Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

Italian Election Corrective

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Michael Froomkin

There have been astonishing volumes of nonsense written about the Italian election. If you believed the MSM, ranging from NPR on over, you would believe the world was about to end, the barbarians were at the gates. It seems the Italian electorate has acted so terribly irresponsibly, by failing to vote for the austerity regime demanded by banks and currently tearing apart Greece. And the people they voted for – quelle horreur — they have no political experience. They could do anything!

How refreshing, therefore, to see a corrective: Invia i Pagliacci! Ci Devono Essere Pagliacci! [extended play]. Worth a look if you can stand to escape from the standard narrative now dominating.

Posted in Politics: International | Comments Off on Italian Election Corrective

Awesome Chart

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Michael Froomkin

Florida Rules Again! Slowest Voting at Eye On Miami.

One chart says it all.

Posted in Florida | Comments Off on Awesome Chart

POW!

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Michael Froomkin

Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a blistering statement today concurring in the denial of cert in Calhoun v. US. While agreeing with the Supreme Court’s decision on procedural grounds, Sotomayor — with (only) Breyer joining in — tore into the prosecutor in the underlying case for making an “argument[] calculated to appeal to the prejudices of the jury” and tapping “a deep and sorry vein of racial prejudice that has run through the history of criminal justice in our Nation.”

The statement is powerful stuff. Justice Sotomayor mercifully does not name the prosecutor in her statement, thus saving him or her a lifetime of Internet-search-aided indignity.

Posted in Law: The Supremes | 7 Comments

Down Again (Resolved)

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Michael Froomkin

Law school faculty email is down … and so is the UM Law web site. They did a big server move Saturday night, and all was supposed to be well by Sunday.

But it isn’t.

Since most law school workstations are set up to rely heavily on the network, I hear they are not working either.

You can contact me at gmail.com using my firstname.lastname before the @. Or you can wait like the rest of us.

Update (3pm): Fixed at last.

Posted in U.Miami | Comments Off on Down Again (Resolved)

Innocence Project Handbook for Law Students

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Michael Froomkin

By Sarah MourerCongratulations to colleague Sarah A. Mourer who has just published her first book, Working in Innocence Programs: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Innocence Work But Were Afraid To Ask.

Here’s part of the synopsis:

This book is written for anyone interested in the innocence cause. The problem of wrongful convictions is moving more and more into the public’s eye every day. This book is specifically written to guide a student or participant through an innocence program step by step. It covers everything from how not to get too worried about the clients to how to conduct a client interview. It really is everything you need to know to participate in an innocence program. It is also a valuable resource for those directing innocence programs or hoping to start one. It provides templates for forms and suggestions for best practices for procedures necessary to run an exemplary innocence program. It is a must for any student enrolled in a law school innocence program. It will help the students hit the ground running and allow programs to get help to the clients more efficiently. No other book on the market is available that encompasses all of the major issues for effective innocence work in one convenient place.

Posted in Civil Liberties, U.Miami | Comments Off on Innocence Project Handbook for Law Students

Guide to Coral Gables Candidates Forums (Updated)

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Michael Froomkin

…or is that Fora? Anyway, based on emails and comments to my earlier posting on the elections, here’s what I think I know about the schedule for candidate debates for the 2013 Coral Gables Commission and Mayoralty elections:

Ponce Business Association. To be held at Coral Gables Congregational Church. Doors open 6:45; debate starts at 7pm.

  • Thursday 3/7 Group 3 Commission seat
  • Thursday 3/14 Group 2 Commission seat
  • Thursday 3/21 Mayoral candidates

Latin Builders Association, 3/22 location Cancelled

Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. University of Miami, Bank United Fieldhouse Tuesday 3/26 6pm. All races. They say they are inviting questions to be sent to events@coralgableschamber.org.

Unfortunately, I’m going to miss the Group 3 debate on 3/7 because I’ll at an academic conference. If someone reading this — who is not affiliated with any of the campaigns — is planning to go and would like to volunteer to do a guest posting, please get in touch.

Meanwhile, my emails to candidates asking for issues statements has only borne partial fruit. Looks like I may need to follow up with actual phone calls….

Posted in Coral Gables | 2 Comments