We're back ... and not because we particularly enjoy spending late evenings pounding away at the keyboard. No, we're blogging because you really need us. The Florida Bar's actions have shaken the cobwebs of complacency clean off, and once again light will shine down the dark, dank corridors of power. Make no mistake about it - nothing except almighty boredomcan chill our right to speak the truth, and those seeking to prove otherwise better dig in for a very public fight.
Really, what is the Bar afraid of? Cannot the Rule Of Law withstand valid criticism of judges by those who know them best? And is there not room for improvement, after the massive combined failures of the Bar and JQC to instill confidence regarding the general public's perception of Florida's legal profession? Or is this simply a heavy dose of sour grapes, gleefully force fed by long suffering government regulators itching to beat down upstarts armed with daunting new technologies?
If we've done anything wrong, we'll take the rap. No big deal. But the Bar shouldn't be allowed to change the rules in the middle of the game. Sending letters which fail to specify any misconduct, a single violated rule, or even a specific offensive phrase or photograph is just plain old chicken shit. And the act of refusing to say who made the complaints, given the huge number of people we've exposed and enraged over the years, speaks volumes. Right or wrong, they've made up their mind, despite the words Protecting Rights, Pursuing Justice, Promoting Professionalism, as found in their very own logo. It may be business as usual for the perennial protectors of the status quo, but when constitutional rights are at stake, they ought to take the high road.
We've said our piece for now. Expect more horse beating later. But still ...
Has the Bar been misled? - it's hard to tell. As previously stated, they won't say who started the ball rolling, or why. In any event, some of the Bar's questions sure have a familiar ring to them, like straight out of the blog's Comments Section familiar. For instance, why did they inquire whether we posted Marni Bryson's address? Did the liar who made that same incredibly false claim swear out a false complaint?
Long time readers may also remember the oft repeated lie in the Comments Section that we "stalked" Bobby Diaz, or the picture of the Police's Every Breath You Take single that we once posted to play along. Did the liar(s?) who published the stalking accusations also file complaints? Is that the reason for the long string of questions concerning articles and photographs starring Diaz?
Time will certainly tell whether the Bar has been misled or is operating under false assumptions, or whether they somehow have a valid claim. In the meantime, ponder the fact that Bryson herself referred to your humble author as a "stalker" in her courtroom not too long ago, and think twice before publishing a lie. You never know who may be reading ...
He likes it! - speaking of Diaz, he's been seen swearing in jury pools on numerous occasions since the election ended. Pat LaVigne*, in charge of the Jury Room under Clerk of Courts Howard Forman, told us on more than one occasion that Diaz did qualifying chores only a couple times a year before last year's contested election. After making near daily trips to face the jurors/voters during the campaign, he's apparently taken more of a liking to it. LaVigne says it's not an uncommon occurrence for judges to return often after a successful campaign, joking "once they come in for an election, they're mine". Another unexpected benefit derived from the free exercise of democracy, especially considering the huge gap in the jury room rotation following mainstay Ron Rothschild's retirement. Well done!
* Many will also remember Pat from the ten years she spent as Billy D.'s in-court clerk. This September marks her retirement, after something like thirty-four years of service. Be sure to stop by and wish her well, before she disappears with her gold watch ...
Who wants to be the Clerk of Courts? - speaking of Howard Forman, this will be his final term. Howard was kind enough to confirm earlier today that he will not be seeking another four years. Most interestingly, he doesn't have a particular successor in mind, although he points out he still has three years to decide whether or not to support a candidate to fill his shoes. Ultimately, of course, it's up to the voters, but anyone familiar with Broward politics knows a Forman embrace could make all the difference in the world. Pucker up ...
May 22nd @ 5:00 PM - that's the deadline for applications for appointment to Susan Aramony's former circuit court spot. Expect some surprises, and more candidates trying than for the last few go rounds. Stacy Ross has been lobbying hard, and Arlene Backman is expected to put in as well. The potential for infighting between all judges named Ross and Backman and their friends is tantalizing, especially after Arlene got a recent temporary leg up to the circuit court courtesy of Peter Weinstein, who chose her to fill in for Merilee Ehrlich after Ehrlich'smouth got her bumped from juvenile. We'll be sure to post the names of all the applicants as soon as they're available, together with an update on John Murphy and Peter Blanc's quest for a Fourth DCA knighthood ...
Coming Soon -Finkelstein rips Satz on Brady obligations; YES WE CAN: Eugene Pettis, The Florida Bar, and Saying No To Institutional Racism In The Criminal Justice System; UPDATE: GARDINER & SCHEINBERG;
SS: Destry Tweets!
Really, what is the Bar afraid of? Cannot the Rule Of Law withstand valid criticism of judges by those who know them best? And is there not room for improvement, after the massive combined failures of the Bar and JQC to instill confidence regarding the general public's perception of Florida's legal profession? Or is this simply a heavy dose of sour grapes, gleefully force fed by long suffering government regulators itching to beat down upstarts armed with daunting new technologies?
If we've done anything wrong, we'll take the rap. No big deal. But the Bar shouldn't be allowed to change the rules in the middle of the game. Sending letters which fail to specify any misconduct, a single violated rule, or even a specific offensive phrase or photograph is just plain old chicken shit. And the act of refusing to say who made the complaints, given the huge number of people we've exposed and enraged over the years, speaks volumes. Right or wrong, they've made up their mind, despite the words Protecting Rights, Pursuing Justice, Promoting Professionalism, as found in their very own logo. It may be business as usual for the perennial protectors of the status quo, but when constitutional rights are at stake, they ought to take the high road.
We've said our piece for now. Expect more horse beating later. But still ...
Has the Bar been misled? - it's hard to tell. As previously stated, they won't say who started the ball rolling, or why. In any event, some of the Bar's questions sure have a familiar ring to them, like straight out of the blog's Comments Section familiar. For instance, why did they inquire whether we posted Marni Bryson's address? Did the liar who made that same incredibly false claim swear out a false complaint?
Long time readers may also remember the oft repeated lie in the Comments Section that we "stalked" Bobby Diaz, or the picture of the Police's Every Breath You Take single that we once posted to play along. Did the liar(s?) who published the stalking accusations also file complaints? Is that the reason for the long string of questions concerning articles and photographs starring Diaz?
Time will certainly tell whether the Bar has been misled or is operating under false assumptions, or whether they somehow have a valid claim. In the meantime, ponder the fact that Bryson herself referred to your humble author as a "stalker" in her courtroom not too long ago, and think twice before publishing a lie. You never know who may be reading ...
He likes it! - speaking of Diaz, he's been seen swearing in jury pools on numerous occasions since the election ended. Pat LaVigne*, in charge of the Jury Room under Clerk of Courts Howard Forman, told us on more than one occasion that Diaz did qualifying chores only a couple times a year before last year's contested election. After making near daily trips to face the jurors/voters during the campaign, he's apparently taken more of a liking to it. LaVigne says it's not an uncommon occurrence for judges to return often after a successful campaign, joking "once they come in for an election, they're mine". Another unexpected benefit derived from the free exercise of democracy, especially considering the huge gap in the jury room rotation following mainstay Ron Rothschild's retirement. Well done!
* Many will also remember Pat from the ten years she spent as Billy D.'s in-court clerk. This September marks her retirement, after something like thirty-four years of service. Be sure to stop by and wish her well, before she disappears with her gold watch ...
Who wants to be the Clerk of Courts? - speaking of Howard Forman, this will be his final term. Howard was kind enough to confirm earlier today that he will not be seeking another four years. Most interestingly, he doesn't have a particular successor in mind, although he points out he still has three years to decide whether or not to support a candidate to fill his shoes. Ultimately, of course, it's up to the voters, but anyone familiar with Broward politics knows a Forman embrace could make all the difference in the world. Pucker up ...
May 22nd @ 5:00 PM - that's the deadline for applications for appointment to Susan Aramony's former circuit court spot. Expect some surprises, and more candidates trying than for the last few go rounds. Stacy Ross has been lobbying hard, and Arlene Backman is expected to put in as well. The potential for infighting between all judges named Ross and Backman and their friends is tantalizing, especially after Arlene got a recent temporary leg up to the circuit court courtesy of Peter Weinstein, who chose her to fill in for Merilee Ehrlich after Ehrlich'smouth got her bumped from juvenile. We'll be sure to post the names of all the applicants as soon as they're available, together with an update on John Murphy and Peter Blanc's quest for a Fourth DCA knighthood ...
Coming Soon -Finkelstein rips Satz on Brady obligations; YES WE CAN: Eugene Pettis, The Florida Bar, and Saying No To Institutional Racism In The Criminal Justice System; UPDATE: GARDINER & SCHEINBERG;
SS: Destry Tweets!