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Saturday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat May 02, 2009 at 07:57:57 PM EST
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I'm on assignment. Actually, I'm having a lot of fun trying to create a new kind of hearing notebook for a suppression hearing this week.

There are so many cases on traffic stops that end with purported consents to search and the seizure of vast quantities of drugs, that it's hard to keep them all straight. Printing them out and sticking them in a file is not going to help me find the one I need as I'm arguing. [More...]

So, I'm experimenting with Adobe Organizer/Portfolio in 9.0 and Wordperfect Lightning. I'm putting a note with a colored graphic of a thumbs up or thumbs down and a case summary at the top, followed by the actual opinion, which has my yellow highlighting on the important parts. Then it's off to Kinkos to print them on a color printer and put them in a notebook.

Since this will take me about 48 hours to complete (I started last night) I have no time to blog tonight.

What are you all finding interesting this weekend? And if you have a better way to make the notebook, please let me know.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Saturday Night Open Thread | 42 comments (42 topical)

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    Hey folks (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Dalton Hoffine on Sat May 02, 2009 at 08:22:51 PM EST
    Especially Cream City. It's been about three months since I've taken my LSATs (made a 160), and the University of Minnesota's Law School has been beating down my door with literature and such. I hadn't really wanted to go to Minnesota that much, but today they called me up and told me that I qualify for a number of their grants and scholarships. I don't really know much about the UM, and the nice woman on the phone was praising every single aspect about the school (as I'm sure they're supposed to), so I was wondering if any of you knew what areas UM specialized in on the law side, and what kind of reputation they have amongst good law firms.

    Thanks.
    -Dalton

    Check the weather and state bar pass rates. (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by oculus on Sat May 02, 2009 at 08:27:35 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Cold as three gods (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Dalton Hoffine on Sat May 02, 2009 at 08:28:50 PM EST
    And 97%

    [ Parent ]
    Pointers from a Floridian (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by CoralGables on Sat May 02, 2009 at 08:44:13 PM EST
    As a once uneducated Floridian on cold climates, after three weeks in a Minnesota/Wisconsin winter I can pass on sage advice for when it's below zero for three weeks:

    1. Don't use your high beams in the snow.
    2. Don't try to use the windshield washer on your car while driving.
    3. Don't walk on a frozen river assuming it's solid.
    4. Don't stick your car key in your mouth when you stop the car after a short drive.
    5. Anyone you meet in winter, you will have no idea what they really look like until spring.


    [ Parent ]
    It's cold and snowy... (none / 0) (#8)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat May 02, 2009 at 09:12:33 PM EST
    ...in the Winter, humid and buggy in the Summer, but it is a very liveable city if you can deal with the elements.  A very friendly, active and vibrant population, lots of good art, cultural events and restuarants.  Nice campus, centrally located...

    [ Parent ]
    MH, isn't the mosquito (none / 0) (#16)
    by easilydistracted on Sat May 02, 2009 at 10:27:28 PM EST
    the state bird of MN? Bad joke, okay. I spent three years there during the mid 80s and attended three semesters at the U (locals used to refer to it as the "U"). Anyway, it was a great place to live at that time. Brutally cold and snowy in the winter. Summers were great and northern MN is true wilderness in many areas, like the Boundary Waters. The drive along the north shore of Lake Superior to Thunder Bay Ontario rivals Independence Pass in my view.

    [ Parent ]
    Nothing to add, personally (none / 0) (#5)
    by andgarden on Sat May 02, 2009 at 08:35:22 PM EST
    Well ranked, but you didn't need me to tell you that!

    [ Parent ]
    Ran across... (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat May 02, 2009 at 09:04:52 PM EST
    ...an intersting article on the state of urban farming in Denver.  

    Reminds me of the huge garden we always had in Des Moines.  Sweet corn to tomatoes to strawberries and everything in between.  Best soil in the World.

    My Grandparent's place in Baltimore had the big garden plus chickens.  Lots of fresh caught crabs too.

    Yum.

    For BTD and CoralGables (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Teresa on Sun May 03, 2009 at 02:31:58 AM EST
    Tebow panties

    A Web site seeking to ride the Tebow wave of popularity has come up with a unique product called Teebows -- orange and blue women's panties shaped like a T with a bow on the back

    I no longer love baseball and I don't like the NBA and I'm in sports withdrawal. I'm ready for football even if we lose them all!

    Hey! (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by andgarden on Sun May 03, 2009 at 04:18:54 PM EST
    Where've you been!?

    [ Parent ]
    Just around. I've been reading here. (5.00 / 3) (#40)
    by Teresa on Mon May 04, 2009 at 02:21:54 AM EST
    I am so uninformed about some of the subjects lately so I'm just reading and learning.

    I did have 3(!) MRIs on my aching back and they told me I have the back of an old lady. 11 bulging discs and all sorts of fun things. The neurosurgeon told me to stay off the computer.

    I've never had any accidents, etc. so it seems I was born with a very unhealthy back. Plus my mother stepped in a ditch and broke her arm and shoulder so I'm helping take care of her.

    We're just a bunch of injured people here. I'm glad you missed me! I'll try to post more often.

    [ Parent ]

    Ouch! (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon May 04, 2009 at 09:31:07 AM EST
    Sorry to hear you're ailing, T.  Hope the back gets better in a hurry!  You are very much missed, but don't be posting at the expense of your health!!

    You'll be in my thoughts...

    [ Parent ]

    Non-consent to search card (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by Ben Masel on Sun May 03, 2009 at 02:55:38 AM EST
    Print out, sign in advance, date and time if circumstances permit. I prefer to hand it to the officer along with license before they even ask for permission to search.

    NOTICE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

    I do not consent to a search of my person, belongings, home, or
    vehicle. I retain my 4th Amendment Rights, and all other Rights
    under the US and State Constitutions.

    Signature _____________

    Date, time of notice (optional) ________

    ______________________


    Reverse

    The 4th Amendment

    The right of the people to be secure in their person, houses,
    papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and siezures
    shall not be violated, and no warrant shall issue, but upon
    probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or things to be siezed.

    Best dialog: "Why don't you consent, do you have something to hide?" "After distributing 140,000 of these, what kind of example would I be setting for the kids if I myself waived my 4th Amendment rights."  After 15 seconds of  uncontrollable laughter, "That is your Right. Just be sure you fix that taillight."

    Better Yet (none / 0) (#26)
    by Jeralyn on Sun May 03, 2009 at 03:06:34 AM EST
    keep a TalkLeft 4th Amendment Tote bag in the car and your card inside it. You can hold up the bag and retrieve and give the officer the card.

    [ Parent ]
    You can get one (none / 0) (#27)
    by Jeralyn on Sun May 03, 2009 at 03:07:52 AM EST
    here

    [ Parent ]
    Am i allowed to mention (none / 0) (#28)
    by Ben Masel on Sun May 03, 2009 at 03:09:29 AM EST
    that I've got some t-shirts with the above text?

    The comments policy doesn't seem to address the question.

    [ Parent ]

    Probably not (none / 0) (#29)
    by Jeralyn on Sun May 03, 2009 at 03:11:29 AM EST
    It's not cool to use TL to sell your stuff -- when I'm promoting TL's gear. Thanks for the idea though.

    [ Parent ]
    Put an ad for the bags on your front page. (none / 0) (#30)
    by Ben Masel on Sun May 03, 2009 at 03:16:59 AM EST
    and let's talk business on the shirts.

    [ Parent ]
    The NYT (none / 0) (#1)
    by jtaylorr on Sat May 02, 2009 at 08:15:52 PM EST
    has an article with some of Obama's former students and colleagues talking about his ideas on the Supreme Court and what kind of Justice he'll choose.

    Very interesting.  

    Can't believe it, but I am watching the (none / 0) (#9)
    by oculus on Sat May 02, 2009 at 09:19:53 PM EST
    Bulls/Celtics game.  When a Bulls player grabbed a Celtics player neat the Celtics basket and spun him around to the floor--this wasn't a flagrant foul?

    This just in from The Onion (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by CoralGables on Sat May 02, 2009 at 10:41:10 PM EST
    Oculus sent a text message to the Kansas City Royals Manager while they were tied on the road in extra innings tonight against the Twins. It said...use your damn closer.

    The Kansas City Royals went to their closer on the road in a tie game in the bottom of the 10th snuffing a rally with a runner in scoring position. The Royals won in the 11th. Oculus soon after received a text message offering a job as bench coach for the Royals.

    [ Parent ]

    Yes. Padres and Dodgers tied (none / 0) (#19)
    by oculus on Sun May 03, 2009 at 12:17:06 AM EST
    1-1 bottom of the 10th, top of the Dodgers batting order.  Is Buddy Black aware of the Kansas City scenario?

    [ Parent ]
    Answer: no. Gregerson (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Sun May 03, 2009 at 12:20:20 AM EST
    pitching for Pads.  Not Bell.  Why:  nobody left if goes to 11 innings.  Huh?

    [ Parent ]
    So, Padres lose. But, looking on the (none / 0) (#23)
    by oculus on Sun May 03, 2009 at 01:01:59 AM EST
    bright side:  Heath Bell will be fresh for tomorrow afternoon's game.

    [ Parent ]
    Glad I Opted For Sleep (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by CoralGables on Sun May 03, 2009 at 06:07:56 AM EST
    To see an instant replay of the best Padre bullpen pitcher riding the pine during another road loss would have have made me ill. Today Bud Black will probably use Bell even if it's a blowout, saying he needs the work because he hasn't pitched in 5 days.

    Has the combination of the last two games and the Dodger Dog given you indigestion yet?

    [ Parent ]

    No, that was... (none / 0) (#10)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat May 02, 2009 at 09:25:58 PM EST
    ...what's called a "play-off" foul.  Plus a little play-acting on Rondo's part.

    Whoever said basketball isn't a contact sport never played basketball.

    [ Parent ]

    Lots of flopping and Noah's (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Sat May 02, 2009 at 09:28:13 PM EST
    four letter word highly visible on TV!!

    [ Parent ]
    Those Florida kids. (none / 0) (#12)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat May 02, 2009 at 09:33:36 PM EST
    Bulls just got another point after review of a 1st period shot.  Interesting.  

    Could well be it's headed to yet another OT game.

    [ Parent ]

    Me too (none / 0) (#13)
    by andgarden on Sat May 02, 2009 at 09:44:31 PM EST
    Beats studying torts. . .

    [ Parent ]
    Amen (none / 0) (#14)
    by Dalton Hoffine on Sat May 02, 2009 at 09:46:16 PM EST
    I'm putting off some comparative economic policy theory myself.

    [ Parent ]
    AP reporting that (none / 0) (#15)
    by ding7777 on Sat May 02, 2009 at 10:08:22 PM EST
    Jack Kemp died.

    Manny Pacquiao (none / 0) (#18)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 02, 2009 at 11:07:20 PM EST
    Devastating one punch KO of Ricky Hatton.

    What a fighter.

    Second round--worth your money? (none / 0) (#20)
    by oculus on Sun May 03, 2009 at 12:17:54 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Yes (none / 0) (#22)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun May 03, 2009 at 12:37:09 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    God hates the Cowboys. (none / 0) (#32)
    by scribe on Sun May 03, 2009 at 07:30:47 AM EST
    Wind flattens Dallas' practice "bubble" facility at team complex, 12 hurt in collapse.

    Just before the facility was flattened, wind was clocked at 64 mph, a single mph shy of the threshold for a weak tornado. ... "The fact that there weren't more injuries is rather miraculous," Woodall said.

    Also incredible: An Irving police spokesman said there was hardly any damage beyond the Cowboys' facility.

    Yup - singled out from among everything else in Texas to be the one building damaged.

    That, or it's a case of metaphor coming to life.

    The giant blue star atop the building lay crumpled on the ground.

    I'm glad that, to the extent people were injured, it looks like they're not serious and will recover.  I'd rather no one have been injured.  Anything that pops Jerry Jones' bubble, OTOH, is fair game.

    Injuries are unfortunate. Yet, the (none / 0) (#35)
    by easilydistracted on Sun May 03, 2009 at 09:41:47 AM EST
    "breaking news" coverage this got throughout the afternoon and into the evening was absurd. I'm surprised a mid-air collision didn't ensue given the number of rotary-wing aircraft in the immediate vicinity afterward.

    I like your metaphor and with your permission might use it to rile a 'boys fan or two, which I do at every opportunity -- especially if its my son-in-law. A cowboy fanatic one informed me that the reason the cowboys' [old] arena had a hole in the roof is so God could watch his team play. I replied that I had always been told that Notre Dame was truly God's team. I don't know that we ever spoke again.  

    [ Parent ]

    Jack Kemp Dies (none / 0) (#33)
    by cpa1 on Sun May 03, 2009 at 08:20:13 AM EST
    One of the better (only) angels of the Republican Party died yesterday of unspecified cancer.  He won two AFL championships and an MVP while he was the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.  He was a Congressman in the Buffalo area and ran for President in 1988 and Vice President with Bob Dole in 1996.

    I totally disagreed with almost everything he wished for but he was a very decent person unlike the slugs in the rest of his party, including his running mate Bob Dole.  If the Republican Party was filled with Jack Kemps we'd only have to debate them and not annihilate them...which I think we need to do.

    Kemp was a good guy who cared about people.

    I am not a loyal Democrat (none / 0) (#34)
    by ruffian on Sun May 03, 2009 at 09:32:22 AM EST
    Says Arlen Specter this morning on MtP.

    Great!  Give that man a chairmanship - he thinks it is an entitlement!!!

    Tell us something we don't know, Arlen. (none / 0) (#36)
    by oculus on Sun May 03, 2009 at 10:50:18 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Ha! Remind me again (none / 0) (#37)
    by ruffian on Sun May 03, 2009 at 11:42:45 AM EST
    why we should be supporting him for re-election rather than a real Dem? Makes no sense to me at all.  He made it clear on MTP that he intends to vote the way he has always voted.  For all these years getting Arlen Specter out of the Senate has been a goal of mine. Now I'm supposed to be happy he is there?

    Bizarro world indeed.

    [ Parent ]

    I am thinking Obama may be (none / 0) (#38)
    by oculus on Sun May 03, 2009 at 01:10:04 PM EST
    rethinking his offer to campaign for Specter.

    [ Parent ]
    sexism from msm and others (none / 0) (#42)
    by brucenahin on Mon May 04, 2009 at 09:04:30 PM EST
    Interesting article on point re sexism in the media and politics

    http://thenewagenda.net/2009/05/02/attacks-on-ms-california-wheres-the-outrage/

    Saturday Night Open Thread | 42 comments (42 topical)

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