Futurelawyer

National Vietnam War Veteran's Memorial Day.

While I served in the Army, I was in college and law school during VietNam's war years. Here is a shout out and a thank you to Robert J. Sisson and Larry McCarthy, both of whom are VietNam vets. I was in law school for three years at the end of the war, and never had to spend any time away from the U.S. Thanks to every vet who had to make the trek across the world. If you know a VietNam vet, say thank you today. They surely didn't get their due when they came home, and many didn't get to come home.

 

An Extra Hour Of Florida Sunshine Forever?

Daylight Saving Time (DST) was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. However, it was not widely adopted until the 20th century. The idea was further developed and implemented by George Vernon Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist, in 1895. He proposed a two-hour shift in time to allow more daylight for insect collecting.  In 1907, William Willett, a British builder, independently proposed DST as a way to save energy and increase leisure time. He published a pamphlet titled "The Waste of Daylight," and campaigned for the idea until his death in 1915. DST was first implemented during World War I as a way to save energy. Germany was the first country to adopt DST in 1916, and other countries soon followed. In the United States, DST was first used in 1918, but it was unpopular and repealed the following year. DST was reinstated during World War II and has been used in many countries since then, although its implementation and scheduling vary widely.

In the United States, the Senate, in a bill sponsored by my home state Senator, Marco Rubio, has passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which, if passed by the House and signed my the President, will make this the last change in time, and Daylight Savings Time permanent. So, keep an eye out this summer, as we might never have to push our clocks back and forth again. And, while Florida has always had plenty of sunshine, we will have an additional hour forever. You didn't lose an hour of sleep last night. You gained an hour of sunshine.

Technology - From The Stone Age To SmartWatches.

Moses had a stone tablet with the ten commandments. Georgia has a stone monument that serves as a compass, clock and calendar, and has instructions on how to rebuild civilization after a catastrophe. I have a SmartWatch that tells time, receives emails and texts, acts as a compass, clock and calendar, and accesses Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. I wonder if I could rebuild civilization with the wisdom on social media. Hmmm.... maybe monuments are good for something after all. That is, if they don't get torn down by some future social media junkies who think they offend someone. 

FutureLawyer's Blended Family In 1955.

This photo of my family in 1955 shows the merging of two families. My Dad died when I was 5, and my mom met my stepdad soon after when the nuns put my step-brother and I together when I arrived late to first grade in Jacksonville in 1953. My stepdad had lost his wife a couple of years earlier, and he had 3 kids. We ended up a family of six kids. It should be obvious which one I am. I still can't believe they paid parochial school tuition for all of us through high school. 

Remind Me Never To Say Washington Redskins Around Rat.

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

What Is Your Favorite And Most Useful Gadget?

Believe it or not, my constant companion, and something that is in my briefcase all the time, and my favorite and most useful tool, isn't computer or tech related. It is a pocket knife that I purchased many years ago at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, in Cherokee, North Carolina. This wonderful museum has, as its purpose,

“To  preserve  and perpetuate the history, culture, and stories of the Cherokee people.”

The native Indian culture of our country needs to be preserved, and its lessons are similar to Stoic philosophical belief systems. 

The knife has many uses, from saw to bottle opener, and, while I have a large knife collection, I love this little pocket knife the most. What's in your brief case? 

 

Amazing Live Footage Of Honus Wagner At 59.

Honus Wagner At 59. Every kid and baseball fan knows about the Honus Wagner baseball card. If you don't, look it up. Now, there is color video of Mr. Wagner, at 59 years of age, talking about baseball, and the changes in the game over the years, and actually hitting and fielding in batting practice. For any baseball fan, this is magic. Enjoy.

P.S. There are only 50 to 60 copies of the card in existence, and one just sold for 7.25 million dollars. "One of the world's rarest baseball cards was sold for an extraordinary price last week. The famous T206 Honus Wagner sold for a record $7.25 million in a private sale facilitated by Goldin Auctions, the company said Thursday.Aug 9, 2022"

Memories Don't Die If We Remember Them.

Ten years ago today, I wrote this paragraph about my grandfather's law school graduation photo, which has been on the wall of every law office I have occupied for the last fifty years. I still look at it every day, and give thanks I knew him, and give thanks for another day to live and do my best. 

"Marty Martin Georges (1889 - 1979). As I was leaving the office for court this morning, my eyes came upon a photograph that has hung on my wall for over 30 years. In a few months, I will celebrate the 100th anniversary of my grandfather's graduation from Law School. He was a great man, who never realized his dream of practicing law, losing his hearing in service, as an Artillery Officer, in World War I. He spent his career in the Post Office Department Investigations Division. This photograph, which I reproduce below, is my proudest possession. He is the handsome gentleman seated, legs crossed in the center, wearing his trademark bow tie. He graduated in June, 1913, and went to fight soon thereafter. I often look at this photograph, and remember that, in his later years, he was proudest of the fact that I followed in his footsteps and practiced law. We were the first grandfather grandson members of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. I also think of the other men in this picture, all long dead. What were their dreams, their aspirations? Are we living life, or treading water? This picture reminds me that every day is a gift. How are you living it today?"

#TBT - As With Every Other Human Invention, Fire Was Invented To Get A Romantic Partner.

Someone once asked me why I write poetry. I answered "to get girls". Romance and relationships with a significant other are the principal drivers of most human progress. Prove me wrong.

"If You Want To End War, You've Got To Sing It Loud".

I was reminded of Alice's Restaurant in a post by Cultural Offering, referring to Ray Visotski's blog post for Thanksgiving. Many consider it a Thanksgiving tradition, and play it on that day. My memory of it is as an anti-war anthem during my college years from 1965 to 1969. We were all subject to the draft, and sweated out lottery number drawing. I was an R.O.T.C. cadet in college, which was mandatory the first two years; but, in 1967, it became a lifeline. If I had to go the war, I wanted to go as an officer, and that required two more years of R.O.T.C. training. Upon graduation, the commission I received turned into a lifeline. I found it ironic that a military commission turned out to be the reason I avoided VietNam, when I joined the Reserves and received active duty deferments for the three years of law school. But, I digress. The horror of war, in which many died, was spared to the luckiest of us; but, the song's message, delivered at a time in which most Americans give thanks, still rings true today. I am sure that many of us carry survivor's guilt; but, we must let that go. Be thankful you are alive; but, remember those who have died. I love this version of the song, due to the art and subtitles with the complete lyrics. It may be an idealistic dreamer's dream; but, what if every person in the world sang it?