Some folks may be wondering about the result of my court appearance. The attorney I hired had an excellent reputation, and a price tag of $3,500.00 which I paid up front. While awaiting trial, he had a stroke and I was afraid that he might not be able to work. Fortunately he recovered fully. On the day of the trial, I was frightened and sweating bullets waiting for him to arrive. He had already earned my concern as he was very difficult to contact by calling his office. I had even resorted to faxing him on two occasions in order to check on his progress. I don't feel it is micromanagement for the defendant to be informed on the case. At any rate, trial day came bright and sunny, and my name was called before the court. Guess what? No damned attorney. I explained the problem to the judge and he gave me time to attempt to find the lawyer. My wife called his office from home, and after raising hell she was told he was "en route" and "held up by traffic". He finally arrived a prepaid hour later, and made the rounds of the courtroom, glad-handing everyone from the court clerk to the judge. He then spoke privately with the judge, and called me out for a conference.

Last night I happened to be channel surfing and came across what I thought was an embedded videographer doing a story on a forced entry of a Al Qaeda stronghold in Iraq. Typical army stuff, helmets, masks, flak jackets, squad level weapons, guys shuffling along in a camouflaged conga line, and everything available to blow away anyone that objected.

This is one of the most disturbing events in today's news.
Here in Florida, of course.
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=73902
Welcome to the police state.
Come on vacation

The lunacy of the UAE (Dubai) is described rather well here:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/02/08/uaes-very-scary-drug.html
I took the liberty of asking for a donation to DrCNet and Leap in post #61.

I am charged with two felonies. Meeting with a lawyer Thursday, and it's gonna cost at least $3500.00 for openers. The first two attorneys I talked to were already mentioning plea bargains before I got off the phone.

I spent the night in jail last night. I am 61 years old, white, and a homeowner and taxpayer (albeit not always on time) and I spent the night in jail. That was the second time for me, the first being when I was fifty. For a brief period I was a cop in the 1960's. I have used many drugs in my lifetime.