Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Rudy To Drop Out

Even though I am a democrat, and I wouldn't have voted for Rudy Guiliani, I am sorry to hear that he will more than likely drop out of the race tomorrow. I know he has his problems, but I really liked how he handled 911, especially when Bush was not much help during that time. He is smart, articulate, funny. I think the commentators are right--that he emphasized the past, and 911, when he should have been focusing on some other things. Maybe it is for the best. But I really thought I Hillary/Rudy race would be great fun. Oh well.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Glenn Beck Says He Is Not a Journalist

Glenn Beck amazes me over and over with his ignorance. Tonight on his show, he is claiming he is not a journalist, but an "opinion guy." Poor guy doesn't understand the basics of his own profession. His guest was politely trying to explain to him that even being an opinion guy makes him a journalist. Beck just laughed in amazement. I laugh in amazement at his ignorance. The guy does not deserve a show.

Moot Court Blues--Episode 7

There are rules in court, with moot court being no exception. Law schools are different from business schools, for example, because law schools have to answer to bodies such as the state Supreme Court. Business schools can pretty much do what they want in many instances, such as make their grading system and their attendance policies to their own liking.

Some of the rules pertaining to law schools involve the number of hours a student must take to graduate and attendance at these classes. The Supreme Court dictates that in order to get a law degree you have to be present at X number of classes, moot court included.

There have been a couple of instances lately of people being booted from moot court because of excessive absences or tardiness. The rules have been made clear. No one should have been in the dark about it.

Nevertheless, people have ignored the rule and now have to pay the piper. Some have been called on the carpet and at least a couple have been booted from the class, which might mean a delay in their graduation.

Harsh? Maybe so. But after all, we are in law school. And there are rules of court in the real courts that can be more harsh than this, and we need to get used to this reality. In the real world, disobeying a court rule can mean sanctions on us or our clients.

But to be honest, some of the rest of us think how lame. Moot court is an easy class. It can get boring and seem like a huge waste of time. Unless you are presenting, you just have to sit there. But why would you put your graduation in jeopardy for something like that?

Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Joys of a Collegial Law School

I am one of the lucky law students--I go to a collegial law school. That is right--I go to a school where students like each other, look forward to seeing each other, and even help each other out with class. The students ahead of us have been very generous in giving us tips and materials to help us succeed. And most everyone in our class helps each other out. We give each other copies of our notes, outlines, other study materials, and are quick to explain a difficult concept to someone else. The other law school in town is also a collegial law school.

This is in such stark contrast to some other law schools in the nation. I won't name names, but some law schools are very cut throat, are known to be so, and attract those very kind of students, so the environment continues year to year. I don't think I would enjoy one of those schools.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Missing Two Great Stars

In the last day, we have heard about two great stars passing: Suzanne Pleshette and Heath Ledger.

Suzanne was a star on the Bob Newhart Show in the 1970s on Saturday nights on what was the original "Must See TV" lineup: Mash, All in the Family, Mary Tyler Moore, and The Bob Newhart Show. I was a kid, and loved those shows. I never made plans on Saturday nights, unless it was for after 9 p.m.

It is a shock to hear about Heath dying since he is only 28 years old. Sounds like drugs are involved. More details will come out I am sure. What a shame--he already had a great career and there was more to come.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Studying is a Yawn

I am home today studying for my upcoming conflicts exam and I am listening to recorded class lectures. Everytime I hear myself yawn on the tape, I yawn again. Isn't that wierd? I am yawning a lot on the tape, so am yawning a lot now too. But that is not as wierd as the other thing that recently made me yawn. I saw a photo of a tiger yawning that went with an article about why animals yawn. Just looking at the yawning tiger made me yawn. Over and over. Even writing about the tiger yawning is making me want to yawn. What a yawn......

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Economic Stimulus Package

I was happy to hear that we might get a stimulus package that could include tax rebates of up to $800 for individuals and $1,600 for families. The rebates would be sent out in late spring. I was elated to hear this, because I could use this money now because of paying for BarBri review (It is very expensive.). Getting that money would take a load off my mind.

But my next thought is, "Oh no, does that mean I am slipping back into being a republican?" I shuddered at the thought. I grew up in a republican home but long ago went to the other side, and I don't predict I will ever go back. It made me nervous that maybe I was being lured back into republican thinking by the thought of easy money.

So I was glad to hear on the news this morning that this economic stimulus package was first discussed by John Edwards! George Bush only recently came around to agreeing we needed such. Thank goodness!

And, during talk on TV about the various campaign events, pundits have talked about democrats who are either beer drinking democrats or wine drinking democrats. Even though I like beer on occasion, I have to admit I would characterize myself as a wine drinking democrat.

Cheers!

Health Scare

A relative important to me had a health scare this past week. Chest pains sent her to the hospital for fear it was a heart attack. After a battery of tests, it looked like it was nothing serious. But it was a tense 48 hours checking it all out. I was holding my breath and praying that she was fine. And it turned out she was. I am ecstatic! But it is moments like that that show you how you really feel about people, and how important they are to you, and how things could change for the worse if they were not in the picture anymore. Not to worry!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Irrational Religion

Over the years, I have seen the TV ads of Jerry Sutton, pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church, a huge church with more than 6,000 members. Apparently some of his parishioners became worried about the church finances and leadership and in September filed suit to get access to financial records and have the pastor and other church leaders removed. According to a Tennessean article, a judge dismissed the lawsuit but said the church members had a right to see the financial records.

The church has responded by basically saying these errant members have to repent--apologize in writing, drop present and future lawsuits, and stop meeting together, or risk expulsion from the church.

Good leadership Jerry! (Maybe expulsion would be a favor.)

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Movies to Study Law By

I am home studying law tonight, which will be the same thing I will be doing for the next countless nights. I have the TV on, as I always do. I have been able to study with the TV on ever since junior high.

I am trying to apply what I am watching out of the corner of my eye to what I am studying. Tonight I am studying conflicts of law, which I will be studying every single waking minute for the next 6 weeks or so.

The movie I am watching is Titanic, which is just as gripping every time I watch it as the first time. Conflicts of laws really applies to this movie. The ship is registered in England, and there are people on the ship from all over the world. Think about the conflicts of laws there.....yeah baby.

The next movie coming on is Unfaithful, which has a murder in it, which is good for criminal law study. See, movies do help you study law.

Friday, January 11, 2008

My Last Law Brief

I gave today in class what might have been my last law brief. Those dreaded pieces of paper that contain facts, issue, rule, application, or some variation thereof. The kind you have to say outloud in class.

I am not positive it is my last brief. But it might very well be. In my other two classes, the teacher does not require us to brief. I start two other classes in Feb., and from what I can gather, we won't have to brief in those either.

For some reason, I was nervous before giving my brief. I don't know why--I was prepared, and it was a fairly easy, medium length case. But it worked out, as I did well, and my teacher said, "Good job," which is a rare treat. So I am celebrating another little but noteworthy milestone.

NO MORE BRIEFS!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Dr. Laura

She actually said something nice about Hillary tonight on Larry King Live tonight.
It surprises me--I just didn't expect that.
I think her advice is usually so awful.
Her advice usually amounts to being a submissive female. And she comes off as such a dominatrix!
She should get over herself.
I just don't understand why people even want her advice.
Not at all.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Turning White

Lee Thomas, an anchor on a Detroit TV station, appeared tonight on Larry King Live to talk about his struggle with vitiligo, a debilitating skin disease. Devastating for all who have it, it is particularly difficult for those with dark skin, because the disease makes you lose pigment and shows up so much more in those with dark skin. It is not a dangerous disease and is not contagious, but there is no cure and it is emotionally draining.

It is considered so devastating that some in India with the disease are shunned.

Thomas wears makeup on TV and puts it on himself. His skill is amazing--with the makeup on, you can't tell he has it at all. Off camera, he doesn't wear makeup, and he talked on Larry King about the stares he gets.

He says he does get treatment, and that is good. Not all people respond to treatment, but some respond very well to it. Drugs to treat the disease include ultravate and protopic, and some even say that such things as drinking green tea can help bring back pigment.

Accessorizing With Silver

My birthstone is aquamarine, and for a long time I didn't think much about it. It is not my favorite color, and I thought the stone looked washed out. That is until I saw an aquamarine ring a friend of mine bought at a crafts fair a number of years ago. It was a large, beautiful square ring. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It redeemed the aquamarine in my eyes.

I wanted to get a ring like that. But that was many years ago, and I long ago forgot the name of the artist.

Just recently, I found a Website that offers sterling silver jewelry, and while looking at the site--walla! There was a ring that reminded me of my friend's beautiful ring!

The site offers both designer inspired jewelry and Tiffany knockoffs. (They even offer a ring called the Desperate Housewives amethyst ring! )

The ring that I fell for is one of their Tiffany inspired rings. It is their Paloma Picasso Sugar Stack Ring Aquamarine. I really like it. It is fashionable and much more affordable than the ring my friend bought! I may just have to pull out my Visa!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Hillary Shines in Debate

I thought Hillary was great in the replay on CNN of the debates from Saturday night. But then all four did well. What a great group. Hillary was even good when Obama made that kind of odd comment about Hillary being likable enough. I take it he was kidding, but I am not sure about that. Anyway, she handled it well, and came out the winner.

This has been a debate marathon night for sure. I then switched over to watch part of the Fox GOP debate. I didn't hear all of it, but heard Thompson tank again when he said he was for conservative judges who didn't make the law up as they went.

Fred, shame on you. You are a lawyer. You should know better.

Fred Thompson and John McCain Tank

I am watching the replay now of the GOP debates on CNN right now, and both Fred Thompson and John McCain are so far off the mark when they said the U.S. has the best healthcare.

What planet are they from?

That hasn't been the case for a long time you two.

You two just lost the nomination for yourselves. Sorry, but you should have known better.

(Huckabee's, Romney's, and Paul's answers were much better.)

Please check the healthcare facts. The U.S. is very sorry on the quality of healthcare right now.

And p.s--this isn't a secret. Most of the voters know this. Please don't treat the voters as morons by denying the fact that our country needs serious help in the health care area.

We may be the best in a few isolated areas, but are far from the best overall. Far from it--far down the list as a matter of fact.

OK, McCain just mentioned incentives for better healthcare, and that is good. But he should still acknowledge our healthcare system is not great right now.

(I am getting so tired of McCain's sneer. Please keep us from having to see that sneer on a permanent basis! )

Neither one of you will be elected. People know better

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Finish Line Ordered to Go the Distance

Finish Line, which had entered into a merger agreement with Genesco, and then tried to back out of the deal, has been ordered by Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle to go ahead and buy Nashville-based Genesco.

Both companies are in the footwear industry, which has taken a toll in the current economy.

Indianapolis-based Finish Line planned to finance the deal by borrowing money from UBS. UBS anticipates that the combined company will not be able to pay its debts and has sued both companies in a New York Court to escape its commitment, according to a Tennessean article.

Lyle acknowledges that if the NY court finds the combined company insolvent, it may be impossible for Finish Line to buy Genesco, the article continued.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

On the Eve of the Caucus

Who knows what will happen tomorrow in Iowa? It seems to be a free for all. It will be interesting to say the least.

Whatever happens in Iowa tomorrow will not define the election. But it will be an interesting first step. Then there will be a correction--step ball change.

I sure want a Democrat to win the president's race.

But I have to say that whoever wins the presidential election has to be better than what we have in office right now.

P.S. Bless Ron Paul's heart for being so clear about how incompetent Bush has been.