Learn from the mistakes of others

Friday, February 24, 2006
Louisiana AG to investigate indigent defense system after Katrina
James M Yoch Jr at 1:55 PM ET

[JURIST] Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr. [official website] has launched a probe into the state's indigent defense system in response to funding and availability problems for public defenders, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina [JURIST news archive], which has sharply decreased the number of traffic fines from which the program primarily derives its funding. Foti issued subpoenas on 20 subjects regarding the indigent defense program, but both the Louisiana Public Defenders Association and the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers questioned whether Foti has the power to modify the system. The state may be forced to release up to 4,000 defendants [JURIST report] who have awaited representation in prison for over six months.

Earlier this month, Judges Arthur Hunter and Calvin Johnson of the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court [official website] suspended all publicly-defended prosecutions [AP report] in their courtrooms, citing the dearth of public defenders since the indigent defense program downsized from 42 lawyers to six. On Thursday, Judge Hunter called for state legislators to appear in his courtroom in March to discuss the scarcity of funding for the program.

Henry Weinstein of the Los Angeles Times has more.

holy crap, batman!

Friday, February 24, 2006
Louisiana AG to investigate indigent defense system after Katrina
James M Yoch Jr at 1:55 PM ET

[JURIST] Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr. [official website] has launched a probe into the state's indigent defense system in response to funding and availability problems for public defenders, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina [JURIST news archive], which has sharply decreased the number of traffic fines from which the program primarily derives its funding. Foti issued subpoenas on 20 subjects regarding the indigent defense program, but both the Louisiana Public Defenders Association and the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers questioned whether Foti has the power to modify the system. The state may be forced to release up to 4,000 defendants [JURIST report] who have awaited representation in prison for over six months.

Earlier this month, Judges Arthur Hunter and Calvin Johnson of the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court [official website] suspended all publicly-defended prosecutions [AP report] in their courtrooms, citing the dearth of public defenders since the indigent defense program downsized from 42 lawyers to six. On Thursday, Judge Hunter called for state legislators to appear in his courtroom in March to discuss the scarcity of funding for the program.

Henry Weinstein of the Los Angeles Times has more.

holy crap, batman!

there is a huge distinction between liking and loving. like all good chasms, its only a slight move from standing-on-the-edge to falling-into-the-downness.

the trick is to be able to tell that you've fallen :)

when you like someone, you enjoy spending time with them. when you love someone, you they're always with you. your emotional attachment is not just stronger, it is different.

you learn the difference through experience. liking isn't love, neither is a crush, or lust, or dependence, or whatever. the key seems to be that in a pinch, you put the other person before yourself - without thinking about it. you just do it.

if by 'do it for free', is meant i'd enjoy doing it or believe in doing it so much that i'd do it for free. possibly.

but realistically, in a capitalist society, i'd like to be able to do what i love - and be paid to do it. just for a fucking change.

so, what would that be? fucked if i know. have some inklings but there are so many things i've not had a good go at that new stuff just bewilders me.

no. come to think about it. i'd like to be a paid consultant. run my own consultancy firm. not for free.

i get inspired all the time.

then crushed.

the trick seems to be to not realise it. or something. not sure yet.

no.

they argue too much as it is.

kindest? what's this kindest?

there have been many small acts of kindness. i don't rank them.

or remember them all. darn it.

but i'm thankful for each and every one of them.

there is a huge distinction between liking and loving. like all good chasms, its only a slight move from standing-on-the-edge to falling-into-the-downness.

the trick is to be able to tell that you've fallen :)

when you like someone, you enjoy spending time with them. when you love someone, you they're always with you. your emotional attachment is not just stronger, it is different.

you learn the difference through experience. liking isn't love, neither is a crush, or lust, or dependence, or whatever. the key seems to be that in a pinch, you put the other person before yourself - without thinking about it. you just do it.

if by 'do it for free', is meant i'd enjoy doing it or believe in doing it so much that i'd do it for free. possibly.

but realistically, in a capitalist society, i'd like to be able to do what i love - and be paid to do it. just for a fucking change.

so, what would that be? fucked if i know. have some inklings but there are so many things i've not had a good go at that new stuff just bewilders me.

no. come to think about it. i'd like to be a paid consultant. run my own consultancy firm. not for free.

i get inspired all the time.

then crushed.

the trick seems to be to not realise it. or something. not sure yet.

no.

they argue too much as it is.

kindest? what's this kindest?

there have been many small acts of kindness. i don't rank them.

or remember them all. darn it.

but i'm thankful for each and every one of them.

Saturday, February 25, 2006
DOJ rejects Google privacy argument in search data case
Jaime Jansen at 3:24 PM ET
( Read more... )

Saturday, February 25, 2006
DOJ rejects Google privacy argument in search data case
Jaime Jansen at 3:24 PM ET
( Read more... )