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Published on: June 19, 2009

Elisor, Desuetude, Misprision: huh?

By Laura Orr

As is the case for any vocation or avocation, the law is filled with Words that make us go huh! in the night (but not with this huh and surely not to be confused with d’oh, unless you use the Word incorrectly while speaking to a judge in a crowded courtroom).

We’re not talking about those legal Latin words and phrases that can make even (especially) legal writing gurus, who usually favor plain speaking and writing, roll their eyes.

There are many law dictionaries in the wide world of the web and there is a new edition of Black’s Law Dictionary on the horizon (the 9th, to be precise, though I sincerely doubt it will have the impact of Beethoven’s 9th symphony).

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Published on: January 12, 2009

Oregon Robot Theft (kidnapping?)

By Laura Orr

Poor little robot! First it’s stolen (kidnapped?) and then it’s drowned (murdered?)

“Update (January 11, 2009): Deputies Recover Stolen Robot
PIO: Sgt. Bob Ray

On January 11, 2009, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies recovered a stolen robot from Commonwealth Lake in the Beaverton area. The robot was under water and the owner considers it to be severely damaged

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Published on: December 24, 2008

“When pizzas are outlawed only outlaws will have pizzas”

By Laura Orr

Another reason to read Bruce Schneier on Security – the (often) dark humor of the people who Comment on his blog. See, for example, this post Food in Defense of a Crime and the Comments. (The Comment I quote in the title field was posted at 7:44 on 12/22/08.)

Published on: October 3, 2008

Do You Need an Umbrella Today?

By Laura Orr

What a great blog! Umbrella Today?

Who said blogging had to be complicated, at least not in its presentation, though, maybe (often) terribly complex in its execution.

Thanks to Tom Mighell’s Inter Alia for the link to a great laugh and charming blog.

Published on: September 26, 2008

Cheap and Efficient Bus Travel, on the mid-Atlantic Corridor No less

By Laura Orr

Great story from the NYT about bus travel: Jet Set, Meet the Bus Bunch

AALL will be meeting in D.C. next year – how about some side trips to Baltimore, Philly, New York, and Boston?

Published on: August 20, 2008

Glazed and in Free-fall: Insurance Companies in Receivership

By Laura Orr

PI BUZZ brings us their Database of the Day: Insurance Providers Receivership Information

You have to laugh because PI Buzz’s Tamara hits it right on the head when she says:

“Before your eyes glaze over, your head goes into free-fall, allow me to point you to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) database of insurers who have been in receivership. This newly initiated project to get all state insurance commissioners to supply data on insurance providers licensed in their states, now contains historical data and will expand to include balance sheet information of active receiverships….”

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Published on: August 12, 2008

Bedsworth vs. The (English) Horse He Rode In With

By Laura Orr

Bet you thought I forgot Bedsworth this month. I did! (It’s been some month, I tell you.) But here he is, in all his robed and wigged glory:

Next Step: Ruby Slippers, by Justice William W. Bedsworth: “British judicial attire will change come October; Beds likes the changes.”

Published on: June 9, 2008

July 1st Start Date for New Oregon Driver License Rules

By Laura Orr

New rules for Oregon Driver Licenses and IDs from DMV:

“As of July 1, 2008, all applicants for driver licenses, instruction permits and ID cards – including renewals and replacements – must provide proof that they are citizens of the United States or are in the country legally, in addition to other requirements…” (link)

Published on: June 3, 2008

Plum Book, Red Book, Blue Book, Pig Book

By Laura Orr

You’ve heard of the Plum Book, the Red Books, the Blue Books, but have you heard of the Pig Book (no, not this one)? Read on, from beSpacific about the Congressional Pig Book, with a link to the Complete Pork Database.

Published on: May 26, 2008

Three Varieties of Hardboiled Oregon Lawyer: Kroger, Margolin, and Wax

By Laura Orr

Three Oregon attorneys have new books out (two reviewed this week in the Oregonian and elsewhere and one on the verge of release):

1) John Kroger, “Convictions.” Oregonian review, “Oregon AG candidate’s book shows zeal as NY prosecutor, “ Sunday, May 25, 2008, by Steve Weinberg.
(Local readings at Powell’s Books.)

2) Phillip Margolin, “Executive Privilege.”
Oregonian review, “An election to die for,” Sunday, May 25, 2008, by Holly Johnson. (Local readings at Powell’s Books.)

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