Monthly Archives: September 2010

Privacy is a Key Part of Liberty

Lest you think there's nothing at stake when people decide how much leeway to give the government to search, question and monitor, here's Digby, Mission Creeps — The New Surveillance State, with pointers to two articles which when read together give you a good idea of the rather discouraging state of play: Glenn Greenwald, The Obama administration's war on privacy and a little case study, Daniel Rubin, An infuriating search at Philadelphia International Airport.

Posted in Law: Right to Travel | 1 Comment

Liberty Gets Used Up Only When Not in Use

For some interesting stuff about a US Citizen's almost-never-exercised right to remain silent when re-entering the United States, and the punitive responses it incites from our public servants, see Paul Karl Lukacs, I Am Detained By The Feds For Not Answering Questions and the sequels, 10 Brief Responses To 700 Comments About Refusing To Answer Questions At Passport Control and More Law: Refusing To Answer Questions At U.S. Passport Control.

Here's how it begins:

I was detained last night by federal authorities at San Francisco International Airport for refusing to answer questions about why I had travelled outside the United States.

The end result is that, after waiting for about half an hour and refusing to answer further questions, I was released – because U.S. citizens who have produced proof of citizenship and a written customs declaration are not obligated to answer questions.

* * *

“Why were you in China?” asked the passport control officer, a woman with the appearance and disposition of a prison matron.

“None of your business,” I said.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

Lawyers and others may want to read Split Circuits, N.D. Georgia Notes Split Re: Whether Use of Pre-Arrest Silence in Government’s Case-in-Chief Violates Fifth Amendment

(Found via Pogo Was Right, Pointer: More Law: Refusing To Answer Questions At U.S. Passport Control)

Posted in Law: Right to Travel | 4 Comments

The Package Saga, Round Two

package.jpgYes, it's what I ordered….but it's defective. One of the major features just doesn't work.

I've emailed the seller for an RMA.

Not sure if I want an exchange, or my money back and try getting it somewhere else.

I Am Not Happy.

Posted in Shopping | Comments Off on The Package Saga, Round Two

The Package Saga Comes to an End

package.jpg
The package arrived. At last.

Delivered MIAMI FL 33146 09/25/10 4:21pm

And it appears to actually contain what I ordered. So I can get back to blogging about other things, I suppose.

Posted in Shopping | 1 Comment

Where’s My Package? (VI)

No-Priority-Mail.gifThis is definitely hopeful:

All sorting has been completed at the delivery unit for today's deliveries at 8:59 am on September 25, 2010 in MIAMI, FL 33146.

Detailed Results:

• Sorting Complete, September 25, 2010, 8:59 am, MIAMI, FL 33146

Finally, the right zip code!

Previously:
* Where's My Package? (V)
* Where's My Package? (IV)
* Where's My Package? (III)
* Where's My Package? (II)
* Where's My Package?

Posted in Shopping | Comments Off on Where’s My Package? (VI)

Florida Bar Pass Rates 2010

Since I posted bar pass data in the last two years, I'll do it again:

Florida, 86.8%
Florida State, 86.2 %
Miami, 86.0%
Florida International, 84.2%
Nova Southeastern, 80.8%

AVERAGE OF ALL LAW SCHOOLS, 79.2%

Stetson, 78.8%
Florida Coastal, 78.8%
St. Thomas, 78.7%
Barry, 74.7%

AVERAGE OF NON-FLORIDA LAW SCHOOLS, 74.0%

Ave Maria, 64.0%
Florida A&M, 62.5%

Note that the top three schools are less than 1% apart. Note also that results are not as meaningful as they may seem, since they don't tell you how many graduates took out-of-state bar exams, nor how they did. Not to mention a whole bunch of other reasons.

[Update (9/27): Full stats including number of test-takers here.]

Earlier posts:

Posted in Law School | Comments Off on Florida Bar Pass Rates 2010