Forum

With the swearing in of President-Elect Obama coming next Tuesday, I thought I would ask a couple of questions: First, do people here think President Bush, Vice President Cheney, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and/or possibly others in the Bush Administration may be charged with violation of US and/or international laws for possible crimes, including possible violation of privacy laws with warrantless wiretaps, treatment (including possible torture) of alleged terrorists while under US control, or any other reason? Second, I have wondered if, in order to try to avoid possible prosecution under at least US laws relating to the above, if President Bush, very soon close to leaving office, may issue pardons for anybody who is thought to be at possible risk of prosecution. Then, he resigns so Vice President Cheney can become president for at least a few hours before Obama becomes president, and then he, in turn, pardons Bush? As for me, I do beleive there have been violations of both US and international laws, of which Bush, Cheney, Gonzales, Rumsfeld and others may be prosecuted. If the pardon scenario above was to take place, I guess that would immunize whomever was pardoned from prosecution under US laws, but I think they still may be prosecuted under international law. Does anybody else think this pardoning and resigning scenario may happen? I don't know, of course; but I have been wondering if it may happen. Any other thoughts on this? In our group, I think we need to keep any discussion we have limited to legal issues and opinions. I also posted this topic in the Open Discussion group forum. There, I think it is ok to also discuss this from the political perspective. Thanks, George

Hi the men of justice when will be the next battle. (the first one)

We have a team match getting ready to start against the Engineers group! Anybody else want to join in? We will lock our side in the next day or so. Here is a link: http://www.chess.com/groups/team_match.html?id=48468 Take care, and have fun! George

If you do, could you possibly email me on this site? I have a brief question for you. Kindest regards, Jon

Hi Bar Association Members! After a long time of searching, I finally found a group here for the medical profession: The Chess Emergency group. I decided to challenge them to a team match. Hopefully, they will accept. If they accept, it will be the doctors and other medical professionals, against us lawyers and legal professionals! Hopefully they will accept. If so, I hope as many of you as possible will join the match! Thanks! George

Hey all! I created a Chess.com Tournament for law students, lawyers, etc; join here! http://www.chess.com/tournament/1st-jurisprudence-open

Hey Folks, I'm going to be giving a lecture on basic chess principles at my law school in the not to distant futute. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good and easy to use chess demonstration program? I.e. something that I could easily drag peices around on or potentially export board snapshots to powerpoint? Thanks! Patrick

We have started a new vote chess game. Join us! Please remember: This is a 3 day per move game. We should discuss our move in our team notes section for at least one day before we start voting; hopefully, after having reached a concensus. That way, we will play a much better game. Thanks! Here is a link to the game: http://www.chess.com/votechess/game.html?id=14079

Well, guys, we just finished our vote chess game with Rapid Chess. It was a good one; although a bit difficult at times given the one day per turn time limit. Do you guys want to start another game? Only one at a time; if more, how many? What about time limits? I think having only one day per move is too short; maybe three days per move, so we can discuss the moves before voting. Thoughts? Thanks!

Just found out I passed! Too bad there's no market up here for entry level associates. Anyone have any thoughts on when this market is likely to turn around? I think I'm a pretty decent candidate for a position with a mid-size firm. I graduated with honors/wrote on a law journal/worked five years in real estate development (trying to get into a real estate practice). The good news is I've had a lot of time to improve at chess!

I just heard a very interesting question and thought this would be a good place to raise it: Where does the Federal Government find the Constitutional authority to require individuals to buy health insurance? I would imagine the answer lies somewhere in the commerce clause but I'm interested to hear everyone else's thoughts. P.S. Nancy Pelosi's answer to that question: "Are you serious?"

Here is a link to the match: http://www.chess.com/groups/team_match.html?id=16449

Here is the link to join: http://www.chess.com/groups/team_match.html?id=3432

Hi Everybody! Since currently most of the people here are law students, I thought it may be a good idea to start a discussion about what law school is like, preparing to become a lawyer, and how best to deal with that experience and preparation. As for me, I went to law school from 1988 to 1991. Here, in the US, under the usual program, it takes three years to complete the program and get a law degree. This is after one first obtains an undergraduate degree, which usually takes four years. So, the entire program of study takes seven years. After that, we need to take bar examination in order to be licensed to practice law in the state where we wish to practice; state by state. As far as law school itself is concerned, most of the first year courses are mostly the same basic courses: civil procedure, torts, property law, and contracts. After the first year, we are usually free to take electives depending on which area of practice we wish to pursue. Well, that is it for starters. Look forward to what others have to say! Thanks, George

Greetings, fellow Bar Association members, Our group received a team match challenge from The Sailors group. Time to play in our first team match! There are only three slots available, so unless they increase the number of slots, only two more people can join up. If the limit does not change, and others really want to play, I will withdraw to make room for whomever wants to join the team! Here is a link to the team match page: http://www.chess.com/groups/team_match.html?id=1229 George

I set up the first, intra-group tournament for our group. Here is a link: http://www.chess.com/tournament/1st-chesscom-bar-association-tournament All members should have received an invitation to join. If you need me to send you another one, let me know, and I will do so. I set up this tournament for a maximum of 12 people for now, in case other people join the group, and I can invite them to the tournament as they join. If, after a couple of days or so, we don't get any more people who want to join us, I can reduce the number of people for the tournament, and we can then start it as soon as possible. Also, I set up the games for one simultaneous game with each of the other opponents, for a total of 11 possible games at once in this tournament. I thought setting it up for two simultaneous games per opponent would be too many; partiularly if others join us. Also, I set it up as a three day per turn tournament. Hope that is ok with everybody. If anybody is too busy and needs more time, let me know and I will adjust it. Thanks, George

Greetings, fellow Bar Association members! We now have six people in our merry, little group. Sopan has suggested we get into a tournament. I think that is a good idea; now that we are getting more members. So, I wanted to ask you all, what sort of games would you all like to enter? Do you all want to enter team matches, group voting games, etc. Are there any particular groups you would like to play? I already received one suggestion from another friend of mine who thought we may be a able to get something going with an engineering group. I thought that might be a good idea. We could, perhaps, play against other groups of professionals, if there are any groups of doctors, accountants, teachers, etc. out there. It should be fun! So, what do you all think about all this, and what kinds of games would you like to participate in? Thanks, George