LAWYERBRUCE

http://www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 18, 2010

Delaware, Ditka and Edison

OCTOBER 18, 2010

I didn’t say it but I wish I had. Meghan McCain, daughter of senator John McCain said it.

Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain, said Sunday that Christine O'Donnell, the Tea Party star that won the Delaware GOP Senate nomination, is a "nutjob" who is "making a mockery of running for public office."

She went on to say O’Donnell had never been a success in any endeavor in life. Meghan better be careful or O’Donnell will put a spell on her. On the same show, a Democratic strategist said anytime you run a commercial announcing you are not a witch, you are probably in trouble and have little chance of winning.

I agree. The republicans would have won in Delaware if this ‘one hit wonder’ would not have gotten involved. I believe everyone deserves representation in Congress; everyone except the witches and warlocks in America that is. Governing is a serious business. Isn’t it time O’Donnell’s fifteen minutes were up? I am real tired of hearing about this aberration.

Well, well. After a bunch of justifying, lawyering, lawsuit work, Court involvement and bad mouthing against the Daily Chronicle’s editor and Mac McIntyre, I see where the library board wised up and terminated the contract to buy the old medical clinic building. Did someone finally mention to the board that buildings with this type of historical use generally have significant environmental issues. The report referenced asbestos as a potential problem. Do you really think that is the only environmental issue facing a building that routinely disposed of human medical waste for decades?

How much money was wasted on this poorly conceived plan? Was this a bailout as a show of appreciation to a local concern who has maintained a presence downtown for years? The owner is stuck with a building that still has environmental issues that are more costly and cumbersome for a private owner to deal with than a government agency? I think the local press deserves a pat on the back for its diligence in covering this story. It seemed obvious, once the library owned this white elephant, projected costs were going to skyrocket.

I wish the owners luck in selling the property but I am glad the local taxing bodies have nothing to do with it. Of course this purchase could be renegotiated at a much lower cost, perhaps making the deal worthwhile.

DeKalb High School stayed alive to play another day. Sycamore High School seems to have peeked too early.

Birthdays on October 18^th;

1933 Forrest Gregg NFL tackle (Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys)

1939 Mike Ditka coach/tight-end (Bears, Cowboys, NFL rookie year 1961)

Don’t these two guys hate each other?

Lee Harvey Oswald was born the same day as Mike Ditka.

One important death on October 18^th;

1931 Thomas Alva Edison inventor, dies in West Orange, NJ, at 84

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

http://www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 17, 2010

June Cleaver doesn't look so good to Eddie Haskell today.

October 17, 2010

I just set-up a date for rotator cuff surgery. That will be happening on November 11^th, if the creek don’t rise too much. Any suggestions or comments about the surgery and recovery will be read and given their deserved due.

Iran has released another American from custody after two years. Reza Taghavi, 71, a California businessman, was accused of helping a government opposition group by giving a Iranian man in Tehran $200.00. He had been asked by a friend in California to give the man the money. He apparently did not independently know the man he gave the money to.

Once again, Iran is trying to show the world what a great nation they are by releasing a 71 year old man they say they do not believe is a threat any more. As usual, it isn’t all compassion from Iran. Taghavi is in poor health, suffering from diabetes. Iran just did not want an American to cost them money by providing medical care. They also do not want to upset our government by sending home a dead American. Even Obama would have to respond if Iran sends home an innocent dead American.

The ‘Leave it to Beaver’ mother has died. Barbara Billingsley was 94 years old. She played June Cleaver in the early television comedy, always perfectly dressed, never looking like any of my friend’s mothers in the 50s and 60s. My mother did not dress that way either. She died in Santa Monica, CA.

The Catholic Church just cannot get out of the way of the bullets they fire. Its feet must surely hurt by now. Pope Benedict XVI appointed a conservative Archbishop earlier this year to replace a well-liked, liberal leader in Belgium. The conservative Archbishop Andre’-Joseph Le’onard of Brussels has now upset many church members with his statements given to two Belgium reporters during the course of several interviews recently published in a book in that country. The Archbishop claims AIDS is a form of justice being delivered to people as sentence for their promiscuous sexual behavior. He said people afflicted with AIDS are receiving a “sort of immanent justice” for sexual behavior they engage in. This is coming from a man who gave an oath to God and celibacy.

I was raised a Catholic and still consider myself Catholic. I was taught tolerance by the priests and nuns at school and by my parents at home. Perhaps the Archbishop had a very careless upbringing. The Archbishop had made comments on homosexuality earlier this year when he said; "homosexuality is not the same as normal sex in the same way that anorexia is not a normal appetite."

This boy has a homophobic problem. His latest comments may not just go away. In Belgium, the Catholic Church is heavily subsidized by the government. A Parliament member has brought up the idea of revisiting that concept. Sounds like the masses need a sacrificial lamb. Archbishop, you’re it.

Today is the birthdate of ;

Irene Ryan 1903 Granny from ‘Beverly Hillbillies’

Pope John Paul I 1912 263^rd Pope

Tom Poston 1921 comedian “Newhart Show’

George Wendt 1948 Comedian ‘Cheers’

Alan Jackson 1958 Singer

Tennessee Ernie Ford died at the age of 72 in 1991 on this date.

James P. Mason, of DeKalb, IL went missing in action on this date in 1968. Say a prayer for James today.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

http://www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com/

Saturday, October 16, 2010

The DEA and streaking?

OCTOBER 16, 2010

So this guy in Pennsylvania just passed his driving test. Robert Keller, of Carnegie, PA had just passed his driving test. He pulled into the parking lot of the building that houses the DMV. He confused the brake and the accelerator and plowed into the building. He and his car ended up in a waiting room area in the DMV office. Four people were injured, none seriously. The 34 year old had his license revoked before it was issued.

President Obama upset the DEA, Drug Enforcement Administration, when he told an audience at a town hall meeting televised on MTV, that the Justice Department and the FBI determine which drug offenders to investigate and prosecute. That is the domain of the DEA not the FBI. President Obama made the comment during a speech he insisted his administration was serious about the war on drugs. An unidentified DEA spokesman said the administration was not treating the DEA seriously since the number 1 man at the DEA has not been confirmed yet, 22 months after Obama became President. Additionally, many of the DEA’s top positions remain vacant. Every ship at sea needs a captain.

For the second straight year, the United States deficit is over 1 trillion dollars. How’s that change thing working out for you?

The somewhat ignorant British billionaire who announced he would pay 1 million dollars to whoever streaked in front of President Obama is apparently a welcher. Last weekend, at the Philadelphia speech that was highlighted by the book being thrown at the President, Juan James Rodriguez was the guy arrested while naked. He was not the book thrower but he was trying to ‘earn’ the million dollars. The British billionaire refused to pay the million bucks because Obama did not see him, so it was not in front of the President. He will pay the rent for the unemployed 24 year old for six months, help cover medical expenses being incurred by his sister and give him an undisclosed amount of money. The man pays $1,600.00 per month in rent for his Staten Island apartment. The Brit, who made his fortune in the shipping industry, made Rodriguez sign a nondisclosure agreement to prevent all the details from emerging. I think the nondisclosure agreement also shields the Brit from potential criminal exposure.

Whatever happened to the book thrower? It was never disclosed, as far as I can tell, if anyone was arrested for throwing the book. You would think in a crowd that large someone saw something. If they did, either they are not talking or an embarrassed Secret Service is keeping it under wraps. The Secret Service has had a tough time doing their job for President Obama. He, and we, are lucky somebody has not tried to do real harm to our President.

Air New Zealand is going to sell ‘cuddle class’ seating beginning next year on trans-Atlantic flights. ‘Cuddle class’ is a row of three seats that convert to a couch or bed for the purchasers’ comfort. We all know, according to Viagra, that moment can hit you anytime. This will be a blessing to “You Tube’ watchers.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

http://www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com/

Friday, October 15, 2010

Square watermelons?

OCTOBER 15, 2010

I just noticed I am writing this while wearing my wedding ring. Normally, I do not wear it while preparing this column. We will see if it makes a difference. Perhaps my wife’s influence coming through the wedding ring will soften my opinions.

As early as next season, Americans may see a long-time favorite with a different look. Although the Japanese have had this innovation on a small scale for a few years, it is close to hitting the American grocery store produce section big time. SQUARE WATERMELONS are on their way. They will not replace the traditional round or oblong watermelon but they will be available. The fruit is said to taste the same and will be sold in seedless and seeded varieties.

If you are wondering why someone would mess with a popular staple like the watermelon, you do not have to look to far for the reason. Anytime a new idea or innovation is trotted out for no apparent reason, you only have to look at the money. Producers will save large sums of money in shipping costs. Square watermelons can be stacked for shipping and display. Whether or not the consumer will see a cost savings is another question. I would bet not with the explanation being the cost spent on research and development has to be recouped and the price would have risen if the savings were not realized by the producers and shippers. We have never heard that explanation before.

Remember when the Supreme Court decided corporations have a First Amendment Right to free speech. That was about a year or so ago. Legally, corporations have always been ‘citizens’. They exist, they can sue, they can be sued, they can be fined civilly, they can be criminally prosecuted, they can enter into contracts, they can make charitable contributions, they pay taxes, etc. The Supreme Court ruled they could fund and buy advertisements for or against a political candidate or cause. This right is unlimited.

Legally, this is the correct ruling. Corporations are affected by laws and regulations passed by the legislatures at the local, state and national level. “No taxation without representation” is a myth from the time of the Revolution. This was never a big rallying cry or cause for the Revolution but it fits here. Why should corporations be subject to laws and regulations without being able to express their opinion?

Political action committees, Unions, the ACLU and a few others have always been able to advertise politically. Now every corporation can do the same thing. A corporation can be formed to air commercials. Because of this Supreme Court ruling, we are seeing a plethora of commercials for or against a candidate or cause that were not legal two years ago. One problem being discussed is that a corporation can be formed with foreign money or seek foreign contributions for its political arm and that will not be public information. Corporations are private entities and do not have to allow public access to its books.

I think this is a good change. Unions have long had the power to exert influence over who is elected. Now corporation can do the same thing. I just hope the money does not get out of hand.

Originally, Republicans were for the change while Democrats were against it. President Obama caused a Supreme to react to a part of his State of the Union speech in January when he derided the decision in his speech. Since the change is now being implemented, it looks like it is a draw. The real winner is the Tea Party.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

http://www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Are Judges overpaid. The Kingdom of Sycamore.

OCTOBER 14, 2010

Weather forecast; Chile today, hot tamale! Way to go Chile, lead on.

The pictures did not come through yesterday. I hope you looked at them through Google. They are pretty neat. I have added a slideshow to http://www.lawyerbruce.blogspot.com/ and http://www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com/

If you get this blog by Email, go to one of the original websites I just referenced to see the purple squirrels. They are part of the slideshow. They are also listed below.

Illinois Circuit Judges get paid $174,303.00 annually. Circuit Judges are elected or appointed at the beginning, which is how most get started. Associate Judges make a little less than Circuit Judges.

Illinois ranks second in paying Circuit Judges in the nation. Appellate Judges are also the second highest paid in the nation. Supreme Court Judges are the third highest paid in the nation but they also receive free room and board in Springfield. Appellate Judges receive $189,949.00 annually with Supreme Court Judges getting an annual salary of $201,919.00, plus the room and board.

Overall, Illinois Judges rank second in the nation in annual pay, not including pension benefits, days off and staff. The average per-capita personal income in Illinois is $41,411.00. Illinois ranks 29^thin the nation in cost of living.

The room and board for the Supreme Court Judges consists of apartments on the third floor of the Supreme Court building. The apartments come with housekeeping, a cook, maid service and 24 hour security. They do not get a vehicle.

Illinois Circuit Judges are paid $39,855.00 more than similar Judges in Iowa, $43,908.00 more than Judges in Indiana and $49,701.00 more than Judges in Missouri.

Why is this relevant, other than the fact Illinois is broke? We have an election coming up where we will be asked to vote for a Circuit Judge. One of the candidates is from a law firm that three of the five current Judges were once part of. If we add a fourth, Judge Gallagher, who now sits in Kane County, it would mean that over $697,000.00 would be paid to former members of single Sycamore law firm, annually.

Judge Gallagher’s daughter is running for DeKalb County State’s Attorney, a job that pays over $150,000.00 annually. If she wins, adding that salary to the salary of the four Judges means the County of DeKalb will be paying former members of one Sycamore law firm or a close relative of a former partner, over $850,000.00 annually. It would also mean the City of DeKalb, whose only sitting Judge is retiring right after the election, would not be represented on the Bench. The largest City in the County would not be represented.

This is just another reason Tom Doherty should get your vote on November 2, 2010. Tom Doherty is more qualified than his opponent, has an open mind and he does not have a home field advantage in the Courthouse with a built in team. Nor should he have such an advantage.

This is also an important reason why Clay Campbell should be elected State’s Attorney. The appearance of impropriety is to be maintained under the legal code of ethics. That would be hard to do with the State’s Attorney having her father on the bench along with three of his former partners.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

http://www.bruceabrennananddekalbilandtheworld.blogspot.com/