The Other Circuits Ain't Got Nothing on The Seventh!

The Seventh Circuit is notorious for its braininess and eminence. With Judges Posner and Easterbrook at the helm, the Seventh Circuit is a powerhouse of jurisprudence. However, in recent years, the Seventh Circuit has seemingly decided to add another facet to its notoriety--not only is it the baddest Circuit around, but it's also the coolest.

A3 Unleashed: C.J.R. Shares Wine With Neighbors

When Justices Go Wild! This story pairs nicely with the ATL piece on Scalia's cameo.

C.J.R. went to dinner with his wife at some swanky Manhattan eatery. Not wanting to let good wine go to waste (or, decent wine...), C.J.R. did what any good Conservative would do (with his wife, Jane, concurring)--he offered to share it with his neighbor. Who says Conservatives aren't community organizers? Not only that, but he signed the bottle, too!

C.J.R.--In Vino Veritas, indeed!

The name is Bonds... War Bonds

Here's an interesting ConLaw question: Can States "stand in the shoes" of people who owned World War II war-bonds and failed to collect?

In Ben & Tim We Trust? Nightmare #2

Never have I read a wire-report that has more inadvertently used a proper verb to describe the (ongoing and soon to worsen) economic mess that is Federal Economic Policy. Here, the word of choice is "divine." The entire paragraph that caught my fancy reads:

"With officials still grappling to divine the factors steepening the yield curve, a speedy decision on whether to ramp up the Treasury debt purchase program or the related plan to snap up mortgage-related debt seems unlikely."

Divine, as in divination...as in the prophetic method used by the Roman priests to tell the Caesars what the upcoming warring season would bring.

Here's a dictionary definition (from Webster's):

div·i·na·tion

Pronunciation:

\ˌdi-və-ˈnā-shən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English divinacioun, from Latin divination-, divinatio, from divinare

Date:

14th century

1: the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers

2: unusual insight : intuitive perception

Things are so economically bad in this country that our Ivy-trained economists are no more useful at telling us what is going on than the Horoscopes.

Sweet dreams are made of these...

All Things Chicago!

Mr. T gets called for duty, but doesn't make it to the panel.

The U.S. Marshal from this post was found guilty.

Cops that beat up bar patrons found not guilty.

Oh, I'm 'Stimulated,' all right...

Law School Is For Everyone?

I think the headline to this piece was missing the following line: "Who Likes Being 150k in Debt."

I have nothing more (at least non-profanity laced) to say.

Meet the Neighbors...Law Firm Edition

Neighbor complains that law firm works too hard, too late, with too much light.

Barney Frank, Members of Congress Causing Global Warming

Today is the first-ever hybridization of FAD and Random Musings.

Here's an interesting syllogism for the best readers in the world (i.e. you).

(1) Out of London: Fat people are causing global warming.
(2) Out of Washington: Congressman Frank, representing the general health of Congress complains about his weight-gain.
(3) Therefore, if we got rid of the Congressional Fatties, global warming would either decelerate or be completely reversed?

----------------------
UPDATE (9:24AM): A commenter wonders if the British portion of the syllogism is legit. Here's the press release from the health institute behind "the insight."

The Pirate Bay Four Convicted of Copyright Violations

News out of Sweden: The founders of The Pirate Bay have been found guilty of Copyright violations by the Swedish court and have been sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to pay a $2.5 million fine.

I have to admit that I've only followed this case from a distance, but I find it very interesting. I'm not a copyright-guy at all, but it seems as though the copyright laws are SO far behind the times that they no longer serve their initial purpose-- providing property rights protection in order to encourage development of creative endeavors. Now, the copyright laws only function seems to be to insulate the music industry from any form of cost-competition.

Tell us, BBL-uminati: where do you see the role of copyright (particularly for software and music) in the 21st century?

Crushed By The Golden Arches-- I'm (No Longer) Lovin' It

This sounds like it could be a Torts hypo for you Prosser-esque scholars out there.

Secession?

This article was just too good to let slip through the cracks.

I look forward to any (and all) commentary.

Are We The People They Warned Us About?

Today's rendition of FAD is brought to you by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. This article discusses the coming generational shift from the Boomers and Gen-Xers to the kids who were raised on GI Joe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers (whatever it is that girls watched from 1980 through 1995 [Care Bears?]), and, most importantly, THE INTERNET!!

Tell us, BBL-uminati: Is the generational shift a potential paradigm shift (away from bigger government) like Prof. Burkee argues, or is it just another example of the recurring cycle of youth being optimistic and then becoming more jaded with age?

Sterile Man Has Daughter With Wife (Using Stored Sperm From His Teen Years!)

A truly awesome story.

Here Come The Judge(s)!

Via Politico: Federal judges go Judge Dredd on DOJ.

I've always been told that the lawyers in the DOJ & U.S. Attorney's offices around the nation are the creme de la creme. Many of them come from the "finest schools" and have impeccable credentials. So, Illuminati, why do you think people who are otherwise brilliant fail to exercise common sense and/or play fairly?

Don't Worry Sammy, I Struggle To Drive 55 As Well...

From Cracked.com: The 5 Laws That Don't Work.

I get confused when people equate illegality with effective implementation. Whenever something 'bad' (i.e. undesirable) happens, there seems to be a rush to try and ban the object or the action giving rise to the undesirable behavior. A perfect contemporary case in point is the rush (led in part by FoxNews, of course) to promote Salvia awareness (i.e. drive to ban the substance).

We're all lawyers/law students/citizens concerned with effective and just administration of law here. If anyone knows the strengths and weaknesses of the legal system it should be us, right? So, what do you think Illuminati: Should we continue trying to ban items resulting in undesirable behavior? What are our alternatives?

AP Doesn't Want US To Say Much More Than...

This.

I've yet to take Antitrust, so I would like to hear the opinions of our learned audience about whether what the AP is trying to do violates some Antitrust provisions. What do you say, Illuminati: Could the AP be barred from taking such concerted action? Is the news business a 'form of trade' that should not be 'restrained?'

[Ed. Note: The illustration was found here after a Google search of "picture of newsie." I can just see it now: 'Extra! Extra! Bleed All About It!']

Iowa Supremes To Rule On Gay Marriage?

Today's installment of FAD is brought to you by the Iowa Supreme Court. Based out of Des Moines (Motto: "We're Des Bestes!"), the Iowa Supremes are preparing to rule on the constitutionality of one couple's gay marriage.

The fact pattern is pretty interesting:

Lambda Legal sued challenging the state's ban on gay marriage on behalf of 6 couples. The trial court struck down the statute prohibiting gay marriage. One of the couples from the Lambda Legal group applied for their marriage license and received it on that same day. The trial court then reversed itself and stayed its decision on the following day.

The issue (per the AP wire article): The high court would determine whether the district court erred by finding that the same-sex marriage ban violated the state constitution, and whether it erred by not allowing the county's expert witness testimony.

[Ed. Note 1: I tried to get on to the Iowa Supremes' site and it just doesn't connect. I wonder why the servers are acting a little queer... **crickets chirping** I'll be here all week!

Ed. Note 2: But, seriously, the Iowa Supremes' site is down; it might be best to wait until the AP/Reuters breaks the story for the nail-biting conclusion]

Blagojevich indicted!

As BBL's chief Midwest correspondent, it is my duty to inform you all of the following: Ex-Gov Blagojevich has been formally indicted.

Good Luck Taking Notes From This...

Follow the link to see Law School, circa 1920s-30s.

And, don't you worry Josh: I'll draft a creative, thoughtful response to your rebuttal yet, my pretty! I'll get you, and your little democracy, too!