Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ category

The Nostalgia Post – Things I sorta miss

August 31, 2010

I’ve been a technogeek most of my life – pretty much since I pushed a touch-tone phone pad at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.  In this digital age of the iPad, Netflix, and other new consumer technologies, it is clear that technology has changed much of what we do each day.  There are arguments [...]

Dr. Laura leaves the kitchen.

August 20, 2010

The flare-up over Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s gratuitous use of the N-word during a call on her radio show last week provided a brief distraction from the overboard media coverage and political controversy over the proposed Islamic center in south Manhattan.  By now the circumstances of the call that led to her use of the word [...]

On Prop 8 ruling: Reply to Stepen Smith and my concerns on the political fallout

August 5, 2010

Yesterday’s decision on the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8 will engender plenty of commentary from those on both sides of the issue.  I’ll add my own thoughts here, though I harbor no illusions that I will change anyone’s opinion.  I merely want to state my own and also my concerns about the political fallout should [...]

In a movie theater, merely silence is not golden. Turn off your $#%* phone!

August 2, 2010

Beyond my concerns with drivers distracted by their texting on phones while driving lies my pet peeve with moviegoers who insist on texting or reading messages during the movie.  Most theaters now display an on-screen reminder, typically sponsored by a wireless carrier, to “Silence your phone.”  Would that was enough in this day and age.  [...]

Summer Conference Wrap-Up

July 22, 2010

Each summer I attend two conferences:  in June, the law school technology conference hosted by the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI) and in July the annual meeting and conference of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL).  This year the CALI conference was scheduled later than ever, and the AALL conference the earliest it [...]

Legislating on Texting While Driving, part 2

June 3, 2010

In keeping with my theme that monetary penalties rather than traffic violation charges may be the most effective way to combat this activity, I would add the following language to my prior recommendation, to make this a pocketbook hit: If in any civil action in which the operator of a motor vehicle has been adjudged negligent [...]

Banning texting while driving…

May 27, 2010

Ohio is among the states whose legislatures are considering banning the act of texting while driving.  H.B. No. 415 has passed the House of Representatives and is now in the Senate.  Today’s student-run University of Cincinnati newspaper, the News Record, contains two pieces condemning passage of such a bill, one of which is available at [...]

Karaoke with Ken 2010

May 5, 2010

I digress from commentary to announce this year’s venue for the CS-SIS Karaoke with Ken outing.  This will be the 10th such event, following unofficial Karaoke nights at the AALL meeting from 1997 – 2000.  This year’s evening will be held Monday, July 12, beginning at 9:30 p.m. at Armida’s Restaurant, 840 Lincoln Street, Denver, [...]

And a few more words on the attacks on the healthcare bill . . .

March 23, 2010

Potentially more troubling than Republican assertions that they will fight to repeal the bill (H.R 3590), soon to be the act (Pub.L. 111-148?), is the charge of several Republican Attorneys General being led by Bill McCollum of Florida.  Putting aside whatever legitimate arguments concerning the 9th and 10th amendments may be advanced in their argument, [...]

A few words on the passage of healthcare reform, and the racist protestors…

March 22, 2010

In a prior post, regarding the hubbub generated when the president wanted to address the nation’s schoolchildren, I attibuted most of that furor to racism.  This past weekend’s racially motivated behavior at the healthcare protests outside the Capitol offered more of the same.  Many of those who protest the passage of the act base their [...]