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Jewish World Review May 7, 2007 / 19 Iyar, 5767 I wanted to be a lawyer, but I lost my appeal By Dave Weinbaum
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
I've always liked to fight. First fisticuffs as a kid, then bickering as an adult. One would have thought I'd be a natural for the world's second oldest profession, lawyer. But somehow the gift of argument came much later in life and any reasonable chance to become an attorney before death do me part, passed me by.
• Delays during divorce proceedings when children are involved.
• Lack of effective policing of wayward, activist, and arrogant judges. Remember Terry Schiavo.
• Unnecessary delays.
• Fraudulent lawsuits.
• Did I mention unnecessary delays? • Term limits for judges. Are lifetime appointments the answer when we have had a history of judges ruling from the bench with Alzheimer's and dementia? Wasn't it a hint when Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's head hit the counter like a gavel? She was counting her ACLU sheep, while the court was in session and hearing argument. I propose a 10 year term. That's enough time. Then judges can come down off their lofty thrones to make a living like the rest of us peons.
• Independent panels not connected to legal profession to punish/suspend/or terminate licenses to practice law. Once Newt Gingrich suggested to me that we could always impeach wayward judges. I asked him how it worked out when they prosecuted Clinton. He seemed stumped. Look at the nutty judge that sued his dry cleaners for $65 million buckaroos for loosing one pair of pants. Is this the kind of guy we want deciding lawsuits? Well maybe if I'm the plaintiff…
• Tort reform; making those ruled to have filed fraudulent suits liable for damages, and legal fees of defendants. (Already done in England, the basis of American law.) Seems reasonable to most except when you bring it to the attention of lawyers in congress. I mentioned tort reform to then Senator John Ashcroft and recently the top lawyer in the land. It was like I insulted his religion. It might actually deprive lawyers of some business, albeit the fraudulent kind that's tantamount to extortion. Ever wonder why your insurance rates are so high? Ever wonder why doctors refuse to practice in certain states?
• Any judge or lawyer must be required to end custody suits within 6 mos. of filing on an expedited basis. Yes that means pushing it ahead of vital issues like who gets this plate and that fork.
• Want endless delay? Then the lawyers or judge must pay. (Johnny C is loving it from the grave.) Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Dave Weinbaum, originally from Chicago, is a businessman, writer and part-time stand-up comic. He resides in a Midwest red state. Comment by clicking here.
© 2005, Dave Weinbaum |
Mitch Albom | |||||||||||
