Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Happy Holidays

It's quiet in Newark, for Christmas eve, with a sprinkling of rain rather than a dusting of snow. Last minute shoppers are visiting merchants for gifts and offices are holding holiday parties.

If you're traveling for the holiday, be careful on the roadways.

The Delaware Law Office will probably be quiet for a couple of days. The trees are up, and the ornaments are hung, but there's need for an emergency trip to the store to make sure that there's milk for Santa to go with his late night cookies.

Here's hoping that your holiday is a joyful one, and that the next year brings much happiness your way.

Monday, December 22, 2003

taxing the UK

A new category in the Open Directory on United Kingdom: Society and Culture: History: Taxation has some fascinating links on it. It's kind of interesting to find out what the Corn Laws were, and Ship Money, and the Danegeld. (Thanks, Jean)

December 11th

Brevin is officially a teenager! Happy Birthday!

Tuesday, December 16, 2003

Saint Bernards, IRAs, and Trusted Politics

I only had a chance to meet Senator Bill Roth a couple of times. Both when he was on the campaign trail. The first was on Market Street Mall in Wilmington with one of his Saint Bernards accompanying him, and then by himself in front of my local grocery store. Both times I shook his hand and said hi. But, I really didn't stop and talk with him. He didn't need to convince me to vote for him. His actions as a US Senator were enough to do that.

His political party affiliation was something that many of Delaware citizens weren't concerned about. We weren't voting for a party, but rather a person. One who proved over and over that he was in Washington on our behalf. President Bush has called him the People's Champion, and you'll find little disagreement in Delaware. Many of us felt the same way that Senator Biden does when he mentioned in a statement from Sunday that, "There is no one in public life that I trusted more than Bill Roth."

Celia Cohen, from the Delaware Grapevine puts into perspective for us the impact upon Delaware that Bill Roth had in an adaptation from her Book titled Only in Delaware, on State politics from the end of World War Two until 2000. She also has posted the obituary released by his family which does a little more to describe the impact he upon the Nation and the World.

The Wilmington News Journal has a number of other articles on Senator Roth:

Roth's final role: grandfather

Roth's tax cutting 'changed the world'

From his IRA to tax cuts, Roth was a force in politics

He 'had a rare breed of elegance'

I wish that on one of those two opportunities I had to shake Senator Roth's hand that I had also thanked him. But, I think he knew the high regard people in Delaware had for him.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2pm at the University of Delaware's Clayton Hall.

Senator William Roth Dies at 82

The national impact of the distinguished career of former Del. Sen. William Roth is well reported. What is not so widely known outside of Delaware is the way that he treated Delawareans. Senator Roth's office was the most responsive and responsible element of Delaware's government. If you had a problem with government, his staff would listen and work with you to fix it - immediately. It was a breath of fresh air government that I have not seen before, or after. I remember several times I made that call. Senator Roth's staff would hear my position, and they would immediately open a conference call with the offending party to resolve the issue - on the spot. It was amazing. We Delawareans sorely miss him and what he brought to our government.

Saturday, December 13, 2003

Turow on the Death Penalty

Scott Turow is one of the leading writers of best selling books involving legal issues. He recently wrote a nonfiction volume on the Death penalty. The Atlantic Monthly interviews him on the subject, and on his involvement in an Illinois commission which reexamined the state's death penalty statutes.

Delaware Students take close look at law and Politics

I'm really happy to see the first issue of the Delaware Politics and Law Review, published by students from the University of Delaware.

I came across the print copy yesterday, and I just visited their web version today. I'm glad to see students voices raised on issues such as:
  • the USA PATRIOT Act,
  • the National Do Not Call List and its impact upon the economy,
  • the difficulty of self-representation in capital murder cases with information about a Delaware case,
  • and serious criticism and comments on local politics.
Congratulations, and welcome to the web. We'll be pointing some links your way.

Insight on law and lawschool from the Mendik Library

A hello and thanks to the good people at the Mendick Law Library and New York Law School who include the Delaware Law Office in their publication Insight (pdf).

The booklet has a great list of books, movies, and web sites for law students and prospective law students. If you are considering law school, you should check out their recommendations.

Friday, December 12, 2003

Intellectual property uk styled

I'm having fun going through some of the older blog posts from Jeremy Phillips and Ilanah Simon at IPKat.

I have a feeling that they are having at least as much fun, if not more, adding to their blog which focuses upon intellectual property with a UK and European perspective.

I don't know how well the snot jokes will play on this side of the Atlantic, though.

Santa Lucia

Days before they arrive in the final installation of Lord of the Rings, Elves will be appearing in Delaware on Sunday, as the State experiences the holding of the 28th annual procession and service honoring Santa Lucia.

The saint symbolizes love, compassion, and light, and those are things we hope abound for all this holiday season.

More on the Lucyfest, as it is practiced in Sweden. It's definitely a fascinating celebration.

Thursday, December 11, 2003

Educating legislators

The Walk a Mile project uses the tagline "making politics personal" on their web site. I think that it's a brilliant idea to give politicians a chance to gain perspectives other than their own on legislation that can effect a broad range of people. (via metafilter)

the 9th degree of separation

Russell Rozanski spotlights the ninth reason that delaware is the strongest choice for a corporate home.

Friday, December 05, 2003

adwords vs trademarks

In one corner, the holders of trademarks.

In another, a search engine which is knowingly allowing competitors of the trademark holders to use those trademarked terms to trigger the presence of their advertisements on search results pages.

Google is suing in a U.S. District Court in California to argue for a declaratory judgment holding that their adwords advertising does not constitute trademark infringement.

I'm wondering in this instance, if we're seeing one of those situations which someone could preface with a "be careful what you ask for, because you just might not like the answer you get?"

Law school exams

To those who will be taking law school exams over the next few weeks, good luck.

Professor Bainbridge has shared his last year's exam for advanced corporations.

He also posted links for good and bad law school studying tips.

One of the things I liked was the set up question at the end of the exam problem:
You are a clerk to a Vice Chancellor of the Delaware chancery court. The Vice Chancellor has asked you to write a bench memorandum discussing the relevant issues raised by Empire’s suit.

patents, software and business practices

Andis Kaulins caught our mention of a recently filed lawsuit over a web based payment system. The result was a thoughtful post at LawPundit on the absurdity of applying patent law to business practices on the web.

questioning Howard

We recently pointed towards an Interview with Judge Posner conducted by Howard Bashman. unbillable hours points us towards an interview that puts Howard Bashman on the hot seat.

giacalone's Bar & Grill

Welcome back, David Giacalone. It's good to see giacalone's Bar & Grill open for business.

Thursday, December 04, 2003

Open Directory Hits a Milestone

Congratulations to all of the former and active editors of the Open Directory Project. The site's front page was updated today to indicate that the Directory now includes more than 4 million sites. (thanks, Jean)

Supreme Court to Tackle Privacy Today

Wired asks How Much Is Privacy Worth? We may find out later today, when our federal Justices hear oral arguments in Doe v. Chao.

How public should public hearings be?

Should members of the public be permitted to ask questions, or cross examine witnesses? A 9:30 am meeting in Dover may just decide how much involvement the public can have in public hearings on environmental issues. See: Proposal overhauls public hearings

indicted by ashtrays

Overlawyered is pointing towards a rush of tickets for ashtrays in New York City. They might be carrying things a little too far. I hope this doesn't catch on under Delaware's Clean Indoor Air Act.

Delaware on Wikipedia

I was looking at the Wikipedia for Delaware, and it appears to need just a little TLC and updating. If you haven't seen a wiki before, and you think the idea of having fresh information for the First State is a good idea, why not give it a shot?

Wednesday, December 03, 2003

Annual Shopping/ Holiday Celebration

Yesterday the DE Law Office and Delaware Intercorp, Inc celebrated their annual shopping day. We shut down the offices and convoyed to the mall, where the stores were just opening and not crowded. We shopped and then gathered for a feast. It really makes for a nice tradition.

Still waiting on the developing of our pictures from the DE Law Office Holiday Dinner, a couple of weeks ago. Shouldn't be long now.

Tuesday, December 02, 2003

Monday, December 01, 2003

Joining the Fight Against AIDs at Home

There are quite a few people who have allowed their home computers to be used in the search for intelligent life in outer space. It's possible to utilize your computer to be used in a similar manner to battle against AIDs. See the FightAIDS@Home page for more details. (via metafilter)

Ask the White House about AIDs

If you have questions for the Whitehouse on AIDs and HIV, get them in quickly.

At 2pm EST, Dr. Joseph O'Neill, Director of the Office of National AIDs Policy will be answering questions on the topic of HIV and AIDs. Submit your questions now. You might want to visit the National AIDs Policy Office first, and look through their fact sheet summary and other offerings. This stood out:
Number of people who may not know they are HIV pos. -- Approx. 300,000
I believe that number only includes American citizens. World Wide, the number is likely considerably higher.

The World's 3 by 5 Initiative

Is it possible to bring needed medicine to three million people by the year 2005? That's the goal behind the 3 by 5 Initiative. The World Health Organization has much more on the topic, and Wired puts the plan into perspective with an article entitled Hopes Pinned on New Drug Plan on World AIDS Day.

HIV and Civil Rights

The American Civil Liberties Union interviewed service providers around the United States and the results are eye-opening. See: American Civil Liberties Union : HIV & Civil Rights

AIDs and the Law

Not quite a legal blog, or BLAWG, David Webber's page, AIDs and the Law cover a lot of the legal aspects surrounding HIV and AIDs. As a Pennsylvania Attorney, much of his site focuses upon Pennsylvania law, but a good amount covers a broader spectrum than that.

David Webber is a founder of the AIDs Law Project of Pennsylvania, which is a non profit public interest law firm.

Some Delaware resources include:

The Delaware HIV Consortium
AIDs Delaware.org

46664 was Nelson Mandela's Prison Number

It's also part of the web site address where you can find out more about a recent all star benefit held to help fight AIDs. More details are at 46664.COM.

A live global webcast of the benefit had an estimated audience of 2 billion people. Performers included Bono, Eurythmics, Beyonce, Jimmy Cliff, and others.

MTV webcast the show on Saturday at noon, and will be airing it globally at 6 pm EST tonight.

The Role of Government in the Fight against AIDs

Amnesty International's press release on World AIDs day takes a harsh look at some of the governmental practices that are hurting the fight against AIDs, and some that are more effective, such as those followed by Uganda and Brazil. See: Discrimination and misinformation impede AIDS fight

Today is World AIDs Day

We are participating in the Link and Think project in the hope that our one small effort here might combine with the efforts of many others to make a difference in at least one person's life. If you have a blog or a personal web site, please consider participating, and joining in.

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