After Christmas day, I don’t think anyone thinks we’re safe on airplanes. So what’s the problem? As a trial lawyer, we investigate a case to piece together the facts. We interview potential witnesses, persons of interest, family members, co-workers and others, if necessary. We analyze data to determine its accuracy. We review documents to shed light on the case. We do not wait to get to the court house door to start our investigation. It’s too late by then. The same is true for airport security and terrorism. If we wait for terrorists to reach the airport gates, it’s too late by then to protect us. The recent Christmas day underwear bomber proves this point. The shoe bomber, Richard Reid, on December 22, 2001 was another case on point. He too was also allowed to board the plane. It was only luck again that prevented the plane’s demise. Full body scanners are being contemplated now to ensure better screening devices. Of course, there’s a cost factor involved. We value human … [Read more...] about Airport Security- Are We Safe Yet?
Archives for December 2009
Health Care Bill Is Only a Half Loaf
What started out as massive health care reform is quickly becoming a shrinking violet. The public option sank faster than the Titanic. The alternative Medicare buy-in for persons over 55 sank even faster. It lasted only 6 rounds or days. Abortion didn’t fare too well either. Compromise was inevitable. Yet, the watering down of the health care bill is more than compromise. The bill’s strength is diluted so much. It has no punch. Time is not on the side of major health care reform. One saying is becoming true. Haste makes waste. President Obama wants to get a bill passed before the December break. At all costs, he just may achieve that goal. In the process, he will give up so much to achieve it. Back on July 7, 2009 President Obama stated he was looking forward to a final bill with the public option. He stated that one of the best ways to bring down costs, assure quality health care and force the insurance companies to compete and keep them honest is the public option. So … [Read more...] about Health Care Bill Is Only a Half Loaf
President Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize
On December 10, 2009 President Obama received the Nobel Peace prize. The Nobel Peace Prize has been given to only four American presidents since its inception in 1901. There was much criticism amid President Obama’s being awarded the Nobel Prize. Some say he was a new president with little to no experience in peace. That’s true. Others clamored that the United States is in two wars now. Just a week before his acceptance, President Obama ordered thousands more troops to be sent to Afghanistan. That’s true too. Then there’s the torture issue surrounding Guantanamo Bay. Others who have received the Nobel peace prize have been committed to nonviolence and sustainable peace. Martin Luther King, Jr, on whose shoulders Barack Obama stands, opposed war and fought for civil rights through non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi was the mastermind of nonviolent resistance to attaining peace. He never received the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite the criticism of President Obama, I feel honored that … [Read more...] about President Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize
Was This The Best Buy For Mayor Dixon?
The State Prosecutor’s case was paper thin against Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. Yet, it had enough meat on its bones to convict Mayor Dixon of one misdemeanor count of misappropriation of Best Buy and Target gift cards intended for the poor. The jury found her not guilty of the felony theft counts of the cards and was hung on one count. The 7 day jury deliberations show it was a difficult case to decide. It was by no means a slam dunk for the prosecution. The jury deliberated almost as long as the testimony took. Yet for a paltry $500 Sheila Dixon stands to lose her pension, position as Mayor and be fined, imprisoned or both. Was this the best buy for Mayor Dixon? Republican State Prosecutor Rohrbaugh’s almost 4 year investigation of Mayor Dixon’s bank statements, tax returns, credit card statements and house search finally yielded a return. But was justice served? No one is above the law including mayors, governors and even presidents. Mayor Dixon is no exception. Yet, the … [Read more...] about Was This The Best Buy For Mayor Dixon?