Ginsburg and Feminism

Ginsburg and Feminism

Shows how hard work in a dignified manner usually gets more things done. Ginsburg really fought hard against the old mentality of this country, and has accomplished a remarkable amount!

A Dedication: Gustavo Cerati

There have been few musicians in the world more influential than Gustavo Cerati. The early jazz artists of the 20th century expanded so many borders, then the early rockers of England made a huge impact, and of course followed the American and British rockers of the mid-twentieth century; but few have truly put a stamp on the twentieth century music scene the way Cerati has.

From the beginning, his work with Soda Stereo took Latin America by surprise. He was the voice of the continent in the late 1980s and early 90s. After leaving the band in the late 90s, his solo work was monumental in shaping rock music even in the United States. His work Bocanada preceded the big electronic rock/pop fad. 

His music was my high school album. So many memories are linked to his songs, that I still get goose-bumps from his voice in En La Cuidad de la Furia, from Ultimo Concierto Disco A. What hapenned to him is extremely sad. He hasn't left us in body yet, but his soul is some where in music heaven. He will be missed, but never forgotten. His music will live in the memories of my generation.

Here are a couple of videos spanning a portion of his career (from Soda to Adios):

Sin Codificar - Los Wikipedia - Cumbia Gramatical

Tendrian que utilizar esto para ensenar las clases de espanol aca en EEUU...

Ohhh Brasil...

Ref Punches Player in Brasil:
http://www.as.com/futbol/video/arbitro-expulsa-jugador-le-da/dasftb/20100811dasdasftb_9/Ves

After giving the player a card, the player protests and is quickly met with "punishment". The ref leaves the game after being chased around the entire field! I'm surprised the players didn't seriously injure him!

Happy Secular Pakistan Day

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/happy-secular-pakistan-day/

It seems the founder of Pakistan believed in the country having secular roots. I suppose the current Islamists cannot claim to have the "intent of the founders". If only the current Christian conservatives here would realize that our country was founded with the same secular intention!

Player Injury Compensation

It is unprecedented that a player have to compensate another for an injury incurred during a soccer game. But that is exactly what Mauro Camoranesi (naturalized Italian in 2006) is being forced to do. However, one would imagine there is a statute of limitations on such a case. It appears not, as the incident in question dates back to 1994. The victim: Pizzo, who was left with these injuries: The medical report indicated ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament tear, lateral collateral ligament rupture, rupture of internal and external meniscus of the knee capsule, biceps tendon, nerves several, bruises and tears, being about to be severed femoral artery. He never played again. From what I understand, whatever team contracts the player is the one who continues paying for medical expenses. There are also player unions that pay injured players should they be unable to continue playing.

Do you think that Camoranesi should have been forced to pay Pizzo now in 2010, or even back then in 1994? Should players be held liable for injuries committed on the field?

Minimal Living

A recent NYTimes article culminated a slew of recent discussions and observations that I've had about minimal living. I know one person who is dedicated to beginning a minimal lifestyle, another friend who is moving to New York and will, out of necessity, most likely be living a minimal lifestyle, and someone who just returned from Portland (which has taken minimalism as a part of the their mantra). Yet it isn't very distant memory in which everyone was attempting to "beat the Joneses" in the race for the newest technologies and "things". There is no doubt that the recent economic downturn has forced people to change their spending habits and as a result of a more conscience awareness of the perils of credit, many people have been forced to change their entire lifestyles. Credit was the equalizer for the lower and middle classes, and it is now extremely reduced.


I wouldn't doubt that this trend is positive in the United States. It has resulted in more awareness of what we eat. It has hopefully reduced the number of people who drive massive SUVs. It has shifted the focus of spending from items to "experiences". Perhaps more Americans will travel instead of buying new cars and furniture; and if this is so, the entire dynamic of Americans' culture could become more worldly in the long run. My great aspiration is that more people begin biking!


But are there downsides? Yes! I have at many times been a defender of consumerism. This stems not because I like to buy a lot, or because I am blind to the downsides of Americans' spending habits (this economy has led everyone to see that extreme spending is not tenable). But the effects of consumerism can be extremely positive. For example, all these strip-malls that exist may be filled with stores selling pure crap, but they also have 24-hour medical clinics that can only afford to exist because of the low rent of strip malls. Technology has advanced so quickly, in part, because of the spending habits of the wealthy and gadget-geeks. There is a definite trickle-down in technology. Options that were once only available in high-end cars (MB, BMW, etc.) are now available in Hyundais because so many purchase new cars that technologies are now cheaper. Everyone can now own a 24" LED computer screen because so many produced that the prices fall dramatically. Will technology and convenience suffer if we "regress" into the past habits of purchasing materials?


I think that this trend is positive, and very desirable, but I would offer a word of caution to fanatics of any cause: moderation, less we would like to live back in the 1700s.


What do you think? Feel free to comment.

Legal Outsourcing to India

Legal Outsourcing to India


Junior Associates, and fresh lawyers, generally do the busy work for their firms. Tasks such as contract review, due diligence, and legal research take plenty of time, and if done by young attorneys still cost hundreds of dollars an hour to get done. 


As the economy has declined big corporations began pushing their general counsels and associated firms to become more efficient and reduce costs. Thus, there was now a demand for legal outsourcing. However, major law firms are beginning to enter the market. "The number of legal outsourcing companies in India has mushroomed from 40 in 2005 to more than 140 at the end of 2009." (NYTimes article) This is totally understandable if "outsourcing firms charge between one-third and one-tenth what a Western law firm bills per hour" (NYTimes article). Litigators and specialists are not in danger, due to legislation both in India and the US, these companies cannot give legal advice (and obviously not show up in court), but the bulk of the legal work can be outsourced. 


I love the idea. The idea that you can reduce costs and work load is awesome. Imagine just worrying about prepping a case and going to court, and leaving the bulk of legal research and contractual review to an outsourced legal firm. One independent attorney could now become competitive with a major corporate firm with an army of associates. I'm just a little nervous that it could inhibit me from getting a job out of law school. Can I jump 30 years into the future as an experienced attorney?

Your thoughts?