gay, secularism, free speech, democracy
(7) Send all sinners to do battles in foreign countries and keep the children of the church at home and safe

I hope the Head of the Baptist Church tosses Chandler out on his ass and then, puts a shoe to his face. People like Chandler deserve no role in the House of God.

Teachers Gone Wild in the Classroom!!

Is there any wonder why young children grow up into common criminals? Look at their supposed-role models.

(NY Times: Teachers Face Sex Charges)

A 14-year Old Girl and Abortion

Gee, what the heck has the world come to if fourteen-year old girls are getting abortions. For chrissakes. What kind of world do we live in?

(Illinois Leader: Mother arrested for trying to stop 14-year old daughter from getting abortion)

Best Buy: Bad Customer Experience

In my opinion, I would never shop at Best Buy in a hundred years. After reading this little gem of a story, I would recommend never shopping at Best (NOT!) Buy in a thousand years.

Can you believe some 'supposed' employee did not know he/she must accept legal tender issued by the US Government? Did Best Buy not teach them Commerce 101? Or are the staff at Best Buy that dull? Go figure. Can you say 'm-o-n-e-y'??

I hope the person in the story sues the company for a gazillion dollars!

Best Buy - my foot. How about renaming the company into "Not Best Service Buy"! Ha! Ha!

(Best Buys Sends Customer to Jail)

Help spread the word about Best Buy's great customer service. (Best Buy)

Worldcom: Litigation

Wonderful coverage of the "Wild Times of Worldcom". (My funny title.) As a shareholder in the former company known as "Worldcom" (aka 'Crooks We Are'), I have filed all the necessary documents in order to put my name in the long list of people looking for financial restitution from the likes of the 'bad boys' listed as defendents. I don't know how much I will recover from my investment but any amount is good news. I'll probably frame the cheque and letter (if they send them out). At a few pennies on the dollar (I suspect to be the case), it'll cost me more money to run down to the local Citibank and deposit the cheque and wait for it to clear.

Lesson Learned: Never invest money in companies with 'Crooks' in senior management positions.

(Securities Litigation Watch: Worldcom 360)

China Wants Taiwan: Now

This is going to be a global problem one day: China wants Taiwan to rejoin under a 'reunification policy'. China wants the world to hand over Taiwan immediately and without any discussion. As long as the world is willing to accept Taiwan as a free and sovereign nation, China will continue to be upset.

The US and Japan will always take the position that Taiwan must be allowed to determine its own destiny. Should the "will of the Taiwanese" seek reunification then, the world will accept their decision. Conversely, should the Taiwanese seek to remain as separate political entity then, the world should accept their decision. Since no decision will be made in the next decade, wouldn't it be best if we just let Taiwan be for this century and then, return to the ongoing debate/discussions from the year 2100?

(IHT: A dose of realism)

Hall of Shame: W. R. Grace

It is so easy to steal from unsuspecting folks. Give them cancer and let them die. Don't worry about causing so much grief. Why? When someone comes knocking on your office doors asking for compensation, scream 'frivolous lawsuit!' I can hear WR Grace chanting, "Asbestos doesn't cause cancer!", "Asbestos is good. Abestos saves lives!", "WR Grace is man's best friend!"...

I have got to get me some stock in companies like W. R. Grace: they are a license to print money! And guess what? The good ol' government will help them continue hiding behind their lawyers while the sick die off. Gee, what a great way to make money.

Hey, do you think that HBS will write up a few case studies about how to lie and cheat and make billions? I sure hope so. If HBS can teach millions of future business leaders to follow the WR Grace-business model, you can bet your last breath that the economy will definitely rebound.

Yet another example of 'excessive greed gone wild'. Remember - 'greed is good' but 'stupid, excessive greed is bad' - worse, it's evil!

Hey, all you stock investors out there in 'Excessive Greedland, make sure you buy lots of shares of WR Grace. The company is going to make gazillions from all the dead people. For every dime the judges award the dead, you can rest assured that the good ol' government will give WR Grace a buck in tax breaks.'

[Notice of Disclaimer: Any fool who actually thinks that WR Grace's share price will increase due to the loss of any civil trial is a stupid fool. So, please make sure you speak to your nearest broker to understand that betting on any company in the midst of massive civil litigation may not work to your advantage. That is unless you wish to lose money and write off your losses against all those gazillions you made in capital gains.]

(Forbes: Update on WR Grace)

(Link to The Ying Blog: Lawsuits)

CIA Leak: Plame Scandal

Prediction: Nothing will come out of the investigation until after 2010.

Great timeline and political analysis here.

Medical Malpractice: Greedy Insurance Companies

It is truly sad when insurance companies trample on the lives of the sick and injured. How I wish the excecutives at many of the insurance companies would just grow a heart  (and brain if necessary) and realize that doctors (and insurance companies) must pay damages when doctors screw up.

I don't think people are looking to become rich when a doctor commits malpractice but, victims are seeking relief for a life of suffering and post-surgical care. Is it too much to ask from capitalists? As a capitalist myself, I don't it is too much.

Or better yet, if a doctor accidentally kills a patient on the operating table because the doctor is so drugged up on painkillers or has been shooting speedballs, the doctor and the insurance agent can forfeit their lives in lieu of payment.

Now, if we had a law like that on the books, you can bet your bottom dollar that doctors and insurers would gladly pay damages. But, since the big insurance companies have a few politicians in their back pockets, nothing will ever be done to protect the rights of the injured. It is truly a sad day in the history of mankind when governments choose the rights of big business over those of the people who have granted government the power to govern over them. Sad day.

[Shit - I don't want to be around when the masses revolt! Maybe I'll buy myself a sailboat and cruise the seven seas and wait for the masses to calm down.]

(Check out the web site: US Action)

Eric vs. the Publisher Monster

Very interesting read about a book publisher versus a math texbook writer, Eric W. Weisstein, who is now employed at Wolfram Research, Inc. Definitely a story about David versus Goliath. Glad to see that Eric got what he wanted: the right to help people enjoy reading and mathematics. As a Mathematica user, I am thankful that individuals like Eric and Wolfram want to help people learn to appreciate mathematics more. Big publishers are not helping at all.

(Wolfram Research: Eric's Commentary)

Employers firing smokers

Just finished reading in the newspaper about how some employers are trying to get their workers to give up smoking. Whether it be by offering gifts (cash or iPods) or threatening dismissal, I am unsure companies should be placing undue stress on their employees.

If/when I run my own business, I will give the employees two choices: (1) smoke and buy your own health insurance or (2) give up smoking and I'll pay for your insurance coverage. I mean why should any company be forced to pay higher premiums for health care just to cover those who choose to smoke?

As for the 'slippery slope' argument, (if companies are left unchecked, they'll force workers to give up junk food, late-night television, porno, etc), I don't buy it. Should companies try to dictate the social/health habits of their employees would find themselves at the bad end of many lawsuits. The entire world knows that 'smoking' is bad. So, if companies want to incentivize their workers to give up the 'cancer stick' then so be it. (But, stay the F'K away from my potato chips!!!)

Telling Lawyer Jokes Leads to Arrests

Is this for real? With so much crime in the world, a person can get arrested for telling jokes? Where ever the world is heading, we had better put a stop to it quickly. For our children's and grandchildren's sake: stop the stupidity!

(CNN: Jokes)

Power Returned to Judges

What does this mean for all the people locked up in prisons today? Can the convicted get released retroactively for 'longer sentences' passed down by heavy-handed judges?

(NY Times: Supreme Court Justices Rule)

Judge in Hot Water

Is this story for real??? (Libel Suit)

By the way, the rapist should have to spend time behind bars. End of story.

WORLDCOM Securities Litigation

Just got my Confirmation Notice from the Claims Administrator about my registration of claims for seeking damages from the crooks at Worldcrook, Inc. who took my money while misrepresenting themselves in their SEC filings. I loathe people who lie and cheat and steal money from investors. I hope the entire group burns in 'HE-double hockey sticks upside down' for their sins. Even if I only get pennies on the dollar, it will enough to put a smile on my face.

Final words for the crooks: Burn baby, burn!

Edmonton Man Gets 4.5 Years in Prison

Before you read the story about how a man lured an autistic person via the Internet and then, had sex with her, ask yourself this question: Should the man ever again see the light of day for his crimes?

And if you say 'yes', you really need to get your head examined!

BTW, four and a half years is barely enough to send the fear of God into this person's body. Now, if the court had some guts they would have sentenced the guy to 25 years to life behind bars.

(Globe and Mail: article)

US Senate: Roe v. Wade

If the US Congress is about to force the US Supreme Court to sit through yet another gut-wrenching fight to overturn Roe v. Wade, I want to know how the US Congress will deal with victims of rape and incest who become pregnant. If US senators such as Tom Coburn, (read about him in NY Times), strong advocate for the rights of any unborn child, will he stand by while a woman or young girl is told to bring that fetus to full term? If so, how can he look at the victim and live with his decision???

If elected to public office, I would never demand or order a victim of any crime to carry the unborn child to full term. Nor could I expect any woman to bring a new life into the world if she did not want to carry the fetus/child for nine months. Never could I vote on any side that takes away the rights of women. However, what I could stand and support is for government legislation that offered a woman monetary compensation for bringing that life to full term. If a woman decided to give up the right to an abortion, I feel the government should compensate her for that decision. How much is the life of an unborn child worth? $100K? $1M? No matter what the cost, if society cannot bear the thought of terminating life, perhaps, we should put a price on that life and compensate women for bringing that life into the new world. It's the least we could do for them. Don't you agree???

China is arresting journalists

The first question is why? The second question is why is the world not upset at the actions of the PRC? Is the PRC the only place on earth that throws media people into the klink??? Nope.

And what about the US government throwing journalists and reporters into jail for not releasing the names of their sources? Does the US government want to be compared with the Chinese government? If not, the US government should take a stand and permit journalists and reporters to work freely in society without any fear of prosecution or persecution.

(NY Times: article)

New Law: Thou shall not fast forward through DVD commercials

If the US Congress does allow for the prosecution of couch potatoes who wish to fast forward through 20 minutes of commercials on a DVD, what's next??? A law forbidding theatre-goers from going to the bathroom during commercials??? Let's hope that the 'Honorable members of Congress' put this law to death - and do it quickly.

(Professor Bainbridge: blog)

Judgeship 101: How to have fun on the job

When I read this little news gem, I had to laugh. Only could a judge find so much humour in sending someone to prison for life. Well, if I were the judge in this case, I would have done much worse to the prisoner. If mocking the prisoner hurt his feelings, too bad for him. You gotta respect a judge like this: cool, calm and straight to the point... "you're outta here!"

(CNN.)

Quoted passage from news article:

"You just made my day when I heard you had finally come home," Criminal Courts Judge Faith Johnson told Billy Wayne Williams, who had been convicted in absentia of aggravated assault after he disappeared a year ago. "We're so excited to see you, we're throwing a party for you."

Big Brother is Watching You!

When I was a kid, I always asked my parents for a brother. In a family with only sisters, I often missed out on playing catch or climbing trees with a 'fellow guy'. How I wished I had a brother - any brother. Well, if the US government has its way, I will finally get a brother: Big Brother.

If the US government wants to promote its new technology, "Passports with RFIDs", they should splash posters all over the cities that the US government only wants to become a bigger part of our families and does not want to spy on us all. I mean - why else would the government be promoting 'passports with radio frequency ids'?? Instead of telling my mother or father or even, my wife, where I'm going, I can just let the government, oops... I mean my 'Big Brother' know by carrying my passport with me. How easy! If my wife calls me up on my mobile phone and asks where I am, I can tell her to 'talk to Big Brother' cuz "He" knows where I am!!! Just think about how easy it is to track me down. No losing your wife. No losing your husband. No losing loved ones. No losing parents. No losing kids. Heck, think of all the UPSIDE!!!

I wonder if anyone will set up an internet site where we can track everyone in the world. If I wanted to know where ... say, my newspaper boy is, I can just access the newspaper web site and find out where the paper boy is and "WHERE THE HECK IS MY PAPER!!!" Instant access. How sweet. Or as a former colleague of mine (who happens to be a Yankee always says) "hit the sweet spot"! Yowsa! Oooo - that feels good - the "sweet spot".

Maybe some company can design 'handheld devices' to let us track anyone and everyone - Heck I'd buy one!!! If I want to know where my boss is, I can just click on his photo and 'whamo' - instant awareness of his location.

Maybe the US government is doing us a favour by allowing us to track one another. Heck if they can track us, maybe we can track them. Wouldn't it be nice to know whether your congressman/woman is at work (in DC) or out at the beach messing around with his/her executive assistant??? No more 'TV Scoops'. No more news programmes running 'Sting Operations'.

Also, how much would you pay to know if the 'milk man' was 'cruising by your home' while you're at work? (Heck I always thought the children looked like the milk man and not me.....). Hey, is the milk man drinking my beer, too??? If so, he's got a fight on his hands. I'm gonna cream the MoFker.

Just think of all the possibilities of living in a society/world where we could "on demand" know where you are, who you are, where you went - just by clicking your photo on a PDA device. Shit. Sign me up for a couple of those machines. I have two hands so why shouldn't I have two machines??? I had better get out my 'business planning books' and jotting a few ideas down. Heck, I had better speak with my attorney and begin filing some patents on some of these 'wacky' ideas on how to get rich!!!

Oh, sorry - getting back to my blog and the matter of Big Brother and passports with RFID chips embedded in the book. I read about this very possibility via a wonderful blog which I have added to my daily reading list: Schneier on Security. Read his blog which inspired this blog entry of mine.

I finally get a Big Brother. Now, I can play catch with him. I can climb trees with him. Can we buy matching jackets??? Gee... I sure hope so!!!

John Yoo: He did nothing wrong!

Now that I have read the story behind the story, I do not understand why or how the law students at UC Berkeley can intimidate Yoo into renouncing his memo regarding the Geneval Conventions as they pertain to the US government. Yoo did not advocate any one position in his memo; all he did was conduct legal research and present his findings. He was not hired to steer policy nor was he asked to write a paper to persuade the international community of the actions about to be taken by the US government were just or correct. (Read Professor Bainbridge for more details/comments.)

Lawyers Suing Lawyers: Reality Show

Just when you thought life could not get any more entertaining, here comes a real life case where one group of lawyers sue another group of lawyers. Is there any wonder why so many people in the world shake their heads at lawyers nowadays??? I fear that one day, each person on this planet will be sued at least a dozen times by others. Can you imagine a world when each country lists as one of its measures of economic growth a lawsuit index??? Let's see...

CountryName: Capitalist, Inc.
Population: 350M
Government: Republic
Head of Government: Politcal Action Committee Head(s)
Executive Branches of Government: (1) Lawyers, (2) Doctors, (3) Immigration Agents
GDP: $500 Trillion
Income per capita: (1) Lawyers = $15M/JD, (2) Doctors = $10M/MD, (3) Immigration Agents = $7.5M/Gun
Literacy Rate: 50%
Population with higher education (Bachelor's degree or higher): 77%
Population with J.D.: 50%
Poplulation with more than 20 cars per household: 30% (all civil litigation lawyers)
Families with Civil Litigators as Head of Household: 27%
Civil Litigation Suits (Plaintiff) per Capita: 75
Legal Age for Suing Someone: 2 years old

(CNN.)

Am I being too cynical here???

Martha Stewart Trial: Allegations of Perjury

Is this an exploitable situation that will provide Martha with a new trial? Let's hope the trial judge sits a spell and rethinks how best to proceed in the sentencing phase. While I think it was bad that Martha tried to cover up her trades, I don't think her crimes rise to the level it has attained thus far. I hope the judge sentences Stewart to probation and a large monetary fine.

(CBS Market Watch.)

Tyco Corruption: Mistrial

I sure hope that people with any sense of decency do not lay the blame for the failure of the prosecution to win a 'guilty verdict' on Tyco trial juror #4: Ruth Jordan. In the future retrial, I would like to see a much shorter trial. Six months is too long for anyone to sit in any court room.

(NY Times.com)

"OK"-sign to Tyco Defense Team

Does this one single act make the case against Tyco officials 'dead in the water'? Is it possible that a mistrial will be declared? (NY Times)

I sure hope the same does not happen in any WorldCom trial. For the record, I was one of the investors in WorldCom that lost my investment when it was revealed that the 'books were cooked'. Company managers who willingly play instrumental roles in the deception of the investors and government should, in my opinion, be found guilty and made to serve prison time. Of course, it is the responsibility of the government to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the charges are true.

In another matter, take a look at the case of People vs. James Olis, former Dynegy executive, who was just sentenced to a 24-year prison sentence for fraud. Ouch! That has got to hurt!

SCO Lawsuit: Explained

For the longest time, I could not understand what SCO is suing anyone for: Am I the only one who does not understand what is happening? Well, thanks to Mark F. Radcliffe, in his posting at AlwaysOn, I have a better understanding. Let's hope that Novell can show that they and not SCO own the copyrights to that pesky code.

If you need a score card to tell who is winning, read Radcliffe's summary: it'll help!!

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure

Very interesting self-discovery survey about 'what type of person you are'. Found the survey via the Yin Blog. Very cool! Tres cool!

YOU ARE RULE 8(a)!

You are Rule 8, the most laid back of all the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. While your
forefather in the Federal Rules may have been a
stickler for details and particularity, you
have clearly rebelled by being pleasant and
easy-going. Rule 8 only requires that a
plaintiff provide a short and plain statement
of a claim on which a court can grant relief.
While there is much to be lauded in your
approach, your good nature sometimes gets you
in trouble, and you often have to rely on your
good friend, Rule 56, to bail you out.


Which Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Are You?
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Douglas L. Getter

Who is the lawyer at the centre of yet another controversy at the law firm, Dewey Ballantine? (Read story.) (Read NY Times.)

Should I drop my plans on becoming a lawyer???

Michael Moore Being Sued

I guess James Nichols, brother of infamous Terry Nichols, is suing filmmaker, Michael Moore for the way he was tricked into doing the documentary/drama film. If you haven't seen the film yet, you must. It sure was an eye-opener. After the movie finished, I had to take a few deep breaths and ponder what Moore was attempting to tell us about guns and violence. I don't know whether it is right or wrong for people to own private guns - it isn't my place to tell the US how to run their country. What I do believe is that people who do possess hand guns, rifles, assault weapons, etc. should be forced to buy special insurance to protect themselves from inflicting damage on innocent people. Now, this, of course, does not cover the gun owner blasting a burglar, robber, rapist, etc. away. Gun locks? Don't know if they work or help. I'd rather see more and more police put on the streets to protect the public. If we had police everywhere, perhaps there would be less demand for the hand guns, rifles, assault weapons, bazookas, tanks, rocket launchers, etc. All I know is that if I were to live in the USA, I would definitely go out and get a few hand guns! (Related story.)

Insurance Gone Crazy

I can not believe what SGI is doing to a woman in Saskatchewan: This is incredible!! Why should this woman have to pay her insurance deductible when her car was hit by another vehicle from behind. Where's the justice here? What is the provincial government going to do about this nonsense?? (Related story.)

Frank Quattrone: Free for Now

I don't like the outcome of the Quattrone trial. I hope the government tries the case again. (Related story.)