@QMS The judge that has gone all politics, all the time, has been as honest and fair as they come, the most admired judge in the district. Every attorney did a happy dance if their case landed in his court. Just a couple of months ago, I was present when he told this double win lawyer to just shut up and stop her argumentative bull shit. All at once, she has started winning all her cases. Whereas, her non-lawyer husband was not allowed to sit in the lawyer section of the courtroom, all at once, he sits where he wants, approaches the bench to make announcements, examines court files with the clerk, enters the prisoners from jail private room and negotiates plea bargains with his wife's clients.
When and why was the ban lifted and when did the judge start ignoring the statutes prohibiting this? IT IS ILLEGAL!Well, I am done participating in it. Let somebody else take it to the Judicial Conduct Commission to sort out.
I hope you have fun plans for your weekend, friend!

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It is sad you have had to restrict your practice due
to political forces out of your control. Your financial
and mental health are more important. Potential clients
will have to deal with fewer choices. That's all. You may
sleep better after all is said and done.
Thanks for posting today!

@Lookout Just last evening, JtC came to the back room to see the sunset with me. It was just gorgeous. He said that we have never vacationed anywhere that had a better landscape or view. And it doesn't cost anything, and doesn't require driving!
I saw a herd of 5 deer come grazing 3 times this week. I watched a female red fox happily trotting across the pasture like she owned the place. One afternoon, a swarm of squirrels showed up and ate, dug, climbed trees, and just had an hours long feeding frenzy. No laws broken, no cheating, no innocent child harmed!
Yesterday, I got an email from a woman needing a divorce attorney. She was given my contact info by our county judge who had come to my office the day before to discuss some real estate issues he was having. I want to step away with my reputation in tact.
Enjoy your weekend in The Holler, dear friend!

We all better get used to changing times cause they're coming.

Sorry about the injustice system. In a post law, post constitutional country, I bet it is difficult to practice law. Sorry for the difficulties. However, scaling back and enjoying your porch and wildlife isn't a bad alternative.

Take care, and thanks for the OT!

@QMS everywhere! I have carried full coverage auto insurance on 4 vehicles since forever. All at once, coverage increased by almost 50%! No speeding tickets, no wrecks, no claims, so wtf? I sold my second truck. The insurance coverage is now someone else's problem.An insurance inspector spent 3 hours inspecting my office. I had to get JtC to come and be interviewed because he had so many construction questions I couldn't answer.
All prior inspections were aerial photos and filling out a short form.
The premiums have risen by 50%.
Bottom line: I hear ya.

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Have you noticed how the 'price of living' has jumped?
Received a shock from my health insurance provider
(BCBS). The monthly premiums jumped from $8.80 to
$44.40 with the only explanation given that they cancelled
the plan I was on (without my knowledge) and automatically
stuck me in their 'premium' plan. This is on top of the $200
per month the govt. takes from my social security benefit. What
made it shocking is they stopped sending an invoice at the
beginning of the January, so they are demanding I pay about
one hundred bucks. For a worthless product. Screwed again.

@QMS What happened to me and my first husband was similar. The cops went undercover to somehow catch us being involved in the drug trade. The prosecutors made deals with my clients to plant drugs in my office.
We talked a lot about packing up and leaving.
My best choice is to stay out of the room when the dishonest judges come to town. Out of sight, out of mind.

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but it may have been before you became involved.
My dear old Dad was a judge, circuit and district, for
many years. Well regarded, except for the prosecutors.
They pressured him into plea deals which he mostly
refused. So the local cops decided to go after us kids in
retribution. It became dangerous, so I left the state.
As did my brothers. Ill eagles in justice. Oh well.

@enhydra lutris A friend I spoke with this morning was headed to his friend's acreage to plant some more vegetables. He said the Farmer's Almanac is predicting a drought this year. The acreage is irrigated with city water, which has doubled in price. Every tomato starter is pricey. Seed and fertilizer is pricey. Fencing is pricey. Products to repel or kill insects are pricey. Farming a garden used to be to save money. Nowadays, it is entertainment for people of wealth. Even the canning process uses electricity, water, and propane. In our hot summers, 4 hrs of watering is dried out in 24 hrs.
This recently breaking bad judge beat the incumbent who was under investigation for being a crook. That's how he won! 3 years later, he flipped to the dark side.
Whatever is going on, I want no part of it.
Johnny is mowing 9 acres pf pasture right now. He has overseen the landscaping and can mow it with a zero turn. No tractor needed. It is beautiful.
Enjoy your day, and may your garden grow, dear friend!

illegal legal machinations and suchwhat. You don't need that grief. Temperature slightly lower today so it will definitely be outdoor work today. Have to redesign/rebuild enclosure around one raised bed to make for easier access and permit very, very high trellising, which then needs to be built so I can get some indeterminate tomatoes in that bed. Morning farmers market plus special shopping for upcoming coastal run seems to have taken all morning, so I guess it's time for lunch.

Glad to heat that Johnny is in a condition to appreciate the scenery and such.

Be well and have a good one

@Pluto's Republic I saw that meme earlier today! Laughing twice about it now!
We are in new territory of nuttiness, aren't we?
All I can say is, keep your friends and loved ones close.
Have a great weekend, friend!

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....the cover of the Economist this week.

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