Thought on IL

I like Illinois. It has some great physical features like waving corn fields and wide meandering rivers. Chicago is one of my favorite big cities; it lacks the arrogant ego of eastern cities like New York and Boston and doesn’t try to hard to be unique like most Western big cities. Chicago doesn’t try too hard to be anything, it just is.

Most recently, the Land of Lincoln has given an incredible political scandal. Not only is the idea of a governor selling off a U.S. Senate seat so incredible, the events after the announcement have been anything but predictable and yesterday, the Governor made a move on the chess board that is nothing less than incredible.

Governor Blagojavich appointed someone to fill Obama’s seat in a move that lead many to call him defiant. Although you might be quick to say such a move by the Governor is just another example of how crazy this man really is and it does but it proves he’s crazy like a fox. In fact, just the fact he was given the opportunity to do so stems from the same political incentives that made Blago try to sell off Obama’s seat in the first place. Instead of quickly acting to set up a system of electing the replacement directly, the Illinois legislature has sat on their hands. Why? Personal positioning. Just like Blago trying to make sure he was well set up with the Obama seat, the legislature was worried that leaving the decision up to the people could put their own (personal or political) chances of getting the seat or at least keeping it Democratic. Paralyzed by politics, the legislature didn’t act, keeping the window for Blago to appoint whoever he wanted wide open. The legislature left the Queen open for the taking and the governor took, we should not be surprised.

The only part that kind of surprises me is that the Governor chose a political ally to fill the seat. Had I been in his position, I would have appointed a political enemy. Knowing that any pick made would be toxic, why not kill off someone who has upset you by poisoning them by association with yourself. Oh well, he took the less creative route. What happens now? Legal battles left and right. The Senate Dems are saying they won’t seat the new appointee but can they legally do so? Rejecting a member has been tried before and failed before the Supreme Court. Is this different because he’s not elected by the people? Isn’t it the people who have decided this is the process they want for choosing such a replacement? So, three cheers for Illinois, you’ve given a political scandal with surprising moves at each turn and have opened up the possibility for legal battles in a realm the judicial branch doesn’t like to dip into to – politics.

2008: A Look Back

Cheesy? Overdone? Sure but there isn't much going on except visiting friends and family so here it goes. The highlights of 2008 from The Daily Ross perspective.

- I got my first legal related job
- I received my first C grade since 5th grade math
- Barack Obama was elected president
- I went to Dallas for something not Scout related
- I hiked a lot in July
- I went to my first caucus
- Had a relationship that, well, ended
- Played lots of Halo to relax the mind
- Made new friends, lost touch with old ones
- The 2nd Amendment became personal
- The 4th Amendment kinda still exists
- I went to Disneyland
- I biked more
- I got serious about exercise and then a bit less serious about it
- iTunes came out with Genius
- I finally saw The Godfather
- I attended two weddings
- I opened up

What was 2008 for you?

Twas the Day Before Christmas

I'm smack dab inbetween two family Christmas traditions. Last night we had Pizza and Presents with my mom's mom & stepdad and tonight we have dinner at my mom's dad & stepmom's house. At the first one, we heat up a bunch of Papa Murphy's pizzas and all the cousins get an ornament from the Granparents. Everyone looks a year older than last and the young cousins are getting few and far between.

Tonight we'll go over to my other grandparent's place for chili and a gift exchange. The cousins under 18 pick names out of hat as do the parents/grandparents. This year we'll be having some extended family join us to help backfill a lack of little ones.

My sister (NOT recently engaged as some have reported) is missing her first Christmas with us to be with her boyfriend's family up in Washington. It's kind weird but good she is at least spending the holidays with someone she loves.

Tomorrow will be a bit light on pomp and circumstance. With our oldest dog recently passing away and the sister away, it will just be me, my parents and our other dog. Because we were in Disneyland for the week before tomorrow, there was no logical reason to get a tree nor is there a lot of extra cash laying around to fill its underbelly with gifts. It will be a completely unmaterialistic holiday around here this time, and that's just fine with me.

Disney Vacation: Part II

I have a blister on my big toe and my left ankle is a bit sore. This means Disneyland was done just about right. Too little and there would have been no physical evidence; too much and I would have trouble walking or staying awake.

We hit all the rides at least one more time. The park was surprisingly empty - I think the biggest line we stood in was about 30 minutes. We were able to see the Electrical Parade and Fantasmic during the second half of our journey.

The drive back was long. There was rain and traffic in LA, then a dry and fast spell through the valley. Once we hit Auburn and things were looking good, we thought we were in good shape. Our prediction was proved wrong just as quickly as the traffic went from 80mph to stop and go one lane snowy driving from hell. People stopped in the slow lane to put on chains or just panic. We slowly climbed the snowy summit and started our descent in Truckee and then the little canyon towns and finally Reno.

All and all it was a good trip, a nice break from the high intensity of finals and a good way to wind down before the craziness of the holidays leading up to the beginning of next semester.

A Disney Vacation: Part I

We arrived late Thursday into LA and checked into our hotel, had a late dinner, and then crashed. The alarm started beeping at 6AM. I crawled out of bed, hopped in the shower and got into park clothes. The other 3 people (my sister, her boyfriend and my friend Travis) then woke up and got ready to rock and roll. It was a little after 8 before getting into the park.

It was then a wild whirlwind tour of the alleged Happiest Place on Earth. At about 10 it was time to hop on over to California Adventure for the Hollywood Tower of Terror, some lunch at Award Weiners and Katz v. U.S. photo opportunity. After lunch we strolled over to the California Screamin' and the new Toy Story Midway Madness (it rocked). At about 3 we went back to the hotel for an afternoon pit stop, grabbed some food and then it was back to the park until it closed at midnight.

Today we started at about the same time and did all the little kid rides at Fantasyland as we waited for two members of our party who were a little late. Once they got there we took a tour of the castle and at the scene where the prince wakes Sleeping Beuaty, the guy who was late dropped to one knee and asked his girlfriend to marry him. Without hesitation or equivocation, she said yes. Since then we've been swapping back from park to park with lunch at ESPN zone. It's now time for a quick afternoon break before hitting up the park later this evening (I also need to get my WLO assignment done).

More to come from the concrete jungle...

Back in the Silver State

I've just returned to beautiful Reno, Nevada. I had a quick lunch at the Pub N Sub and am now reading my case for Willamette Law Online. I have to take care of some supply needs for my upcoming trip.

Tonight there will a small number of family and friends over for dinner and then I'll need to pack for tomorrow launch. At around 10 we're heading for Disneyland. It should be a hell of a drive.

It's just as snowy here as in Salem. However, the sun shines here and people know what it means to be tough on the road so the driving situation is far less ridiculous.

Post to resume tomorrow from the Happiest Place on Earth.

Let It Snow

Today I returned to work after the crazy time-warp that is finals. I drove because there was a few inches of new snow on a sheet of ice. Salem and Portland schools were closed today - with a few inches of snow. I have only one word for that: wussies. Where is the delayed start or just good ol' western toughness. It snows a little bit and everyone runs around like chickens with their heads cut off. My only regret is that my classmate from Truckee can't be here to see these Oregonians deal with a little bit of the white fluffy goodness.

As it snowed last night it finally felt like winter/holidays and recharged my batteries (of course that might have been from the weekend of doing nothing and not feeling guilty about it). It's nice to have here in the valley a vivid reminder of how great the mountains are. I spent the last two weeks cooped up studying so the snow was a welcome reminder of that distant friend, the out-of-doors.

It was nice to return to work with actual law stuff to do rather than read a fact pattern and write like crazy. I worked on some policy language in the morning, had lunch with a friend at Willamette and then back for contract research and a rule hearing. Tomorrow will be my last day before heading home to Reno for The Daily Ross Winter Break Tour 2008; watch out, it's going to be wilder than ever.

Professor Rankings

Now that finals are over, I can also release my newest professor rankings.

If I had to rank the professors based on effectiveness of the class and fairness of the final, this is how I'd rank them. Please note for the most part it's a tight grouping without much difference in some places. Oh, and if you disagree, please post a comment.

1. Standen
2. KCP
3. Runkel
4. Morris Collins
5. Green
6. Jacobson
7. Diller
8. Wise
9. Dobbins
10. Appleman
11. Tamayo
12. Richardson
13. Smith
14. Williams

Winter Break Is On

Finals are over - for me at least - and it's time to start the winter break. Thanks to no need to study over the break my posting will return back to regular and thanks to my friend Travis, I've got a sweet new blog banner for the holiday season.

What are you doing this winter break?

Final: Con Law II

Final: Criminal Procedure

Final: Administrative Law

Final: Evidence