Futurelawyer

The Assault On Free Speech Isn't About Politics.

Matt Taibbi Statement To Congress On The Twitter Files. Whether coming from the political left or the political right, the assault on the founding principle of our democracy - free speech, should frighten every American. Whether you call it Cancel Culture, or collaboration between social media and the government to silence critics who have different views from yours, censorship has no place in a functioning democracy. The fact that current censorship efforts come from the left makes them no less sinister than the censorship of the Fifties, and the communist scare. We will either be a beacon of liberty and the right to say unpopular things, or we won't. I stand with every American who supports the right of my fellow citizens to speak their mind. End of rant.

Thank God There Was No Internet When I Was In High School.

Cancel culture would have a field day with my high school class. Can you imagine what Twitter would do with some of the stuff we said in high school? We never said "Penguins walk funny"; but there were a lot of penguin jokes about the nuns. And, don't get me started on the priests who measured the girls' skirts. OMG. 

Most Of Us Are In The Middle Of This Catfight.

Stuck Between Two Parties. First, a warning. Bridget Phetasy (my new heroine) doesn't mince words when she discusses what we "normals" feel about the current division in our country. She liberally uses the F*** word; so, if that offends you, don't read her article. Second, I share her view that most of us feel like a kid in the back seat listening to a screaming argument between our parents in the front seat. We are terrified, and upset, and unsettled. But, after a while we are just angry. Why can't they just get along? The answer, it appears, is that someone is making a lot of money, and it isn't the rest of us. We don't have a banner bearer. Richard Nixon called us the "silent majority". So, we keep silent, and hope that the angry voices on both sides of the issues don't see us and go on the attack. I have often described myself as apolitical. I still am. But, now I am angry. Let's not be silent any longer.

#WhyIAmASolo - It Is Much Easier To Be An Individualist.

While it is a good thing to have empathy for others, and to do your best to help those who cannot help themselves, the choice of when to do that should not be dictated by others. Individualists built America. Individualists cannot help others until they are comfortable being themselves. It is much easier to find the freedom to be a help to others when you are a solo. Large law firms can certainly cultivate an environment in which all are encouraged to act independently; but, for the large organization to survive, some controls must be in place, or everything will lead to chaos. Solo practice has given me the freedom to act alone, the decide for myself what needs to be done, and the basis for the happiness that results when one is not a slave to any other person. 

#WhyIAmASolo - I Am The Only Annoying Guy In The Room.

Okay, those of you in BigLaw. Do you play annoying guy bingo at work? Oh, sorry. Do you play annoying "person" at work? Another benefit to being a solo. I can't be cancelled for something I say at work. One of my favorite things to do at work is to sit at my desk and say: "My favorite football team used to be the Washington Redskins". 

Remind Me Never To Say Washington Redskins Around Rat.

Rat is having too much fun being a Cancel Culture Warrior.

From The Washington Redskins (Chief Zee) To The Washington Commanders (A Pink Hog With A Helmet).

One of the oldest, and most storied NFL franchises has finally dropped off of a cliff of political correctness. I was a Skins fan from my youth, in Jacksonville, Florida, when the D.C. based Skins were televised in black and white to the entire Southeastern U.S. They were never champions; but, we loved them, and I grew up with them. When I reached adulthood, I flew into D.C. for games, and brought Jacquelyn and the kids to games. Their first exposure to the wonderful Capital city and the Smithsonian and its museums was on those weekends. The Redskins mascot, though unofficial, was Chief Zee, seen below, may he rest in peace. The logo was designed by a Native American, and it was a gesture of respect for Native Americans, until a vocal minority claimed they were "offended" by it. True to modern sensibilities, the NFL required the team to drop the name, and they were a No Name team until they became last year, the Commanders. Now, in the ultimate insult, the Hogs that symbolized the great offensive lines the Skins had in the Eighties and Nineties, has been caricatured into a smiling pink pig wearing a football helmet. All I can say is Thank God for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The symbolism on the big screen at Raymond James stadium is that of a pirate ship with murderous pirates, attacking and killing vessels filled with the opposing team in violent fury. That doesn't insult anyone, of course, unless you are a pirate in the Disney World ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, which removed the animatronic pirates chasing women around, from the ride, along with other politically incorrect images. This is virtue signaling run amok, and I refuse to play anymore. On a serious note, on the day after a tackle caused a player to almost die of a heart attack last night, and, in a sport in which players have developed serious brain injuries from constant violent hits in the head. perhaps the NFL should concentrate on the issue of player safety. Am I the only one who finds this a painful irony? 

We Are All Hypocrites.

Avoiding Disaster. Execupundit highlights a quote today that reminds us that, while hypocrisy in others bothers us, it is true that we ourselves act as hypocrites on occasion, and that society really can't function for long unless all are permitted to speak their truth without fear or favor. Opposing points of view are essential to the expression of a stable democracy. So, celebrate your hypocrisy and that of your neighbor. Listen and learn. You might be surprised at the result.

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Have To Avoid Controversial Subjects With An Interviewer.

Interviewing - Leave The Dad Jokes At Home. I can tell Dad jokes anytime I want. I don't have to moderate my humor or my language in a job interview in order to work for a salary or wage at a company controlled by someone else. This advice is in the linked article: "The first thing to keep in mind is to avoid controversial topics, as well as self-deprecating jokes. However, showing that you have self-awareness and can laugh at yourself is key. Consider using humor relevant to your industry when discussing a lesson learned in a past position." Are you kidding me? If you are having to worry about offending a prospective employer in a job interview, maybe you should reconsider that or any other such employment. It is still possible to go solo as a lawyer right out of school. In fact, it is probably easier, since you don't need a lot of overhead expenses. With computers and the Internet, you can practice law out of any space. I do it in an old house converted to an office, in a home office that used to be a garage, and in an RV. I remember, in the early days of computing, practicing law in a laundromat at Yosemite National Park. I connected a 300 baud modem to the handset on a payphone, and sent an email. I have crawled under beds in motels to connect a computer to the RJ-11 phone jack. I hate to be the guy who talks about walking miles to go to school ;but, be aware that you really don't have to get a job to be a lawyer. Sure, you might make a lot of money; but, if you have to dial back your personality and soul to get the job, you have lost something more important than money. Just sayin'.

 

Maybe We Need A National Registry Of Things We Are Offended By.

We have become a nation of wimps and weak minds. It really offends me to see everyone playing some kind of victim. Call it reverse offending. But, instead of seeking to ostracize or cancel those who offend me, I celebrate them. They are my brothers and sisters. Just because they are idiots does not mean I should shun them. To the contrary, I embrace them as poor souls who have not yet seen the truth. So, bring on your idiots, offended persons, professional victims, and others who are unhappy in their lives. You might someday see the light.