June 30, 2008

Spineless Fun

No, not the dems...

The 34th Circus of the Spineless is up at Gossamer Tapestry!

Who was the strange lady in Gallicissa's bedroom?

Posted by Steve on June 30, 2008

Advice on Taking A Bar Exam

Professor Somin says:

That said, I think many law school graduates get overly stressed out and obsessed about taking the bar, and spend too much time studying. Most bar exams are primarily just tests of memorization. They're not much of an intellectual challenge, and require far less thinking than most law school exams.

Most important, all you have to do is pass. Unlike on the SAT or the LSAT, there is no need to maximize your score. As one of my law school classmates put it, every point you score above the minimum needed to pass is evidence that you spent too much time studying. I took this excellent advice to heart, and saved a lot of time and aggravation as a result (primarily by not attending any Bar/Bri lectures, and confining my preparation efforts to reading the books and taking some practice tests). If you're reasonably good at managing your time and memorizing legal rules, you can probably do the same thing.

There is some disagreement in the comment thread....

The more interesting question is the one he addresses in the post's initial paragraph: what is the purpose of the bar exam? And, by extension, should they even exist?

Well, yes, they can exist if they are part of a voluntary credentialing system that attorneys could use to some competitive advantage and that consumers could use as part of their attorney selection process. But, as Somin notes, current bar exams are little more than another barrier to entry put in place by a state enforced monopoly.

As such the consuming public would be best served if they were eliminated.

Posted by Steve on June 30, 2008

June 29, 2008

Everything You Need to Know About the democrats

...the fucking weasel Democrats sold us down the river again...

NB: No, this is not an endorsement of the republicans.

Update: Except that is not quite everything! I failed to remember the lesson Arthur has taught me before:

At this point, if you are at all honest, you must give up the pathetic grasping for explanations, excuses and justifications: that the Democrats act as they do because they are weak, or cowardly, or being blackmailed. (Honestly, will you grow the fuck up?)

This is what they want. When an individual or a government repeats the same actions over and over and over again, even when those actions appear to lead to disaster, you must conclude that they pursue those actions because they want to.

Repeat after me: this is what they want!

Posted by Steve on June 29, 2008

Quote of the Day #3 ~ PZ...

On Science Blogging

If popularity were synonymous with accurate or useful or expert, then America would have been created 6,000 years ago by a magical giant with a long white beard, and everyone in the world would be a porn star.

Posted by Steve on June 29, 2008

June 27, 2008

Friday Ark #197

We'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals (photoshops at our discretion and humans only in supporting roles). Watch the Exception category for rocks, beer, coffee cups, and....?

Visit all the boarders, Link to the Ark and check back for updates through Sunday afternoon!

You can board the Friday Ark by submitting your post here, leaving a comment or a trackback to this post or emailing fridayark AT themodulator.org.

You can find previous editions at the not quite up to date Arkives page.

Cats

Dogs

Invertebrates

Birds

Other Vertebrates

In Memoriam

Didn't Make It

  • x

Exceptions (inclusion not guaranteed)

Extra, Extra: All Ark boarders are invited to shout out at the Friday Ark Frapper Map.

Cat folks: remember to submit your links to:

Birders: I and the Bird: A Blog Carnival for Bird Lovers is published every 2 weeks.

For the spineless: Circus of the Spineless. A monthly celebration of Insects, Arachnids, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Worms and most anything else that wiggles.

Dog folks: remember to submit your links to:

  • The Canine Carnival hosted by Pamibe
  • The Carnival of the Dogs hosted by Mickey's Musings
  • has been out of operation since July 2007

For other current carnivals check out The Blog Carnival and The TTLB Uber Carnival

Posted by Steve on June 27, 2008 | Comments (6)

June 26, 2008

Summertime Birds

I and the Bird #78 is up at It's Just Me.

Fly on over and join the fun.

Posted by Steve on June 26, 2008

June 23, 2008

Scratch Tickets for Kids?

Leaving aside the question of why state governments have chosen to take up the mafia's former role as a primary purveyor of gambling scams let us be a bit bemused over the kerfuffle in Washington about some $2 scratch ticket games:

Washington's Lottery is removing a scratch game featuring pictures of popular candies after a complaint that it could appeal to children.

Gov. Christine Gregoire's office on Thursday asked the lottery to pull the game, which features tickets that look like labels for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Jolly Rancher and other candies, after investigating a concern that it could be perceived as a game for kids.

But kids under 18 aren't supposed to buy scratch tickets:

What is the age limit for purchasing or redeeming Lottery tickets?

Only persons 18 or older may purchase or redeem lottery tickets. It is a good idea to check ID if you are uncertain just as you would with alcohol or cigarettes.

The Washington Lottery apparently also has an active campaign designed to help keep those younger kids away from the evils regularly modeled by their parents:
"This particular brand may have been misconstrued and won't be repeated. We're very committed to preventing sales to minors," she said, citing the lottery's "Not 18? Not a Chance" campaign
Note that the headline on the "Not 18? Not a Chance" campaign page says:
It's Good to Play
Go figure!?

You might also wonder why kids would find $2 "Hershey's ":

reeses%20scratch.jpg

any more alluring than, say, $2 "Wet and Wild 7's ":

wet%20and%20wild%20scratch.jpg

Or any of these $1 games.

Smart kids like smart adults know that these games are designed so that the consumer loses. They do not enable misbegotten government behavior by buying scratch or lottery tickets.

Posted by Steve on June 23, 2008 | Comments (1)

June 20, 2008

It's ok, the pres told me to do it.

The dems do more for bush and the police state than the repubs:

I'd like to underscore the fact that in 2006, when the Congress was controlled by Bill Frist and Denny Hastert, the administration tried to get a bill passed legalizing warrantless eavesdropping and telecom amnesty, but was unable. They had to wait until the Congress was controlled by Steny Hoyer, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to accomplish that.
In short form, the house just passed legislation (to call it law completely demeans the concept of law) that says that even if it is illegal if the president says it was ok it's, well, not illegal. So why do we have a congress and judicial system....?

Unfortunately, the legislation is even worse...read the above link and, heck, even the Washington Post for more nauseous details.

Blue Girl suggests that there was some big lever used on the dems:

But there is one thing no one knows--and that is, how bad was the thing that was used to threaten the Democratic Party to roll over on this issue? How bad was the thing they were threatening to use against anyone who opposed them? Was it the fact that there are archives on every Democratic politician kept sealed away--archives of their personal conversations, archives of their monetary dealings, details of their sex lives?
Nah, this is just the way these folks are. dems and repubs alike continue to cravenly build executive power, line the wallets of their corporate masters and shred the constitution.

Some day all you folks that wear your donkey and elephant pins will realize that these parties and their hacks are not interested in you but only in the power that they wield.

Hat tip to Steve for the original abomination sighting.

Posted by Steve on June 20, 2008 | Comments (1)

Friday Ark #196

We'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals (photoshops at our discretion and humans only in supporting roles). Watch the Exception category for rocks, beer, coffee cups, and....?

Visit all the boarders, Link to the Ark and check back for updates through Sunday afternoon!

You can board the Friday Ark by submitting your post here, leaving a comment or a trackback to this post or emailing fridayark AT themodulator.org.

You can find previous editions at the not quite up to date Arkives page.

Cats

Invertebrates

Birds

Other Vertebrates

Dogs

In Memoriam

  • x

Didn't Make It

  • x

Exceptions (inclusion not guaranteed)

Extra, Extra: All Ark boarders are invited to shout out at the Friday Ark Frapper Map.

Cat folks: remember to submit your links to:

Birders: I and the Bird: A Blog Carnival for Bird Lovers is published every 2 weeks.

For the spineless: Circus of the Spineless. A monthly celebration of Insects, Arachnids, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Worms and most anything else that wiggles.

Dog folks: remember to submit your links to:

  • The Canine Carnival hosted by Pamibe
  • The Carnival of the Dogs hosted by Mickey's Musings
  • has been out of operation since July 2007

For other current carnivals check out The Blog Carnival and The TTLB Uber Carnival

Posted by Steve on June 20, 2008 | Comments (7)

June 13, 2008

Friday Ark #195 - Iowa Flooding Edition

Our thoughts and condolences to all whose lives have been disrupted, whose worlds have been destroyed by the extensive and ongoing flooding in Iowa. You are welcome aboard!

Cedar_rapids2008-06-12a.jpeg

Details and many more pictures available here, here and here.

We'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals (photoshops at our discretion and humans only in supporting roles). Watch the Exception category for rocks, beer, coffee cups, and....?

Visit all the boarders, Link to the Ark and check back for updates through Sunday afternoon!

You can board the Friday Ark by submitting your post here, leaving a comment or a trackback to this post or emailing fridayark AT themodulator.org.

You can find previous editions at the not quite up to date Arkives page.

Cats

Birds

Other Vertebrates

  • Tetrapod Zoology: It is still Year of the Frog
  • Dogs

    Invertebrates

    In Memoriam

    Didn't Make It

    • x

    Exceptions (inclusion not guaranteed)

    • x

    Extra, Extra: All Ark boarders are invited to shout out at the Friday Ark Frapper Map.

    Cat folks: remember to submit your links to:

    Birders: I and the Bird: A Blog Carnival for Bird Lovers is published every 2 weeks.

    For the spineless: Circus of the Spineless. A monthly celebration of Insects, Arachnids, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Worms and most anything else that wiggles.

    Dog folks: remember to submit your links to:

    • The Canine Carnival hosted by Pamibe
    • The Carnival of the Dogs hosted by Mickey's Musings
    • has been out of operation since July 2007

    For other current carnivals check out The Blog Carnival and The TTLB Uber Carnival

    Posted by Steve on June 13, 2008 | Comments (4)

    June 12, 2008

    The Birds Greatest Hits

    It is Summertime (at least in NYC) and time for The Birds Greatest Hits which you will find at I and the Bird #77 hosted by Great Auk - or Greatest Auk?.

    Go join the chorus!

    Posted by Steve on June 12, 2008

    June 9, 2008

    Fair and Full Compensation?

    Here is the sought after take:

    Attorneys who win civil-rights cases can also ask the trial judge to apply a "fee multiplier" in cases of "exceptional success." Howell wants his estimated fees of $174,321 multiplied one-and-a-half times.
    This guy's billing rate is $480/hour so he put in 363 hours, the equivalent of a bit over 9 weeks (at 40 hours/week).

    Another Seattle attorney involved in similar cases says:

    "Unless attorneys who undertake risky civil rights cases are fairly and fully compensated for the time expended in these cases, the limited pool of lawyers willing to vindicate the rights of victims of government will shrink."
    Folks, this is a lawyer. Now I can see a lawyer billing enough to support a secretary and some office space but surely if he is good enough to bill even half this rate he should be good enough to be pretty busy and shouldn't need to bill a year or threes overhead on one case.

    If he is trying to make his whole year's income off one 9 week equivalent case then perhaps he should find some other work to fill in the rest of the year. Fair and fully compensated should mean at a rate adequate to live a comfortable life which in the suburbs of Seattle does not require anything close to the equivalent of $1,000,000/year.

    Give him credit for winning the case but how good can he be if it takes him 20 hours ( $10,560) just to figure out how much to bill?? It seems like a bit of malfeasance that he hasn't hired a $400/day accountant to spend an hour or two to do his billing...

    In another view: can a case be made that his hourly rate should be no higher than what he would have earned from his 40% contingency agreement with his client...$107,00/363=$295/hour. Still high but it turns out to be what he agreed to do the work for originally...could have been lower or higher based on the amount of award.

    Thoughts from any of you lawyers?

    NB: It is also pretty ridiculous that the legal expenses for this one case have already hit $675,000 and the clock is apparently still running. The city officials who failed to settle this case out of court should be fired!

    Posted by Steve on June 9, 2008

    June 7, 2008

    obama Is Glamorous but...

    ...is he charismatic?

    Posted by Steve on June 7, 2008

    Bill Moyers Has A Few Words For You

    Bill Moyers addresses the National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis, June 7, 2008.

    Worth listening to regardless of your views. He does speak a lot of truth to power.

    Unfortunately he does conflate the current corporate state with free markets and, as a result, falsely denigrates free markets. Sure, many who support ongoing media consolidation argue in their best Orwellian fashion that it is just the free market at work. It is nothing of the kind. It is state corporatism at work. They only use those words to put blinders on their base. That the media and, yes, folks like Moyers have accepted this language shows just how pervasive and extensive the corporate statists have permeated the culture.

    On the other hand his analysis of the massive intertwining of corporate and political power and the pablumizing of journalism is pretty right on.

    Moyers on the pre-Iraq pundits who have not lost their jobs:

    It just goes to show, when the bar is low enough you can never be too wrong.
    Moyers after quoting Arlo Guthrie's Patriot Dream:
    And you know what we need to know.

    Go Tell it on the mountain and in the cities
    From your web sites and laptops, tell it.
    From the street corners and the coffee house, tell it.
    From delis and diners, tell it.
    From workshops and bookstores, tell it.
    On campus, at the mall, the synagogue,
    sanctuaries and mosques, tell it.

    Tell it where you can, when you can and while you can.
    Tell America what we need to know and we may just
    rekindle the patriot's dream.

    (ed: any errors in transcription are all mine)

    NB: Given the extensive co-option of the media it is all the more important to disembowel both the corporate state and mob rule. The less power government has the fewer people will be hurt by it.

    Posted by Steve on June 7, 2008 | Comments (1)

    Amen Corner

    just arrived in the mail:

    amencorner.jpg

    Click on the image to go the Amen Corner website where you will find streaming and video versions.

    Buy it here.

    NB: They are on tour and their live shows are, well, just outstanding!

    Update: I see that Scott and Kim received their copy today as well.

    Posted by Steve on June 7, 2008 | Comments (1)

    June 6, 2008

    Why Hockey Players Fight

    It's the money, ....

    Posted by Steve on June 6, 2008

    Friday Ark #194

    We'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals (photoshops at our discretion and humans only in supporting roles). Watch the Exception category for rocks, beer, coffee cups, and....?

    Visit all the boarders, Link to the Ark and check back for updates through Sunday afternoon!

    You can board the Friday Ark by submitting your post here, leaving a comment or a trackback to this post or emailing fridayark AT themodulator.org.

    You can find previous editions at the not quite up to date Arkives page.

    Cats

    Dogs

    Birds

    Invertebrates

    Other Vertebrates

    In Memoriam

    Didn't Make It

    Exceptions (inclusion not guaranteed)

    Extra, Extra: All Ark boarders are invited to shout out at the Friday Ark Frapper Map.

    Cat folks: remember to submit your links to:

    Birders: I and the Bird: A Blog Carnival for Bird Lovers is published every 2 weeks.

    For the spineless: Circus of the Spineless. A monthly celebration of Insects, Arachnids, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Worms and most anything else that wiggles.

    Dog folks: remember to submit your links to:

    • The Canine Carnival hosted by Pamibe
    • The Carnival of the Dogs hosted by Mickey's Musings
    • has been out of operation since July 2007

    For other current carnivals check out The Blog Carnival and The TTLB Uber Carnival

    Posted by Steve on June 6, 2008 | Comments (3)

    June 3, 2008

    Science is Beautiful

    Mrs. Modulator and I went to see the Wizard last night and had a delightful time! PZ Myers is an entertaining and informative speaker! Don't miss him if you have the opportunity.

    There is plenty of commentary avaialbe on the talk and the evening, e.g., Geoff had a good time; as did Jeff, and in the comments here.

    No, this wizard does not hide behind a curtain. In fact, here is PZ on your right. The one wearing the gold bling:

    IMG_8722%20Reduced.jpg

    Something I have not seen mentioned elsewhere is the list of books he recommended:

    If you are stuck online check out:

    His closing tip: Never mind "importance" science writing is all about beauty!

    Posted by Steve on June 3, 2008

    Snails, Banana Slugs, Giant Blue Earthworms...

    ...and many more cool squishy things at the 33rd Circus of the Spineless hosted by Seeds Aside.

    The more salaciously minded among you will definitely want to check out the Forktail sex. (Finding the pics is left as an exercise for the reader)

    Posted by Steve on June 3, 2008

    June 2, 2008

    Off To See The Wizard....

    ...of Science, Blogs and Intelligent Debates:

    Join the Northwest Science Writers Association and the Forum on Science Ethics and Policy for a conversation with PZ Myers, biology professor at the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) and the author of the science blog Pharyngula at Pacific Science Center's Laser Dome on Monday, June 2 from 7-9 p.m.
    PZ has made it to Seattle:
    I've made the journey to Seattle (actually, Auburn, where many of my family members live), and have discovered that access to the internet is spotty in the west coast suburbs — there are wireless servers everywhere, but at the same time, everyone has gotten savvy and protects them with a password. How cruel! Fortunately, I've talked one of my nephews into handing out their home network password to a known internet provocateur, so maybe I'll have some access this week.

    It appears that he has been able to keep up his prolific posting rate even as he diligently prepares for tonight's talk.

    Posted by Steve on June 2, 2008