Regular Temperatures
The average great conditions maintain the 80s F for most reduced Carribbean spots anytime, according to research from the World Climate Organization.
Those average mountains stay in the 80s even during wintertime months season, which is why reduced Carribbean cruise trips stay well-known during that season. Sea water conditions stay heated enough for swimming.
The average mountains arrive at the great 80s during summer time season and edge up to 90 for a few destinations such as The island of aruba.
Average monthly low conditions occur mainly at night and arrive at the low 70s during the cold months season for Bermuda, Barbados and others, and they arrive at the great 70s during summer time season. As a result, ambiance stays active and well-known throughout the season.
Average Rainfall
Rainfall is a much bigger consideration for reduced Carribbean weather because of the yearly storm period, which basically runs from May 1 to Nov. 30 and mountains for most places in Sept and May.
The ABC spots of The island of aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, which are located about 30 miles off the coast of Venezuela, lie below the storm buckle and usually (but not always) avoid the most severe exotic stormy weather and severe weather of the period.
That's why these spots see less of a decrease for travelers during the most severe months of the storm period.
Otherwise, the ABC spots are quite dry and get little rain tumble during the rest of the season.
Other spots such as Bermuda, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Maarten get average rain tumble throughout most of the season except for a brief stormy period in May.
Rainfall starts to go up for most of those spots in May and actually grows to great points in Sept, May and sometimes Nov before starting to drop again in January.
Best Periods to Go
December through May are among the best times to go to the reduced Carribbean because of a combination of summer season and a reduced chance of rain.
The possibility goes up a little bit in May because of the brief stormy period, lowers again in May and September and advances in the tumble.
Anyone with an appetite for possibility and seeking affordable prices might consider going in the tumble, but travel cover would be wise to consider to protect against rainwater.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
craigslist How to Get
When you first start to look for Cl for a deal, it can seem rather frustrating for there are just so many commercials and limitless types to search through, such as houses, solutions and even tasks. "Gigs" are also presented, which allow individuals to publish low price or overdue tasks for no price.
However, despite everything seeming frustrating, if you are seeking a deal then Cl is most definitely the place to go. Offered you know where to look, you will always discover some awesome discounts. So many individuals, basically large numbers, now use the website and are regularly list their products (some products better than others) on the website. Some products are even detailed as free!
Before you effectively start, be sure you get your thoughts in the right condition for some 'Craigslist haggling' for if you are in the right mindset and think your options through, you are sure to find some great products for a low price.
One of the best guidelines for Cl is to look for through the no price products first. You should create sure your configurations are set to regional and then choose 'for sale' and then 'free' and there are lots of individuals willing to provide away their undesirable products. Usually under 'for sale' you will find loads of fantastic discounts to be had anyway so create sure you invest looking through the places that attention you.
In inclusion to modifying your configurations to regional, it's value looking at the 'garage sales' area where you will see out about a number of currently have regional to you and so see what products are up on the market. This list area can preserve you a lot of money in your deal tracking voyage.
It may seem easy, but another tip is to actually look through for the product you are looking for, detail the highest possible and lowest you want to invest, as well as your place. Not only does this create sure you remain within funds but it guarantees that you won't need to pay enormous many expenditures.
Just as with eBay where you can set preferred, you can also set up customized RSS nourishes on Cl to create sure you never pass up a deal when your preferred products are downloaded. If you are really eager to get your arms on something for a low price, you can also set up a list in the 'wanted' classification.
However, despite everything seeming frustrating, if you are seeking a deal then Cl is most definitely the place to go. Offered you know where to look, you will always discover some awesome discounts. So many individuals, basically large numbers, now use the website and are regularly list their products (some products better than others) on the website. Some products are even detailed as free!
Before you effectively start, be sure you get your thoughts in the right condition for some 'Craigslist haggling' for if you are in the right mindset and think your options through, you are sure to find some great products for a low price.
One of the best guidelines for Cl is to look for through the no price products first. You should create sure your configurations are set to regional and then choose 'for sale' and then 'free' and there are lots of individuals willing to provide away their undesirable products. Usually under 'for sale' you will find loads of fantastic discounts to be had anyway so create sure you invest looking through the places that attention you.
In inclusion to modifying your configurations to regional, it's value looking at the 'garage sales' area where you will see out about a number of currently have regional to you and so see what products are up on the market. This list area can preserve you a lot of money in your deal tracking voyage.
It may seem easy, but another tip is to actually look through for the product you are looking for, detail the highest possible and lowest you want to invest, as well as your place. Not only does this create sure you remain within funds but it guarantees that you won't need to pay enormous many expenditures.
Just as with eBay where you can set preferred, you can also set up customized RSS nourishes on Cl to create sure you never pass up a deal when your preferred products are downloaded. If you are really eager to get your arms on something for a low price, you can also set up a list in the 'wanted' classification.
ipo Learning This Can Catapult You To Riches
One of the most convenient and most successful tips on how to learning the currency markets is to know the IPO Procedure and then in convert, using that details to control the busy atmosphere of IPO dealing. The IPO Procedure is very easy process and easy to comprehend.
The techniques of the IPO process are as follows:
A personal organization (let's use the LinkedIn IPO as an example) is continuing to grow very highly over a interval of decades and consequently has reserved a very excellent revenue. The organization needs to grow on their prospective and needs a way to increase a excellent bit of investment to take it off. So the organization (the LinkedIn IPO example) employees an IPO expert and details with the SEC (Security Change Commission) for IPO. This first phase in the IPO Procedure is when the organization basically starts its guides to the community, displaying present income, previous income, threats of financial commitment, underwriting, use of income (what the organization will do with the money it increases from its IPO) and describes the market qualifications to name a few.
In this IPO processing (known as the IPO prospectus or "Red Herring") there are very essential details that the IPO traders needs to concentrate on. The IPO Procedure needs this details by law and consequently, we use it for our advantage. The top 3 details that are most essential are as follows:
IPO Underwriter: When the example personal organization (LinkedIn IPO) chosen their expert, they basically don't just choose anyone. The IPO expert is the cope manufacturer for the IPO and not only that but courses the organization through the IPO Procedure. There are excellent underwriters and bad underwriters when it comes down to providing a organization community and using the best in the enterprise is what is always recommended. As an IPO specialist, I have discovered that there are 3 underwriters that have continually introduced very successful IPOs to promote and they are, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. Following these 3 have permitted me to financial institution over 1200% in income in less than 10 several weeks.
Use of Continues Statement: This little gem in the IPO Procedure is the most informing review in the whole IPO prospectus. This review is what the organization will do with the income from the Inital Public Providing. What you want to see in this review are statements like, "We currently will use the net income to us from this offering for the getting, or financial commitment in, technological innovation, remedies or companies that supplement our business"
Earnings: The last of the 3 details of a possibly effective IPO is none other than income. Sure it's the apparent one, but it wasn't always like this. Again in 2006-2007, there was a very big and effective IPO market and having 2 of the 3 features was very much all a successful IPO required to be effective. Earnings were essential, but not always. In the 2006-2007 IPO market, there were a lot of IPOs that came out with adverse income but still marvelous previous 100% in a very shorter interval of your energy and effort. However once the traders actually realized it out, the share would container with each quotes. Periods have modified and in the present IPO market, a effective IPO needs all 3 of these features to be successful. Income is very essential and seeing a organization with powerful and increasing income is a very optimistic indication.
The techniques of the IPO process are as follows:
A personal organization (let's use the LinkedIn IPO as an example) is continuing to grow very highly over a interval of decades and consequently has reserved a very excellent revenue. The organization needs to grow on their prospective and needs a way to increase a excellent bit of investment to take it off. So the organization (the LinkedIn IPO example) employees an IPO expert and details with the SEC (Security Change Commission) for IPO. This first phase in the IPO Procedure is when the organization basically starts its guides to the community, displaying present income, previous income, threats of financial commitment, underwriting, use of income (what the organization will do with the money it increases from its IPO) and describes the market qualifications to name a few.
In this IPO processing (known as the IPO prospectus or "Red Herring") there are very essential details that the IPO traders needs to concentrate on. The IPO Procedure needs this details by law and consequently, we use it for our advantage. The top 3 details that are most essential are as follows:
IPO Underwriter: When the example personal organization (LinkedIn IPO) chosen their expert, they basically don't just choose anyone. The IPO expert is the cope manufacturer for the IPO and not only that but courses the organization through the IPO Procedure. There are excellent underwriters and bad underwriters when it comes down to providing a organization community and using the best in the enterprise is what is always recommended. As an IPO specialist, I have discovered that there are 3 underwriters that have continually introduced very successful IPOs to promote and they are, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. Following these 3 have permitted me to financial institution over 1200% in income in less than 10 several weeks.
Use of Continues Statement: This little gem in the IPO Procedure is the most informing review in the whole IPO prospectus. This review is what the organization will do with the income from the Inital Public Providing. What you want to see in this review are statements like, "We currently will use the net income to us from this offering for the getting, or financial commitment in, technological innovation, remedies or companies that supplement our business"
Earnings: The last of the 3 details of a possibly effective IPO is none other than income. Sure it's the apparent one, but it wasn't always like this. Again in 2006-2007, there was a very big and effective IPO market and having 2 of the 3 features was very much all a successful IPO required to be effective. Earnings were essential, but not always. In the 2006-2007 IPO market, there were a lot of IPOs that came out with adverse income but still marvelous previous 100% in a very shorter interval of your energy and effort. However once the traders actually realized it out, the share would container with each quotes. Periods have modified and in the present IPO market, a effective IPO needs all 3 of these features to be successful. Income is very essential and seeing a organization with powerful and increasing income is a very optimistic indication.
blake griffin Top 3 Exercises to Jump Higher
Did you see Blake Griffin's rest over Timofey Mozgov in Nov 2010? Most people recognize that it's one of the best NBA dunks of the last years. And Blake Griffin doesn't get worn out dunking - actually he provides the team in dunks (100 until Jan 26, 2011).
Being 6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m) great and having a 37.5-inch listing, dunking is possible for Blake, however it's interesting that his position go to and wingspan are far below frequent for his place (power forward). The objective for his almost exclusive relationship of energy and fun time (LeBron John and Dwight Howard are two other examples) is a exclusive training - workout routines on sand with a 60-pound (27 kg) body weight coat obviously pay off.
But, you don't need to complete such an extreme training if you want to enhance your listing. There are fantastic workout routines that will help you to strengthen your listing in a few several weeks. So, without further chit-chat, here are the top 3 workout routines to jump higher:
1) Box Developments. For this training you need a powerful box. The idea is simple: jump onto the box, stage down and do it again the activity. Start with a box stage of 16 in. (40 cm) and strengthen the stage if you have no concern getting onto it. Do 6 associates per set.
2) Level Developments. The objective here is to stage off the box and jump again in the air with maximum possible energy as soon as you hit the world. Do 8 associates per set (max. 4) - only two times a week! The muscle tissue mass need to create after such extreme athletics functionality.
3) Separated Go Developments. This training will enhance your leg strength and explosiveness. Starting place is the lunge place (check in on the google images or youtube). Now jump up and substitute toes. Do it again the training 8 times on each leg (5 sets). By the way, divided go rises are factor of Brandon Roy's (40-inch vertical) day-to-day plan.
Don't neglect to warmed up and develop before AND after your workouts! Also, keep in feelings that if you want to enhance your listing you need to execute on your getting fun some time to NOT getting endurance.
That's why getting as much as you can will do more harm than fantastic. It's all about the right efficiency of the workout routines, the right variety of representatives and the right variety of rest (especially doing plyometrics) - as your muscle tissue mass need a opportunity to create after extreme athletics measures (at least 24 time, 48 is even better).
Being 6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m) great and having a 37.5-inch listing, dunking is possible for Blake, however it's interesting that his position go to and wingspan are far below frequent for his place (power forward). The objective for his almost exclusive relationship of energy and fun time (LeBron John and Dwight Howard are two other examples) is a exclusive training - workout routines on sand with a 60-pound (27 kg) body weight coat obviously pay off.
But, you don't need to complete such an extreme training if you want to enhance your listing. There are fantastic workout routines that will help you to strengthen your listing in a few several weeks. So, without further chit-chat, here are the top 3 workout routines to jump higher:
1) Box Developments. For this training you need a powerful box. The idea is simple: jump onto the box, stage down and do it again the activity. Start with a box stage of 16 in. (40 cm) and strengthen the stage if you have no concern getting onto it. Do 6 associates per set.
2) Level Developments. The objective here is to stage off the box and jump again in the air with maximum possible energy as soon as you hit the world. Do 8 associates per set (max. 4) - only two times a week! The muscle tissue mass need to create after such extreme athletics functionality.
3) Separated Go Developments. This training will enhance your leg strength and explosiveness. Starting place is the lunge place (check in on the google images or youtube). Now jump up and substitute toes. Do it again the training 8 times on each leg (5 sets). By the way, divided go rises are factor of Brandon Roy's (40-inch vertical) day-to-day plan.
Don't neglect to warmed up and develop before AND after your workouts! Also, keep in feelings that if you want to enhance your listing you need to execute on your getting fun some time to NOT getting endurance.
That's why getting as much as you can will do more harm than fantastic. It's all about the right efficiency of the workout routines, the right variety of representatives and the right variety of rest (especially doing plyometrics) - as your muscle tissue mass need a opportunity to create after extreme athletics measures (at least 24 time, 48 is even better).
groundhog day 2012
As you're walking around the shelves of your local home-improvement store, completing your island with expensive items and examining your large record of fixes, are you hit with a sensation of deja vu? Servicing can be a living major problem if the property is regularly slipping apart under you and over your head. If you feel like you're investing every Sunday artwork, working or sticking the house back together, it could be a chance to adjust methods.
Fix it easily.
Has the tap been dripping for months? Seriously, you need to fix that ASAP. First of all, if you included up all the water you've misused over then frame you might be surprised. In addition to the water expenses associated with all those gallons (yes, gallons) of water that went down the strain (literally). With many problems, if you put off restoring them, they're limited to get more intense. If you prevent frequent house maintenance such as modifying air-conditioning filter, you'll end up with a larger concern on your arms down the line.
Don't give up advantage for excellent.
Duct record fixes everything, right? It might seem like a great idea to stick to this popular proverb, but before you pick up the closest throw of metal glue and start record down reduce plumbing and lovers, consider the repercussions. Going for a fast fix is definitely fast, there's no doubting that. But as for the "fixing" element, looking for the inexpensive or easy option might not be the very best choice in the lengthy run. While the above advice (fix it quickly) still appears, you have to find a satisfied center floor between "haphazardly restoring the concern ASAP" and "putting it off for a year." Take plenty of a chance to fix it right, and you'll be saying thanks to yourself later when you don't have to fix it again.
Hire an experienced.
This one goes right along with selecting excellent and making the effort to do it right. If the concern is out of your world of experience, you should seriously consider selecting an experienced to complete the job for you. For one thing, if you try to make a maintenance and you don't have the expertise or information to do it properly, you could end up developing a larger concern. This results in more money, some time to effort on your element -- certainly more aggravating than compromising your satisfaction and getting in touch with an experienced from day one. If you're working with a house control company, ask the house owner for a record of maintenance companies they suggest for the job. Based on your rental, the property professionals might actually assist in a maintenance at the owners' cost. (Sounds like a succeeding scenario for allowing your satisfaction take one for the group.)
Fix it easily.
Has the tap been dripping for months? Seriously, you need to fix that ASAP. First of all, if you included up all the water you've misused over then frame you might be surprised. In addition to the water expenses associated with all those gallons (yes, gallons) of water that went down the strain (literally). With many problems, if you put off restoring them, they're limited to get more intense. If you prevent frequent house maintenance such as modifying air-conditioning filter, you'll end up with a larger concern on your arms down the line.
Don't give up advantage for excellent.
Duct record fixes everything, right? It might seem like a great idea to stick to this popular proverb, but before you pick up the closest throw of metal glue and start record down reduce plumbing and lovers, consider the repercussions. Going for a fast fix is definitely fast, there's no doubting that. But as for the "fixing" element, looking for the inexpensive or easy option might not be the very best choice in the lengthy run. While the above advice (fix it quickly) still appears, you have to find a satisfied center floor between "haphazardly restoring the concern ASAP" and "putting it off for a year." Take plenty of a chance to fix it right, and you'll be saying thanks to yourself later when you don't have to fix it again.
Hire an experienced.
This one goes right along with selecting excellent and making the effort to do it right. If the concern is out of your world of experience, you should seriously consider selecting an experienced to complete the job for you. For one thing, if you try to make a maintenance and you don't have the expertise or information to do it properly, you could end up developing a larger concern. This results in more money, some time to effort on your element -- certainly more aggravating than compromising your satisfaction and getting in touch with an experienced from day one. If you're working with a house control company, ask the house owner for a record of maintenance companies they suggest for the job. Based on your rental, the property professionals might actually assist in a maintenance at the owners' cost. (Sounds like a succeeding scenario for allowing your satisfaction take one for the group.)
leslie carter
There are many courses out there on how to get a types of species of fish or where to uncover the types of species of fish. But do they explain to you how to tie the appropriate Problems. In this distribution you will comprehend how to tie a better troubles to stop those types of species of fish getting away. Not invest money, and stop dawdling on those aggravating troubles. If you are new to the sportfishing action, then this is a very fantastic e-book about on one of the most details in sportfishing. Linking the appropriate troubles so that it does not move off the sleep, or sportfishing fishing reel.
The variety of packages you use when attaching the variety is most important. When attaching the variety to a sleep or real, you should know that the thinner the variety, the more packages are necessary to make sure a fantastic troubles. Not enough packages on a little change will allow the variety to move and the go to be losing.
When you have a types of species of fish on the end of your variety it is dealing with trying to get away, if you have not attached the appropriate troubles with enough packages the types of species of fish has a very fantastic probability of getting away and you losing your dinner. If the types of species of fish offering gets away with your sleep the variety images again generating the variety to become snarled the appropriate troubles and packages stops this from getting position.
Lubricate the variety before flexing.
Not a lot of people know how important it is to lubrication your troubles before flexing it. If you do not lubrication the troubles it will not carry against itself and cause the Problems to move and once again you will decrease your sleep. When out sportfishing and the person beside you keeps losing their these distinct “claws” and there types of species of fish. I wonder if they know how to lubrication there troubles, you just use the water you are sportfishing in, or your own position.
Removing a sleep if you snagged yourself. Got a sleep snagged attached in yourself, comprehend how to remove it effectively. This simple strategy can retain you a vacation to the ER and prevent more damage being done. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD ON SENSITIVE AREAS (FACE ETC)
All you need is a factor of series, shoes ribbons or sportfishing variety. Then you make a connect in the series plus a few more techniques and you'll have that sleep out easily. If you are miles away from the ER this is a fantastic strategy fantastic to know. Lower your expenses, tie those troubles effectively and stop losing these distinct “claws” and those types of species of fish. End committing your a while to attempt untangling that sportfishing variety. Get thank results and start produce the types of species of fish, instead of them getting your sleep.
The variety of packages you use when attaching the variety is most important. When attaching the variety to a sleep or real, you should know that the thinner the variety, the more packages are necessary to make sure a fantastic troubles. Not enough packages on a little change will allow the variety to move and the go to be losing.
When you have a types of species of fish on the end of your variety it is dealing with trying to get away, if you have not attached the appropriate troubles with enough packages the types of species of fish has a very fantastic probability of getting away and you losing your dinner. If the types of species of fish offering gets away with your sleep the variety images again generating the variety to become snarled the appropriate troubles and packages stops this from getting position.
Lubricate the variety before flexing.
Not a lot of people know how important it is to lubrication your troubles before flexing it. If you do not lubrication the troubles it will not carry against itself and cause the Problems to move and once again you will decrease your sleep. When out sportfishing and the person beside you keeps losing their these distinct “claws” and there types of species of fish. I wonder if they know how to lubrication there troubles, you just use the water you are sportfishing in, or your own position.
Removing a sleep if you snagged yourself. Got a sleep snagged attached in yourself, comprehend how to remove it effectively. This simple strategy can retain you a vacation to the ER and prevent more damage being done. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD ON SENSITIVE AREAS (FACE ETC)
All you need is a factor of series, shoes ribbons or sportfishing variety. Then you make a connect in the series plus a few more techniques and you'll have that sleep out easily. If you are miles away from the ER this is a fantastic strategy fantastic to know. Lower your expenses, tie those troubles effectively and stop losing these distinct “claws” and those types of species of fish. End committing your a while to attempt untangling that sportfishing variety. Get thank results and start produce the types of species of fish, instead of them getting your sleep.
don cornelius dead
Youthful men after they get through their enterprise exercising,
or apprenticeship, instead of seeking their avocation and
rising in their enterprise, will often lie about doing
nothing. They say, "I have acquired my enterprise, but I am
not going to be a hireling; what is the item of learning
my buy and sell or occupation, unless I determine myself?
or apprenticeship, instead of seeking their avocation and
rising in their enterprise, will often lie about doing
nothing. They say, "I have acquired my enterprise, but I am
not going to be a hireling; what is the item of learning
my buy and sell or occupation, unless I determine myself?
There is no higher error than when a youthful man believes
he will be successful with obtained cash. Why? Because every
man's encounter correlates with that of Mr. Astor, who
said, "it was more challenging for him to obtain his
first thousand $, than all the thriving millions
that created up his heavy lot of money." Cash is excellent for
nothing unless you know the value of it by encounter. Give
a boy 20 000 $ and put him in enterprise, and
the possibilities are that he will drop every money of it before
he is a season mature. Like purchasing a admission in the sweepstakes,
and illustrating a award, it is "easy come, simple go." He does
not know the value of it; nothing is value anything, unless
it expenditures attempt. Without self-denial and economic climate, patience
and persistence, and beginning with investment which you
have not gained, you are not sure to be successful in
accumulating. Men, instead of "waiting for deceased men's
shoes," should be up and doing, for there is no category of
persons who are so unaccommodating in reverence to passing away as
these wealthy old individuals, and it is lucky for the
expectant children that it is so. Nine out of ten of the rich
men of our nation to-day, began out in life as poor
boys, with established wills, market, persistence,
economy and excellent routines. They went on progressively, created their
own cash and stored it; and this is the best way to acquire
a lot of money. Stephen Girard began life as a bad cottage boy,
and passed away value nine thousand $.
he will be successful with obtained cash. Why? Because every
man's encounter correlates with that of Mr. Astor, who
said, "it was more challenging for him to obtain his
first thousand $, than all the thriving millions
that created up his heavy lot of money." Cash is excellent for
nothing unless you know the value of it by encounter. Give
a boy 20 000 $ and put him in enterprise, and
the possibilities are that he will drop every money of it before
he is a season mature. Like purchasing a admission in the sweepstakes,
and illustrating a award, it is "easy come, simple go." He does
not know the value of it; nothing is value anything, unless
it expenditures attempt. Without self-denial and economic climate, patience
and persistence, and beginning with investment which you
have not gained, you are not sure to be successful in
accumulating. Men, instead of "waiting for deceased men's
shoes," should be up and doing, for there is no category of
persons who are so unaccommodating in reverence to passing away as
these wealthy old individuals, and it is lucky for the
expectant children that it is so. Nine out of ten of the rich
men of our nation to-day, began out in life as poor
boys, with established wills, market, persistence,
economy and excellent routines. They went on progressively, created their
own cash and stored it; and this is the best way to acquire
a lot of money. Stephen Girard began life as a bad cottage boy,
and passed away value nine thousand $.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
northwestern law 2012
Despite if we talk about its athletics groups or to the university itself, Northwestern is a very well known name. The Northwestern athletics groups involve 12 could and eight males athletics group, both well-known all around the world. Because of their popularity, there are many individuals who are looking for Northwestern outfits, specifically adolescents who are football and golf ball lovers. Those who are considering Northwestern outfits, less difficult, components and present must know that there is a Northwestern shop right in the university's university and they can discover there anything they need.
Still, the best remedy is to search the Internet and look for the websites which have this type of products on the market. But the Northwestern shop does not provide only outfits. In fact, this is the university's shop and it provides also guides for all the learners from the university.
The Northwestern Higher information has various academic applications which are very eye-catching and at the same time useful. Students can get their school or masters levels in job areas like Control, Remedies, Interaction, Technological innovation and Used Technology, Disciplines and Sciences, Literature, Law, Ongoing Research, Songs or Understanding and Public Policy
Or they can also go to various sports applications which help them cultivate both the body and the mind. Students can choose from football, football, lacrosse, competitive softball, golf ball, football and many more. All these are available for both females and men.
The change between the Northwestern Higher information and others colleges throughout the nation is that instructors who perform here know that information is not the only essential element as information is one thing to self improvement as well. This is why the entrance process is a very difficult one. Most instructors consider that learners must be able to complete an appointment and that they must have encounter before joining this university's programs.
This is one of the most well-known colleges in the nation and it is very popular specifically by learners who want to become physicians or legal professionals. The medical and the law university are very valued because of the experts that they provide. Most students can discover a job really fast because they are well ready and they know how to utilize their information. The Northwestern Law School has a Profession Middle which allows learners discover their way in life.
All these factors make this university one of the most valued among learners and mom and dad as well and most organizations are looking for Northwestern students because they know that they are real experts.
Still, the best remedy is to search the Internet and look for the websites which have this type of products on the market. But the Northwestern shop does not provide only outfits. In fact, this is the university's shop and it provides also guides for all the learners from the university.
The Northwestern Higher information has various academic applications which are very eye-catching and at the same time useful. Students can get their school or masters levels in job areas like Control, Remedies, Interaction, Technological innovation and Used Technology, Disciplines and Sciences, Literature, Law, Ongoing Research, Songs or Understanding and Public Policy
Or they can also go to various sports applications which help them cultivate both the body and the mind. Students can choose from football, football, lacrosse, competitive softball, golf ball, football and many more. All these are available for both females and men.
The change between the Northwestern Higher information and others colleges throughout the nation is that instructors who perform here know that information is not the only essential element as information is one thing to self improvement as well. This is why the entrance process is a very difficult one. Most instructors consider that learners must be able to complete an appointment and that they must have encounter before joining this university's programs.
This is one of the most well-known colleges in the nation and it is very popular specifically by learners who want to become physicians or legal professionals. The medical and the law university are very valued because of the experts that they provide. Most students can discover a job really fast because they are well ready and they know how to utilize their information. The Northwestern Law School has a Profession Middle which allows learners discover their way in life.
All these factors make this university one of the most valued among learners and mom and dad as well and most organizations are looking for Northwestern students because they know that they are real experts.
lexis law school
Lawful Research: How to Discover & Comprehend the Law" by Lawyer Stephen Elias and the Authors of Nolo is another publication in the enormous legal collection released by Nolo, a manager that is honored on creating the law available to everyone. I'm a lawyer, and I still like the guides put out by Nolo, especially the ones on places I'm not as acquainted with, but want a little information. Nolo always provides.
Not everyone can manage Lexis or Westlaw, the two greatest client centered on-line legal options. In law university we had accessibility both, because both organizations desired to make your commitment for when you got out and began exercising. Many organizations have one or the other, and I assume huge organizations may join to both. Even with accessibility one of these, I realize that I can usually see elements quicker and simpler with no cost options. Many declares have laws and regulations and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all plenty of time.
That's where the publication "Legal Research" comes in. It provides simple analysis techniques to help you response your legal concerns. The publication has places for on-line analysis as well as details regarding law your local library for those who have accessibility one.
The publication involves 386 internet websites separated among ten details loaded places. The places include:
One: Comprehension the Fundamentals of the Law. Brief information of what the law is, resources of law, condition compared to government law, and the trial program. Too primary for a lawyer, but for the layperson the publication was published for, this is a excellent release.
Two: Discovering Lawful Resources. This part describes where legal details is placed, main and additional resources, on the internet options for legal subjects, and legal analysis internet websites. It contains Lexis and Westlaw, but also other websites that are no cost. I like the guidelines and alerts through out the publication as well. Good warning that not every viewpoint you will find is excellent law. Apparent to someone who had it drilled into them during law university, but probably not known to many laypeople.
Three: Determining Your Lawful Concern. Factors to know before you go looking, like is the situation city or legal, identifying the place of law you want to analysis, what options will help you with what you need to discover, and identifying your legal analysis concern. This is essential, you want to know what you're really looking for before you go looking.
Four: Discovering and Using Secondary Sources. This part looks at resources such as internet websites (including a bit about determining if reliable), self-help legal guides, legal encyclopedias, type guides, exercise instructions, ongoing legal information guides, law opinions, and so on. Many law organizations will have a lot of these types of options, and you will discover even more at a law collection. This part gives a brief review of what these resources are.
Five: Discovering and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Guidelines, and Laws. These are the volume of legislatively or administratively designed law. This part describes how to discover these options and how to use them. It protects finding and using constitutions, finding government laws and regulations, finding condition laws and regulations, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. All of these are essential according to your particular issue. This part is a excellent release to this community of "laws" for those that are planning different place.
Six: Discovering Situations. Some of our law is not discovered in laws and regulations, but in the options of cases that have already been determined. These cases considered laws and regulations and are now the principle until legislature changes it, or another situation overrules it. Roe v. Go is an example of a well-known situation that is checked to regarding abortion law. This part allows people understand how to use details to discover cases, find cases on the internet, find cases in the law collection.
Seven: Using Case Law. This part actually describes what a situation is, how they are released, and how cases impact later arguments. If you issue will depend on situation law, this part will help you.
Not everyone can manage Lexis or Westlaw, the two greatest client centered on-line legal options. In law university we had accessibility both, because both organizations desired to make your commitment for when you got out and began exercising. Many organizations have one or the other, and I assume huge organizations may join to both. Even with accessibility one of these, I realize that I can usually see elements quicker and simpler with no cost options. Many declares have laws and regulations and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all plenty of time.
That's where the publication "Legal Research" comes in. It provides simple analysis techniques to help you response your legal concerns. The publication has places for on-line analysis as well as details regarding law your local library for those who have accessibility one.
The publication involves 386 internet websites separated among ten details loaded places. The places include:
One: Comprehension the Fundamentals of the Law. Brief information of what the law is, resources of law, condition compared to government law, and the trial program. Too primary for a lawyer, but for the layperson the publication was published for, this is a excellent release.
Two: Discovering Lawful Resources. This part describes where legal details is placed, main and additional resources, on the internet options for legal subjects, and legal analysis internet websites. It contains Lexis and Westlaw, but also other websites that are no cost. I like the guidelines and alerts through out the publication as well. Good warning that not every viewpoint you will find is excellent law. Apparent to someone who had it drilled into them during law university, but probably not known to many laypeople.
Three: Determining Your Lawful Concern. Factors to know before you go looking, like is the situation city or legal, identifying the place of law you want to analysis, what options will help you with what you need to discover, and identifying your legal analysis concern. This is essential, you want to know what you're really looking for before you go looking.
Four: Discovering and Using Secondary Sources. This part looks at resources such as internet websites (including a bit about determining if reliable), self-help legal guides, legal encyclopedias, type guides, exercise instructions, ongoing legal information guides, law opinions, and so on. Many law organizations will have a lot of these types of options, and you will discover even more at a law collection. This part gives a brief review of what these resources are.
Five: Discovering and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Guidelines, and Laws. These are the volume of legislatively or administratively designed law. This part describes how to discover these options and how to use them. It protects finding and using constitutions, finding government laws and regulations, finding condition laws and regulations, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. All of these are essential according to your particular issue. This part is a excellent release to this community of "laws" for those that are planning different place.
Six: Discovering Situations. Some of our law is not discovered in laws and regulations, but in the options of cases that have already been determined. These cases considered laws and regulations and are now the principle until legislature changes it, or another situation overrules it. Roe v. Go is an example of a well-known situation that is checked to regarding abortion law. This part allows people understand how to use details to discover cases, find cases on the internet, find cases in the law collection.
Seven: Using Case Law. This part actually describes what a situation is, how they are released, and how cases impact later arguments. If you issue will depend on situation law, this part will help you.
The Law Of Thinking and The Law Of Supply
Question: Have you observed of The Law Of Attraction? Most likely your response would be yes.
Another Question: Do you know about the 11 Overlooked Laws? If you use a confused scowl on your face, you are at the right place.
In a few words, for the Law of Fascination to operate at its the best possible, there are 10 other Regulations which have to work together harmoniously. All these Regulations are presented by Bob Proctor and Betty Morrissey in a complete plan known as the 11 Overlooked Regulations.
This article gives a summary of the first 2 Regulations from the 11 Overlooked Regulations, The Law of Considering and The Law of Provide, describing what is it and what else will you get when you buy Bob Proctor's 11 Overlooked Regulations Program.
The Law Of Thinking
The Law of Considering best parts to us how Highly effective our feelings are, and how can we control this powerful power to succeed for us. That comes from whatever feelings we have, that is what will show up in our life. So whether it's a enjoyable significant life or a difficult having difficulties life - it's simply a expression of our feelings.
Some essential elements you will obtain from the Law of Considering Program:
Recognize what are real/power feelings, and get in touch with your unconscious.
Understand a easy nature-inspired action of how to quickly make structured self-discipline feelings.
Understand how to change your sub-conscious philosophy into powerful optimistic feelings.
Resources to free yourself from dangerous believed styles instilled when you were young.
Recognize between trivial believed and deeply genuine thinking and understand how to make this type of thinking capability.
Obtain a easy way to remove ANTs (automatic adverse thoughts).
Cutting-edge self-defeating styles that keep you trapped in your rut.
Proven a complete technique on how to set extra ordinary objectives.
The Law of Supply
The Law of Provide informs us The Galaxy is the resource of all supply and hence, there is no lack to satisfy all our needs. There will be available options to make whatever we want, so long as we need for it. The take home point is, you must first need before the production is unveiled to you.
Another Question: Do you know about the 11 Overlooked Laws? If you use a confused scowl on your face, you are at the right place.
In a few words, for the Law of Fascination to operate at its the best possible, there are 10 other Regulations which have to work together harmoniously. All these Regulations are presented by Bob Proctor and Betty Morrissey in a complete plan known as the 11 Overlooked Regulations.
This article gives a summary of the first 2 Regulations from the 11 Overlooked Regulations, The Law of Considering and The Law of Provide, describing what is it and what else will you get when you buy Bob Proctor's 11 Overlooked Regulations Program.
The Law Of Thinking
The Law of Considering best parts to us how Highly effective our feelings are, and how can we control this powerful power to succeed for us. That comes from whatever feelings we have, that is what will show up in our life. So whether it's a enjoyable significant life or a difficult having difficulties life - it's simply a expression of our feelings.
Some essential elements you will obtain from the Law of Considering Program:
Recognize what are real/power feelings, and get in touch with your unconscious.
Understand a easy nature-inspired action of how to quickly make structured self-discipline feelings.
Understand how to change your sub-conscious philosophy into powerful optimistic feelings.
Resources to free yourself from dangerous believed styles instilled when you were young.
Recognize between trivial believed and deeply genuine thinking and understand how to make this type of thinking capability.
Obtain a easy way to remove ANTs (automatic adverse thoughts).
Cutting-edge self-defeating styles that keep you trapped in your rut.
Proven a complete technique on how to set extra ordinary objectives.
The Law of Supply
The Law of Provide informs us The Galaxy is the resource of all supply and hence, there is no lack to satisfy all our needs. There will be available options to make whatever we want, so long as we need for it. The take home point is, you must first need before the production is unveiled to you.
rate law 2012
No one worries that separating and divorce legal professionals are seeing a rise in the variety of customers they see each day. Divorce are the variety one place that household law protects but there are many other concerns that it presides over as well. Simple divorces make up a very portion of the situations that an attorney recognizes each day.
Most periods there are considerable concerns that must be managed with the help of a qualified attorney. Perhaps that is why so many law learners are converting to this place of exercise. They are definitely confirmed work for decades to come.
Family law is not just about divorces. There are many companies that are dedicated to other places that are protected by household regulations. It may be an ownership or the creating of a believe in finance or will. The attorney is just one element of this expertise. He or she may also protect spousal mistreatment, annulments or even prenuptial deals. They can also manage property dealings if they are knowledgeable in property lawsuit.
In the situation of separating, the legal professionals for both events must sketch up separating and divorce records. These records are going to protect all content belongings, as well as any monetary details. The records will also involve details regarding who is going to maintain kid legal care of any kids from the wedding, as well as your kids.
In uncontested divorces, the procedure is usually very fast, as the two lovers have already decided on the divided of any belongings and monetary circumstances along with who will be the main care provider of the kid. This form of separating is also the most affordable to acquire. Usually, one household attorney is used and the charges are very affordable.
If there are issues returning to an contract regarding the arrangement and kid legal care, then the legal professionals may ask for the assistance of a separating and divorce arbitration expert. This expert will pay attention to each celebration and then try to help them arrive at an friendly arrangement. It does not mean that one celebration comes out forward. There will be profits and failures on both factors. No one benefits in a separating. There are always accidents and challenging thoughts if the separating is nasty.
Family law is a increasing exercise and many legal professionals are focusing on this place of the law basically because the separating and divorce amount is ascending. If you find yourself in need of a household attorney, then you should ask around. Your household, associates or colleagues may know of an excellent attorney who can help you through your time of need. It will not the simple but you can get through it with as little difficulty as possible if you act properly and maturely.
Most periods there are considerable concerns that must be managed with the help of a qualified attorney. Perhaps that is why so many law learners are converting to this place of exercise. They are definitely confirmed work for decades to come.
Family law is not just about divorces. There are many companies that are dedicated to other places that are protected by household regulations. It may be an ownership or the creating of a believe in finance or will. The attorney is just one element of this expertise. He or she may also protect spousal mistreatment, annulments or even prenuptial deals. They can also manage property dealings if they are knowledgeable in property lawsuit.
In the situation of separating, the legal professionals for both events must sketch up separating and divorce records. These records are going to protect all content belongings, as well as any monetary details. The records will also involve details regarding who is going to maintain kid legal care of any kids from the wedding, as well as your kids.
In uncontested divorces, the procedure is usually very fast, as the two lovers have already decided on the divided of any belongings and monetary circumstances along with who will be the main care provider of the kid. This form of separating is also the most affordable to acquire. Usually, one household attorney is used and the charges are very affordable.
If there are issues returning to an contract regarding the arrangement and kid legal care, then the legal professionals may ask for the assistance of a separating and divorce arbitration expert. This expert will pay attention to each celebration and then try to help them arrive at an friendly arrangement. It does not mean that one celebration comes out forward. There will be profits and failures on both factors. No one benefits in a separating. There are always accidents and challenging thoughts if the separating is nasty.
Family law is a increasing exercise and many legal professionals are focusing on this place of the law basically because the separating and divorce amount is ascending. If you find yourself in need of a household attorney, then you should ask around. Your household, associates or colleagues may know of an excellent attorney who can help you through your time of need. It will not the simple but you can get through it with as little difficulty as possible if you act properly and maturely.
Father In Law
enry eventually left house at the age of twenty-five after university and bid excellent bye to his family. He offered his concept to perform tirelessly and to plan out his upcoming so that each time he had filled would be remarkably challenging to satisfy by anyone. However, he sensed homesick and could not even search for privacy in his preferred secure place without moving past through some street which kept his storage on his childhood's house. Mom therefore searched extremely for a effort which could give him relaxation to withstand and unwariness to put his psychological rumors about his beginning at house to sleep.
He was single but since he was new and since he was new in service in the workplace employees handled him please. He recalled days when exiguous spectres' of atmosphere scuttled gently over the mountains and always swarmed by high many of slim, black trees; and days in which the pink black areas prolonged across the wide cost of coast and met the far away sea, and the ruddy people of sportfishing smacks found the brief relationship of sundown.
Along the coast infrequent areas ruby sea marijuana made a gentle dropping of white and natural seashells in the eye of a innovative thinker, and a new design started. Cone-shaped versions surprisingly candy striped in natural and greyish were the small designs of the modern landscape designs. There was a lot of refreshing air and of course, was suitable for his health after perform so he often strolled along the coast devoted the perform of characteristics.
By the end of three decades in his perform, he had more than enough. It was certainly not as aggravating an encounter as he had expected. The individuals at the workplace were helpful and yet no associate to discuss to, so exciting and yet so clear because of not enough a partner.
Henry had adequate people comprehension, excellent looking and had means to choose the way of habits and mind-set his intellectuality should take but they were never materialized because the women controlled their thoughts. Greatly, it was extremely and unpleasant life and he sensed as if he had never known what pleasure was.His perform introduced him no contact with the other sex but new views of quiet encounter for any unique young man whose dreams had not yet been put out. For Mom, it was a associate he required. He was not old to appearance his life in solitude and solitude and he was encouraged to a point of psychological downturn although, ornamented by many individuals.
For the next few decades he proved helpful himself into a anxious madness. He desired to get back to his mom and dad but confused by enthusiastic beliefs, he lowered limply back into workplace program. He did not know what to do with himself if he was not going to have associate. He determined to depart his perform because perform without a associate was like a house without a entrance. He eventually left his job and frequently went to another town where he was used in the same job. There was fast paced life in the new town. The individuals were awesome and stunning and nobody had to perform so strenuously in the fast paced town. Almost all had lovers.
He was single but since he was new and since he was new in service in the workplace employees handled him please. He recalled days when exiguous spectres' of atmosphere scuttled gently over the mountains and always swarmed by high many of slim, black trees; and days in which the pink black areas prolonged across the wide cost of coast and met the far away sea, and the ruddy people of sportfishing smacks found the brief relationship of sundown.
Along the coast infrequent areas ruby sea marijuana made a gentle dropping of white and natural seashells in the eye of a innovative thinker, and a new design started. Cone-shaped versions surprisingly candy striped in natural and greyish were the small designs of the modern landscape designs. There was a lot of refreshing air and of course, was suitable for his health after perform so he often strolled along the coast devoted the perform of characteristics.
By the end of three decades in his perform, he had more than enough. It was certainly not as aggravating an encounter as he had expected. The individuals at the workplace were helpful and yet no associate to discuss to, so exciting and yet so clear because of not enough a partner.
Henry had adequate people comprehension, excellent looking and had means to choose the way of habits and mind-set his intellectuality should take but they were never materialized because the women controlled their thoughts. Greatly, it was extremely and unpleasant life and he sensed as if he had never known what pleasure was.His perform introduced him no contact with the other sex but new views of quiet encounter for any unique young man whose dreams had not yet been put out. For Mom, it was a associate he required. He was not old to appearance his life in solitude and solitude and he was encouraged to a point of psychological downturn although, ornamented by many individuals.
For the next few decades he proved helpful himself into a anxious madness. He desired to get back to his mom and dad but confused by enthusiastic beliefs, he lowered limply back into workplace program. He did not know what to do with himself if he was not going to have associate. He determined to depart his perform because perform without a associate was like a house without a entrance. He eventually left his job and frequently went to another town where he was used in the same job. There was fast paced life in the new town. The individuals were awesome and stunning and nobody had to perform so strenuously in the fast paced town. Almost all had lovers.
Simple and delicious
I have long been a denizen of that greasy, gooey goodness known as Fuzzy's Pizza on Antoine (which, if you don't know, is the favorite pizza joint of President Bush the Elder).
But now there's a new pizza joint in town. A place that makes authentic Pizza Napoletano. Neapolitan-style pizza is very simple. Crushed tomatoes, basil and mozzarella on a thin, misshapen crust baked in a wood-fired oven.
Bill Hutchinson is the owner of Pizaro's Pizza on the west side of Houston. He became so enamored of the pizza in Naples that he got himself trained to be a certified Pizza Napoletano maker. I met him the other night when my wife, her mother and our two daughters went out for a bite. He walks around the restaurant like a proud papa -- and, judging by the number of people eating and waiting in line, he has every right to be.
The pizzas are baked in an igloo-shaped wood-fired oven at 900 degrees for 90 seconds. The thin crust has char marks from the heat blast. My girls had a tomato and mozzarella pizza, I had a pizza Marghertia with sausage and my wife and her mom had a pizza with goat cheese and sausage. They were all excellent.
Pizaro's Pizza doesn't have a liquor license but feel free to bring in your own wine and use their beautiful wrought-iron corking station. Call me a heathen, but I love a good rioja with my pizza.
There's nothing fancy about the pizza. It's made by hand with just a few simple ingredients. And it is good. Damn good.
I'm sure there's a lesson in there. No need to make things more complicated than they need to be. Be direct and straight forward. It works for pizza. I'm sure it works for other things.
See also:
"Neapolitan-style pizza comes to West Houston," J.C. Reid, Texas (Jan. 26, 2012)
But now there's a new pizza joint in town. A place that makes authentic Pizza Napoletano. Neapolitan-style pizza is very simple. Crushed tomatoes, basil and mozzarella on a thin, misshapen crust baked in a wood-fired oven.
Bill Hutchinson is the owner of Pizaro's Pizza on the west side of Houston. He became so enamored of the pizza in Naples that he got himself trained to be a certified Pizza Napoletano maker. I met him the other night when my wife, her mother and our two daughters went out for a bite. He walks around the restaurant like a proud papa -- and, judging by the number of people eating and waiting in line, he has every right to be.
The pizzas are baked in an igloo-shaped wood-fired oven at 900 degrees for 90 seconds. The thin crust has char marks from the heat blast. My girls had a tomato and mozzarella pizza, I had a pizza Marghertia with sausage and my wife and her mom had a pizza with goat cheese and sausage. They were all excellent.
Pizaro's Pizza doesn't have a liquor license but feel free to bring in your own wine and use their beautiful wrought-iron corking station. Call me a heathen, but I love a good rioja with my pizza.
There's nothing fancy about the pizza. It's made by hand with just a few simple ingredients. And it is good. Damn good.
I'm sure there's a lesson in there. No need to make things more complicated than they need to be. Be direct and straight forward. It works for pizza. I'm sure it works for other things.
See also:
"Neapolitan-style pizza comes to West Houston," J.C. Reid, Texas (Jan. 26, 2012)
Friday, February 3, 2012
Runaway grand jury: The aftermath
Not content to sit down while the grand jury investigated the doings-on in her office, Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos decided to arrange her own investigation. Of the grand jury.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Ms. Lykos ordered investigations into the grand jurors, two judges (Marc and Susan Brown) and Mike Anderson, her opponent in the GOP primary. According to Ms. Lykos, it was a "cursory internet search."
Locked in her shell up on the sixth floor of the Criminal (In)justice Center, Ms. Lykos has apparently lost touch with all semblance of reality as she just can't understand what the problem is.
Just how would it go over if it turned out a defense attorney was conducting an investigation into the backgrounds of the grand jurors? Would Ms. Lykos and her minions have such a relaxed attitude if that were the case? I think not.
Poor Jim. He had the audacity to run against Ms. Lykos in the 2008 Republican primary and, after finishing third in a three horse race, swallowed his pride and went to work for Ms. Lykos. His reward for his loyalty to Ms. Paranoid are the tire marks on his back.
Now here's where it gets interesting. Jack Abercia, the former constable for Precinct One, got himself indicted because either he used, or allowed someone in his office to use, a website available only to law enforcement agencies to run background checks on people. Did Mr. McWilliams' "cursory internet investigation" involve the use of such a website or did he just google the names?
These revelations raise serious concerns about the ability of Pat Lykos to serve as Harris County District Attorney. While her actions may or may not have been legal, they certainly add to the stench emanating from 1201 Franklin. A grand jury is supposed (and I stress the word "supposed") to be an independent body determining whether or not there is probable cause to believe someone committed a criminal act. What message does it send to grand jurors when the sitting District Attorney is using her office to investigate members of a grand jury while it conducts an investigation?
And what was the purpose of the investigation - to intimidate or to blackmail? Ms. Lykos and her minions have some serious questions to answer. But don't hold your breath waiting to her them.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Ms. Lykos ordered investigations into the grand jurors, two judges (Marc and Susan Brown) and Mike Anderson, her opponent in the GOP primary. According to Ms. Lykos, it was a "cursory internet search."
Locked in her shell up on the sixth floor of the Criminal (In)justice Center, Ms. Lykos has apparently lost touch with all semblance of reality as she just can't understand what the problem is.
Just how would it go over if it turned out a defense attorney was conducting an investigation into the backgrounds of the grand jurors? Would Ms. Lykos and her minions have such a relaxed attitude if that were the case? I think not.
"The purpose of the Internet search was to simply try and determine what were the reasons for this grand jury's radical, erratic and what we believed to be unlawful action." -- Pat LykosOf course rule number one when you get caught in a bad situation is to minimize it. Rule number two is to shift the blame. The unspoken rule is to avoid any responsibility for your actions. And don't forget the corollary, when in doubt, throw someone else under the bus.
Lykos said she relied on assertions from Don McWilliams, her chief investigator, that there was no "investigation."
However, according to three sources familiar with the situation, McWilliams was asked by the district attorney's first assistant, Jim Leitner, to "investigate" at least two grand jurors "for the boss." The sources did not want to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the situation.
Poor Jim. He had the audacity to run against Ms. Lykos in the 2008 Republican primary and, after finishing third in a three horse race, swallowed his pride and went to work for Ms. Lykos. His reward for his loyalty to Ms. Paranoid are the tire marks on his back.
Now here's where it gets interesting. Jack Abercia, the former constable for Precinct One, got himself indicted because either he used, or allowed someone in his office to use, a website available only to law enforcement agencies to run background checks on people. Did Mr. McWilliams' "cursory internet investigation" involve the use of such a website or did he just google the names?
McWilliams went to his courthouse office and used two websites that collect personal information for use by law enforcement and others, according to the sources. He called Lykos with his results and left a voicemail.
A week later, Leitner directed McWilliams to expand the investigation to state District Judge Susan Brown, her husband who also is a judge and Mike Anderson, a former judge who is running against Lykos in the Republican primary, according to the sources.
On Thursday, Lykos said confidential law enforcement databases used by authorities to check criminal records were not used. It is illegal to use those websites for unauthorized investigations.
These revelations raise serious concerns about the ability of Pat Lykos to serve as Harris County District Attorney. While her actions may or may not have been legal, they certainly add to the stench emanating from 1201 Franklin. A grand jury is supposed (and I stress the word "supposed") to be an independent body determining whether or not there is probable cause to believe someone committed a criminal act. What message does it send to grand jurors when the sitting District Attorney is using her office to investigate members of a grand jury while it conducts an investigation?
And what was the purpose of the investigation - to intimidate or to blackmail? Ms. Lykos and her minions have some serious questions to answer. But don't hold your breath waiting to her them.
On crime and car repairs
A storm is a-brewing in Houston over the cost of auto repairs. City Council is expected to pass a new ordinance that would require repair shops to obtain a car owner's signature before they can do any work that would add $100 or more to the estimate given to the car owner.
Well, yeah, if you tell me it's going to cost X to fix my car, if you find something else wrong that's going to jack the price up, you should call me. If you see something you think needs to be replaced "while you're down there," call me. That's just good business and what most repair shops I've dealt with do.
Under the proposed ordinance, repair shops that don't get authorization before beginning work could be cited by police. The citation would be a Class C misdemeanor, much like the tickets handed out by building inspectors.
Here's the problem. The proposed ordinance would criminalize bad business behavior. Is that what we really need? Do we need to create new criminal offenses? And who would be the person cited? The owner? Manager? Service advisor?
I'm sure the proposal is well-intentioned - unless, of course, the real driving force behind it were the insurance companies hoping to stick it the body and repair shops where people take their cars for work covered by their car insurance. Hmm.
Criminal law should be used to deal with situations that are harmful to society - to discourage such behavior and to punish it when it does occur. But criminalizing the failure to get authorization to do a repair is like using a sledgehammer to drive in a nail.
I know that Class C violations are punishable by nothing more than a fine -- but there's the cost of hiring an attorney and attending court that must be taken into consideration. Then there's the odd notion that you could go to jail should you fail to appear on your court date.
We're dealing with a civil issue here. When you take your car to the shop you are entering into a contract with the shop that you agree to pay them in exchange for them attempting to fix your car. Contract law should govern any dispute between the car owner and the repair shop.
There are far too many criminal laws on our books today. This is one we don't need to create.
Well, yeah, if you tell me it's going to cost X to fix my car, if you find something else wrong that's going to jack the price up, you should call me. If you see something you think needs to be replaced "while you're down there," call me. That's just good business and what most repair shops I've dealt with do.
Under the proposed ordinance, repair shops that don't get authorization before beginning work could be cited by police. The citation would be a Class C misdemeanor, much like the tickets handed out by building inspectors.
Here's the problem. The proposed ordinance would criminalize bad business behavior. Is that what we really need? Do we need to create new criminal offenses? And who would be the person cited? The owner? Manager? Service advisor?
I'm sure the proposal is well-intentioned - unless, of course, the real driving force behind it were the insurance companies hoping to stick it the body and repair shops where people take their cars for work covered by their car insurance. Hmm.
Criminal law should be used to deal with situations that are harmful to society - to discourage such behavior and to punish it when it does occur. But criminalizing the failure to get authorization to do a repair is like using a sledgehammer to drive in a nail.
I know that Class C violations are punishable by nothing more than a fine -- but there's the cost of hiring an attorney and attending court that must be taken into consideration. Then there's the odd notion that you could go to jail should you fail to appear on your court date.
We're dealing with a civil issue here. When you take your car to the shop you are entering into a contract with the shop that you agree to pay them in exchange for them attempting to fix your car. Contract law should govern any dispute between the car owner and the repair shop.
There are far too many criminal laws on our books today. This is one we don't need to create.
Nevada high court tosses blood test
It is common, particularly with the rise of "No Refusal Weekends," for blood draws to be conducted long after a motorist has been arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The results of those blood tests are waved in front of jurors by prosecutors telling those jurors they can convict based solely on a number.
Judges are more than willing to allow the results of these tests into evidence based on the pseudo-scientific exercise of retrograde extrapolation - more commonly knows as throwing a dart at a board.
But this past December, the Nevada Supreme Court threw a monkey wrench into the works when it held that the results of a blood draw taken over two hours after an arrest weren't relevant.
In The State of Nevada v. The Eighth Judicial District Court and the Honorable Stefany Ann Miley, 127 Nev.Adv.Op. 84 (Nev. 2011), Mr. Bobby Armstrong collided with another car, causing serious bodily injury to the other driver. Almost two-and-a-half hours later a blood draw was conducted. According to the test, Mr. Armstrong had an alcohol concentration of .18. Mr. Armstrong moved to suppress the results of the test on the grounds that the blood was drawn outside the state's two-hour window, only one sample was conducted and that retrograde extrapolation was unreliable, irrelevant and unfairly prejudicial.
The trial court ruled that the test results were inadmissible but allowed prosecutors to introduce other evidence of Mr. Armstrong's intoxication. The state's writ of mandamus (thus accounting for the bizarre style of the case) followed.
The Nevada Supreme Court held that retrograde extrapolation was reliable. But the Court also found that the the relevance of the evidence was far outweighed by its prejudicial effect. In coming to its conclusion, the Court looked to the Mata decision in Texas in which the Court of Criminal Appeals laid out a list of factors to be considered when determining the reliability of retrograde extrapolation. These factors included the length of time between the arrest and the test, the number of samples taken and whether the expert had knowledge of the defendant's individual characteristics whenguessing calculating the defendant's alcohol concentration at the time of the stop.
In this case the Court was concerned that the blood sample was taken more than two hours after the stop and that the state's expert had very little knowledge of any of Mr. Armstrong's individual characteristics. In fact, the state's expert based much of his testimony on the characteristics of an "average" person, not Mr. Armstrong. But the Court's biggest concern was that only one blood sample was taken - giving just one point of reference.
The Court reasoned that if two blood samples had been taken some time apart, then the results of those tests would tell whether Mr. Armstrong was absorbing or eliminating at the time of the accident. With but one sample, Mr. Armstrong's alcohol concentration could have been higher, lower or the same at the time of the accident as it was at the time of the test.
Judges are more than willing to allow the results of these tests into evidence based on the pseudo-scientific exercise of retrograde extrapolation - more commonly knows as throwing a dart at a board.
But this past December, the Nevada Supreme Court threw a monkey wrench into the works when it held that the results of a blood draw taken over two hours after an arrest weren't relevant.
In The State of Nevada v. The Eighth Judicial District Court and the Honorable Stefany Ann Miley, 127 Nev.Adv.Op. 84 (Nev. 2011), Mr. Bobby Armstrong collided with another car, causing serious bodily injury to the other driver. Almost two-and-a-half hours later a blood draw was conducted. According to the test, Mr. Armstrong had an alcohol concentration of .18. Mr. Armstrong moved to suppress the results of the test on the grounds that the blood was drawn outside the state's two-hour window, only one sample was conducted and that retrograde extrapolation was unreliable, irrelevant and unfairly prejudicial.
The trial court ruled that the test results were inadmissible but allowed prosecutors to introduce other evidence of Mr. Armstrong's intoxication. The state's writ of mandamus (thus accounting for the bizarre style of the case) followed.
The Nevada Supreme Court held that retrograde extrapolation was reliable. But the Court also found that the the relevance of the evidence was far outweighed by its prejudicial effect. In coming to its conclusion, the Court looked to the Mata decision in Texas in which the Court of Criminal Appeals laid out a list of factors to be considered when determining the reliability of retrograde extrapolation. These factors included the length of time between the arrest and the test, the number of samples taken and whether the expert had knowledge of the defendant's individual characteristics when
In this case the Court was concerned that the blood sample was taken more than two hours after the stop and that the state's expert had very little knowledge of any of Mr. Armstrong's individual characteristics. In fact, the state's expert based much of his testimony on the characteristics of an "average" person, not Mr. Armstrong. But the Court's biggest concern was that only one blood sample was taken - giving just one point of reference.
The Court reasoned that if two blood samples had been taken some time apart, then the results of those tests would tell whether Mr. Armstrong was absorbing or eliminating at the time of the accident. With but one sample, Mr. Armstrong's alcohol concentration could have been higher, lower or the same at the time of the accident as it was at the time of the test.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
On destroying America by digging up Marilyn Monroe
Today's there's yet more evidence that the U.S. War Against
Leigh Van Bryan and his friend, Emily Bunting, flew into Los Angeles from Ireland for a holiday. A few days earlier, Mr. Van Bryan had tweeted:
"Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America."He had also tweeted that he was going to be in LA for three weeks annoying people and "diggin' Marilyn Monroe up."
Somehow Mr. Van Bryan's messages made their way into the hands of the Department of Homeland Security who weren't too amused. Whether it was his saying he was going to destroy America or dig up the body of Marilyn Monroe isn't clear. But, what was painfully clear over the course of five hours of interrogation was that someone didn't find his humor very funny.
After the interview, Homeland Security reported: "Mr Bryan confirmed that he had posted on his Tweeter website account that he was coming to the United States to dig up the grave of Marilyn Monroe.
"Also on his tweeter account Mr Bryan posted he was coming to destroy America."
The US Customs and Border Protection agency said in a statement that it tried to maintain a balance between "securing our borders while facilitating the high volume of legitimate trade and travel that crosses our borders every day".
It added: "We strive to achieve that balance and show the world that the United States is a welcoming nation."
Okay, I get the anti-terrorism hysteria - after all that's apparently part of the government jobs program. So long as there's a threat of terrorism los federales need to keep plenty of security personnel on the payroll. And it's probably just as well because I think the last thing we need is a bunch of unemployed "scoper and gropers" wandering around the streets of this country.
But let's get real. First, does anyone really think that an Irish bartender was intending to blow up something in America? Second, why does Homeland Security give a flying fuck about Marilyn Monroe's bones? Is her coffin hiding evidence of her affairs with John and Bobby?
There's a lot of information out there on the internet and I'm certain that some of it can provide leads to some folks who are up to no good. But you've got to have context. You've got to use a little common sense. Mr. Van Bryan was coming stateside for a holiday, not to conduct a terrorist operation. The grocery clerks at Homeland Security were too caught up in their own self-importance to understand that.
I've said it before, and no doubt I'll say it again, the world is no more dangerous today than it was on September 10, 2001 - unless we're talking about the exercise of our right to be left alone by the government.
The latest shiny gadget
Oh, Apple certainly does have an image. They're the un-corporate corporation. They are more concerned with offering consumers the latest technology than they are with maximizing profits. Apple's just different.
Really?
Why not ask the workers who slave making shiny iPhones and iPads in China. Just ask the people who work around the clock until their legs swell. Just ask the young people who are routinely exposed to toxic chemicals. Ask the workers who survived the blast in Chengdu last May.
Coincidentally enough, Apple made a record profit of over $13 billion on some $46 billion in sales for the last quarter of 2011.
While there is no doubt that Apple has left us with a myriad of innovations that make computing easier and more efficient, there is also no doubt that Apple is as concerned with maximizing profit as any other company out there.
For all its talk of being a different kind of company, Apple relies on suppliers around the world to produce the shiny gadgets we all crave. By contracting production to these suppliers, Apple is able to deny any responsibility for the working conditions. And, when the appalling nature of the work conditions comes to light, Apple is able to pin the blame on the supplier.
My first couple computers were Apples. I loved them. I can't imagine what computing would be like today without the innovative Macintosh operating system - God knows Microsoft wasn't making anything that would be remotely considered user-friendly.
But I've never been a member of the Apple cult. Apple's a company just like any other. Yes, your new iPhone or iPad is very shiny - but think about the grime behind the shine the next time you kneel down to worship at the shrine to Steven Jobs.
See also:
"Apple customers voice mixed reaction to reports of poor working conditions," PC World (Jan. 26, 2012)
"A good (and bad) week for Apple," On the Media (Jan. 27, 2012)
Really?
Why not ask the workers who slave making shiny iPhones and iPads in China. Just ask the people who work around the clock until their legs swell. Just ask the young people who are routinely exposed to toxic chemicals. Ask the workers who survived the blast in Chengdu last May.
Coincidentally enough, Apple made a record profit of over $13 billion on some $46 billion in sales for the last quarter of 2011.
Apple typically asks suppliers to specify how much every part costs, how many workers are needed and the size of their salaries. Executives want to know every financial detail. Afterward, Apple calculates how much it will pay for a part. Most suppliers are allowed only the slimmest of profits.
So suppliers often try to cut corners, replace expensive chemicals with less costly alternatives, or push their employees to work faster and longer, according to people at those companies.
“The only way you make money working for Apple is figuring out how to do things more efficiently or cheaper,” said an executive at one company that helped bring the iPad to market. “And then they’ll come back the next year, and force a 10 percent price cut.”
While there is no doubt that Apple has left us with a myriad of innovations that make computing easier and more efficient, there is also no doubt that Apple is as concerned with maximizing profit as any other company out there.
For all its talk of being a different kind of company, Apple relies on suppliers around the world to produce the shiny gadgets we all crave. By contracting production to these suppliers, Apple is able to deny any responsibility for the working conditions. And, when the appalling nature of the work conditions comes to light, Apple is able to pin the blame on the supplier.
My first couple computers were Apples. I loved them. I can't imagine what computing would be like today without the innovative Macintosh operating system - God knows Microsoft wasn't making anything that would be remotely considered user-friendly.
But I've never been a member of the Apple cult. Apple's a company just like any other. Yes, your new iPhone or iPad is very shiny - but think about the grime behind the shine the next time you kneel down to worship at the shrine to Steven Jobs.
See also:
"Apple customers voice mixed reaction to reports of poor working conditions," PC World (Jan. 26, 2012)
"A good (and bad) week for Apple," On the Media (Jan. 27, 2012)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Graffiti, courthouse style
Handiwork of an unknown artist on the 2nd floor of the Harris County Criminal (In)justice Center.
Runaway grand jury closes up shop
Yesterday the grand jury investigating the Harris County District Attorney's Office announced that it was not issuing any indictments. The news was greeted with a big yawn by folks around the Criminal (In)justice Center.
The grand jury foreman, Trisha Pollard, said the grand jury didn't find any evidence of a crime but that they were troubled by the actions of the DA's office. They singled out Rachel Palmer for her refusal to answer questions pursuant to her rights under the Fifth Amendment.
Left unsaid is why special prosecutors didn't offer Ms. Palmer immunity in exchange for her testimony. They went so far as to file a motion to compel her testimony that was denied by the judge. They claimed that none of the questions they wanted to ask were incriminating; but when given a choice between having Ms. Palmer answer the questions under a grant of immunity or not asking the questions at all - they chose to keep their mouths shut.
What information did they seek from Ms. Palmer? And if it was so damn important to the investigation that they were more than willing to ignore the Bill of Rights, why didn't they offer her immunity?
Whatever. Now Pat Lykos will stand up and declare victory and the Mike Anderson forces will stare down at their toes. The fact is the investigation is a black eye on Ms. Lykos and her administration. And, no matter how you want to spin it, Ms. Lykos and her office did their best to stonewall the investigation. That also doesn't bode well for a person who has the ethical duty to see that justice is done.
Given the public's notoriously short attention span and the fact that we don't know when the primary will be held, there's a good possibility that most of the folks in Harris County are going to forget all about this little affair before they step into the voting booth.
I'm not so certain that anyone in the DA's Office broke the law in the BATmobile fiasco. Withholding exculpatory evidence is a Brady violation and, at best, could get you a new trial - unless the error was determined to be (wait for it) harmless. There is no monetary or criminal sanction for not turning information over to the defense that the defense doesn't know about.
As such, there was never the possibility of anyone being indicted for not giving up the goods. The only thing that would have bitten someone in the ass was lying under oath to the grand jury.
So, go on, there's nothing to see here.
The grand jury foreman, Trisha Pollard, said the grand jury didn't find any evidence of a crime but that they were troubled by the actions of the DA's office. They singled out Rachel Palmer for her refusal to answer questions pursuant to her rights under the Fifth Amendment.
Left unsaid is why special prosecutors didn't offer Ms. Palmer immunity in exchange for her testimony. They went so far as to file a motion to compel her testimony that was denied by the judge. They claimed that none of the questions they wanted to ask were incriminating; but when given a choice between having Ms. Palmer answer the questions under a grant of immunity or not asking the questions at all - they chose to keep their mouths shut.
What information did they seek from Ms. Palmer? And if it was so damn important to the investigation that they were more than willing to ignore the Bill of Rights, why didn't they offer her immunity?
Whatever. Now Pat Lykos will stand up and declare victory and the Mike Anderson forces will stare down at their toes. The fact is the investigation is a black eye on Ms. Lykos and her administration. And, no matter how you want to spin it, Ms. Lykos and her office did their best to stonewall the investigation. That also doesn't bode well for a person who has the ethical duty to see that justice is done.
Given the public's notoriously short attention span and the fact that we don't know when the primary will be held, there's a good possibility that most of the folks in Harris County are going to forget all about this little affair before they step into the voting booth.
I'm not so certain that anyone in the DA's Office broke the law in the BATmobile fiasco. Withholding exculpatory evidence is a Brady violation and, at best, could get you a new trial - unless the error was determined to be (wait for it) harmless. There is no monetary or criminal sanction for not turning information over to the defense that the defense doesn't know about.
As such, there was never the possibility of anyone being indicted for not giving up the goods. The only thing that would have bitten someone in the ass was lying under oath to the grand jury.
So, go on, there's nothing to see here.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The fishbowl
If you're into social media and designing applications (and helping los federales to spy on the citizenry), the FBI has the perfect free-lance job opportunity for you.
How would you like to design an app that could search social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and Twitter and allow users to compile information on domestic and international terrorism?
Sure, when you post something online it's out there for the whole world to see. But, so many of these social network sites function more like a cocktail party or a backyard bbq. You and your circle of (mostly) virtual friends chat and comment about this or that - until your eye is drawn to the next shiny object.
What has happened to our right to be left alone? As Scott Greenfield points out, on the internet you don't know if you're talking to a dog -- or a terrorist, or at least someone los federales have their eyes on. How does it feel to know you might just get dragged into an investigation? How does it feel to know that you might find yourself under suspicion because of a tweet?
Of course you know that everything changed on 9/11. Now we're all under suspicion. Now the government needs to be able to monitor all our communications lest someone say something that might be a little bit controversial. The same tools that we have hailed for making our world smaller and allowing us to connect with more people are being used to keep an eye on us.
How does it feel to be the fish?
How would you like to design an app that could search social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and Twitter and allow users to compile information on domestic and international terrorism?
The FBI's Strategic Information and Operations Center (SOIC) posted its "Social Media Application" market research request onto the web on 19 January, and it was subsequently flagged up by New Scientist magazine.
The document says: "Social media has become a primary source of intelligence because it has become the premier first response to key events and the primal alert to possible developing situations."
It says the application should collect "open source" information and have the ability to:
- Provide an automated search and scrape capability of social networks including Facebook and Twitter.
- Allow users to create new keyword searches.
- Display different levels of threats as alerts on maps, possibly using colour coding to distinguish priority. Google Maps 3D and Yahoo Maps are listed among the "preferred" mapping options.
- Plot a wide range of domestic and global terror data.
- Immediately translate foreign language tweets into English.
Sure, when you post something online it's out there for the whole world to see. But, so many of these social network sites function more like a cocktail party or a backyard bbq. You and your circle of (mostly) virtual friends chat and comment about this or that - until your eye is drawn to the next shiny object.
What has happened to our right to be left alone? As Scott Greenfield points out, on the internet you don't know if you're talking to a dog -- or a terrorist, or at least someone los federales have their eyes on. How does it feel to know you might just get dragged into an investigation? How does it feel to know that you might find yourself under suspicion because of a tweet?
Of course you know that everything changed on 9/11. Now we're all under suspicion. Now the government needs to be able to monitor all our communications lest someone say something that might be a little bit controversial. The same tools that we have hailed for making our world smaller and allowing us to connect with more people are being used to keep an eye on us.
How does it feel to be the fish?
Coming and going
Sign outside the Inmate Processing Center on Commerce Street in Downtown Houston.
Everywhere else downtown, the parking meters are turned off by 6pm every evening and all day on Sunday. But not at the jail.
They'll screw you coming... and going.
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Peter Principle in action
Citgroup. Bank of America. AIG. General Motors. Ally. Chrysler. Chrysler Financial.
What do all of these companies have in common? (Ally, for those of y'all who haven't seen the annoying commericals was created by the spinoff of GMAC from General Motors.)
The seven companies listed above were the largest recipients of the bailout funds doled out by the federal government as the economy came crashing down. As part of the bailout, executive compensation at the firms was limited to $500,000. Citigroup and Bank of America have since repaid their loans and are free to pay their executives whatever the hell they want to.
Kenneth Feinberg was named the special master whose duties included overseeing executive compensation at the bailed out companies. Under pressure from the Treasury Department and the New York Federal Reserve Bank, Mr. Feinberg gave the official thumbs-up to the wholesale obliteration of the compensation limit according to an audit from the inspector general for the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP).
One of the worst offenders was AIG whose collapse was caused by its sale of unregulated credit default swaps. After handing the company over $180 billion, the taxpayers still own 70% of AIG. Now, keep in mind that the executives we're talking about are the folks who sat in the captain's chair as they drove their companies over the cliff in 2008.
The companies begged and pleaded with Mr. Feinberg (and had their friends in Washington and New York do more cajoling) to ignore the limit on compensation because, otherwise, the executives might just leave the companies and look for work elsewhere.
To which I say, so fucking what? Would you want to retain the people that drove your company into the ground? As an example, Robert Benmosch is the CEO of AIG. In 2008 Mr. Feinberg authorized a $10.5 million compensation package for Mr. Benmosch. For what? Under his leadership AIG's stock was worth less than the paper it was printed on. But that wasn't all. The following year Mr. Benmosch found himself the recipient of another $10.5 million in compensation while 17 of the company's 22 top employees received between $3 million and $7.6 million in compensation.
And they were rewarded for what? Getting down on their knees and begging the government to give them taxpayer money to keep their doors open? They shouldn't have been rewarded. They should have been kicked to the curb and left to fend for themselves.
Instead the men responsible, in large part, for the economic meltdown continue to sit in the lap of luxury on the taxpayer's dime. If executive compensation is meant to be a reward for steering the company to higher profitability then the opposite must also be true. Meanwhile the federal government just doesn't seem to be able to scrape the money together to help homeowners stave off the repo men.
The moral must be that if you screw something up, screw it up royally - otherwise you'll just find yourself on the unemployment line.
H/T Democracy Now!
What do all of these companies have in common? (Ally, for those of y'all who haven't seen the annoying commericals was created by the spinoff of GMAC from General Motors.)
The seven companies listed above were the largest recipients of the bailout funds doled out by the federal government as the economy came crashing down. As part of the bailout, executive compensation at the firms was limited to $500,000. Citigroup and Bank of America have since repaid their loans and are free to pay their executives whatever the hell they want to.
Kenneth Feinberg was named the special master whose duties included overseeing executive compensation at the bailed out companies. Under pressure from the Treasury Department and the New York Federal Reserve Bank, Mr. Feinberg gave the official thumbs-up to the wholesale obliteration of the compensation limit according to an audit from the inspector general for the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP).
One of the worst offenders was AIG whose collapse was caused by its sale of unregulated credit default swaps. After handing the company over $180 billion, the taxpayers still own 70% of AIG. Now, keep in mind that the executives we're talking about are the folks who sat in the captain's chair as they drove their companies over the cliff in 2008.
The companies begged and pleaded with Mr. Feinberg (and had their friends in Washington and New York do more cajoling) to ignore the limit on compensation because, otherwise, the executives might just leave the companies and look for work elsewhere.
To which I say, so fucking what? Would you want to retain the people that drove your company into the ground? As an example, Robert Benmosch is the CEO of AIG. In 2008 Mr. Feinberg authorized a $10.5 million compensation package for Mr. Benmosch. For what? Under his leadership AIG's stock was worth less than the paper it was printed on. But that wasn't all. The following year Mr. Benmosch found himself the recipient of another $10.5 million in compensation while 17 of the company's 22 top employees received between $3 million and $7.6 million in compensation.
And they were rewarded for what? Getting down on their knees and begging the government to give them taxpayer money to keep their doors open? They shouldn't have been rewarded. They should have been kicked to the curb and left to fend for themselves.
Instead the men responsible, in large part, for the economic meltdown continue to sit in the lap of luxury on the taxpayer's dime. If executive compensation is meant to be a reward for steering the company to higher profitability then the opposite must also be true. Meanwhile the federal government just doesn't seem to be able to scrape the money together to help homeowners stave off the repo men.
The moral must be that if you screw something up, screw it up royally - otherwise you'll just find yourself on the unemployment line.
H/T Democracy Now!
Chasing down SEO rabbitholes
This is probably the most amazing blogs Ive study inside of a really extended time. The level of information in here is stunning!That was the comment. It was submitted by someone named "Bose." The piss poor grammar and spamishness sparked my curiosity. Who was the spammer?
There wasn't much to go on when I clicked on Bose's blogspot user profile. Just a link to something called ArticleCity(dot)com. And just what is ArticleCity, you may ask. It's your "one-stop" shop for free articles to put in your online newsletter or e-mail spam.
Welcome to ArticleCity(dot)com - your one-stop source for free articles. Do you need content to add to your web site? Or articles for use on your opt-in newsletters and e-zines? ArticleCity.com maintains a huge collection of articles on a wide variety subjects.So I scrolled down to the legal articles and found one about when you need to hire a DUI lawyer. The article was a tangled mess of poor grammar and viewpoints. Here's an excerpt:
DUI (Driving under the influence) of alcohol or drugs is considered to be a serious offense as it is the greatest cause of criminal injury and death. The drugs that are taken into account include tranquilizers, opiates, amphetamines, cocaine and marijuana. When the driver has a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher then in that case that person is guilty of the offense. Drivers who drink and drive not only put their life in danger but also of the people around them. They think that after drinking they can control their driving without caring about the consequences like they might get caught by the police or they might get involved in an accident. They also have to face severe legal consequences such as their license may be suspended or they might be placed in jail and fined substantial fees.We are then told that if you are arrested for DUI then you will need a lawyer who's "highly experienced and skilled," "highly skilled and efficient," "expert," "qualified," , "reliable," "right" and "proficient." I think he got in all the SEO-friendly keywords in that paragraph.
Our author ends with this caution:
Some lawyers offer free consultation to their clients. An initial consultation with your DUI lawyer helps you in deciding whether you want to work with them or not. Ensure the upfront fee and payment options. Therefore in order to save yourself from such kind of punishments it is advisable not to indulge in these type of things as it might be considered a crime and in case if you get involved in this type of situation then hiring an expert DUI lawyer can be the best solution.Now we can all nitpick the article to death but that would be like shooting fish in a barrel. The article was written by someone named Sukhmannjot who provided a link in the author box to the Abreu Law Firm in Miami.
Abreu law firm Attorney Miami able to handle Criminal Lawyer Miami cases in either state or federal court.I don't know if our friend Sukmannjot is an employee of the Abreu Law Firm or if he just works for some SEO company that posts spam comments and poorly written articles on websites. Whichever the case may be, I would suggest that Mr. Abreu keep closer tabs on those he uses to market his firm.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Pressure builds on judge to step down
Well, what do you know, Christopher Dupuy is back in the news.
If you don't know, Mr. Dupuy is the judge in County Court at Law No. 3 in Galveston County. At the time he was running for the bench the State Bar had placed him on probation for violating ethics rules. The seat he ran for was held by the judge in the divorce case filed by his now ex-wife. His platform was a bizarre assortment of right-wing positions that would have made any wingnut proud. He sits on the bench because Galveston County voters in the north end of the county blindly selected the straight ticket option for the Republicans.
In his latest misadventure, Mr. Dupuy was fined $7,500 by a judge for improperly trying to remove a judge who was hearing a malpractice case against him filed by a former client. The $7,500 fine is in addition to an $1,800 levy ordered against him for failing to appear at a deposition in that case. David Bryant, a Houston attorney handling the suit, told the Houston Chronicle he thought he'd have to attach Mr. Dupuy's bank account in order to get the money.
Dupuy is also under investigation by the Galveston County District Attorney's Office for allegedly lying about his residency on the application he filed to run for the bench.
The situation is so bad that the Galveston Daily News is calling for Dupuy to resign from the bench.
The man is not qualified to sit on the bench. The unethical manner in which he ran his practice. Sleeping with an attorney practicing in his court. Lying on his application to run for office. The unprofessional way in which he conducts business in his courtroom.
The folks in Galveston County who voted straight ticket Republican got exactly what they deserved.
Transcript of DuPuy hearing
If you don't know, Mr. Dupuy is the judge in County Court at Law No. 3 in Galveston County. At the time he was running for the bench the State Bar had placed him on probation for violating ethics rules. The seat he ran for was held by the judge in the divorce case filed by his now ex-wife. His platform was a bizarre assortment of right-wing positions that would have made any wingnut proud. He sits on the bench because Galveston County voters in the north end of the county blindly selected the straight ticket option for the Republicans.
SUSPENSIONS On Oct. 9, 2009, Christopher Dupuy [#24003931], 38, of League City, accepted a six-month, fully probated suspension effective Oct. 9, 2009. An evidentiary panel of the District 5 Grievance Committee found that Dupuy’s professional websites contained statements that omitted facts necessary to make the statements considered as a whole not materially misleading. Also, Dupuy’s advertisement in a telephone directory did not conspicuously publish the name of at least one lawyer responsible for the content of such advertisement, and did not disclose the geographic location, by city or town, of Dupuy’s principal office. Dupuy failed to file the telephone directory advertisement with the State Bar Advertising Review Committee.
Dupuy violated Rules 7.02(a)(1) and (a) (2); 7.04(b), (c), and (j); and 7.07(b). He agreed to pay $2,500 in attorney’s fees and costs.
-- Texas Bar Journal, January 2010If you've ever had the "pleasure" of practicing in Judge Dupuy's court you know what an interesting experience it is. I had a case in which the prosecutor and I submitted an agreed motion for new trial. When I handed him the motion, the judge looked at me and asked what he was supposed to do with it. I told him it was an agreed motion and that he should sign it. He took it under advisement and made up wait for 45 minutes while he went back in his chambers and did God knows what before returning to the bench.
In his latest misadventure, Mr. Dupuy was fined $7,500 by a judge for improperly trying to remove a judge who was hearing a malpractice case against him filed by a former client. The $7,500 fine is in addition to an $1,800 levy ordered against him for failing to appear at a deposition in that case. David Bryant, a Houston attorney handling the suit, told the Houston Chronicle he thought he'd have to attach Mr. Dupuy's bank account in order to get the money.
Dupuy is also under investigation by the Galveston County District Attorney's Office for allegedly lying about his residency on the application he filed to run for the bench.
The situation is so bad that the Galveston Daily News is calling for Dupuy to resign from the bench.
The man is not qualified to sit on the bench. The unethical manner in which he ran his practice. Sleeping with an attorney practicing in his court. Lying on his application to run for office. The unprofessional way in which he conducts business in his courtroom.
The folks in Galveston County who voted straight ticket Republican got exactly what they deserved.
Transcript of DuPuy hearing
Saturday, January 28, 2012
How much is a life worth?
On November 19, 2005, in the Iraqi city of Haditha, a bomb went off and killed an American soldier, Lance Corporal Miguel Terrazas. In the aftermath of the explosion, an Iraqi cabdriver and four teenagers were shot and killed by US troops under orders of Sgt. Frank Wuterich.
Upon arriving at the scene, Lt. William T. Kallop ordered the troops to seize a house from which he believed shots were being fired. The marines stormed the house and killed 19 unarmed civilians, including seven women and children, through the use of rifles and grenades.
The original story was that the dead were part of a group of Iraqis who opened fire on the Americans. But questions were asked when the dead were found wearing their nightclothes.
But when witnesses were asked to recount the events of that day, a startlingly different picture emerged. Tim McGirk of Time Magazine broke the story in March 2006. The account of 9-year-old Eman Waleed is harrowing:
Eight marines, including Sgt. Wuterich, were charged with murder and dereliction of duty. The cases almost immediately began to fall apart with military investigators recommending that charges against the soldiers be dismissed or reduced to just dereliction of duty. The investigation uncovered instances that the defendants had destroyed or withheld evidence.
Of the eight, one was acquitted and charges against six others were dismissed. In the last case, Sgt. Wuterich pled guilty to negligent dereliction of duty. The manslaughter and assault charges were dismissed. As punishment, Sgt. Wuterich was demoted to private.
And so the question remains, what's an Iraqi life worth? According to the military court, one American life was worth the lives of 24 Iraqis; but the lives of those Iraqis was only worth a loss of rank.
I do think Sgt. Wuterich was being made something of a scapegoat in this affair. He, after all, wasn't the one who ordered the marines to storm the houses. But no one ever went after Lt. Kallop. As a result we have 24 dead civilians who were killed as the result of a war without purpose entered into by President Bush.
War isn't about fighter jets and targeted bombs. It isn't about smart bombs and surgical strikes. War is about death and destruction. Collateral damage is just a sanitized why of saying "We fucked up."
For more background, see:
"Investigating the Haditha Killings," NPR
Upon arriving at the scene, Lt. William T. Kallop ordered the troops to seize a house from which he believed shots were being fired. The marines stormed the house and killed 19 unarmed civilians, including seven women and children, through the use of rifles and grenades.
The original story was that the dead were part of a group of Iraqis who opened fire on the Americans. But questions were asked when the dead were found wearing their nightclothes.
But when witnesses were asked to recount the events of that day, a startlingly different picture emerged. Tim McGirk of Time Magazine broke the story in March 2006. The account of 9-year-old Eman Waleed is harrowing:
"We heard a big noise that woke us all up," she recalls two months later. "Then we did what we always do when there's an explosion: my father goes into his room with the Koran and prays that the family will be spared any harm." Eman says the rest of the family—her mother, grandfather, grandmother, two brothers, two aunts and two uncles—gathered in the living room. According to military officials familiar with the investigation, the Marines say they came under fire from the direction of the Waleed house immediately after being hit by the ied. A group of Marines headed toward the house. Eman says she "heard a lot of shooting, so none of us went outside. Besides, it was very early, and we were all wearing our nightclothes." When the Marines entered the house, they were shouting in English. "First, they went into my father's room, where he was reading the Koran," she claims, "and we heard shots." According to Eman, the Marines then entered the living room. "I couldn't see their faces very well—only their guns sticking into the doorway. I watched them shoot my grandfather, first in the chest and then in the head. Then they killed my granny." She claims the troops started firing toward the corner of the room where she and her younger brother Abdul Rahman, 8, were hiding; the other adults shielded the children from the bullets but died in the process. Eman says her leg was hit by a piece of metal and Abdul Rahman was shot near his shoulder. "We were lying there, bleeding, and it hurt so much. Afterward, some Iraqi soldiers came. They carried us in their arms. I was crying, shouting 'Why did you do this to our family?' And one Iraqi soldier tells me, 'We didn't do it. The Americans did.'"
Eight marines, including Sgt. Wuterich, were charged with murder and dereliction of duty. The cases almost immediately began to fall apart with military investigators recommending that charges against the soldiers be dismissed or reduced to just dereliction of duty. The investigation uncovered instances that the defendants had destroyed or withheld evidence.
Of the eight, one was acquitted and charges against six others were dismissed. In the last case, Sgt. Wuterich pled guilty to negligent dereliction of duty. The manslaughter and assault charges were dismissed. As punishment, Sgt. Wuterich was demoted to private.
And so the question remains, what's an Iraqi life worth? According to the military court, one American life was worth the lives of 24 Iraqis; but the lives of those Iraqis was only worth a loss of rank.
I do think Sgt. Wuterich was being made something of a scapegoat in this affair. He, after all, wasn't the one who ordered the marines to storm the houses. But no one ever went after Lt. Kallop. As a result we have 24 dead civilians who were killed as the result of a war without purpose entered into by President Bush.
War isn't about fighter jets and targeted bombs. It isn't about smart bombs and surgical strikes. War is about death and destruction. Collateral damage is just a sanitized why of saying "We fucked up."
For more background, see:
"Investigating the Haditha Killings," NPR
Friday, January 27, 2012
Working blind
Ask any scientist and she'll tell you that the best result from an experiment is often the one that disproves the hypothesis being tested. Why? Because such a result means there are more questions to ask - and more knowledge to be gained.
According to the scientific method, we first develop a hypothesis, then we conduct experiments. We observe the data obtained and compare the results to our hypothesis. If the data contradicts the hypothesis we must change our hypothesis. That, you see, is the recipe for scientific breakthroughs.
But such a scenario is anathema in a crime lab.
The last thing the police want is an inconclusive test. Analysts know this. Their supervisors know this. The people funding the lab know this.
And so the "forensic scientists" at crime labs across the country are made part of the criminal investigation. They are given the task of proving a link between the test result and the suspect. And, as many results are subject to interpretation, there is an inherent bias to be found.
Grits for Breakfast referenced an article in The Economist that when forensic scientists are given too much "contextual information," test results can be subject to a "cognitive bias."
As Grits points out medical trials work because the doctors conducting them don't know who's receiving the actual treatment and who's receiving the placebo - and neither do the test subjects. Without that knowledge there is no pressure (whether real or imagined) to make the results fit the desired outcome.
In the criminal (in)justice context, however, the forensic scientists, or lab technicians, running the test are told they are testing something that came from the suspect. They are told what that person is suspected of doing. They are told they're part of the team. Their mission, in other words, is to provide the evidence the government needs to obtain a conviction.
They are neither neutral nor unbiased. Just think what role that ideology played in the expansion of forensic analysis into the analysis of tire tracks and foot prints. Fingerprints and bite marks. Ballistics and lead analysis. Arson investigations.
If we are going to call these glorified lab techs "forensic scientists," then we should at least expect them to play by the same rules other scientists follow. It's the least we should demand when people's lives are on the line.
According to the scientific method, we first develop a hypothesis, then we conduct experiments. We observe the data obtained and compare the results to our hypothesis. If the data contradicts the hypothesis we must change our hypothesis. That, you see, is the recipe for scientific breakthroughs.
But such a scenario is anathema in a crime lab.
The last thing the police want is an inconclusive test. Analysts know this. Their supervisors know this. The people funding the lab know this.
And so the "forensic scientists" at crime labs across the country are made part of the criminal investigation. They are given the task of proving a link between the test result and the suspect. And, as many results are subject to interpretation, there is an inherent bias to be found.
Grits for Breakfast referenced an article in The Economist that when forensic scientists are given too much "contextual information," test results can be subject to a "cognitive bias."
As Grits points out medical trials work because the doctors conducting them don't know who's receiving the actual treatment and who's receiving the placebo - and neither do the test subjects. Without that knowledge there is no pressure (whether real or imagined) to make the results fit the desired outcome.
In the criminal (in)justice context, however, the forensic scientists, or lab technicians, running the test are told they are testing something that came from the suspect. They are told what that person is suspected of doing. They are told they're part of the team. Their mission, in other words, is to provide the evidence the government needs to obtain a conviction.
They are neither neutral nor unbiased. Just think what role that ideology played in the expansion of forensic analysis into the analysis of tire tracks and foot prints. Fingerprints and bite marks. Ballistics and lead analysis. Arson investigations.
If we are going to call these glorified lab techs "forensic scientists," then we should at least expect them to play by the same rules other scientists follow. It's the least we should demand when people's lives are on the line.
For a few votes more
This week the French Senate approved a bill that would make it a crime to deny that the Turks committed genocide against Armenians during World War I. Anyone denying it was genocide could face jail and a fine of up to $58,000.
The rise of the Thought Police in the United States is troubling enough - but to make it a crime to disagree with what someone else says goes beyond anything we could imagine on this side of the pond.
Maybe it was genocide. Maybe it wasn't. That, ultimately, is a question for the historians to answer. But to criminalize a point of view makes a mockery of scholarship. It also makes a mockery of the French justice system.
According to the BBC, there are half-a-million French citizens of Armenian descent. Did the party of President Sarkozy pass the bill in order to curry favor with those voters? Was the criminalization of thought the price to pay for a few more votes? What does that say about the state of politics in France?
Maybe the politicians in France have forgotten the words of the Declaration of the Rights of Men written during the heyday of the French Revolution.
Article 4 states:
Likewise, disagreeing with a statement is not injurious to society. It is through the exchange of different, and sometimes contradictory, ideas that our knowledge of the world increases. To criminalize such a disagreement will serve only to chill speech and scholarship.
How ironic that the French gave us the Statute of Liberty.
The rise of the Thought Police in the United States is troubling enough - but to make it a crime to disagree with what someone else says goes beyond anything we could imagine on this side of the pond.
Maybe it was genocide. Maybe it wasn't. That, ultimately, is a question for the historians to answer. But to criminalize a point of view makes a mockery of scholarship. It also makes a mockery of the French justice system.
According to the BBC, there are half-a-million French citizens of Armenian descent. Did the party of President Sarkozy pass the bill in order to curry favor with those voters? Was the criminalization of thought the price to pay for a few more votes? What does that say about the state of politics in France?
Maybe the politicians in France have forgotten the words of the Declaration of the Rights of Men written during the heyday of the French Revolution.
Article 4 states:
Liberty consists in the power to do anything that does not injure others; accordingly, the exercise of the rights of each man has no limits except those that secure the enjoyment of these same rights to the other members of society. These limits can be determined only by law.Article 5 states:
The law has only the rights to forbid such actions as are injurious to society. Nothing can be forbidden that is not interdicted by the law, and no one can be constrained to do that which it does not order.Can someone explain to me how the exercise of speech can "injure" another. Sure, you might disagree with what I say, but my words are just that - words. They have no more power than you allow them to have. It is quite a stretch to conclude that denying the Turks committed genocide against Armenians a century ago is injurious.
Likewise, disagreeing with a statement is not injurious to society. It is through the exchange of different, and sometimes contradictory, ideas that our knowledge of the world increases. To criminalize such a disagreement will serve only to chill speech and scholarship.
How ironic that the French gave us the Statute of Liberty.
Update: Let loose the killing machine
The State of Texas got back into the business of murdering people last night with the first state-sponsored killing of the year.
Rodrigo Hernandez, who was convicted of the 1994 murder of Susan Verstegen, was executed after the US Supreme Court denied his request for a stay on Thursday afternoon.
Mr. Hernandez wasn't a good guy. But his death doesn't undo what he did. His death doesn't bring back Ms. Verstegen. Her son will wake up tomorrow, but she will still be dead.
On the other hand, the Supremes denied the state the opportunity to murder Donald Newbury on February 1. Mr. Newbury was one of seven men who escaped from prison and robbed a Dallas area store, where a police officer was killed. Mr. Newbury was sentenced to die, despite the fact he was not the murderer.
Texas is the only state that permits the execution of a person who only played a supporting role in a murder.
Rodrigo Hernandez, who was convicted of the 1994 murder of Susan Verstegen, was executed after the US Supreme Court denied his request for a stay on Thursday afternoon.
Mr. Hernandez wasn't a good guy. But his death doesn't undo what he did. His death doesn't bring back Ms. Verstegen. Her son will wake up tomorrow, but she will still be dead.
On the other hand, the Supremes denied the state the opportunity to murder Donald Newbury on February 1. Mr. Newbury was one of seven men who escaped from prison and robbed a Dallas area store, where a police officer was killed. Mr. Newbury was sentenced to die, despite the fact he was not the murderer.
Texas is the only state that permits the execution of a person who only played a supporting role in a murder.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
What's in a name?
It's not enough that Jim Crane is moving the Houston Astros from their home in the National League over to the American League. Nope. Now he's even looking to change the team's name.
Change the uniforms? Okay. They've worn the white, the pinstripes and the red for a decade now. It's probably time for a change. I'd love to see an homage to the tequila sunrise uniforms of the early 80's.
But changing the name of the team? This isn't what we signed up for. We already know we're destined to watch the Astros struggle to avoid another 100-loss season in 2012. We know that Crane isn't going to spend any money to improve the team this year. In fact, if he could find a way to deal away the few remaining high-priced players he has, he'd do it in a heartbeat.
But to change the team's name. That's a whole different story. Maybe he figures if he changes the colors and the name that he can fool the fans into thinking it's a new team. Maybe then the fans won't be upset that the team is mired at the bottom of the standings. As long as Crane's making money from TV and merchandise sales, it's all good.
Jim, baseball is all about tradition. It's about fathers taking their sons and daughters to Opening Day every year. It's about sitting in the bleachers on the 4th of July. The numbers always mattered in baseball because the game didn't change. Why do fans continue to buy tickets to see a team that stinks year after year? It's because it's baseball.
Now we're less than a month until pitchers and catchers report. The time of year when every fan of every team deludes themselves into thinking that this could be the year. Reality will set in pretty quickly here in Houston and changing the name on the front of the jerseys won't do a thing to change that.
Change the uniforms? Okay. They've worn the white, the pinstripes and the red for a decade now. It's probably time for a change. I'd love to see an homage to the tequila sunrise uniforms of the early 80's.
But changing the name of the team? This isn't what we signed up for. We already know we're destined to watch the Astros struggle to avoid another 100-loss season in 2012. We know that Crane isn't going to spend any money to improve the team this year. In fact, if he could find a way to deal away the few remaining high-priced players he has, he'd do it in a heartbeat.
But to change the team's name. That's a whole different story. Maybe he figures if he changes the colors and the name that he can fool the fans into thinking it's a new team. Maybe then the fans won't be upset that the team is mired at the bottom of the standings. As long as Crane's making money from TV and merchandise sales, it's all good.
Jim, baseball is all about tradition. It's about fathers taking their sons and daughters to Opening Day every year. It's about sitting in the bleachers on the 4th of July. The numbers always mattered in baseball because the game didn't change. Why do fans continue to buy tickets to see a team that stinks year after year? It's because it's baseball.
Now we're less than a month until pitchers and catchers report. The time of year when every fan of every team deludes themselves into thinking that this could be the year. Reality will set in pretty quickly here in Houston and changing the name on the front of the jerseys won't do a thing to change that.
Dirty rotten scoundrels
If you want to see your tax dollars at work, you need to check out Michael McKnight's piece on SI.com about the point shaving scheme at the University of San Diego.
Now, before I go any further I must say that sports are entertainment. Yes, a sporting event is the ultimate reality show but, in the end, the game is meant to entertain. Fans have a multitude of entertainment options and sports must compete with restaurants, clubs, the movie theater or the myriad of other things you can spend your hard-earned dollars on.
To this day I don't understand why los federales are interested in alleged point shaving schemes in college sports. The only people who get hurt are the folks who end up betting on the wrong side. We're not talking about throwing games, we're talking about missing a shot here and there or turning the ball over to keep the game within the spread.
Let me repeat, the only folks getting "hurt" are bettors, bookies and the casinos.
As Mr. McKnight points out, the key figure in the alleged scheme was a bookie named Steve Goria. Mr. Goria became the apple in the eyes of los federales when he was stopped at the border with a whole lot of cash - and a map to the pot capital of Northern California. Operation Hookshot was soon born.
The star of the sting was a confidential informant who was looking at a 10-20 year stretch in federal prison for a variety of drug crimes. He was only too willing to help out.
Just to make things more interesting, the informant is represented by the same attorney, Nicholas DePento, who represented Mr. Goria when he was stopped at the border in 2008. That raises questions of whether or not Mr. DePento violated his duty to his former client when he arranged for his current client to become the government's tool.
But the question is whether or not the FBI manufactured this alleged scheme. Did their informant drive the action or was he merely the means of discovering what was going on down by the ocean? Did the FBI stumble onto the scheme when they nabbed Mr. Goria at the border or did they manufacture it?
The evidence compiled by SI.com doesn't seem to indicate that, with the possible exception of one game in 2010, that there was any unusual betting patterns on USD games while the scheme was supposedly going on. And trust me, USD is such a small school that any suspicious bets would be detected quite easily.
What was the point in the investigation? Who benefits from it? And does it make anyone feel better knowing that the key government witness is a convicted felon who is facing a decade or more in prison?
And does it make sense for the government to go around creating criminal acts when there is more than enough real crime going on? If they wanted to go after some folks, why not take a look at the shenanigans in the mortgage-lending industry that helped bring down the economy?
The importance in the story, however, is in laying bare the ways in which our government schemes to entrap people in criminal enterprises. When you lie down with the pigs, you're bound to get dirty.
Now, before I go any further I must say that sports are entertainment. Yes, a sporting event is the ultimate reality show but, in the end, the game is meant to entertain. Fans have a multitude of entertainment options and sports must compete with restaurants, clubs, the movie theater or the myriad of other things you can spend your hard-earned dollars on.
To this day I don't understand why los federales are interested in alleged point shaving schemes in college sports. The only people who get hurt are the folks who end up betting on the wrong side. We're not talking about throwing games, we're talking about missing a shot here and there or turning the ball over to keep the game within the spread.
Let me repeat, the only folks getting "hurt" are bettors, bookies and the casinos.
As Mr. McKnight points out, the key figure in the alleged scheme was a bookie named Steve Goria. Mr. Goria became the apple in the eyes of los federales when he was stopped at the border with a whole lot of cash - and a map to the pot capital of Northern California. Operation Hookshot was soon born.
The star of the sting was a confidential informant who was looking at a 10-20 year stretch in federal prison for a variety of drug crimes. He was only too willing to help out.
Just to make things more interesting, the informant is represented by the same attorney, Nicholas DePento, who represented Mr. Goria when he was stopped at the border in 2008. That raises questions of whether or not Mr. DePento violated his duty to his former client when he arranged for his current client to become the government's tool.
But the question is whether or not the FBI manufactured this alleged scheme. Did their informant drive the action or was he merely the means of discovering what was going on down by the ocean? Did the FBI stumble onto the scheme when they nabbed Mr. Goria at the border or did they manufacture it?
The evidence compiled by SI.com doesn't seem to indicate that, with the possible exception of one game in 2010, that there was any unusual betting patterns on USD games while the scheme was supposedly going on. And trust me, USD is such a small school that any suspicious bets would be detected quite easily.
What was the point in the investigation? Who benefits from it? And does it make anyone feel better knowing that the key government witness is a convicted felon who is facing a decade or more in prison?
And does it make sense for the government to go around creating criminal acts when there is more than enough real crime going on? If they wanted to go after some folks, why not take a look at the shenanigans in the mortgage-lending industry that helped bring down the economy?
The importance in the story, however, is in laying bare the ways in which our government schemes to entrap people in criminal enterprises. When you lie down with the pigs, you're bound to get dirty.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Execution Watch 1/26/2012
The Texas killing machine is back in business.
ON THURSDAY NIGHT, TEXAS PLANS TO EXECUTE:
RODRIGO HERNANDEZ. Convicted in the murder of a Frito-Lay saleswoman, his appeal was rejected in 2008 by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The seven-year gap from Hernandez' 2004 conviction to the 2011 announcement of his execution date was relatively short. Typically a person sentenced to death spends at least 10 years going through the appeals process.
For more information on Mr. Hernandez, click here.
RADIOPROGRAM PREVIEW
EXECUTIONWATCH
"Unlessa stay is issued, we'll broadcast ..."
Thursday,Jan. 26, 2012, 6-7 PM CT
KPFTHouston 90.1 FM, HD-3
Listenonline: www.executionwatch.org > Listen
You can find more information on Execution Watch's Facebook page.
ON THURSDAY NIGHT, TEXAS PLANS TO EXECUTE:
RODRIGO HERNANDEZ. Convicted in the murder of a Frito-Lay saleswoman, his appeal was rejected in 2008 by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The seven-year gap from Hernandez' 2004 conviction to the 2011 announcement of his execution date was relatively short. Typically a person sentenced to death spends at least 10 years going through the appeals process.
For more information on Mr. Hernandez, click here.
RADIOPROGRAM PREVIEW
EXECUTIONWATCH
"Unlessa stay is issued, we'll broadcast ..."
Thursday,Jan. 26, 2012, 6-7 PM CT
KPFTHouston 90.1 FM, HD-3
Listenonline: www.executionwatch.org > Listen
You can find more information on Execution Watch's Facebook page.
Does more of the same make any sense?
I heard portions of a Mitt Romney speech the other morning in which he urged folks to vote for him to put an end to the health care bill signed by President Obama.
Mr. Romney said that the American people didn't want bureaucrats in Washington making health care decisions for them. He said what we needed were more market-based solutions.
Really?
Just tell me, how many people walk around telling others how much they love their health insurance provider? Is it really better for your health care decisions to be made by executives whose job it is to maximize profits? Does it make sense for those decisions to be taken out of the hands of your doctor and placed in the hands of someone sitting in an office who has never seen you?
How has the market done with allocating health care to the American people? Does reducing benefits, raising premiums and denying coverage benefit anyone other than the health insurance executives and shareholders?
And, Mr. Romney, do you have any idea just how much health coverage costs these days? Just how do you plan on ensuring that folks can carry their own insurance with them from job to job?
The health care debate is the perfect example of the perversion of the New(est) Right. If you're not happy with the current state of health care, the solution isn't for the government to step in; the solution is even more of the same.
Does that really make any sense?
Mr. Romney said that the American people didn't want bureaucrats in Washington making health care decisions for them. He said what we needed were more market-based solutions.
Really?
Just tell me, how many people walk around telling others how much they love their health insurance provider? Is it really better for your health care decisions to be made by executives whose job it is to maximize profits? Does it make sense for those decisions to be taken out of the hands of your doctor and placed in the hands of someone sitting in an office who has never seen you?
How has the market done with allocating health care to the American people? Does reducing benefits, raising premiums and denying coverage benefit anyone other than the health insurance executives and shareholders?
And, Mr. Romney, do you have any idea just how much health coverage costs these days? Just how do you plan on ensuring that folks can carry their own insurance with them from job to job?
The health care debate is the perfect example of the perversion of the New(est) Right. If you're not happy with the current state of health care, the solution isn't for the government to step in; the solution is even more of the same.
Does that really make any sense?
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