EOC WEEK 9

The illicit trade as a whole appears on the surface to be a harmless trade that offers consumers a chance to experience or own high end products for a fraction of the price. No harm no foul right? Have you ever thought beyond the end user? Who are the people who benefit from this harmless trade? A better question is who is affected by that new “Gucci” bag you purchased. Do you envision the sweet women in the sweat shop who is required to work in meager conditions, long hours and close to nothing in the means of pay. When

EOC WEEK 8

Update final project; Business Law, we have been giving the task to find a Supreme Court case and write about it. The case I chose was Chicago V. Morales a case that questions the motives and interpretation of Chicago’s Gang Congregation Ordinance. I chose this case because it struck me funny the way people try to hide their true intentions, and think none are the wiser. To me this is another form of profiling just in a different package. The ordinance allowed officers to become officials in who is and isn’t displaying apparent purpose. A definition used by Chicago’s police department to describe loitering in public places, mainly targeting “Criminal Street gang members”. (Chicago v. Morales, 1999) This project will been done in seven parts, part one I have already posted titled “Facts of the Case” what brought the case before the supreme court, other post will cover topics like “Issue of the case” a post on why the case was brought before the supreme court, “Decisions of the court” how the case was ruled, “Reasoning of the court” analysis on the thinking on the decision, “Rule of law” a summary on the main precedent, “Your own argument” my judgment on the ruling, and “Dissent” what was the opinion of the justices who ruled against the ruling. I plan on researching the case and following through to see if there were any precedents ruled prior to this case. Reading the judges reasoning for ruling in favor or against the case and posting my findings on this blogspot. I plan on doing a systematic review of the material I find on the Supreme Court’s ruling. So let the hammers swing as they may!

EOC WEEK 7

The 1990 movie “Pacific Heights” starring (Melanie Griffith)as Patty Palmer, (Matthew Modine) as Drake Goodman, and (Micheal Keaton) as Carter Hayes is a great example of what can go wrong if you don’t cover your butt as a Landlord. Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine play a young couple who see their purchase of a San Francisco Victorian triplex in upscale Pacific Heights as an opportunity to invest in their future, as well as create a home. Micheal Keaton plays a tenant from hell taking advantage of California’s lenient laws towards tenants. I use the word tenant loosely, because he never really pays the proper considerations to occupy the space; nor signed a lease. Drake being in a rush due to a colossal mortgage, and feeling a good judge of character takes Carters’ word at face value, avoiding the necessary steps in verifying Carters’ credentials. Right from the start red flags where shown indicating that there was more to Carter than he let on. Using deception and manipulation to gain access to the unit, once inside the unit Carters’ real motives start to un-fold, using tactics of noise pollution and breeding cockroaches to infest the other tenants unit is only a glimpse. Another rushed decision by Drake put Carter in a position of power, establishing history depicting the landlords as the slum lords. Drake and Patty stressed by the unwanted tenant, struggle with what to do, as their relationship feels the effects.
If your find yourself in a similar situation purchasing a rental property, I suggest you watch this movie not to scare you from the thought of owning real property, but on what no to do in selecting a tenant. There is a reason why certain steps are taking in processing a tenant’s application for rental, especially someone you don’t know, or even someone you might know.

GREED IS GOOD

EOC Week 6
Wall Street the hidden face on the American dollar, few realize the significance of Wall Street and its effect on American culture. If you wish to know where we stand as a nation read the indexes, one of these being the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This is where will find the price of oil by the barrel, or how much Orange Juice is going to cost in Super Markets. When something has value and enough people want it, and can become a publicly traded item known as shares or stocks. The day the idea of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), was conceived the inventor truly thought he had something and so did Wall Street, another way to fuel their greed, however; I can see the potential in this concept. I feel as though it was poorly governed and regulated, but was truly meant to give those with not so great credit a chance, to obtain an American quality of life that may have been unimaginable before, or was it? I firmly believe anything controlled by man can be manipulated to work in another’s favor.
Being the father of this brain child entitles you to a certain amount of compensation, but when your child becomes the destroyer of worlds, that compensation should be forfeited until all the bugs are worked out of the system, or is it the price Americans pay for doing business?
The movie “Wall Street” depicts the power of greed and what one will do to achieve it, regardless of whose left holding the check. The movie is 30 years old and still reflects today’s business practices indicating the same problems that existed then, we still experience today. As long as business is conducted someone is guaranteed to receive the short end of the stick.

Morse vs. Frederick

EOC WEEK 5
This is one of those times I’m going to have to agree with the Courts decision. Although, I wouldn’t have been offended by the banner displayed by Frederick, it was done in poor taste, and definitely at the wrong venue. I feel as though he truly believed he had the right to display his sign, but why at this event, and what was his motivation? Did he see himself as making a major blow for the Legalization of Marijuana? Nonetheless, he received what he had coming his way.
The sign that was displayed by Frederick was meant to get attention and show his views on the issue, I wonder if a High School is the best place to do this. I support freedom of speech, but there is times where some things just aren’t appropriate, this is call morals. He was asked to take the banner down and refused to comply that sounds like a suspension a me. I think Frederick had an obscure understanding of the first amendment and truly felt he was going to make his contribution. The 1st. Amendment reads as follows: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. However; if he was truly committed in his beliefs he wouldn’t have went across the street to do it. This tells me he knew he shouldn’t of use a school as his stage.
I find it funny that it became such a deal, Frederick a student told by a Principal to remove disruptive material for a school sanctioned event. “A minor on the schools watch cased closed”.

MOVIE USED CARS

EOC WEEK 4
1. False advertisement- crime
2. Assault- tort and crime
3. Destruction of Personal Property-Tort
4. Breaking and Entering-Tort and Crime
5. Bribery-Crime
6. Perjury-Crime
7. Jaywalking-Crime
8. Underage Driving-Crime
9. Unlicensed Driving- crime
10. Fraud-Crime
11. No seatbelts-Crime
12. Wreck less Driving-Crime
13. No license plates-Crime
14. No insurance-Crime
15. Driving on the wrong side of the ride-Crime
16. Speeding-Crime
17. Stolen Property-Tort
18. Ignoring Construction Zone-Crime
19. Jury tampering-Crime
20. Sexual Assault -Crime
21. Smoking Illegal Drugs-Crime
22. Concealed Weaponry-Crime
23. Public Indecency-Crime
24. Insider trading-Tort and Crime
25. Trespassing-Tort
26. Fleeing a crime scene-Crime
27. Emissions-Crime and Tort
28. Hit and Run-Crime
29. Gambling-Crime
30. Attempted Murder-Crime
Team:
Chris Manning
Kevin Lum
Melody Meade

EOC Week 3

You have a persuasive argument, valid points, and I agree with you on some of your statements. This is one of those things, where depending upon which side of the fence your standing, determines how you view the playing field. I wish I could see things as black and white as you do. I agree it is up to us to change the things we deem unnecessary, and sometimes they do change, but at a snail’s pace, and sometimes too little too late. I know that things aren’t always going to be perfect, and we do have a lot of privileges that others don’t get to enjoy, I guess all in all; the justice system to me is a teenage kid that needs constant supervision, and every now and then put on a time out. I appreciate you pointing out some of our not so finer moments in the toddler stages of American law.
http://nordfantome.blogspot.com/

EOC Week 3

Oh too true; I feel as though you and I share the same ideology on the justice system as we know it today and as it will always be. I like how you touched on some points that I would liked to have explored. Somehow America is becoming un-American as though it was feeding on itself. I wonder if there will ever be the right formula for a world, without the need for rules and restrictions, or two separate policies for the have and have knots. The system as we know it is faulted and you definitely have a good grasp of where our nation is heading if we don’t stop and notice the world around us. The question I truly want to know is do you think there will come a time where everyone as a whole will say, things need to change. The odds of this happening are slim to none; but one can hope.
http://cjfashionrm.blogspot.com/

What I Think about Today's Justice System

Today’s justice system has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. Most people don’t know that Crimes violate statutes, while Torts are against ones person, property, or reputation. Crimes fall into three groups: Treason, Felonies, and Misdemeanors. Torts are usually considered civil matters because they are things done against anothers person. I have personally experienced both sides of the spectrum, so my views might be one sided. However; this is about how I feel about justice system. I can sum it up in one word “corrupt”. In my opinion anything that is controlled by man can be manipulated and tipped to work in another’s favor. Meaning you or I can wield things in our favor if we know all the rules to the game, and if not; give them a real run for the money. The one with the most knowledge usually finds all the loop holes, because they know where to look.
Legislator passes laws all the time right under the general public noses, then "bam" a new law of the land needs to be enforced, and if you don’t comply off to the house of justice to answer for your crimes, oddly enough us as civilians have the power to change this, but usually find it to tedious to be part of the law making process, and trust the Politian’s we’ve elected to represent us. I suggest we as Americans start taking a closer look at what our elected officials and doing, and make sure there doing it on our behalf. Justice is a balancing act, and what makes sense in the past might not hold true today, I view the Justice system as machine that needs to be maintained and tuned up from time to time. So a fundamental knowledge would be a good skill to acquire.

What I Think of Lawyers

When I think of lawyers, I think well educated gangsters; until I need one. Most people are not well versed in the do’s and don’ts of law. To me; this is where this criminal is validated and accepted in our society. I use the terms gangster and criminal loosely, but this is not the case for all lawyers. Now you have lawyers whose sole desire is to change the injustices that plague or society, these lawyers to me are true champions of the people. However; most didn’t get into the profession to help the little man, but to increase their income along with their stature. There are different forms of law and different boundaries in which these lawyers can maneuver, these being criminal, civil, business, real estate, entertainment, as well as contracts, etc….

Hopefully there will not be a day where you feel the need to be represented by a lawyer, but if you do make sure you get the best lawyer you can find within your budget. Some lawyers will work pro-bono (for free). Even then you have to watch out, making sure they are truly on your side and do not have a hidden agenda. For you never truly know what a lawyer position is until the end verdict. To me or should I say my experiences have taught me to never use, I repeat; never use a court appointed lawyer also known as a public defender. Ask yourself are they defending you or their job? Their adversary on the other end table might be the lawyer’s best friend or someone they admire and want to impress. All I’m saying is, just because they wear the title of lawyer doesn’t place them in a special class, for they are truly no different then you and I, and are affected by the world around them.