One way I stay on the lookout for the engaging and compelling (LOL) information I highlight in this blog is through a Google automated search. Sometimes it is really interesting what it pulls. For example, last night it found the following for me: An article in the New Republic about Ben Steins conflicted conservatism. An article in Human Events about …
Washington: Writing in Plain English
Washington (not D.C. but the state) has taken on the English language. Specifically, state government has spent the last two years trying to teach government employees to use plain English. Why? Because the theory is people will obey laws and regulations if they can understand them. Novel concept isn’t it. Here’s one example from the USAToday article: Department of Labor …
Blogger Update
Last night I spent time making the switch to Blogger Beta. Don’t do it unless you have time to reenter all your links. I didn’t really have time, but it’s done now. Hope you like it. 🙂 Have a great weekend, folks, and I’ll see you on Monday.
Strength Test as Discrimination
The Eight Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in EEOC v. Dial Corporation (a meat-packing plant in Iowa — not the soap) that an employer who changed its pre-employment strength test violated anti-discrimination laws. Prior to the revised strength test employees at Dial were roughly 50/50 men to women. After, women who were hired plummeted to 15%. That disparate impact on …
Names, names and more names
Last night, I spent some time in 1922. Why? Because I need to create characters for my third World War Two Nebraska book and proposal. Once again, I have setting, plot points and shadowy characters who still need a name and more definition. Does this strike anyone else as backwards? Anyway, when looking for names that are appropriate to a …
What a Week!
I had an oral argument in court today that could either kill my client’s case or allow us to proceed to trial. Our legal system is set up to allow either side in a case file what’s called a summary judgment motion before the judge. In that motion the attorney essentially argues that there are no key facts in dispute …
Pets: Another Legal Frontier
A couple in VT filed suit for damages and emotional distress after their dog was fatally shot for walking onto a man’s property. Historically, courts have only allowed pet owners to collect expenses such as purchase price and veterinary bills, but a growing number of cases are asking that they recognize the companionship a pet offers. Animal law expert Geordie …
E-Discovery: a new frontier
New rules went into affect last month creating a new area for discovery. Attorneys are now required to do extensive electronic discovery to each other. I’ve always told clients that any emails or documents created electronically are fair game in litigation. The rules solidify that. It’s also creating a new market for companies that search email trails. See this article …
Top Ten Requirements for Writers
Patience. In abundance. Pressed down and overflowing. Everything takes time. And lots more time than you could imagine. So if you write, you’ll shake the doors of heaven begging for patience. What ifs. A writer takes a “what if” and crafts a story around it. Without a “what if” question, there would be no books, no inspiration. Creativity. Must have …
Halftime at Big 12 Championship Game
Man, it looks cold in Kansas City! And but for a terrible special teams error and subsequent fumble in the first seconds of the game, Nebraska would be tied with Oklahoma 7-7. Instead, they’ll come out of halftime down 7 points, and fortunate to be. I don’t know if I can watch! The greatest rivalry in college football is playing …