Monthly Archives: July 2009

The Telling Link Tags

Posted on July 19, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

Slashdot reports on Computerized Election Results With No Election:

“In Honduras, according to breaking Catalan newspaper reports (translations available, USA Today mention), authorities have seized 45 computers containing certified election results for a constitutional election that never happened. The election had been scheduled for June 28, but on that day the president, Manuel Zelaya, was ousted. The 'certified' and detailed electronic records of the non-existent election show Zelaya's side having won overwhelmingly.”

Which is indeed interesting.

And one of the tags the editors put on the story is …. “Florida2000”.

Posted in Florida, Internet, Law: Elections, Politics: International, Politics: US | 2 Comments

South Florida’s Quality Process Will Pick a Good US Attorney (This Time)

Posted on July 18, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

Southern District of Florida Blog has a good round-up on The US Attorney Interviews. We have a great panel and it is reassuring to read that it seems to be faced with a choice of several high quality candidates.

I just want to emphasize one large and one small point. The large one is the elephant in the room that the author of the blog post is too polite to mention: both the panel's questions and most of the answers are an at least implicit indictment of the tenure of the former US Attorney, now a law school Dean (apparently without tenure?) somewhere in this area.

The small point is that I was pleased but not surprised to read of the good questioning by panel member Justin Sayfie. Mr. Safyfie, now a big player in state GOP circles, was one of the best students I ever had. There are a lot of other very fine people on that panel, not least Georgie Angones from the UM law school administration, but it's especially nice to see former students not only doing well but also doing good.

Posted in Miami | Comments Off on South Florida’s Quality Process Will Pick a Good US Attorney (This Time)

Every Day is April Fools?

Posted on July 18, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

Wired.com, Danger Room (no kidding), Company Denies its Robots Feed on the Dead:

POMPANO BEACH, Fla.– In response to rumors circulating the internet on sites such as FoxNews.com, FastCompany.com and CNET News about a “flesh eating” robot project, Cyclone Power Technologies Inc. (Pink Sheets:CYPW) and Robotic Technology Inc. (RTI) would like to set the record straight: This robot is strictly vegetarian.

Surely this deserves a special place in the annals of PR damage control?

Posted in Sufficiently Advanced Technology | Comments Off on Every Day is April Fools?

We Appreciate Your Patronage

Posted on July 18, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

According to TaxProf Blog: Law Prof Blog Rankings, this blog remains #15 on the popularity list for visitors.

Page views have slipped to 17th, perhaps because I've been taking it very easy on posting while on vacation; indeed the ten days starting Monday should also be slim as I'll be abroad and then recovering from jet lag.

I expect things may pick up once classes start in mid-August, and I go back to the academic year's daily rhythm — there seem to be more interstitial moments in those days. Or more meetings. Or something.

Posted in Discourse.net | Comments Off on We Appreciate Your Patronage

Could Be Worse, Could Be Better

Posted on July 17, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the environment around here is not so terrible.

Shame about that global warming thing.

Update: More gloom on sea levels

Posted in Science/Medicine | Comments Off on Could Be Worse, Could Be Better

Australian View of John Yoo’s Class at Berkeley

Posted on July 17, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

Chasers War on Everything is a very funny, biting, satirical Australian TV show. Here's their take on John Yoo (Torture Lawyer) teaching at Berkeley law.

Posted in Torture | 8 Comments