Alright, so I ran across a bunch of post-worthy articles today, all of which you should read. Enjoy!
• Law — Is there something wrong with a person who really enjoys reading court documents, even when he has no interest in the actual case? Exhibit A is this court document where the Judge rules that Kobe Byrant’s accuser may not be referred to as “victim” during the trial because whether or not she’s a victim is the issue in question. Interesting stuff. (Via: Fark)
• War on Terror — Greg Crosby has an article out called How We Will Lose the Islamo-Fascist War. Damn good read. If you want to see why PC is really a dangerous proposition, have a look. (Via: A Collection of Thoughts)
• War in Iraq — It’s no secret that Dave Winer is a flaming idiot, but this post is more proof for the cause. Essentially he’s bitching about Spirit of America, an organization that collects donations for the Iraqi/Afghan people. Why is Winer shitting on it? Because, despite the fact that it’s very non-partisan, it was organized by conservatives. Michele dissects the putrid, vile asshole here.
• Abortion — Finally, we have a judge who has declared that the partial birth abortion ban is unconstitutional. You’ll be unsurprised to learn that it’s a woman judge… from san francisco. This is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. The article notes that the ban “shifted the debate from a woman’s right to choose and focused on the plight of the fetus.” Wow, wouldn’t that be sad? That’s a bit like men back in the day complaining that women’s suffrage shifted focus from the man’s right to run things to the plight of the woman.
Alright, that’s it. Stay tuned for more excitement later on this evening. Manny and I are collaborating again. Muahahaha.
- that faint wooshing noise you hear is the sound of Casey keller “sprinting” for the phone to call CKI’s “legal department.”
I didn’t have a chance to read the second 2 articles, so I’ll just comment on the first 2.
Law- I have to agree with the judge on this one, referring to the plaintiff as the ‘victim’ is really no different than referring to the defendant as the ‘rapist’. If the shoe were on the other foot I think it would be like the defendant’s attoreny referring to the plaintiff as the ‘liar’. What we have are an ‘alleged victim’(who is aslo an ‘alleged liar’) and an ‘alleged rapist’(also an ‘alleged liar’), those terms are rather cumbersome, so referring to them by name seems like a reasonable idea.
War on Terror- Rather a pessimistic outlook, but not without basis. I’d like to comment on 2 statements he made.
“They literally live to kill us.”
It’s worse than that, they literally live And Die to kill us.
He also quoted an unnamed political pundit with this:
“How can we expect to win when they’re willing to die for their cause — but we are not willing to even kill for our survival?”
I disgaree witht he second half, but the first half reminds me of something from an unlikely source. Teddy Atlas, a boxing trainer and commentator on ESPN lost a nephew at the WTC on Sept. 11 who was a firefighter. He said (I can’t remember the exact words) - We’ve already won the war because while they’ve proven that they’re willing to die to take lives, we’ve proven that we’re willing to die to save lives. - In reference to the firefighters who ran into those buildings, of course. I was pretty impressed by that.
And finally, Greg seems to think Kerry will pull out of Iraq if elected. I doubt that, but only time will tell.
Overall, while I agree that we have some serious issues to deal with, I am a lot more optimistic than the author, although I think I may be more pessimitic(realistic in my opinion) than some in that I think this will be a long, long war. Our troops will be in Iraq a long time (as long as necessary I hope), probably close to ten years, although at much reduced levels within 2 more years (hopefully down to 20 - 30 thousand by then). I think we can win the war on terror in our lifetimes (terror will always exist, but in my mind ‘winning’ means bringing its size and effects down to pre-WWII magnitude), but I wouldn’t expect any quick win scenarios. Ten years at best, probaly 20, maybe more - but we will win. And even if it lasts 20 that doesn’t mean will be losing, it just means we’re winning slowly.
I doubt many will agree with me on this stuff, it’s just what I think. Although it’s incredibly hard to predict, that’s my best effort.
Dude, you seriously need a blog.
Why, when you do all this marvelous scripting for me? j/k
That’s the answer I was afraid of.
The good news is I only post as much as I do because you come up with really good topics and frame them in a debate style setting. That’s not kissin ass, it’s just the truth. Plus I have an inordinate amount of spare time on my hands at the moment, which I don’t expect to be the case at all come fall.
That’s true, about you not having as much time in the fall. Good luck with that.
I have don’t know what you’re talking about Pete. I am not apart of anything.
You’ve said that before, but you always manage to drag me down with you.
9th Circuit isn’t exaclty a shock, but what do you have against women judges?
Since we’re on the topic of interesting news articles I thought you might find the following of interest:
http://www.law.com/jsp/law/todaysBrief.jsp
This guy has apparently been plagarizing for the last 3 yrs and now claims that the university never told him what he was doing was wrong! Anywho, for a chuckle check it out.
PS Yes, I have my own blog, but posting all my opinions about recent news events takes up way more time than I have right now. When you start DREAMING about “commercial paper” and the rules of evidence you know your bar prep course has gone too far.
Bacon: It’s not so much women in general as women from that part of the country.
Teresa: I saw that. An interesting tactic, for sure, but I bet it’ll be about as useful as it soudns like it will.
OK, gotcha. But aren’t most male judges out there the same?
P.S. Isn’t it gonna rock when you’re finally a lawyer and Woodview Trace can’t mess with you anymore??
Yeah, but the women seem even MORE liberal than the men.
PS: Woodview Trace can kiss my ass.