Monthly Archives: January 2011

Boomers as Civic Elders?

Posted January 13th, 2011
Palma Joy Strand
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65 is one of those magic ages here in the U.S.  We drive at 16; we vote at 18; we drink (legally) at 21; we retire at 65.  Why?  Because that was the age at which full Social Security benefits traditionally kicked in.  As a result, 65 became the age at which the transition to [...]
Posted in Opinions, Uncategorized |( 3 Comments)

The New York Times Covers MacDonald v. Johnson

Posted January 11th, 2011
Shon R. Hopwood
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Last week I wrote about a case that Cockle Contributor Jacob Huebert and I are involved with that is before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case involves a Lawrence v. Texas/due process challenge to the application of a state sodomy statute. Today, Adam Liptak at the New York Times continues the discussion–the article is entitled, “A Place on [...]
Posted in Briefs, Supreme Court |( 2 Comments)

More Scary News for those Applying to Law Schools

Posted January 9th, 2011
Shon R. Hopwood
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David Segal published a piece at the New York Times today that started with this sentence: "IF there is ever a class in how to remain calm while trapped beneath $250,000 in loans, Michael Wallerstein ought to teach it." Guess how this Mr. Wallerstein ended up in such financial woes: bad stock investments, subprime housing, or toxic mutual funds? No. He went to three years of law school and now has no employment prospects.
Posted in Uncategorized |( 2 Comments)

Do Lies In The Courtroom Matter?

Posted January 6th, 2011
Shon R. Hopwood
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A few weeks ago David Hinkson’s unusual case made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court in the form of a petition for writ of certiorari. Hinkson was convicted by a jury for soliciting the murder of three federal officials. The conviction was a product of government witness, Elven Swisher, who wore a purple heart on the witness stand as he told the jury that he about his extensive combat duty in the Korean War. The problem was that Swisher had yet to join the military
Posted in Briefs, Supreme Court |( Leave a comment)

Radiohead Saved My Life

Posted January 5th, 2011
Paul Rinn
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I’m pretty sure everyone’s first exposure to Radiohead was their overplayed radio hit, “Creep” back in ‘93. Pretty and delicate enough for the softies, it had that big distorted chug chug, chug chug right before the chorus that was loud enough for the meatheads, and most importantly it was catchy enough for the masses. Couldn’t really understand what he was saying though. I’m a wino? I’m a wide-o? Sure as hell didn’t phonetically sound like weirdo but that’s what the lyric sheet claims. Either way it had all the makings of one hit wonder status that every other song from that half of the decade had going for them; destined to be played during nothing but nineties weekends on the Fourth of July and perhaps get poked fun at on those “I Love the 90’s” shows on VH1.
Posted in Opinions, Uncategorized |( Leave a comment)

Is Law School A Bad Investment?

Posted January 5th, 2011
Shon R. Hopwood
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It used to be that attending law school was about the best investment a young adult could make. The JD degree provided security and employment opportunities far surpassing many other graduate degrees. Oh, but the times are a changing. Lately, the blogosphere is chalk-full of caution to those considering a legal education.
Posted in Law School |( 2 Comments)

An Illogical Treatment Of Sex

Posted January 3rd, 2011
Shon R. Hopwood
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Last week, CockleBur contributor Jacob Huebert filed a petition for writ of certiorari in MacDonald v. Johnson. [By way of full disclosure, the Petitioner’s wife contacted me several months ago about assisting her with the Supreme Court filing, and I in turn reached out to Jacob who, fortunately for the MacDonalds, took the case on a pro bono basis.] In the petition, we ask for the Court’s review in part because the Commonwealth of Virginia continues a practice of randomly enforcing its sodomy statue.
Posted in Briefs, Supreme Court |( 2 Comments)