A year ago, I stood in awe as I watched President Obama being sworn in as our first African American president. I listened intently as he spoke about change and hope coming to America. A year later, I’m wondering whether President Obama is listening to us. Now I know change means different things to different people. In the past year, I’ve seen bail outs for Wall Street, banks, General Motors and Chrysler. Is this the change we needed? Where is the bail out for Main Street? Change has come to America. It’s just not the change I signed on for. To use the words of President Obama, “let me be clear” that’s not the change I was expecting. I want change in areas of increased jobs, lower unemployment rates, homes for the homeless, foreclosure relief, affordable health care and consumer bank and credit card relief to name a few. I know we live in a society where we want everything at broadband lightening speed. I didn’t expect change to happen overnight. Although it appears change did … [Read more...] about PRESIDENT OBAMA ARE YOU LISTENING?
LegalSpeaks Blog
Guns and Gilbert Are No Laughing Matter
At age 28, Gilbert Arenas is learning that guns are no laughing matter. Arenas entered a guilty plea on January 15, 2010 to a felony charge for carrying an unregistered gun into the District. This charge carries a maximum of 5 years. He could have been charged with four felony counts for the four guns he brought to the Verizon Center locker room. He might have received a misdemeanor charge had he not already pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in California. Gilbert’s been around the block more than once on gun charges. All of this started when Arenas allegedly jokingly placed 4 guns with a note to Wizards player Crittenton to pick one. He continued laughing, joking, shucking and jiving about the gun issue until Commissioner Stern pulled the plug on him. He was suspended indefinitely for his continued gun playing shenanigans. Before suspension, Arenas jokingly stated he feared Commissioner Stern more than the prosecutor. Obviously, Arenas valued his livelihood and his … [Read more...] about Guns and Gilbert Are No Laughing Matter
Did Senator Harry Reid Miss the Post Racial Memo?
Senator Harry Reid ( D. Nevada) must have missed the post racial memo. You know the one that says we are in a post racial society. Senator Reid admittedly said during the 2008 campaign that President Obama, was a “light skinned African American” “ with no Negro dialect”. A white man using the word "Negro" when speaking about an African American in 2008 doesn't sound complimenatary to me. Reid claims the comments were said off the record or doing a private conversation. I would have loved to heard the tone of his comments. They probably sounded like a throw back to the 1960's. His comments about President Obama reflect the times we live in now. We are not post racial in the eyes of Senator Reid. Senator John Cornyn ( R. Texas) and those calling for Senator Reid to resign are being disingenuous. If every white politician who made inappropriate racial comments resigned, we’d probably have very few, if any, politicians left. I do not condone Senator Reid’s racially inappropriate … [Read more...] about Did Senator Harry Reid Miss the Post Racial Memo?
Wild Wild West Gilbert Arenas Is Without The Wizards
If the gun proponents have their way, DC could become the gun toting wild wild west. Wizards player Gilbert Arenas could be their poster boy. Fortunately we are not there yet. On December 21, 2009 Gilbert Arenas brought 4 guns to the Wizards locker room. He claims he needed to get them out of his home and away from his children. So he brought them to work around players and fans. He called everything a joke or a prank involving an alleged confrontation with another player. He thought the DC laws allowed him to bring guns. What’s even stranger is that former owner Abe Pollin changed the team’s name from the Bullets to the Wizards out of his opposition to gun violence. No offense but Abe Pollin is probably turning over in his grave right about now. Gilbert’s incident is no laughing matter. The NBA has a clause in its contracts forbidding guns at arenas, locker rooms or any promotional appearances. Permanent repercussions could come from the NBA league against Arenas. The US … [Read more...] about Wild Wild West Gilbert Arenas Is Without The Wizards
Airport Security- Are We Safe Yet?
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?
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