Recent Articles

            As you faithful readers recall, we annually present a handful of our favorite Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest winners.             For you new readers, the Bulwer-Lytton Contest is named after novelist Edward George Earl Bulwer-Lytton who wrote many famous novels including “Paul Gifford” which started with the immortal words, “It was a dark and stormy night.” [...]

            Over the past century, automation, mechanization, and computerization have swallowed up blue-collar jobs on a monumental scale. This trend has largely been touted as “progress.” Economic efficiency. A boon for capitalism. A boost to the bottom-line.             Enter artificial intelligence (AI). White-collar workers are up in arms. AI is [...]

            In 2022 the California Legislature passed nearly 1,200 bills and nearly 1,000 became law signed by Governor Gavin. Here’s a sampling of some you may find of interest.             Minimum Wage:  The new statewide California minimum wage bumps to $15.50 per hour for all employers, a modest bump from [...]

            Lawyers need law. Shoot. It’s right there in the name. Without law, lawyers would be cast upon the public as a rudderless group of insufferable pontificators – arguing ad nauseum without direction or restraint. They would, in essence, become politicians. Wait…nearly a third of the members of Congress have [...]

            An estimated 4.5 tons of plastic cigarette butts are littered each year around the world. Many end up in oceans and lakes with deadly consequences.             Even the Philip Morris Institute admits that discarded cigarette butts are “one of the most littered items worldwide.” The Institute goes on: “There [...]

           Cruella de Vil and cats. They don’t like puppies. Who else doesn’t like puppies? Just about no one. That can be counted as a universal truth. Here’s another: Litigants who harm puppies lose. Judges and jurors are people. People love puppies. People do not love people who hurt puppies. You [...]

            California’s Recreational Use Statute, section 846 of the Civil Code, is one of my favorites. It’s a favorite because it often applies to our area where outdoorsy types use private property for lots of reasons, including fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking and biking. Any chance I get I throw in [...]

            Halloween is here. Ghosts, ghouls, and gluttons abound. Copious amounts of candy will be devoured in the coming days. A tradition with deleterious health effects. Save the children, save yourselves. Carrots, not candy. Let that be your trick-or-treat mantra. And…risk eggs raining down on your home while you rail [...]

            Ballots for the November 8th election have been mailed, and I am fielding inquiries from folks wondering when my annual election column will be published. Be careful what you wish for.             This year we are combining in one column a few statewide matters with local elections and Measures. I skip a local election [...]