StoneMtn

Ollie: I can only surmise various psychological motivations for his behaviour, and I presume it has something to do with finally accepting the reality that I have been trying to drill into his head for a year. I think he is coming to accept reality, and is blaming me for it, and hiding his head in the sand hoping things will disappear.

I will be asking the Court to Order him to pay me that money for my wasted time, and I'll almost certainly be awarded it.

is it ethical for you to be discussing this here?

I am intentionally not naming the parties. If I made it apparent who I was talking about, there could be a problem, but I will never reveal that.

He won't sign the the of notice of change of solicitors?

He won't do anything.

That's not a stupid question. I am prepared to argue this case, but I will not tell my client he will win if that's not what I believe.

Since I have given him my honest opinion, he surmises I have no "faith" in this action. That is true. I'd still vigorously defend it, though, if he really wanted me to. I'd just end up going down with the ship, but I could live with that.

Okay:

1. We can't discontinue, because we are the Defendant.

2. He doesn't want me to act for the same reason I don't want to act, which is that he doesn't think I have "faith" in his case. (That is true. We will lose. I won't pretend to have "faith" in something that is crap!)

3. I could send another lawyer from this office, but it's my responsibility. If I don't show up, I could face discipline by the Law Society. I have to go.

It's not a criminal matter. He'll just end up paying all kinds of money.

This so annoying, though! I can't believe what I am going to have to explain to a judge.

Uggggggh!

(Oh, and just to clarify ... I do occasionally enjoy being handcuffed, but not in this context. )

So, here is as good a place as any...

Would you believe that I have a client who I have been fighting with for months, and who has fired me from working on his file (thank goodness!) but he will not take the necessary legal steps to let me get off the record as his lawyer? This means that on MONDAY (ya, this Monday!) this guy has a trial happening, and the Court is expecting me to be there and argue it. The problem is, I've been told unequivocally by the client that I'm not allowed to represent him.

I am actuallly going to have to go all the way down to Court on Monday, dressed in full gowns, and explain to the Court why I'm leaving.

This is idiotic!

I also have to wonder (and I have not looked at the case, so I don't know what was argued) whether it is found to be relevant that this is occurring in Alberta. It gets very cold there, and it could be argued that denying a person the right to drive, on the basis that they had to do something contrary to their religion to do it, is a denial of their basic human right to enjoy the ability to travel from their garage to their destination without being subjected to deathly cold temperatures.

Perhaps if the issue arose in Victoria it would be a different answer than in Alberta?

Well, just to make sure you know what stage it's at right now, at the moment the decision stands that these people do not have to have photos. That was decided by one Court, and upheld by another.

Now, it's up to the Supreme Court of Canada to decide the answer.

Brad makes good points. I'm interested in others' views.

CHARTER: FREEDOM OF RELIGION, FREEDOM TO DRIVE

Alberta began issuing drivers’ licences with photos in 1974. Until 2003, however, an exception to the photo requirement was made available under the Alberta Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation, to people who objected on religious grounds. Such individuals were able to seek a non-photo licence called a Condition Code G licence. In 2003, the Alberta government passed the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Amendment Regulation, amending the original Regulation , thus implementing a mandatory photo requirement for all drivers’ licences. At the time of the change, there were 453 Condition Code G licences in Alberta. Fifty-six per cent of these licences were held by the Respondents and members of other Hutterian Brethren colonies. The Respondents sincerely believe that the Second Commandment prohibits them from having their photograph willingly taken. A number of the members have Condition Code G licences; however, with the amended Regulation in effect, the individuals currently holding these licences would be required to have their photograph taken upon renewal of their licences, resulting in a breach of their religious beliefs. The Respondents challenged the new Regulation on the grounds that it breached their rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Court of Queen’s Bench held that the amended Regulation infringed the Respondents Charter rights and could not be saved by section 1 of the Charter. The C.A., with Slatter J. dissenting, affirmed the trial decision.

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Alberta v. Hutterian Brethren of Wilson Colony and Hutterian Brethren Church of Wilson Colony (Alta. C.A., May 17, 2007)(32186) "The application for an extension of time and the application for leave to appeal...are granted."

If I remember correctly, Neil brought Sonic Youth and Social Distortion on tour, because his kid requested them. (I have no idea where I heard that, but I remember it from back then. I also saw those shows; Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa I think.)

Pffft. Clearly that person never listened to Neil's album "Arc". (Then again, I might be the only one who ever did.)

January 28 & 29, 2008

Phil Lesh & Friends

Crystal Ballroom

Portland, Oregon

Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 8:00 PM. All ages welcome.

These two special shows shall

commemorate the 40th Anniversary

of the first Grateful Dead shows

at the Crystal Ballroom in 1968.

GDTSToo tix with postmarks 11.28-12.1

Musictoday tix 11.28 @ 9AM PT thru 11.30 @ 3PM PT

Get Ticketmaster tix starting 12.1 @ 10AM PT

Tix also available at the Crystal Ballroom box office

Actually, today is the first time I've had a chance to really go through any of his tracks.

Sweet! I dig this guy.

Happy birthday

Basher: Did they allow actual cameras to be brought in and used last night?

This was sent to me by a guitar-playing lawyer I work with. I found a pretty decent Youtube clip, too:

I’m passing on a recent discovery. There’s a guy on YouTube called Fretkiller who has posted about 90 videos so far. He remains anonymous and all you can see are his hands and guitar. He’s quite amazing. Go to any of his songs, although I particularly like the way he does stuff from the 20’ and 30’s, like “Ain’t She Sweetâ€. He fingerpicks, flatpicks, covers folk, country, jazz, rock, blues and any combination thereof. He also has one of the best voices out there, deep and soulful, taking ownership of whatever he’s playing. His anonymity is an added twist that’s driving his fans crazy (and they’re all fans – not a single detractor). Most believe he’s a pro who’s playing with us and his voice is definitely familiar. You can also click onto his name and end up on his YouTube “channelâ€, where all 89 videos (and counting) are posted. Check him out. Inspiring.

Link

He had a rough day yesterday.

330: Songs on a Charity Album (specify album)

1. The Pretenders - Precious (Concerts for the People of Kampuchea)

2. Warren Zevon with David Lindley - Casey Jones (Deadicated)

3. George Harrison - BANGLA DESH (Concert for Bangladesh)

4. Bob Mould - Can't Fight It (No Alternative)

5. Pearl Jam - Leavin' Here (Home Alive)

6. Dave Bidini With The Scribbled Out Man - The Moncton Hellraisers ([At The Barricades - Vol. 1)

7. Rutherford Creek Collective - Floodloss (Watershed)

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

You are a wise chameleon.

329. Songs About Restaurants, Diners or Other Eateries.

1. Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Robins

2. Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant

3. Widespread Panic - Diner

4. Folksmen - Old Joe's Place

5. Billy Joel - Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

6. Was (Not Was) - Earth To Doris

7. Tom Waits - Eggs And Sausage

8. Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner

9. Bob Loblaw - Neon Rock Bar*

10.

11.

12.

* and that one is an official release, Brad, and I know there was some food to be eaten at the place.

328. Chilly Songs

1.The United Steel Workers Of Montreal - Out In The Cold

2. Bruce Cockburn - The Coldest Night Of The Year

3. The Rolling Stones - Winter

4. Bob Dylan - Winterlude

5.The Doors - Wintertime Love

6. Little Feat - Cold, Cold, Cold

7. Rheos - A Midwinter's Night Dream

8. Frank Zappa - Don't Eat The Yellow Snow

9. Grateful Dead - Cold Rain and Snow

10. Black Sabbath - Snowblind

11.

12.

I prefer the Jeff Spicolli version.