First Monday in October...Hmm

Today in class, we viewed part of “First Monday in October” (1981). During the snippet from the film, we see Chief Justice Loomis confront Chief Justice Snow on the issue of him not attending a screening of the film “The Naked Nymphomaniac”. Loomis is a “staunch conservative” who fights and argues with Snow throughout the movie, and although they never fully see eye to eye, they eventually learn to respect one another.
My opinion… well I would have to see the whole movie in order to make a clear and thorough assessment, but I can tell you this from what I’ve seen, that woman is a menace! (Just kidding)… On a serious note though, she is very liberal, and I understand & agree with many of her points she brings up. It’s good to see someone protecting virtue and morality but at the same time, people need to have a right to express themselves, and though I’m not a fan of pornography, SOME of it I’m sure can be artistic… the human body is artistic, that’s why we have life drawing classes, and the people are naked! Though I’m almost sure “The Naked Nymphomaniac” lacks passion and creativity, some people somewhere would probably call it beautiful… I understand both chief justice Snow and Loomis’ points of view… my suggestion to the case or to the filmmaker would be to “clean it up” I’m not really sure on the laws of the time, but I would make him put plenty of “warnings” and “caution” and “notice” 18+ etc. splash pages on the beginning of the film…
People have a right to be conservative and not view material such as this, AND people have a right to be liberal and walk around their house naked, but I think that there is a difference between “unchecked” liberalism and “psychotic” conservatism. A nice warm middle ground is where I think America should set its sights. But wait, look at the liberalistic, perverse, insane, absurd, disgusting, pathetic, dangerous, hypocritical, violent, turmoil that our country/world has become today… you fight a good fight CJ Loomis, but it looks like it’s all just gone to hell now… like Snow said, “So its crap. What if it is crap? That's not the point. Crap's got the right to be crap.”

ILLICIT: The Dark Trade

Honestly I’ve never purchased a “fake” bag or watch or anything of the sort… I have expensive taste and a knock off won’t do it for me. Walking into Louis Vuitton and paying $1350.00 for a signature tote like I did last year for my mother’s Christmas present is more my style. There is something about paying that much money for a bag that is ridiculous and thrilling all at the same time. Downloading music off Limewire on the other hand is something in the past I’ve been known to excessively abuse. That is until I discovered iTunes. When I bought my Mac it came with iTunes and I had an account with them… purchasing songs for a buck doesn’t seem that big of a deal, especially if I like the artist I will buy the whole album… because I’m lazy and I don’t feel like scouring P2P (peer to peer) sites or clients to find what I want. Knowing now about illegal trade and how it affects people’s lives I consider it a bad thing, and I would never purchase a fake because that would be supporting the industry. I know these are intelligent people trying to make a living and perhaps illegal trade does give people jobs, but at the same time, they are capable of finding other sources of income… to hear someone say that it’s the only way for them to make money, or support their family. That’s a “cop out” I firmly believe that people are right where they want to be in life, if they aren’t, they need to change it, or ask for help if they don’t know how… things like buying and selling illegally are dangerous no matter the product. And if you think you’re getting a good deal, you probably are, at the time… but what if your purchase goes to fund the creation of a bomb that blows up your city? In other countries it’s how they do business or, at least some of the time… I think governments need to come together to make an international organization that can have free reign over territories and borders to combat this illegal trade, that would make it faster for governments to catch and stop this activity… that and arresting key members to bring down crime organizations. The world needs to unite to stop this evil and make life a better and safer place for all.
thanks for reading,
-A

Smash Who?

“Smash me” doll… what a fun and interesting concept… according to the article I read, the Madoff doll is selling for $100.00 and although it seems like a lot of money to invest in someone you hate/hates you… I’ll bet the satisfaction is well worth it.
So let’s see here, if I were the makers of the doll, I would sell it for around $25.00 just ¼ the cost of the Bernie Madoff doll, but then again, I’d probably sell more. I would have a gallery of popular historical and political figures to choose from and these dolls would sell for 25 bucks. Hammer not included… the mallet would cost an additional $30.00 but if you didn’t want to purchase that, I’m sure the clever minds of the wronged could think of another beautifully disastrous way to destroy their pint-sized figurine, ex. Lighting it on fire, using a chain saw, running it over, etc. there would also be a custom feature where the client could upload a picture of the hated, and with 1-2 weeks delivery time they would have a little mini minion sitting around just waiting to be pulverized. The doll would be durable so that you could spend the afternoon, or however long it takes to destroy… that way people would feel like they’ve got their money’s worth.
Spotlight figures would be, Chris Crocker because of how annoying he is, Jerry Springer, because of how he’s such an instigator and ruins the lives of people who are already messed up… let’s see, what else… oh yes let’s not forget Osama Bin Laden, and Saddam Hussein. As well as the current president and the past presidents for the last 30 years, nothing personal but not EVERYONE likes you…um, I think we should let this go now, before I get carried away…
One can only hope that soon though, somebody finds a “healthy” outlet for their anger, maybe people would quit killing one another, they can just smash a tiny replica… then, your only out 25 bucks and not 25 years to life…
Thanks for reading,
A

"Used Cars" – Crime List

Group Members: Aaron – Clint – Mike – Lilane
The following is a list of all the crimes i could find thoughout the scenes of "Used Cars" im sure there are more, but this is what my team and i came up with:

Misrepresentation - bragging about having a mile of cars
Slander – the men misrepresenting the woman
Framing – the men made it appear the woman was using false pretenses to obtain business
Modifying records - the unauthorized editing of a commercial
Violation of copyright laws – unauthorized use and modification of protected video feed
False advertising (forgery) - numerous accounts
Assault – teacher slapping the main character
Threatening – teacher threatening to “teach a lesson”
Vandalism – breaking the mirror
Harassment – man going around emptying salt and disturbing the peace
Theft (from the house where the man was sleeping)
Lying under oath - saying, “yes” to having a mile of cars
Bribery (paying people off) - buying a politician
Sexual harassment – “coping a feel” while helping the lady down
Driving without a license – 250 student drivers NOT occupied by a licensed adult
Speeding – 250 cars exceeding 20+ over the speed limit
Following too closely – numerous accounts
Driving without proof of insurance - 250 accounts
Operating a vehicle with no registration - 250 accounts
Reckless Driving - numerous accounts
Reckless Endangerment - numerous accounts
Failure to use turn signals – numerous accounts
Failure to yield – numerous accounts
Fleeing the scene of an accident (hit and run) – accident with the cop
Assault – fighting in the backs of the trucks
Attempted Murder - numerous accounts
Driving on the wrong side of the road – highway scenes
Using water based paint (laws and regulations) – against safety for chemical reasons
Contempt of court – arguing with the judge
Illegal crossing of railroads – jumping the tracks
False advertising – to the old woman
Deception – to the old woman

"Grand Theft Auto" Lawsuit

In July 2005, Florence Cohen who is 85 from New York was upset when she purchased a copy of “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” for her 14 yr. old grandson without knowing the game contained un-lockable sexually explicit scenes. She brought charges against the makers of the game “Take-Two” and “Rockstar games”. The game itself had been rated M for Mature, by definition means the game can only be purchased by those that are 17+. Florence Cohen then attempted to turn the case into a class action lawsuit, encouraging anyone who claims to be shocked and or offended by the hidden content to jump on board. Accused of being engaged in false, misleading and deceptive practices, Rockstar Games and Take Two Interactive regret that consumers may have been exposed to content that was not intended to be accessible in the playable version of ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’.

Personally I feel as though this grandmother had no right to file suit against the makers of a well-known “provocative, and or damaging” video game. She must have known, not only by the rating of the video game, but also the scenes and graphics covering the packaging that this video game would not be suitable for a 14 year old boy. I think it’s interesting that her problem was not with the fact you can run around, swear at people, shoot them, run over them, steal things, or become involved with organized crime; but the fact that there was some sexually explicit material. COME ON!!! Kids will learn about sex, and sexually related things from school, friends, parents, television, and yes… shocking but also video games. I DO NOT think that she had a right to sue these companies, because to be honest if you have a video game that involves violence, drugs, killing, you absolutely have to have sex… it’s seriously almost a vital part of a degenerative game. So, my statement to the old lady, “who cares, your grandson is going to see death, drugs, violence, and tits throughout life… get used to it!!”

Thanks for reading!

Megan Meier - MySpace Tragedy

Today I heard about Megan Meier, a 13 year old girl who committed suicide after an on-line breakup with a fictitious boy named “Josh Evans”. The fake account was created by three women; Lori Drew, Ashley Grills, and Sarah Drew. Sarah and Megan Lori who is 49 years old was convicted of three misdemeanor charges of unauthorized access to computers. The parents of late Megan Meier, Ron and Tina stated they have received no apologies from the women who are responsible for Megan’s death. “They’ve absolutely offered no apologies,” stated Ron, and they seek justice. “Although the drafters of the federal constitution were men of vision, they could not, of course, foresee the changing needs of our country and its people in the years to follow.” (Essentials of Business Law, Liuzzo, pg. 5) the board of aldermen in the Meiers' hometown, Dardenne Prairie, Mo., passed a law making Internet bullying a misdemeanor in the town, and apparently Lori Drew faces a possible sentence ranging from probation to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine for each misdemeanor count.

In my own personal opinion I think this woman should be shot. What kind of 49 year old immature “bitch” would do such a thing to a 13 year old girl?! This story makes me so angry, to know there are low life, petty, disgusting, ADULTS in this world who like hurting younger innocent people. I feel as though this mother and her daughter had no business bullying Megan, they were both aware of her fragile mental condition, they were aware she was depressed and taking medicines, and to inflict emotional distress on a suicidal person is just stupid. “Both ethics and morals are concerned with standards of right and wrong.” (Essentials of Business Law, Liuzzo, pg. 19) How could they have not known the outcome of their childish, stupid acts! I am outraged and I sincerely hope these women pay for destroying a family, ending a life, and causing grief to the remaining family members.
Thank you for reading,
Aaron Taylor

What do you think of lawyers?

My opinion on Lawyers… well, I believe lawyers are misunderstood people, most of them striving to do well in society, trying to protect people and help those who need representation. The world is a mean place, and without the legal representation of a lawyer, most people would be “overrun” by the government, and other people. Personally I have not had to “deal” with a lawyer, but when I was a young child, I was fascinated by courtroom movies, where a man, or woman would stand and speak with passion… and the entire room would listen to them! They have meaning and bring justice to those who deserve it. Personally I think we should all be thankful for having lawyers around, it’s not like an average person can walk into a courtroom and do what they do… besides the fact that they can dominate a courtroom, and eloquently persuade a situation, most of the time lawyers are found researching, reading and writing, sitting behind a desk… its only about 10% of their time can they be found in the court room. So, the next time you want to bad mouth a lawyer, think about what would happen if you were in the Bellagio hotel, and slipped while exiting the shower, there were supposed to be non slip, grip pads on the bottom of the tub, but there weren’t. Would you sue for your broken hip? Who would you call? A lawyer… so, to summarize my opinion… I think lawyers are very useful members of society, and I also believe they provide a great service for the public… the day might come when I will need to call on a lawyers help, and probably the same for you!
Thanks for reading!
Aaron