The FBI is taking heat for intensely investigating a local New Orleans Brothel at the same time that it was apparently not doing enough to combat terrorism. FBI agents obtained wiretaps and listened to conversations before during and after September 11th, and this apparently looks bad. The wiretaps covered a period of 13 months.
U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., noted: "I realize that it comes as an enormous revelation to the American public that there might have been prostitutes in New Orleans. I mean, who knew?" In the end, though the investigation collared a mother-daughter team that was running the cathouse. The customers were not prosecuted on federal charges, because apparently federal law does not apply. [Times Picyune]
5:35:42 PM
Booknotes from Ernie the Attorney
I noticed several interesting titles in the Business book section today at Barnes & Noble (as I was looking for a copy of Gonzo Marketing). There was one with a portrait of our great president titled "Thomas Jefferson Management Secrets" (or something like that). Close by was a book, obviously targeting women executives, entitled "Elizabeth I - CEO." And there was also "Jesus - CEO" for those needing religious insight. I know we also had the Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun a while back, but I don't think we have saturated the inspiration-from-dead-historical-figures genre yet. I'm looking for "Rasputin - Mentally Unbalanced and Poised for Success." Or perhaps some of the more coherent writings of Charles Manson. This is a fertile field, and our nations' CEO's ovbiously need all the literary guidance that history can provide.
5:02:50 PM
From MyFreePress.com: Folk singer David Grossman is one of thousands of musicians cheering the return of Garageband.com, a Web site that showcases songs of up-and-coming and going-nowhere acts through free downloads and streaming, peer reviews and rankings.
"The people who are complaining about (free downloads), they're backward," Grossman said. "They would see the wheel as a threat, and say 'What's going to happen to sandal companies when the wheel comes out?' I think (the Internet) is a huge opportunity for artists."
This is something that my friend Ched should find interesting. It looks like what Mp3.com was doing. I'll check it out as well...
11:01:03 AM
Dave Winer poses this question and concludes that Glenn is more of a "mediator" of information. Lately, I learned that I am a "filter." I don't mind the label, but I think labelling is a waste of time
But it reminds me of this passage:
And I have known the eyes already, known them all-- The eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase, And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin, When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall, Then how should I begin To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways? And how should I presume?
Denise will recognize this passage, and so will others. If you want to read the rest go here.
It's the Onion article about Congress threatening to move to a new city if they don't get a new state of the art Capitol building. The satire focuses on how corporate greed in the sports entertainment business is undermining the allegiance to regional interest. So that teams no longer stay in cities where there is good fan support if they can move to a new facility and make more money.
And Congress is an institution where elected representatives move away from their local electorate and go to a big city where...well you get the picture. So, my point is maybe the Chinese are right to report it as fact. The underlying principle is certainly true.
10:42:10 AM
Selection Process for Federal Judges is Challenged
Howard points to a The Los Angeles Times report about a challenge to the selection process in California. President Bush's top political operative in California and the state's two Democratic U.S. senators select federal judicial candidates. You can access the full story here. Howard opines that "this suit will be going nowhere fast." [How Appealing]
I agree that this lawsuit will not succeed. This lawsuit has only one motivation: attract publicity. Hence, it has already accomplished its mission.
10:26:13 AM
Howard Bashman is now broadcasting in RSS/XML
"RSS/XML IS FINALLY HERE (I HOPE!): For those loyal readers who have been urging "How Appealing" to offer an RSS/XML feed, I have good news for you. Your news aggregators can now pick up this blog's RSS/XML feed. [How Appealing]
Just go to his site and do the XML button thing.
3:35:55 AM
And you non-lawyers out there, remember one retirement can drastically change the outcome of a case. For example: Eldred (the copyright term case) which is pending to be decided next term.
3:22:26 AM
