There's a myth in US culture that life depends entirely on personal choices. Were it only that simple.
TikiToast had a slightly different impression of him a few years ago:
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f28/keeping-it-simple-ben-stein-27292.html#post510728
I don't see any reason why being a jerk personally is mutually exclusive with providing wisdom, sound advice or interestingly framed scenarios as with the OP's post. History is full of examples of brilliant people that were deviants in many ways. The two may even be related but not necessarily always from a negative point of view.
True, but personal choices have a lot to do with how most people turn out... almost everybody I know are the the range of where you think they would be with the choices they made...
So the guy who always thought he should be given a job... who hated bosses telling him what to do etc. etc.... has three kids he can not take care of and has been living at his parents house nor working for the past 20 to 25 years.... his 'choices'....
When I was young, I was not interested in getting a good job etc... but then changed my mind, went back to school, graduated with honors... got jobs etc... and now have a good life... sure, there were times when things were not going like I wanted, but I would then make changes to (as my wife would say) 'reach my final destination'....
They (Maher & Stein) are both amusing, nothing more...The only problem with this is that Bill Maher is one of the world's biggest idiots, and he is nasty to boot.
Columbia undergrad, Yale Law School grad, lawyer, law school professor (recent professorial posting on this board notwithstanding), former presidential speechwriter and an entertaining speaker.
Maybe entertaining speaker, but what does the rest have to do with not being an idiot.
Are you wearing a "KICK ME!!" sign today, or are you just hoping that we'll help you add to your collection of lawyer jokes?Well, as someone who was denied admittance to Yale Law School, I'd like to think that it takes at least a modicum of intelligence to get in to the place. Otherwise it makes me a real big idiot!
Are you wearing a "KICK ME!!" sign today, or are you just hoping that we'll help you add to your collection of lawyer jokes?
Yale Law School, intelligence, lawyers, idiots... way too easy.
I'm always in the mood for lawyer jokes. I've been thinking about dropping the law license anyway, so maybe this will push me over the edge.
Think twice before giving up your badge, Fuego. I have known a few guys who did an ESR, by doing some services for other lawyers and other low prestige but reasonably well paid work. A lot better than McDonald's anyway.
It seems difficult to throw away a bird in the hand, especially if you could semi-ER to find a legal firm willing to hire you for a few extra hours a month of gruntwork in exchange for paying your fees.I don't really use the law license professionally. It is expensive and a hassle to maintain. 2 days of continuing education a year at a minimum.
It seems difficult to throw away a bird in the hand, especially if you could semi-ER to find a legal firm willing to hire you for a few extra hours a month of gruntwork in exchange for paying your fees.
Even more incredible are those who listen to so many clueless rock stars and celebrities about politics and other topics, assuming they have something worthwhile to say. There are exceptions, but they're a minority...One error people make is to assume they have something significant to say in an area where they are not experts just because they are smart and are very knowledgeable in another area.
Oh-oh Martha, you have just removed the justification of this board.One error people make is to assume they have something significant to say in an area where they are not experts just because they are smart and are very knowledgeable in another area.
Oh-oh Martha, you have just removed the justification of this board.
Ha
Martha, I believe you because of who you are.
But I am not a movie star. It is unlikely people will believe me just because of who I am.
Martha, I believe you because of who you are.
Which outcome would you like?
Not so easy. Partly it is because of malpractice issues. The firm would have to carry him on their policy. Their deductible may be pretty high (think $50,000 or thereabouts) and so he is automatically an additional risk. He would not be able to do legal work outside the purview of the firm. Continuing education and licensing is pricey and is a nuisance for a firm to monitor. He would have to be educated and monitored on all sorts of firm policies, such as trust accounts. Unless he is bringing in a significant amount of money he isn't worth the risk and the bother. It is far easier of him to go on inactive status.
I have kept my Minnesota license but I went inactive in other states where I was licensed because of these factors. In most states you can reactivate by taking a bunch of legal education courses and paying a bunch of money.