After two weeks the jury trial I was involved in was ended by the judge declaring a mistrial. With over a hundred motions before trial and multiple motions during trial it finally just was stopped as a mercy killing. The judge decided that he should not have allowed evidence about the driver's past driving and criminal history and that as a result he felt he had to grant a mistrial. The entire experience reminded me of a Kafka novel and and the daily…
I'm trying a jury case in Seattle which started last week and has proven to be a challenge. I am reminded, however, about the butterfly as I contemplate my trial. The adult butterfly lays eggs resulting in young caterpillars that begin eating without stopping for two or three weeks. They increase body size and change appearance. At the end of that time they bodies prepare to create a chrysalis or outer covering. They find a place on a branch and…
Lita and I survived the family cruise. Seven of the children, their spouses, children and even grandchildren made up a group of almost forty people who sailed out of Seattle on June 22nd on Princess Cruise liner Star Princess. We had the vesssel all to ourselves with only some 2600 other passengers with a maximum capacity of 3100 passengers plus crew. We traveled 2,338 statute miles round trip arriving back in Seattle June 29th. I was disappointed the vessel went out Juan…
On an early Friday morning, July 7th2000, my mother Mary Thelma Babarovich, died in her sleep at the San Juan Care Center. Her death was not unexpected. After all, she was born on December 28, 1905 and was ninety four years old when she died. She had been in failing health for some time. Her passing was, in fact, a personal blessing to her as she had been ready to meet her maker for some time. My sisters, Phyllis Ennes…
My grandfather, Nicola Luvera died in Anacortes on Independence Day, July 4, 1956 after living more then ninety years. My chief regret is that he spoke no English and I spoke no Italian so we never had a real conversation – only through my father's interpretation. Dad believed our family should speak English because we lived in America so my sisters and I never learned either parent's native language. My grandfather's story is one of courage and determination. After working…
Tom Donohue is the 74 year old president and CEO of the United States Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held since 1997. Thanks to his efforts the Chamber has been able to spend $136 Million dollars on lobbying Congress for laws favorable to big business. Of course, he enjoys the perks of his position. He travels around Washington DC in a chauffeured limousine and flies around the globe in a private jet. With a pay check of $5 million dollars…
Most Americans were shocked or at least surprised to learn about the extensive surveillance by the government of our private phone and Email communications. We learned of the full participation of Congress and of the Bush as well as Obama administration in condoning the practice. Those of us who voted for Mr. Obama (in my case two times) remember his previous words when running for office: “Mr. Bush…puts forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security…
We are back from Africa and it is good to be home. We left Seattle on Tuesday May 14th and returned to Seattle Sunday May 26th. Our Travel Route From Seattle to Dubai is 7403 miles and the flight takes 18 hours. After spending a couple of nights there we went on to Cape Town South Africa. It is another 4752 miles and it takes 9.5 hours to get there. After spending several nights in Cape Town, we flew to…
NOTE: My wife and I leave this week for Botswana Africa and I will not be posting for several weeks. Thanks for checking back ======================================================================================== I think many, if not most, Americans today see a total disconnect between the politicians in Washington and the American people. Americans generally see their leaders in Washington as overpaid and overindulged agents of special interest groups, the rich and the corporate powerful. CBS series “UnitedStates of Influence” demonstrates this. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20074813-503544.html The polls conducted reveal some striking facts about …
My wife Lita and I had the amazing good fortune to secure first class tickets on Emirates Air from Seattle to Dubai, leaving this month. Why is that wonderful? Because first class tickets cost $26,100 per person round trip and we are getting them free through our frequent flier miles. On top of that, this is not like most other airlines. The tickets include a complimentary chauffeur driven pickup at home to SeaTac airport. When we arrive a chauffeur driven…
