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- I paid over $50 for a tank of gas on Monday. The first time ever.
- I've never seen a case in the last 15 years where the allegation was "the defendant sold drugs to kids."
- Whenever the police seize some drugs, I'm always skeptical when I hear the "street value was over $[insert ridiculous amount]"
- Potential Republican candidate Fred Thompson is extremely overrated - but is probably the only one who understands politics in this new age.
- President Bush will go down as the worst president in our lifetime. Moderates and liberals see him as a simpleton. Hard line conservatives shake their heads on the issues of immigration and the expanding federal budget. That leaves very few people left that respect him.
- I think dining at a restaurant is the biggest waste of money on the planet.
- I had a credit card when I was 18 years old. My dad told me not to be stupid. Not once did I get in over my head as a kid.
- Standing in front of a jury is both exhausting, painful, and exhilarating.
- Spanish will be the dominate language in Texas fifty years from now.
- I really haven't been married seven times.
- For the life of me, I cannot understand anyone who eats a meal by themselves without having something to read.
- I don't know anyone who reads editorial columns in major daily newspapers.
- I'd rather be a writer in seclusion than a lawyer.
- I think a lot of people miss the old "Skattershooting."
47 comments:
Well, we wouldn't have to miss the beloved skattershooting if you periodically post your random thoughts.
Barry, I am one of your occasional readers who relishes the lawyer bashing mainly because I so strongly agree with the sentiment however I do not choose to add to it. I do sincerely enjoy checking in on Wise County from time to time and I have come to appreciate that you do seem, at times, to have a true heart for people. So, in all honesty with no sarcasm intended....... how does any caring individual seek to exhonerate someone who is guilty of selling drugs to children. If the money was right I am certain any of the lawyers who read this blog would set aside any ethics and morals they have left to do just that. It is this simple fact that cause so many people to hate lawyers.....BTW please count me in that group. I wish things were different but in a world full of lawyers we have little chance of change.
Random responses:
- due to my car's exhortation to "Premium Fuel Only", I routinely pay $50+ per tank
- the "sold drugs to kids" thing is far rarer than the WoD folks would have you believe, but I'm guessing the reason you haven't seen any cases is because it is primarily confined to big-city ghettos, where it probably is a significant problem
- the "street value" thing is total bunk, primarily perpetuated by WoD folks to impress budget committees
- Bush probably isn't such a bad guy, intention-wise, but his administration is a %#@*ing train wreck, and will go down as one of the worst in history
- if I'm eating alone, I always read something
- I regularly (often when dining alone) read op-ed pages from several major daily newspapers (online, natch), mostly NYTimes, WaPo, LATimes, WSJ, and the like.
- same here
- I'm one of them, but The Blog is a worthy substitute
11:22:
I disagree with your premise (actually, all of your premises), but you are entitled to your opinion and I don't feel like arguing with you. I do however feel the need to point out the difference between ethics and morals. Morals are very subjective things, and can vary widely from one person to another based on each individual's upbringing, religious perspective, etc.
Ethics, on the other hand, are objective guidelines which are determined by consensus, using reason, logic, and empirical evidence. The legal profession may care very little about morals, but it is profoundly concerned with ethics. The ethical standards to which lawyers are held are higher than those of any other profession, with the possible exception of medicine. These standards are published, and are the subject of extensive litigation, documentation, and widespread public commentary.
Lawyers take these standards very seriously, and are required to pass a rigorous examination regarding these standards in order to be licensed to practice law. Moreover, there is a comprehensive and user-friendly system in place to facilitate complaints of ethical breaches by lawyers. When any complaint is received, it is taken very seriously and thoroughly investigated. Penalties for violations are severe.
The point of all this being: you may question the morality of defending people who have *allegedly* committing crimes that you personally find to be heinous. However, you are completely, factually wrong in stating that this constitutes a breach of ethics. In fact, ethical standards (in combination with the U.S. Constitution) essentially dictate that even the most heinous and despicable *alleged* offender receive a zealous defense by a qualified attorney. This principle is not novel or the subject of any dispute - nor has it ever been seriously in dispute in the entire history of this country's legal system.
I apologize for the long post, but I feel that this kind of ignorance is the real reason "so many people hate lawyers".
When I did a counterdrug operation in the late 1990's, I was told my vessel stopped over $100M in drugs from reaching the US based on what we seized. Doesn't really seem to have helped the problem much. I did get a nice port call in the Caribbean, though.
well-said, hhl. I'm glad you took the time to say that.
To hhl...
Thank you for your EXCELLENTLY stated and simple explanation. Unfortunately it is the FEW lawyers who behave unethically that lay the foundation for the public's cynical attitude regarding lawyers. The MAJORITY of the lawyers I know are among the MOST decent people I know.
To Barry...
Though I GREATLY enjoyed the original Skattershooting and your ahh..uhh...profound observations of the mundane I also GREATLY enjoy the current incarnation of Skattershooting and agree with gator.
Growing up in wise county, but have since moved away, it is nice to come to your blog to see the happenings. Though there are sometimes when you begin talking politics I have to move along quickly because we don't agree.
I don't the President Bush's time will be considered the worst, to me it is still Jimmy Carters. But hey they said the same thing about Abraham Lincoln.
8:42 I'm one of the people that believes that Bush will be considered the worst, however you are absolutely correct. It'll be 50-100 years before there's any consensus on his place in history.
Some of us are old enough to have witnessed a slight change in attitude regarding Reagan and Jimmy Carter is still writing his history.
Thank you for that response to ignorance hhl.
I have found most of the lawyers with whom I've had dealings to be not only ethical but also caring. A Decatur lawyer handled my divorce on credit because my husband suddenly left me high and dry with a small child. That was most generous of her and, I always remember that she didn't have to take that risk.
BTW, Barry's partner represented the rat. I'm sure I'm not wrong about my impression that he had to hold his nose to accomplish that.
Morals just like ethics are set by the community as a large, although individuals often reject the community moral standards and live by their own. Depending on how much they differ determines whether you are considered a deviant. Ethics are generally codified so when you don't follow the community standards there are consequences.
I want to sue MzCreeps forehead!!!
How does anyone come to the conclusion that Bush is a "simpleton?" A degree in history from Yale, an MBA from Harvard, a higher GPA than Kerry or Gore.
Mistakes, for sure, but the media has hyped the negatives to levels beyond any semblance of impartiality, while manufacturing "scandals."
35% of Democrats believe George W Bush knew about the 9/11 attacks in advance, according to a recent Rasmussen poll. The anti-Bush campaign has been rabid and unceasing since he was elected in 2000. It has also been highly effective in forming public opinion.
American public opinion is worthless when it comes to evaluating Bush's presidency. It will be up to historians who are beyond the reach of the manipulative, malignant mainstream media.
Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hangin curveball, high fiber, good scotch... that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, I believe there ought to be a Constitutional ammendment outlawing astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft core pornography, opening your presents on Christmas morning rather than on Christmas Eve, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three nights.
A GPA is not always a good indicator of intelligence. Bu$h's GPA at Yale where he was given preferential treatment because of his father was 2.3.
It's not his low GPA, or his 70% SAT score that makes him a moron. It's his complete lack of intellectual curiosity, his bravado and his refusal to consider all the options or listen to experts. He is reckless with our future and with the lives of our troops.
txsharon: On what do you base your opinion of Bush's "complete lack of intellectual curiosity, his bravado and his refusal to consider all the options or listen to experts"?
These are the kinds of junk opinions (which you are entitled to hold) based on no hard evidence. Intellectual curiosity? Google "Bush's summer reading" to get an idea of what the "moron" is reading.
Preferential treatment for Bush? Al Gore's US Senator father had more pull than GHW Bush did.
Funny how you try to disregard the only objective measurement of Bush's intelligence compared to Kerry and Gore. Much easier to ignore the facts to support your opinion, I guess.
I miss the old Skattershooting.
It won't take 50 years for Spanish to be the dominant language in Texas. I give it less than 20.
I like Fred Thompson.
Bush is not the worst President but far from the best. I just don't think he is real bright. Worse, he alienated the bright ones like Colin Powell.
Oh yeah, I would rather be a farmer than a buyer. However, it ain't in the cards.
Instead I have 4 dogs, a cat, 2 rabbits and 26 birds. (Birds sound worse than they are. 8 are finches the size of a hummingbird that all live in one cage that isn't TOO huge.)
Anybody can have a summer reading list. You should see the stack of books piled beside my bed. Give me a book report or other proof that he actually reads anything at all.
Anyone who could go to China and immediately announce that they are bored and want to come home lacks Intellectual curiosity. imo, of course. :)
As for his bravado and failure to listen to experts, that is well documented.
If you believe that he has such high intelligence, is not hubris heavy and considers the opinions of others, perhaps you would like to explain why we are in such a mess. Oh yeah! Now I remember: It's Clinton's fault.
Please reread my post. I did say that GPA is not always the best indicator of intelligence. That was allowing Bu$h some grace since his GPA was a dismal 2.3.
"These are the kinds of junk opinions..." "Much easier to ignore the facts..." Pot meet Kettle dude.
Ha ha!
Lawyer's are now known carriers of the dreaded drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis.
People tend to bash attorneys until there comes a time in their lives when they really need one. At those times, they will seek out and retain the slickest, junkyard dog lawyers they can find.
Just saying...
Georgie Anne Geyer: A spreading terror
From the DMN
" Friends of his from Texas were shocked recently to find him nearly wild-eyed, thumping himself on the chest three times while he repeated 'I am the president!' He also made it clear he was setting Iraq up so his successor could not get out of 'our country's destiny.'"
That man is smooth NUTS!
wordkyle, your ardent support for Bu$h is remarkable. Apparently, there is no "fact" or opinion that can be voiced that will ever "prove" anything negative about Bu$h in your mind. From what you have written, we have learned that any opinion other than yours is a "junk opinion". You ask for "hard facts" and then you utilize the "Bush Summer Reading List" as your evidence. That is laughable.
Your response to any position seems to be, "well...but *insert Democrat Name here* is worse. Genius.
I have a gripe. I recently bought a diesel with a 35 gallon tank. Rather useless, most stations cut you off at 70 or 75 dollars. Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing? Now fill up at truck stops.
Never been in credit card debt myself -- dad was an accountant...the ultimate failure if I'd "gone there."
You've been married 21 times in your if-only's. ;)
With my SUV, I'm about to give up the car for a bike.
When I was single, I'd do the same thing on my birthday every year: see a movie alone, followed by a nice dinner & a new book by myself, and then a stop to buy a new plant.
Always a Skatter fan, but this way we get to comment.
Spanish bit? We probably won't even be "Texas" in 50 years....
On Bush -- do you actually think Bore, I mean, Gore would've been better? That guy speaks worse than Georgie...wooden Gumby.
I think you'd find some true fulfillment if you'd pack it in w/the lawyering and actually did take up a new career as a writer. A column, a book of ruminations...you could do it. And people would buy it. Hell, you've been doing it longer than anything else your entire life. =)
I just now checked all these posts - quite enjoyable banter. When I saw wordkyle's reference to Bush's summer reading list, I laughed out loud. On a few occassions the press has actually gotten the chance to ask Bush a question about the book that's on his night stand that he's "reading." One time they asked him about the biography, John Adams by David McCullough, which he was supposedly reading. They asked what he learned from it. He said something like, "Politics doesn't change. It's not so different now as it was then." I had just finished reading that book & I could think of NOTHING in that book that was similar then & now. Hmmmmm. I just wanted them to ask the follow-up question - "Give us an example of what you are talking about."
By the way, Barry, George Bush applied to your Evil Empire's (my Univerisity of Texas's)Graduate Business School & they turned him down. Yale took him because he was a legacy there. Another reason I am proud of UT.
Again, everyone, I've enjoyed these exchanges.....even yours wordkyle,you make me laugh. You seem kind of humorless though; I bet we don't make you laugh. I think you should lighten up and enjoy us more.
Various anons:
1) I'm not a "Bush can do no wrong" person. His refusal to veto any government spending; his position on immigration; his refusal to fight back against the Democrats; the ineptness in handling the press the way the Dems do -- these are all things I believe he handled poorly. My original simple point was that calling him a "simpleton" or "moron" is a "junk opinion" based on no evidence, and which disregards objective evidence (i.e., SAT scores, college GPA.)
2) From a CNN story on Bush's reading: [In addition to Soviet dissident and author Natan Sharansky] "Bush has also been host to, among others, Yale historian John Lewis Gaddis and Middle East scholar Bernard Lewis...
"Authors who have talked with Bush about their writing are anxious to point out that he has done his homework. "He obviously had read it and taken it seriously," says Gaddis, who writes about American foreign policy after 9/11. "The image of him as unquestioning just seems totally wrong."
3) As for my being "humorless" -- yeah. Whatever. Those who read this blog that know me in real life can make that decision. When people quit using false information to viciously attack those I support, I'll lighten up. Until that time, why should I be nice to such people?
C4U Can't let that slam against Gore stand. To answer your question: Not only yes but HELL yes!
I guess it all depends on what you value and where your interests lie but I would rather be challenged intellectually than scratching my head trying to figure out how to "put food on my family." I can imagine having a stimulating, intellectually challenging conservation with Gore on a multitude of subjects. Bu$h, not so much...
WordKyle: Get a reality check. LOL!
Of course Barry hasn't been married 7 times. Not that many stupid women around!
wordkyle,
It's not "false information" & it's not a vicious attack just because you don't like the information.
I'm pretty sure I know you personally.
I still think you need to lighten up. Life's too short. Can't you just agree to disagree without being so sour & yes, humorless?
I've never found a big bite of bitterness to be too tasty; you seem to relish it. Obviously it's your choice.
I wish you no harm.
Have a great day. You need a good............ belly laugh.........or something else .................. to relieve the tension.
txsharon - No comment on your being proven wrong on Bush's intellectual curiosity? Are a Soviet dissident, Yale historian and Middle East scholar all lying or wrong? Or are you?
"Reality check" -- snort. You ignore reality. See the above paragraph for specifics.
anon 12:11 - Your being "pretty sure" you know me doesn't mean you do.
> Calling Bush a "simpleton" and "moron" despite evidence to the contrary is both false and vicious. Why should I "agree to disagree" with someone who makes such an assertion? Liberals win debates by shouting down the opposition, and I refuse to let that tactic stand. (I do have the "agree to disagree" attitude with certain other points. They just don't get the same attention.)
> I laugh more than most other people. Those who DO know me personally -- that doesn't include you -- can vouch for that. These discussions don't generate a lot of laughs for me, though. As I've said before, I consider this a bar fight, not a slumber party.
txsharon:
knowing wordkyle personally,I know that he has a great sense of humor. In fact, he finds it humorous when he's dealing with all you liberals in your constant, never-ending bush-bashing...
WK: Not proof he, himself, read the books. There has been too much written to the contrary. Even people in his cabinet say that the won't read anything.
12:58 See Bu$h's summer reading list comments. :)
wordkyles own words: "These discussions don't generate a lot of laughs for me, though. As I've said before, I consider this a bar fight, not a slumber party."
Someone who knows wordkyle personally: "he (wordkyle) finds it humorous when he's dealing with all you liberals in your constant, never-ending bush-bashing... "
Which is it?
Wordkyle, shall I address you by name so you know I know you? That would be unfair, wouldn't it? I wonder if Barry would let that through? I wonder if I would want him to let that through since you might figure out who I am & that would scare me.
Gotta go back to my slumber party. You can go back to your bar fight.
txsharon - You're claiming that the fact that Bush speaks intelligently to the authors of books about those books, and that at least one such author states that Bush "had obviously read" his book, is not proof to you that Bush read the books.
See where Bush-hating takes you? Even the simplest concession is impossible, regardless of the evidence or reality. Your hatred overrides everything else.
Apparently no one ever reads a book unless you physically watch them read it.
Well, 2:01, since you can simply click on the hyperlink and see my name, and also go to my blog, which talks about my world quite a bit, you haven't yet impressed me much with your "personal knowledge."
12:58 and I laugh a lot at the characters on the board. I don't laugh a lot when I'm writing responses to poison pen postings.
Which is it?
shrug
WK: You're right! I hate that no-reading moron!
wordkyle,
The joke really is on me, I have to admit. I didn't know you could click on your name & find your info. And you most assuredly are not who I thought you were. I won't explain what I was thinking because I would only embarass myself further. Score one for you, dang it.
Barry,
I read editorials in major newspapers. Go to this website http://topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/editorialsandoped/oped/columnists/paulkrugman/index.html
and read Paul Krugman's "Trust & Betrayal" (New York Times) and I think you will find it very interesting. The New York Times has great editorials.
Barry --enjoyed every one of your skattershootings --moved from the county after 23 years and read the update daily cause I can't cut the strings.....read your blog when I am homesick but would love another skattershooting..still laugh about the Wal-mart parking lot...the most dangerous place in Wise county. Thanks for the connection to my past.
4:29 - Hats off to you. A classy admission of making a mistake. Posted, yet.
Well done. Courtesy on the internet still lives.
txsharon single? I'll have to watch for her alot more. We can can get candy apples for a date, just a hint.
wordkyle,
Reading your 8:27 post was a nice moment. I appreciate your graciousness.
I have only been coming to this blog for the last 6 months. I like Barry's perspective, I almost always agree with gleemonox's posts, and I almost always.............well actually always, there's no almost to it, disagree with yours. For example, I believe Barry's post about the JFK airport terrorist is dead on right; your response drives me crazy - I think you totally missed the point................. But having said that to illustrate that our politics are on the opposite ends of the spectrum and we won't ever agree on anything political, it's nice when we can at least acknowledge that there are people with good hearts, good intentions, and yes, even good manners on both sides of the spectrum. Civility and respect can go a long way.
Once again, thank you for your gracious response to my laughable mistake. I was so far off....... Now get back to your bar fight; I'll get back to my slumber party. (The pillow fight is getting ready to start.....)
10:23 That may be the nicest comment I've ever seen on this blog.
Thank you, TXSharon, for your kind comment. Man, wouldn't it be great if all liberals and conservatives started being nice to each other, even while disagreeing on the issues?
It's possible, we know it's possible......
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