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New York Law School Reporter
FINDING NEW MARKETS IN THE LAW •
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entrenched firms. The present blanket ban on all inpersori , solicitation is not reasonable. While "ambulance chasing" has hurt the law's image, reasonable By Hansen Alexander guidelines could deflect inherent abuses. The inperson solicitation prohibition serves mainly to. preserve the cartel-like dominance of the· most powerful and well connected firms who do not need ·to advertise. Many of these powerful firms It must seem to my classmates and read- were built on family social connections, political ers that it's all con law to me. contribitions, and oldschool boy network ties, not But in fact, as my buddy J.C. Lanza will factors that have a lot to do with fair competition tell you, we spend most of our free time attempt- and a level playing field. ing to identify. new markets in law. The growth of legal work has . not kept pace with the growth of lawyers. It is for this reason that we promote a fundamental change in the manner we develop business. The days of the big money in big firms with guaranteed lifetime tenure as a partner are over for most lawyers, Mr. Rothschild noted in his farewell address. The legal landscape, at least in our lifetime, will probably consist mostly of small to g (J medium sized boutique firms, which will resemble the guild businesses of the Italian City States. The first idea to increase business, to target mi9dle income Americans, has been advocated by Mr. Rothschild and Professor Quintin Johnstone. Middle income Americans should be actively targeted through advertising ·and public education about the law. To assist small and · By catboy medium the wommon who runs the nyls library
A better informed middle income public f eelitig more comfortable with the law will go a long way toward spurring their greater interest in obtainin
That's Professor Saltalamachia, Thank You
happens to be a professor and other things,-thank you. with larger I went charging into Professor ~ finns for this Saltalamachia's office one evening, detennined potent'ial to uproot all librarian stereotypes and present market, the Professor Saltalamachia with the keys to the ethical ban academic world. However, I soon bowed my on inperson head before my own short-sightedness, because J, ,A solicitation the Professor has already found her place both ' ~ should be socially and academically (in her own inimitable lifted. Such a fashion). truly comI work hard not to judge people," says petitive legal Professor Saltalamachia, "it is the educated . marketplace people's vice." Thoughts like these allow Prowill destroy· fessor Saltalamachia to legitimately call herself the mo- a "perpetual teacher." Combine that with the nopoly of the Continued on Page 16
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MARCH1997
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Since the number of participants in the legal industry has drastically increased from the days when the.entrenched firms were created, thelegal . industry must grow to gainfully employ the new participants through a free and open marketplace. The American Bar Association (ABA) es.:.
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NYLSnet: Where is the Front End? "There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an· idea whose time has come." -Victor Hugo By _Alon Israely Imagine that you are at home, it is_late in the evening and the phone rings: A wonderfully calm, soothing voice come.s on the line and notifies you that tomorrow's 9:00 AM class has been cancelled. AHHH, extra sleep; or if you'd rather, more time for studying. That phone call was the end product of an elaborate system designed by the school to make our lives more efficient and less cumbersome. We all agree that would be a nice change! Just an hour before you received that phone call, the Professor sat at her computer at home and made the arrangements: !;TJJm the Internet, she cruised over to the to ,the NYLSnet (the school's own mini~Intemet). She filled out a spe-: cial on-line form that includes the cancellation information and the necessary information for the make-up session. The school's computers verified her requested date and time and assigned whatever room was free that day. She also posted new reading assignments for class, which you will receive as an e-mail along with tomorrow's hot lunch
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The New York Law School
Repor~er
Letters to 路the Edito路r eral Convention of 1787,' published by Yale Uni. versity Press in 1911, revised in 1937, reissued in 1966, and republished with a new supplementary I write in response to your decision to se- volume in 1987 . (iv) At the Convention's close, Madison rialize Hansen Alexander's article 'Secrets of the Constitution~' whlch you report was published packed up his notes and kept them among his own originally in\ 'The Middle Class Review.' (I've papers. Thomas Jefferson did getto see the notes never hear9 bf this journal, but, given the many when he returned to the United Statesfrom Paris factual errors appearing in part I of Alexander's in late 1789, and his nephew John Wayles Eppes better off.) . prepared a copy under Madison's supervision. The article, maybe I agree that students should be exposed to original of the Eppes copy is in the Massachusetts American constitutional history as an integral part Historical Society; a letterpress copy is in The New of learning American constitutional law, but York Public Library. HansenAlexander'sarticleisanillustrationofhow (v) Madison's notes should not be connot to recount the history that gave rise to the fused with Jackson's journal and the official Constitution, how not to understand the work of records of the Convention, which the delegates the Federal Convention, and how not to under- entrusted to Washington and which the President stand Madison's 'Notes of Debates in the Federal then transferred to the State Department, which Convention of 1787.' To repair some of the dam- published the documents in 1819. age, here are a few examples: (vi) Madison kept his own notes secret, (i) The Constitution was written by del- believing_himselfbound by the oath taken by the egates to the Federal Convention, which was sup- delegates pursuant to the rule the Convention 路 posed to convene on 15 May 1787 in Philadel- adopted on 29 May. When he died in 1836, he phia but which did not actually achieve a quorum directed his widow to approach the Federal Govuntil 25 May 1787 and which met through 17 Sep- emment with an offer to sell them his papers, intember 1787. It was not written exclusively or eluding his notes of the Convention. Based on primarily by James Madison, who repeatedly dis- these negotiations, the Federal Government purclaimed sole, exclusive, or even principal credit chased the bulk of Madison's papers, which now for the Constitution. rest in the Library of Congress, and in 1840 sponsored an edition, including the 'Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787,' edited by Attorney General Henry D. Gilpin. In his 1996 monograph 'Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution,' Jack Rakove examines the complex history of the uses made or not made of original-intent evidence and interpretation in the years between 1789 and Madison's death in 1836. . (vii) Again, though Madison did (ii) The Federal Convention's decision not groundbreaking intellectual work in late 1786 and to hold public meetings and debates reflected the early 1787 in preparation for the Federal Convengeneral pattern of legislative sessions in the late tion, and though the Virginia Plan (based on his eighteenth century. The public's right to know ideas and incarnating his thinking) was the basis 路 was in its infancy in this period. for the Convention's work, it is a misnomer to (iii) At its opening, the Convention elected . refer to the Constitution as Madison's ConstituMajor William Jackson of Georgia as its secre- tion. As the late Richard B. Morris pointed out in tary, and Jackson kept the Convention's official many books, including 'The Forging of the Union, journal -- and did a dreadfully bad job. Realizing 1781-1789,' and as I pointed out in my 1987 study Jackson's failings, and desiring to provide poster- 'Are We to Become a Nation? The Making of the ity with a record of the challenges facing a consti- Constitution,' Madison's ideas were consistently . tution-writing body such as the Federal Conven- rejected by the Convention from the Great Comtion, James Madison determined to keep his own promise of 16 July through the Convention's close. record of the Convention's debates. He devised These are only a few examples of the host hi~ own shorthand method and then, each evening, of errors that pervade Mr. Alexander's article. I transcribed his shorthand jottings, expanding on Continued on Page 6 the notes as ideas struck him. In 1986, James H. Hutson published an important article in the Texas Law Review entitled 'The Creation of the Constitution: The Integrity of the Documentary Record,' in which he showed, among other things, that even though Madison was the best parliamentary reporter of his generation, he managed to record no more than 5-10 percent of what was actually said in the Convention. That's why Madison's 'Notes of the Federal Convention of 1787,' though remarkably valuable for historians, are not the exact verbatim transcript that original-intent advocates seem to think they are; furthermore, Madison's notes ought to be used in conjunction with the other notes 't aken by such other delegates as Robert Yates and _John Lansing of New York, James McHenry of Maryland, and Rufus King of Massachusetts. The_best edition of all these ma~ terials is Max Farrand's 'The Records of the FedDear Editor,
tm
These are only a few examples of the host of errors that pervade Mr. Alexander's article.
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New York Law School Reporter
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Gentlen1en. of Leisure at NYLS By Kimberly Auerbach
Most law students have trouble balancing classes, homework, and a job, much less finding · the time t<? produce and star in their own cable public access television show. But for such leisurely gentlemen as New York Law School students Dpug Cardoni and Phil Costello and friend Raynaud Formosa, a.k.a. Steve, producing this wacky, outrageous, fun, and funny half-hour weekly cable public access show titled "Gentlemen of Leisure" is second nature. 'The show is based on leisure and nothing else," explained Cardoni. When I asked him what exactly is a show based on leisure he explained, "We drink martinis, drink marguerites, wear ties and ascots, sit around in really nice mansions, drink a lot, make martinis ..." I got the picture. And sure enough that is exactly what they do. . The three agree that what attracted them to each other is that each was the,most leisurely person the others had ever known. But Formosa gets the title of King Leisure. "Raynaud is 29 and he's worked eight months and two weeks in his whole life," Phil recalled with admiration. "Once he had a concierge
voted to the making of the perfect martini: to shake story about this studly construction worker Dante, or stir? And what makes the show really worth Aljian recalled. In the middle of the story, the camwatching is the rare movie footage, such as Paula era would cut to a construction worker, who ob. Abdul in "Junior High School," where fans can viously had no idea he was being filmed. Costello, watch the diva in her pre-teeµ years skip and sing who was handling the earner~, started screaming in this musical. "Dante ... Dante ..." every time they showed the But do not think being a gentlemen oflei- construction worker. "It was so funny I was crysure is all fun. 'The hordes of women and group- ing. ies take up our leisure time," Formosa complained, "I like raunchy stuff -- especially intellecwhile Cardoni and Costello noted that the calls tual raunchy stuff. It (the show) is like intellectual from agents and stalking women gets tiresome. stupidity." Fan Lisa Aljian discovered the show one night as she was surfing and saw Cardoni's face.
But do not think being a gentlemen qfleisure is · all fun. "The hordes of women and groupies take up our leisure time"
'The next blink I saw naked women," she recalled. ''I was like, 'I know him.' The show made.me laugh out loud, and I don't laugh out loud." A writer from Penthouse was reading a sex
Viewer calls are often played on the air. One critic called in and said, "This show is like, hella retarded." Cardoni, who sometimes plays a linguist on the show, took out his dictionary to discover the meaning of the word "hella." Hella: (1) origin from Bella; (2) of white trash origin; Continued on Page 6
BATTLE EVIL AND TYRANNY!
jqb for two weeks and told his parents he had to quit because it cut into his leisure time." The low budget Monday night show, which airs on Channel 16 at 12:30 a.m., opens with the song "Look of Love" by Sergio Mendes. Cardoni rides down a staircase of a gorgeous Ne~ York mansion in an elevator chair, while Formosa pontificates and Phil plays the piano.
The cameras scanned their '70s polyester garb, plaid suits and gold belt buckle that read "STUD" in capital letters. In the latest episode, the producers show clips from when Costello and his brother, Paul appeared on the Gordon Elliot talk show and pretended to be fighting over .a girl. Their appearance was later lauded on tlie very popular cable show Talk Soup, w~ere the most outrageous clips from the weekly talk shows are aired. The host was particularly awed by the brothers' attire, as the cameras scanned their '70s polyester garb, plaid suits and gold belt buckle that read "STUD" in capital letters. The majority of another episode was de-
The Force Will Be With You Write For The NYLS Reporter We welcome your opinions and contributions. Make your voice known and promote your interests. Simply write articles, editorials, letters to the editor, letters to the Ombudsm~n, comments or suggestions on topics of your own choice; or let us come up with the ideas. Your opinions and thoughts are important, and deserved to be shared with the NYLS community. You may write under your own name, a false name or anonymously. Drop off contributions at the Reporter office in Room L2, the lower level of the "C" Building (across from the TV). Or call (212) 431-2100 Ext. 4202 for ideas or more information. Any free time you can contribute is valuable to the Reporter.
·MARCH 1997
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The New York Law School
Reporter
Breakf~st With Robert J.-Kennedy, Jr. By ))avid Drossman
On Friday, February 28, I was privileged to be _a part of another breakfast hosted by the · Center for New York City Law. The speaker was Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and he brought a packed house with him. Normally held in the faculty dining room, the breakfast was moved to the Steifel Reading Room to accommodate the crowd. There were reporters from local ne\fspapers present, and the speech was filmed for broadcast on cable access. The event was well organized, as roughly twenty law students were put to work by the Center for New York City Law to make sure everything ran smoothly. Running the show was Professor Ross Sandler, Director, and his wife Alice. When Kennedy stepped upto the podium, there was an energetic silence in the room. The talking subsided but the coffee cups still were clicking on the saucers, creating an air of anticipation. Kenneqy began by remarking broadly on many issues relating the New York City's water supply, and then went into specifics and anecdotes to help get his ideas across. Kennedy's drive and passion for subject of the watershed were made clear from the beginning, as he thanked many of his "companions in the battle to save New York City's water supply." Kennedy began by going back to the beginnings of his involvement with the watershed and his road to becoming Chief Prose_cuting Attorney, Hudson Riverkeeper. In the 1988 drought, New York City siphoned a portion of its water supply from the Hudson river to supplement the water from the Delaware. Although other municipalities filter the dirtier Hudson water, New York City made it safe to drink by mixing one part Hudson water with eight parts Delaware water, and chlorinating was attempted. The result was dirtier water for New Y~rkers and many killed fish species and plant life from the heavy chlorinating. Kennedy and others pressed a lawsuit to stop the City from taking Hudson water, anc,l this made many people stop and look at the situation of the watershed. He also mentioned his lawsuit to save the striped bass in the Hud~on River. At the Chelsea pumping station, the intake valves were sucking in the fish where they were spawning, sending them through the system and threatening the ecosystem upstate. At the Croton reservoir, new sewage P!pes went straight into the reservoir. Although illegal in most states, this policy was considered safe by the City because it was being diluted by so much water. Kennedy felt that the City was overestimating the effect of the dilution, especially when added to
the City's lack of a filtration system. He did not like the idea of having "nothing between the sewage and taps." Kennedy then spoke about the effects of the publicity and litigation.
growth, which gave some water a strange taste and color. Kennedy stated that this situation "happened because of careless development." Records showed that a waters1!_ed polluter had not been arrested since World War II, despite a City police force upstate trained to enforce the regulations . . People believed that the water system could run forever without enforcing regulations and protection. Politics seemed to play a major role in the situation, because of the rivalries between New York City and upstate communities. The City projects upstate to build the watershed displaced many people and took some of the best farm land upstate, causing the resentment. Republican politicians in the Catskills used this animosity to strong-arm the City into not arresting polluters. The City did not fight back, because the negative effects of a few minor polluters are far less than the political consequences of arresting them. Kennedy explained that the laws needed to be updated from those dealing with outhouses to ones regulating modem sewage treatment facilities. The last regulations were passed in 1954 and carRoss Sandler; Director for the Center for New York City Law shows ried a maximum fine of $25, not Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. the way to the podium. enough of a penalty to deter even the smallest polluter. With the lawsuits and health concerns looming, this issue took · .People began to look closely at all parts on a new urgency in 1987 because of federal reguof the system, where laws against polluting had Continued on Page 6
When Kennedy stepped upto the podium, there was an· energetic silence in the room.
gone largely unenforced. In past years, New York City's drinking water was considered among the best of all major cities. It won awards, and was even bottled and shipped around the country. However, the quality of the drinking water was being threatened because it was being taken ·for granted, and at one point a third of the water coming out of City taps was rated questionable for safety._Contaminants such as sewage and road salt caused high algae and bacteria
The Center for New York City Law BREAKFAST SCHEDULE: Friday, March 21, 1997Hon. Rudy Washington, De(!Jlfy Mayor for Community Development & Business Services Minority Owned Businesses: What We Need ·To Do Now /
Friday, April 18,.1?97Hon. Alan G. Hevesi, Comptroller The Comptroller's Office: Budgets, Audits and Politics
All Law Breakfasts begin at 8:lS ·a.m. and take place in the New York Law School Faculty Dining Room. Please RSVP at Ext. 2115. MARCH1997
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New York Law School Reporter
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MOQtCOurt: Nepotism Revisited By Frank Ng . In_light of the criticism of this author's last article, let it be known _that this author stands behind his work. Moot Court meJnbers have con· strued this author's February article as an attack · on the Moot Court Association. On the contrary, it was an expression of the concern by some memhers of Moot Court as to the perceived inadequacies of the E?(.ecutive Board's selection process.
can use any selection.process they deem appropriate to fill new Board positions because the ByLaws do not provide otherwise. This implies that, even if member-candidates accumulated a superior number of points in competition, if Board members selected their lower-point-accumulating friends to fill vacancies on the Board, the memher-candidates with higher point totals are out of luck.
In light of the criticism of I recognize that the·NYLS Moot Court Association is one · this author's last article, let it be known that this author of the most respected in the nation. stands behind his work. In that article, Professor Levine responded to this concern, to which the Moot Court Executive Board itself refers in its memo, and in which he says he considers my article well-reasoned. Some may consider the tone of the article overzealous, but that was necessary to convey the disappointment expressed by some of the members. In response to the Moot Court article in the February Reporter, the Moot Court Association Executive Board addressed a memo to the student body; the memo is reprinted in its entirety ·below. According to the memo, Board members
The Moot Court Board also states that not only do Law Review, the Journal of Human Rights, and the Journal of International and Comparative Law select their incoming editorial boards in a similar way that the Moot Court Association selects its incoming Board, but that the same could be said for nearly every Law Journal and Moot Court Board in the nation. If the concern of some members regarding the selection process is valid, Moot Court would be suggesting that favoritism is part of the selection process of nearly all Boards in the nation.
Some members of Moot Court said they wanted to put Reporter staff "up against the wall" following last month's article.
Apart from the concern of Moot Court members that there is favoritism on the Executive Board in the filling of vacancies, this author recognizes that the NYLS Moot Court· Association
"T·h e· ~.tlm:bers $peak :F,o r Themselves
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Bar Review Course Market Percentages New York Summer 1996
New York Winter 1997
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Enr9llment for competitors' courses based on average attendance at lectures determined by periodic headcounts with 5% non-attendance assumed.
Trust The PROVEN COURSE
Trust The POWER OF EXPERIENCE
·MARCH 1997
The New . York Law School
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Report~r Letters, Continued from Page 2
BREAKFAST, Continued from Page 4
was accepted by_ the EPA and the City was giv~n more time to make the arrangements, narrowly avoiding an eight billion dollar bomb that would have gone off if filtration was ordered.
lations.
Congress passes the surface water treatment rule, requiring all cities to filter their water, or get a waiver by proving that they are taking "Brush Your Teeth With adequate measures to protect their unfiltered sys- Fecalmint, over 80% of New tem. ·Kennedy explained that if the City were to bu_ild a filtration plant, it would be the largest one York City's_·water is· in existence, carrying a price tag of eight billion contaminated with fecal dollars to build and three hundred million dollars a year to operate. This would result in the spend- matter." ing of a quarter of the City's budget without any Kennedy's fight did not end, as a new camreal benefits. Also, it would leave the City with no paign was put into effect when Mayor Giuliani money left was elected. to protect Kennedy supthe water 11 ported Mario sour-ce, " ' Coumo (to whom which could . . ·-· ~ he is related by actually ~,Yllflr . .twif.• marriage) over lower the ) t / George Pataki in water qualthe last elections, ity. Kennedy ~ : ,, and after winning said the Pataki called Koch and Kennedy and told Dinkins adhim that anything ministrations he wanted over the were slow to next four years he react to the could "just forget ~ news, so about." Later, lawsuits The Law Breakfast attracted a crowd large enough to fill up the Steifel Governor Pataki w e r e Room, and media coverage from both television stations and newspapers. had a change of pressed to heart and agreed to force the City to buy land, pass new legislation, and engage help protect the water supply, and things began to start moving. in more research and development. Months of meetings between environmenThe litigation was not forcing the government to move faster on the issue of the water- talists and New York City and State representashed, so Kennedy and others decided to make it a tives turned out a 1500-page agreement on how political issue. Although upstate the watershed was they would save the watershed. The City agreed a hot topic, people in New York City did not know to phosphate removal, microfiltration and stricter about the issue "If you ask people where water laws on sewage dumping. A billion dollars was comes from, they say the tap." The war over con- committed to the watershed initially, and a one trol of water was thrown to the public, as Kennedy hundred million dollar a year moni~oring program sold the issue to sixty groups affected by the wa- helps to protect this valuable resource. Twelve ter safety hazards, and they agreed to make it their lawsuits against the City were dropped, and the principal issue. To educate the public, Kennedy City agreed to purchase up to 355,000 acres of consulted an ad agency and affixed posters around land upstate. Kennedy still had problems with the agreement: It doesn't guarantee good drinking water forever, sewage was still allowed into the water, and he feels the buffer distance requirements between septic systems and the watershed are not safe enough. Kennedy tied most issues back to po_litics, and showed some frustration at how long it took people to react to this problem. He spoke clearly and effectively, and his thoughts were well organized, When he was finished with the question and answer session, I felt as it I had been through an hour long crash course on the watershed. Sadly, much of the damage could probably have been prevented with planning and dedicated people like Kennedy in the righf places. In politics, however, "could have" can be said for most issues.
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the City. Ideas suggested included one with a toilet brush with toothpaste on it, and a caption reading, ''Brush Your Teeth With Fecalmint, over 80% of New York City's water is contaminated with fecal matter." Ken~edy received a call from an angry Mayor Dinkins following the publicity campaign, who calmed down once Kennedy explained the entire issue. After an EPA mandate to filter City water, Dinkins put forth a proposal to buy land and protect the water supply. This proposal
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Marathoners ~ Anyone interested in running in this year's New York Marathon drop a note in Takashi Kagawa 's mailfolder.
MARCH1997
urge you to suspend plans to serialize this article and instead refe~ you to Robert Clinton's article in the 'Iowa Law Review,' which does the same job far better and more reliably than Hansen Alexander does. I also refer you to such studies as Richard B. Morris's 'The Forging of the Union, 1781~1789,' ClintonRossiter's '1787: The Grand Convention,'. Jack Rakove's 'Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution,'. and my own 'Are We..to be a Nation? The Making of the Constitution' All th~e are or should . be in our law library. Richard B. Bernstein Adjunct Professor of Law
Dear Professor, Thanks for your input, keep selling those books.
(3) a town in Montana inhabited by 'white trash. Concluding that the caller was from Montana, all three were impressed that the show has such a far-reaching audience. The trio got the idea to produce the show because Costello, who calls himself a "total public access junkie," had some experience in the medium. He and his brother had a public access show in the Summer 1996 in honor of their band, The Barry Whiteboys. "Ever since college all I watch is public access. I hardly ever watch regular tv. It'$ hilarious." Cardoni never thought they would actually produce the·show, but last August they bought a camera and VCR on credit, went down to Manhattan Neighborhood Network, got an application and were slotted for the season. The expenses consist of the equipment and the booze, Formosa explained. "If we could get any lower budget we would," Costello added. The only limitations are that they cannot have penetration or excretion, both of which they have come very close to violating. Being law students comes in handy when producing a cable access show. One viewer, who · happened to be an official at Manhattan Cable Network, wrote a letter accusing the trio of violating copyright laws. Cardoni and Costello, who happen to be on Law Review, wrote a very sophisticated letter saying the clips were "fair use." They never heard from the viewer again. Not everyone, however, is impressed with what the Gentlemen of Leisure have done. Costello used to include the fact that he produces a public access cable show on his resume and employers would look at him funny. "They'd confuse it with leased access and Robin Byrd," Costello explained · referring to the controversial host of a late night cable show who is not shy about taking off her . clothes. But Cardoni said associates at Fried Frank, the firm where he works, have seen the show and like it. "I'm a mini-celebrity." When I asked what was in store for their fans in the future, Formosa quickly informed me that "It's not very leisurely to plan things ahead of time." But do not worry if you have not caught an episode of Gentlemen of Leisure yet; they assure me the show will go on "forever," or at least until they pay off the video camera.
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New York Law School Reporter
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TOOK A CHANCE ON A FLYER By "Vertigo'·' As I was walking one day, passed the bulletin board which is next to the bookstore, I no. ticed a flyer which did not s~m to fit in. Amongst the bar review courses and law seminars there hung a lone flyer which proud,ly read: "SUBCULTURE, LIVE AT THE NEW MUSIC CAFE." I had heard that there was a first year student who played in a local band, so I decided to take. a chance on this flyer and see for myself. I must admit that as I was walking into the New Music Cafe I was more than a bit skeptical about what type of band I was about to see. I fancy myself quite the harsh critic, you see. The place was filled with fellow New York Law students whom I recognized. I stood alone in the back, just waiting for the band to on. I had no idea what kind of musical experience I was in store for. All I can say is that I was blown away. Subculture was Incredible with a capital I. The band has a truly unique style, a mature blend of what is traditionally known as .modern and what is traditionally known as classic. Not only is the band more professional than almost any modern band I have seen recently, but their songs are inspiring. Their musicianship was first rate. These guys reminded me of some kind of . modern day Led Zeppelin. The set seemed to take me on a bizarre sonic journey. The lead
the first year New York Law student in the band is Thomas Silis. Judging from his year book picsinger's voice conveyed an incredibly wide range ture you would never know that it was the same . of emotions as it bellowed throughout the club. I guy. Mr. Silis plays the bass in the band. Or shall .know that I was not alone in my reaction. I know I say, HE PLAYS THAT- DAMN BASS LIKE I this to be an absolute truism because I could see HAVE NEVER SEEN. It was as•if he were born the looks of amazement on the faces of those with a bass in his hands. Toe bass and the drums - - - · · were like a well oiled machine; perfectly tight, and around me. conquering of different styles at will. After a little research; I discovered that
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I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of the band's demo tapes. That tape has not left my car's tape player. These songs belong on the radio. Still, nothing can compare to what I witnessed that night. Subculture is truly a band to be savored live. So, if you see one of those lonely flyers hanging on a chalky wall, do yourself a favor and pay attention to its message.
NEPOTISM, Continued from Page 5
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is one of the most respected in the nation; its team has consistently performed well in national competitions. This reputation played no small part in persuading Justice Scalia to judge,a NYLS competition last semester. Regardless of the internal politics between the Moot Court Executive Board and its members, Moot Court works. As the saying goes, "if it ain't broken, don't fix it." See you at Froessel! MEMORANDUM To: THE NYLS STUDENT BODY From: The Moot Court Association Executive Board Date: 25 February 1997 Re: Recent story in the Reporter discussing Moot Court We write to correct factual errors that were contained in the February edition of the Reporter. First, only two positions on the Moot Court Executive receive tuition assistance. Second, the Moot Court Association By-Laws do not provide for selecting the incoming Executive Board according to the number of points that a member accumulates in intra- or intermural competition. Third, neither Law Review, The Journal of Human Rights, nor the Journal of International and Comparative Law selects the incoming editorial board according to grade point average. Rather, those organizations select the incoming editorial boards in a similar way that the Moot Court Association selects its incoming Executive Board. The same can be said for nearly every Law Journal and Moot Court Board in the nation; our election process is hardly unique. . We will not respond to what the story's author, or the author's unnamed source, thinks should be the process for selecting the incoming Executive Board of the Moot Court Association. Rather, we refer the reader to Professor Levine's well-reasoned response that the author included in the story. If the author had contacted the Moot Court Association, we would have gladly explained both the for becoming a member of Moot Court, and the process for running for an Executive Board position once an individual is a member. For those students who do not know, the Moot Court Association sponsors the Charles W. Froessel Moot Court Competition each Fall to select its new members. We encourage all second-, third' and fourth-year students who are interested in Moot Court to compete in the Froessel. Additionally, we encourage first-year students to act as bailiffs for the Froessel oral arguments to introduce those students to Moot Court: If you have questions about the Moot Court Association, do not hesitate to call the office at ext. 217 5.
MARCH1997
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The New York Law School
Reporter
IN DEEENSE OF·THE. , ''PROFESSOR FROM HELL'' .Anonymous
By Carenine Pier,;e
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As mem~rs of the legal community our duty and responsibility is to represent clients re-· gardless of our personal beliefs and prejudices. Remember the inspirational 'pep-talk' which Dean Wellington delivered duriqg the orientation process? With that inspiration in mind, and with the personal experience of being a IL student in said Contracts Professor's class, I hereby file the following answer to opposing counsel's emotionally provocative complaint in the February issue of the Reporter.
What does it mean to be trained to "think like lawyers?''· The law of contracts is the study of the promises we make, and the consequences that may result when we disappoint the expectations of the promisee. When we first started contracts, we each entered into individual and collective contracts with our professor, that contained both express and implied terms. Our obligations have been to read, and attempt to understand, the cases, extract the black letter law, arrive to class on time, . and to quietly listel_l to, with respect, each other and the professor at bar. The professor's obligation, at the time, was to .'conduct a class in contracts,' in the time honored "Socratic" manner, dealing with basic principles behind the creation and enforcement of contractual obligations (as per catalog course description). If it is too ambiguous does equity demand a relief? Was this a case of mutual mistakes of the essential terms of our respective contract obligations, or a unilateral mistake given .the premise that we may be 'lowly lL's whom aren't with the program yet.' Professor Kingsfield ('Paper Chase'), once stated that "You teach yourself the law, I train you to think like lawyers." If this is to be the interpretation of our professor's obligation, then have we not made a unilateral mistake? Did we not enroll . in law school with the understanding that the level of effort and the degree of frustration would far exceed our prior educational experienc~s? As opposing counsel's complaint reads like a stirring Johnny Cochran closing argument (e.g. "If he didn't teach the class, we would all pass!"), the professor's teaching plan may have worked. · What does it mean to be trained to 'think like lawyers?' Tu Yu in commenting on ·s un Tzu's treatise The Art of War wrote, 'If officers are unaccustomed to rigorous drilling they will i~wardly quail when they face the enemy.' Have we not just learned the "agony of defeat," to quote the opening line of ABC's Wide World of Sports, is this not what we\vill face the first time we write a memo for a Senior Partner, and have it returned to us after being put thro1,1gh the paper shredder twice? Time is of the essence in contracts. A failure to perform a contractual obligation on time leaves the responsible party liable for all sorts of
POETIC JUSTICE They call me woman I come from Eve They say I'm damned From the time I'm conceived
nasty damages. Is not out arriving on time a condition precedent to the professor guiding us through the mysteries of contract law? Whenwerepresentanimportantclientand arrive late to court, will the judge think nothing of it, or will it adversely affect our client's prospects? In the real world of lawyering, we may have to work until 11 p.m., and arrive well in advance of 9 a.m. the very next morning, at times. Furthermore, consider class ranking vs. school ranking. As the degree of difficulty imposed upon students increases, so does the respective school rank vis-a-vis other schools. Difficult professors actually increase the reputation of a school and help raise tp.e rank and move to the next tier. Consider the fact that Columbia's rank with regard to professors' quality is only two tiers away from NYL~. ~ Yes, the competition is rigorous and class rank is important, but what is the result of this alleged deviation from the "suggested" school curve policy? In mathematical terms, it amounts to less than three-tenths of one percent over the required 86 credits. It is also for the entire A section which is composed of approximately 28% of the first year students, which is less than nine onehundreds of one percent in overall first year statistics. Not quite enough to get to the next tier!
The professor's o/Jligation, at the time,' was to 'conduct a class in contracts,' in the time honored "Socratic" manner. In practical terms, it means that instead of graduation with a 3.2 index, you will have a 3.188 index. Now in terms of being anal, it would look quite persnickety to have a three decimal place index on your resume, so it that rounds off to a 3.2 of course! In a famous scene in the movie the Paper Chase, one of the students, Hart, gets so frustrated with the indomitable Professor Kingsfield that he gets up to walk out, and turns to Kingsfield and says "You're a son of a bitch." Silence thunders as Kingsfield looks down from the podium and replies 'That's the first intelligent thing you've said today, now get back to your seat!' Hart smiles with glee, and realizes that he will defeat this impossible professor by learning the elusive intricacies of contract law,. and learning to 'act like a lawyer.'
Not fit to be a "man" Whatever that means Not meant to be heard But only to be seen From the beginning of time The burden has been mine To be the mother of this Earth As I bear the pain of birth I was the first to be slain on the slaveship from · Africa I watched my husband die on the concentration tamp in Austria I sought refuge from genital mutilation in India I fought for freedom in Tianammen Square China
In a world so cold I raise my son alone Hoping he turns out to be like me- not his daddie I am·punished because I chose to have him Yet his father goes unpunished though he chose to leave him In the late of night I am raped by the man who loves me in the morning I am sometimes beaten by the man .who·has implanted me with his seed As I walk down the street, I pretend not to see the lewd men calling For I have an idea of what they perceive, and what they falsely believe they need · I wish I could tell them: That the fullness of my breasts Is only for my man's caress That the width of my hips Is not their gift And that me and my apple round behind Won't even give them a piece of my time But in his definition of beauty I must fit into man's mold I perform all "proper" duties As more tasks unfold I conform to what he wants Following all his dos and don'ts . For in this man's world Even my 'sistas' put on their fronts Yet all the fake hair, fake nails and make~up Will never allow me to put up With the constant rejection and discrimination The stereotypes and the video hypes The battery and the abuse Cause No, I won't be used I find the strength within me To be all that I am meant to be Not relying on any one person But finding hope through my girlfriends Continued on Page 9
MARCH1997
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New York Law School Reporter
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BUSINESS, Continued from Page 1 POETRY, Continued from Page 8 For we've suffered the pains ofgiving birth We've shared the tears granted in life We've felt the joys of newfound love And we've known the sadness brought by its loss The decade cjawns with the路new definition of a woman Now I am the breadwinner Let him be the housekeeper! Today I am the doctor and the lawyer Tomorrow I'll be President after I've become the stockbroker I am the mother of future generations I hold this world together Yes I make it better I have risen from oppression, from depression, and from repression And when I play, I win! I hope for tomorrow and live for today Those who put me down will have to pay I am strong, and proud, powerful and ambitious I command respect And demand the fulfillment of my wishes My hands heal the people My heart goes out to this world My mind gives life to innovations As I strive amidst the competition I thrive after falling to the ground As my heart beats faster, pound for pound I am headed for success Yes, this woman is blessed! Through every trial and tribulation I'll care for the generations For the future I will survive To keep the nations alive Yesterday- I was Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Eva Peron, Indira Ghandi, Rosa Parks, Barbara Jordan and Betty Shabaz. . Today- I am Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Alice Walker, Maya Angelou, Maxine Waters, Carol Mosley Braun, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Madeline Albright.
tablishment has simply not caught up with Judge Posner's economic theories that are heavily influenced by market forces or a new generation of American lawyers who value capital formation over capital distribution. The ABA establishment represents a fading era that is, in Justice Antonin Scalia's words, "not as enthusiastic about economic liberties as were the men and women of 1789." As my friend Tom Sipp has suggested, a free and open legal marketplace should change the oft cited efficiency argument from an excuse to avoid more work into a challenge to meet our legal responsibilities to the American people. Professor Nadine Strossen proposed legal public education by the judiciary in a February 19 panel discussion on the question of whether judicial decisions should be criticized. While the context of Strossen's remarks had nothing to do with increasing business, such a public education would 路 both inform middle income Americans about their options in seeking legal assistance and breed a greater public confidence in the law through a better understanding of it. A better informed middle income public feeling more comfortable with the law will go a long way toward spurring their greater interest in obtaining our services. The second ethical rule that should be reconsidered is the prohibition on mixing law with other non-ancilliary busin~sses. Law is too pure to be tainted with other professions is the rationale. This ban is just sheer arrogance. Those who work in American business are not unedu~ated. In fact, as Alexis de Tocqueville noted in his classic work, Democracy in America. the finest minds in America go into business. Insulting the intellect of American businesspersons is no way to cater to their needs or demand their respect. If a lawyer is qualified to act as a sociologist, travel agent, wine connoisseur, public relations consultant, the lawyer and the lawyer's firm should be able to "offer one stop shopping" to clients. Lawyers cannot now offer these specific services under the ABA Model Rules. Under ABAModelRule5.7,alawyercan only offer "ancillary" services to clients and then only to "clients of the law firm." Ancilliary services is defined as "law related" and includes fi路 nancial planning, accounting, real estate counseling, tax preparation and environmental consulting. The ABA should operate from reality and either expand the definition of andlliary services or allow lawyers to practice any business they are qu.alified to engage in.
trustees of a hospital, can own and operate a baseball franchise, including all decisions involving personnel and field operations, can be a partner in an ,investment company. But Donald Trump and Bill Gates cannot become partners in your law firm even though they could expand and improve your business through their investment and managerial knowhow. But then Trump and Gates would have to meet that stiff requirement of professional independence of judgment. In fact, bringing Trump and Gates on board would allow smaller firms to compete with the big, blue line firms and the well-connected Washington lobby firms and the international firms by giving them the necessary capital to engage in risk. And risk is where the rewards are. Allowing nonlawyers to become partners would level the playing field and allow real competition, which is apparently what the old school of the Bar fears. The ban on nonlawyer partners is really the last vestige of socialism in America and breeds further animosity between business and the legal profession. A fourth idea to increase business is to engage in high volume, iow price, uncontested matters. As Professor Johnstone would suggest, why should paralegals take this uncontested business away from us? In fact, the ABA should restrict paralegals from engaging in what amounts to practicing law with out a license in uncontested matters. Accepting slightly lower contingency fees, say 25%, would make us more competitive and allow market forces, which all too often alienate us, to finally bestow their benefits upon lawyers. Developing the fine art of becoming fa, mous through teaching, public interest work, lecturing, writing, and television commentary would expose us to more people who can avail themselves of our services, encourage us to be innovative, and rebuild our professionalism. Deborah Howard of Career Sevices has Another arrogant ethical rule, ABA Model emphasized the importance of networking with 路 Rule 5..4 (b), prohibits nonlawyers from becom- each other and has suggested that such networking a partner, for investment purposes, in a law ing can lead to significant referral business. firm. The rule states that this prohibition protects Finally, Carol Abenante, a 3L who was "the lawyer's professional independence of judg- born in Naples, Italy, and who will join a law finn ment." in Milan after graduation, advocates combining Businesses in which lawyers can become lawyering with corporate or general business conpartners for investment purposes apparently have . sulting to increase exposure t<? business opportuno comparable professional independence of judg- nities. J.C. Lanza observed that lawyers are parment. Consider that a lawyer can be a partner in a ticularly aware of the parameters cons_ulting can pharmaceutical company, can sit on the board of fit into. 0
And Tomorrow- I'll never again be the woman behind the man.
Allowing nonlawyers to beco~e partners would level ihe playing field and allow real competition, which is ap~ parently wliat the old school of the Barfears.
MARCH1997
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The :New York Law School
·AME·RICA'S FOUNDERS UNDERSTo·o o-H-U MAN BEHAVIORr,
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(Part 2 of a three-part series on James Madison's Notes on the Constitutional Convention) By Hansen Alexander
. . . _ !he delegates m Philad~lphia were under no i~usions about human behavior. Based on their readmg~ of conte?1J><?rary gov~mments in Europe and_ ancient constitut1011s, they m fact waxed quite c~cal. _James Wtlsonexpressed the cynicism when discussmg the manner of electin~ members to Congress on June 6, "Bad elections proceed from the smallness of the districts which give an opportunity to bad men to intrigue themselves into offl ,, ce. . . . . In d~~atmg a constJtutJon th~ delegates tn_~ to antJcipate how to prevent dictatorship, military rule, and the runaway passions of the people. The "checks and balances" of three b~anches were devised to make radical measures difficult. In a sense, "gridlock" was built into the Constitution. Having experienced the occupation of the -British Army before and during the Revolution, the delegates in Philadelphia were almost paranoid in their fear of a standing army in peacetime. Madison articulated the fear, "A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions of liberty. The means of defenceagainstforeigndanger,havealwaysbeenthe instruments of tyranny at ho~e. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war...Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people." Gerry and Luther Martin of Maryland proposed on August 18, 1787, that in time of peace the army should consist of no more than 1,000 men. Two days later Charles Pinkney suggested that money grants to an army should be made for one year at a time. ''The military shall always be subordinate to the Civil power," Pinkney declared. An attempt to write a prohibition of peacetime armies into the Constitution was beaten back at the 11th hour (Sept. 14) when Gouverneur Morris convinced the delegates that such a prohibition would set "a dishonorable mark of distinction on the military class of Citizens." The framers clearly intended for Congress to have most of the war-making powers, not the President. Roger Sherman declared, "The Executive should be able to repel and not to commence war.h George Mason was against giving the power of war to the Executive bebause he could not ''safely be trusted with it." In short, the chief executive was expected to "execute" the will of Con· gress in ·matters of war. The exceptio~ was Mason's "sudden attacks" or what has ~ome "emergency" attacks upon the nati~n, which might occur before Congress could convene and declare war. Of course, modem presidents have used the "emergency" clause to in effect wage . undeclared wars. But in
fact the "emergency" powers of a president to repel "sudden attac.,ks" did not make it into the final version of the Constitution! Therefore the president's broad "emergency" powers come not from the Constitution, but from tradition, particularly the fear of nuclear attack, a scenario that would re_quire instantaneous response. The following comparison taken from the completed Constitution shows the intent of the framers regarding war-making powers: Powers Given to Congress: 1. To provide for the common Defence; ... 2. To declare War· 3. Make Rules c~ncerning Captures on Land and Water; 4. To raise and support Ai-mies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years· 5. To provide and maintain' a Na ; vy
. . feared, thus discouragmg the best people from serving. Gerry lamented, "One principal evil arises from the want of due provision for those employed in the administration of Government. It would seem to be a maxim of democracy to starve the public servants." Nathaniel Gorham complained on June 22 that "State Legislatures ... wei:e always paring down salaries in such a manner as to keep out of offices men most capable of executing the functions of them." A motion by Pierce Butler and John Rutledge to require senators to serve without salary or compensation was beaten 3-7 on June 12, 1787. Edmund Randolph even suggested that the experience of the congresses under the Articles of Confederation and of the state legislatures showed "a rooted distrust of Congress pretty generally ·6. To make Rules for the Govem~ent and Regu- prevailed." lation of the land and naval Forces; Gerry feared leadership would be left to . 7. To provide for calling forth the Militia to ex- conniving demagogues. ''The people do not want ecute the Laws of the Union, suppressing Insur- virtue, but are the dupes of pretended patriots. In rections and repel Invasions; Massachusetts it had been fully confirmed by ex8. To provide for organizing, arming, and disci- perience that they are daily misled into the most plining, the Militia, and for governing such Part baneful measures which no one on the spot can of them as may be employed in the Service of the refute." United States, reserving to the States respectively, The fear of dictatorship hung heavy over the dethe Appointment_ofthe Officers, and the Author- bates. Many proposals for a single term for the ity of training the Militia according -to the disci- chief executive, ranging from two to ten years, pline prescribed by Congress. were offered. Wh_en George Washington became 9. To exercise exclusive Legislation in all . president he attempted to modify these fears by Cases ... for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Ar- · limiting his presidency to two terms and setting a senals, dockyards, ai:td other needful Buildings; 1o. precedent, a precedent more or less accepted unNo ·State shall, without the Consent of tilFranklinDelanoRooseveltwaselectedtofour Congress ...keep Troops, or Ships of War in time terms in the 20th Century. Congress reacted to of Peace...or engage in War, unless actually in- Roosevelt's four terms by passing the 22nd vaded... Amendment, which now codified Washington's Powers Given to the President: two term precedent. 1. The President shall be Commander in Chief of Before settling on the el~toral college to the Army and Navy of the United States, and of cast Preside~tial ballots, proposals were offered · the Militia of the several states, when called into to have presidents elected by state governors and actual Service of the United States. state legislators. Senators, over vehement objec·Popular opinion would be against reason- tions by Madison, would be elected by state legis_ .- ...... .....,.,,,.........-.....-...,....-able compensation for holding office' the framers Continued on Page 13 0
MARCH1997
New 'York Law School Reporter
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ROTISSEIUE ,B ASEBALL.DRAFT DAY STRATEGY By Mark Checki, John R. Merlino, Jr. ·and Jason D. Krauss Baseball season is upon us. The most important question that needs to be answered is who and how to draft in your upcoming rotisserie league baseball draft. John and I both won our respective National League-only leagues this past year, while Mr. Checlci won his American League rotisserie league. What I'm trying to say is that you should listen to us, and chances are, you'll go far. Our advice is based on an auction-style draft with 260 units at your disposal, a league setup with . IO to 12 teams, 4 to 5 offensive categories(HR's, RBI's, Ba.Avg., SB's, Runs), and 4 to 5 pitching categories(Wins, E.R.A.,Strikeouts, WHIP, and Saves). I'U provide you with some tips for drafting National League offensive players, Mr. Merlino will cover National League pitching, and Mark will handle the American League. NATIONAL LEAGUE HITTING The main thing to keep in mind when drafting offensive players is that you want a little bit.of every category, out of as many of your players as possible. Everyone Kllows what Barry Bonds is going to do, but it's lesser known players such as Sean Berry (17HR's, 95RBI's, 12SB's) that will put you ahead of the pack. I'm from the school of not putting all your eggs in one basket. I'll never bid big money on the Bonds, the Bagwells, or the Sheffields. If they should get hurt during the year, it'll kill you. For example, as far as outfielders go, keep on eye on Derek Bell, who'll hit for average, steal you 25+ bases, and hit 15 to 20 homers. Additionally, I'm a big fan of Bernard Gilkey, Lance Johnson, Brian McRae, Larry Walker, Brian Jordan, and Al Martin. All of these guys should go for under 30 units and provide_ you with some excellent production. Keep an eye on players that may be on the DL at the beginning of the year. They're worth taking a shot_on if you can get them for cheap. I picked up Tom Pagnozzi last ·y ear for 1 unit. He busted out with a career year. Be weary of guys corning over from the American League (Olerud, Tartabull, J.T.Snow, Sierra). History has sho_wn it takes them awhile to master National League pitching. Greg Vaughn batted around .200 after he was traded from the Brewers to the Padres last year. Other position players to look for hi '97: Catchers: Piazza will go for big money, so watch for Taubensee on the Reds, Pagnozzi of the. Cardinals, Flaherty, Fletcher, or Eusebio (had an off year with the Astros, should bounce'back) First Base: Bagwell, Galaragga, McGriff and
John R. Merlino, Jr.
Karros are tops, followed by a·slew of Hal Morris clones including Mark Grace, John Olerud, J.T. Snow, Wally Joyner, and John Mabry. Gregg Jason D. Krauss @ - - - - - - - - - ,?''' Jeffries could have a solid yearas well. Pick up Mark Johnson of the Pirates for cheap.
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The most important .questwn that needs to be answered is who and how to draft in your upcoming rotisserie league baseball draft.
Second Basemen: Boone, DeShields and Baerga could slip in your draft, as they' re coming off subpar years. They're worth taking chances on. Lansing, Young, Biggio and Ryno are tops. Keep an eye on who gets the starting spot on the Dodgers, and young Luis Castillo Pick up Branson as a utility player, don't forget Jeff Kent is back in the NL, and Veras, who stole 56 bases just 2 years ago, could be the steal of the draft.(no pun intended) Shortstops: · Larkin, Clayton, Renteria(in that awesome Marlin lineup), and Grudzeilanek look good. Jose Hernandez could provide you with some utility pop. I would be careful about bidding too high for Kevin_Elster. Although he had a big year in Texas, the last time he was in the National League, he was a.huge disappointment as offensive player. There is slim pickings here, and don't forget Ozzie Smith retired. Third Basemen: Sean Berry is my personal favorite, as he put up big numbers even with a bum shoulder last year. Camimti is the mah even though he'll be out for the first month of the season. Chipper Jones will go for a decent amount as well. Watch for Scott Rolen, coming off of an injury and Kevin Orie, rookie on the Cubs. NATIONAL LEAGUE PITCIIlNG Always spend more money on hitting, but never forget that pitching is still 50% of the points in your ieague. Don't be afraid to spend big bucks on an ace, as you have to have at least
an
one to offset all of those number 4 and 5 starters with E.R.A. 's over 4.50. So get yourself a Maddux or a Kevin Brown, and don't be afraid to overpay. Outfielders who give you 30 homers and 100 RBl's are a dime a dozen, but these pitchers are few and far between, especially if your league lets you keep players from year to year. For the rest of your starters, draft average pitchers on very good teams, such as Tun Worrell or Mike Hampton. Don't get caught in a bidding war over these middle-tier players. Pitching is too unpredictable to think anyone will have an incredible breakout year.(See the entire Mets rotation last year). Forget middle relievers, unless you know they are next in line to join the rotation if someone gets hurt. Keep Chan Ho Park or Mark Guthrie in mind. You will HAVE to spend money on closers. Don't think you can throw the entire category and win your league, although I luckily did two years ago thanks to the "Mad Dog". Fortunately, there won't be any bullpens by committee this year in the National League and thus, no guessing. I like to draft closers on bad teams, since when those teams win, it's only be a couple runs. The numbers for a Rod Beck or John Franco aren't that much worse than a Hoffman or a Nen, and they're half the price. Grab yourself Ugueth Urbina ifhe doesn't go in the early rounds. Spend some money for these starters: Maddux, Smoltz, Brown, Alex Fernandez. Great middle-tier starters: Osbourne, Tim Worrell, S.Hitchcock, Martinez (Draft anyone with this last name), Daal, Neagle, Leiter, Reynolds, Benes (The good one), Valdes, Nomo, Hampton, Hutton, and take a chance on Pete Schourek. (P.S.-avoid the Mets "Generation K" pitchers like the plague) Closers: Forget Hoffman or Nen, take Beck or Franco(They're not what they once were, but they'll still get the job done), Rojas, Urbina (my favorite!), and Billy Wagner. Unless the owners in your league are clueless, they will know that Ricky Bottalico is the best young closer to have for the next three or four years, with Urbina and · Wagner close behind. (Now if only the Phillies could win a game!) Rookies and Minor Leaguers: You have to be a real loser to know who some of these guys are, but you'll wish you did in a year or two. (I spend my free time watcb.i.ng Sportstracker=BIG loser) So if your league has a minor league draft, here•~ who to get: Kris Benson, Darin Blood (Great name!), Dave Coggin, Randy Knoll, Vladimir Nunez (Diamondbacks), Blake Stein, Neil Weber, Matt Morris, Marc Valdes, Heath Murray, and future Giant closer Russ Ortiz. Good luck on draft day, the most important day of the year! · Since I won my Rotisserie Baseball League
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MARCH1997 ...
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The New York Law School
Reporter
ROTISSERIE BASEBALL, Continued froni Page 11 power. But loading your team with MVP outlast year, people have walked up to me doing things have encountered injury. They may be stronger fielders will kill you in non-power categories. from asking me for advice to looking upon me than ever due to careful use. Remember, the key in Roti Ball is balancAlso, average starters from Baltimore, with envy. It took years of playing before I was ing all 10 categories. So it is nice to load your able to become good and lucky enough to win my Cleveland, Seattle, Cleveland, Boston, and Minteam with players who can hit some homeruns and league. ·My opinions are based on experience .and nesota may have less than mediocre numbers be- · have some speed. The best thing about this is that are suited to a large league (10-12 teams AL Style) cause their stadiums are home run friendly. Johnny Damon, Eric Davis, and Paul O'Neill can And DON'T Spend Too much Money on which has an auction draft, and thus, if you play in be obtained for the price of Albert Belle and two a smaller league, some of these pieces of advice the Closer... The problem with allocating 1/6 of your scrubs. may not be all that valuable. But here is my draft One Final Piece of Advice·... day "Outline" for beginner players or people who budget to a reliever is that their performance is Go into your draft not being partial to any wish to advance from an also-ran into the first di- contingent on their teams. Whoever drafted Randy team. Although a Yankee Fan, I have done this Myers or Troy Percival last year was obviously vision. · I wish all who play good luck. disappointed in their team's lack of ability to cre- assignment wearing the hat of objectivity. To win THE AMERICAN LEAGUE ate save situations. Saves will always be a close in Roti ball, this advice is essential. I have found Get your Comer Men cheap ... that the best bargains are often found in MilwauAt third base, only Wade Boggs (Yes, the contingent category, so as long as you have somekee, Oakland, Minnesota, and Kansas City, teams Wade Boggs) is deemed useless. Thus, one can one, I would let the other players bid on Wetteland, whose highlights are not .often seen on infer that there is plenty Sportscenter or in the local newspapers. of talent at that posiSURE THINGS SLEEPERS AND DOOZERS tion. I'd be the last perAT EACH POSITTON: son to bid $40 of on C ~ Matt Williams even -----+---SURE: Rodriguez (Tex), Steinbach (Minn) though I think he fits SLEEPER: Santiago, B (Tor), Leyritz.(Ana), Wilwonderfully with son (Sea) Cleveland. You will still DOOZER: Matheny (Milw), Karkovice (CWS), do well at that position Walbeck (Det) ~ with a lesser heralded 1B / player who ·produces SURE: Thomas (CWS), Vaughn (Bos), Palmeiro solid numbers. // / (Bal) ' I f I / Moreover, at \ , I , SLEEPER: Merced (Tor), King (KC), Erstad I 1' I first base, there are suI I (Ana), Clark, T (Det) I i / , perstars and there are . I DOOZER: Clark, W (Tex), Coomer (Minn) second-tier players. , f 2B You will do as well to SURE: Knoblauch (Minn), Alomar (Bal) get someone like Tino SLEEPER: McLemore (Tex), Garcia (Tor), Frye Martinez, Jim Thome, ---(Bos) or even the oft-injured DOOZER: Cora (Sea), Offerman (KC) Mark McGwire for less ss money than you would SURE: Rodriguez, A (Sea), Jeter (NYY), Vizquel pay for a Mo Vaughn, (Cle) Rafael Palmeiro, or. SLEEPER: Garciaparra (Bos), Gonzalez (Tor) Frank Thomas. DOOZER: Di Sarcina (Ana), Guillen (CWS) But Spend your 3B money up the middle ... SURE: Ventura (CWS) Williams, M (Cle) Conversely, there are very few players who produce premium Rivera, and Percival, while I scoop up one, maybe SL~EPER: Brosius (Oak), Cirillo (Milw), Walker numbers at those positions. Although Alex even two closers for a more healthy pri~e. If I (Minn) Rodriguez and Derek Jeter redefined the term finish at or near the middle in this category, I have DOOZER: Boggs (NYY) . . . breakthrough season, there are plenty of Ameri- the rest of my budget to allocate to the rest of the · OF categories. SURE: W1lh~s, B (NYY), Gnffey (Sea), Belle can League Shortstops who play because of their Ramuez (Cle), Lofton (Cle) , Buhner FeatnotoftheyounggunMiddleReliever (CWS), defense. Shortstop is a position at which there is · (Sea), Gonzalez (Tex) a huge difference between the haves and the haveSLEEPER: Giambi (Oak), Becker (Minn), Damon nots. RememberCalRipenstillqualifiesthereas . (KC), Davis, E (Bal), O'Neill (NYY), Higginson well and remains valuable. · • (Det), Hunter, B.L. (Det), Mack (Bos), Cordero Second base is similarly situated except (Bos), Strawberry (NYY) there are a few second basemen who 'are speed DOOZER: Lewis (CWS), Newfield (Milw), Kelly, threats who c~n be bargaips. However, the winR (Minn), Frazier(Sea) ning team in my league has had either Alomar or STARTERS Knoblauch thelastfouryears,.whichexplains why SURE: Cone (NYY), Pettitte (NYY), Mussina I will resign Knoblauch at $35. (Bal), Clemens (Tor), Nagy (Cle), Appier (KC), If the closer suffers an injury, what is the Do NOT waste your money on FRAN- Johnson (Sea), Passero (Sea) CHISE Pitchers. manager to do? He makes the middle reliever close SLEEPERS: Rogers (NYY), Coppinger (Bal), Here are some things to think about in the games. A miQdle reliever will likely be more · Guzman (Tor), Ogea(Cle), Avery (Bos), Rosado 1996. Randy Johnson went from Cy Young Award valuable than any dead-wood starter who wins 10 (KC), D' Amico (Milw), Hasegawa (Ana), Karsay Winner to the shelf because of a back injury, Mike games because the starter will pillory your team (Oak), -Prieto (Oak), Oliver(Te~). Burkett (Tex) Mussina's ERA neared 5.00 in hitter friendly Bal- ERA and ratio, while a middle reliever, consisDOOZERS: Boskie (Bal), Navarro (CWS), timore, and David Cone went from hired gun to tently placed in pressure packed situations, is less Sparks (Milw), Tewksbury (Minn), Watson (Ana) under.the gun with a career threatening aneurysm. likely to. Middle relievers are often keepers in Witt, B (Tex) ' Because of ball park effects and injuries, it is gen- protection leagues, because young ones are often RELIEVERS erally unwise to mortgage the ranch for a fran- groomed for closer jobs. I am not saying to draft SURE: Percival (Ana), Wetteland (Tex), Rivera chise starter. nine of tliese guys, but one or two cannot hurt. (NYY), Hernandez, R (CWS) If you pay $35 for Randy Johnson, the Outfielders are a dime a dozen ... SLEEPERS: Jones, T (Det), Benitez (Bal), Therefore, do not draft more than one franchances of filling your roster with bad starters inWitasick (Oak), Naulty (Minn), Shuey (Cle), crease. I think two or three second tier pitchers chise player. Granteq, Kenny Lofton is simply the Timlin (Tor), Bluma (KC) suffice to build a solid rotation. It would not hurt best because of his uncanny ability to steal bases DOOZERS: Stevens, D (Minn), Corsi (Bos), to take a chance on one or two of the sleepers, in spurts. I know that Albert Belle, Ken Griffey, Olson (Minn) most of whom have enjoyed success and some and Juan Gonzalez are saviors because of the pure
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MARCH1997
New York Law School Reporter
13
MADISON, Continued from Page· 10 lators until 1914. A sfgnificant dissenter in limiting, the time of the executive was_Alexander Hamilton, who _d eclared on June 18 that "An Executive for life has not this motive for forgetting his fidelity, and will therefore be a safer depository for power." Fear of dictatorship also heavily influenced the discussion on impeachment. The extreme position taken by Rep. Sandman of New Jersey in his defense of President Nixon in 1974, basically that presidents couldn't be impeached unless they were axe murderers, would have been rejected by the framers. William Davie of North Carolina said that if presidents couldn't be impeached they would do anything to get re-elected. Gouveneur Morris, originally opposed to impeachment, laid out the logic for its necessity: ''The Executive ought therefore to be impeachable for treachery; Corrupting his electors, and incapacity."
While the founders were men of property and interested in keeping it, they reflected a Christian skepticism of worldly goods. The first draft of the Constitution, presented on July 26, defined impeachment as "conviction of malpractice or neglect of duty." The second draft of August 6 listed impeachment as treason, bribery, or corruption. On August 20 Charles Pinkney defined impeachment as "neglect of duty malversation, or corruption." The final draft, under Article II, Section 4, states, ''The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on.Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." On September 4, David Brearly of New Jersey spoke for a committee considering the powers of the president and cited "absence, resignation or inability to discharge the powers or duties of his office as the correct reasons for a vice president taking over. The framers therefore approached the impeachment problem with common sense, presidents should be impeached for being unable to carry out their functions, whether they committed an overt criminal act or committed "misdemeanors" such as continually running traffie lights because of an alcoholic or drug condition. Madison was the champion of a judicial system and laid out the case for a supreme legal tribunal, or court, on July 23, "A law violating a constitution established by the people themselves, would be considered by theJudges as null & void." While the founders were men of property and interested in keeping it, they reflected a Christian skepticism of worldly goods. Madison quoted John Dickinson who "doubted the policy of interweaving into a Republican constitution a veneration for wealth. He had always understood that a veneration for poverty & virtue, were the objects of republican encouragement." George Mason worried that the poor and powerless would be run over by the calculations of the powerful. "Every selfish motive therefore, every family attachment, ought to recommend such a system of policy as would provide no less carefully for the rights and happiness of the lowest than the highest orders of Citizens." According to Madison's notes, Mason was "afraid of monopolies of every sort, which he did not thirik were by any means already implied by the Constitution.
i -h·ad' a·dream (about hot walrus) by catboy the other day / night i had a dream about things too. however, hot walrus is not only playhot walrus. hot walrus is a really good band. i ing and performing, they are also, and more imhad spent the night before wandering all over new portantly, talking to you. they are talking to you york city, especially the quiet and deserted uptown with a comraderie you rarely experience. · picture this: you're at a hot walrus show, neighborhoods. and when i finally returned to my the music is good, the lyrics are inspiring, your apartment at 5am, i slept until 5pm. i think i had the hot walrus dream some time between the hours of 3pm and 5pm. it was a real good·dream, but i don't remember all the specifics. i was talking with ethan, the lead singer of walrus, in the back room of theis well-lit colliseum, and the whole band was there. i think these white supremacists were out to get me or something, and hot wal- ' rusweregivingmesanctuary. ethan invited me to sing with him, just kill time because we were all waiting for something, but i declined. soon hot walrus walked on to this small Hot Walrus' newest member, Pete Madden (Guitar brown stage in a room with, Effects Solo) enjoys reading magazines on the Canal flourescent lights, and they Street subway platform when he's not playing with the started playing. they played exband. cellently. the material was new. i woke up intrigued, but optimistic. my ex-grrrlfriend taught me that one way to analyze dreams is to are moved, and you believe in art. but something recall the emotions one experiences during those else is going on, and you will only consciously _dreams. i thought about my hot walrus dream,. recognize it if you choose to dig deep into your and i felt safe, exhilarated, and happy. conse- subconscious. sure, hotwalrus is playing, ethan, quently, i spent the rest of the night thinking about brian, ed, and pete (and horns: troy and otherboy) hot walrus, and i had the following revelation about are all smiling, and people are digging their music. but beneath it all and above it all, hot walrus the band. is talking to us all. hot walrus is saying something that is above, below, beyond, and within their music. listen to hot walrus. listen to what they are saying. they are talking to us like you are talking with an old friend in a quiet and dark bar on a tuesday night. thay are talking to us like we speak to our people under umbrellas on rainy evenings, when we meet someone while we're out walking the dog, in the supermarket, upstate in the damp summer night ~ith crickets and cicadas in the back- · ground, and on an airplane with a tile salesperson from texas. · we all know about this kind of talking. it i always dug walrus, and i enjoyed their music, lyrics, personality, etc. however, somehting is music, it isn't music, music acts as a backround, about hot walrus always seemed special and dif- and music drowns it out hot walrus is and is not ferent. i used to think it was their honesty, origi- that music. they are the ultimate contradiction, nality, and their dedication to their art, and i am and they are the ultimate form of personal comstill enthralled by these aspects of the band. how- · munication. additionally, they like you . . listen to hot walrus. listen to them ever, that night i realized that hot walrus has risen talk. above any other band that has ever existed. when you list~n to any band or go to that band's shows, you listen to what the band does · (walrus will play at the knitting factory in the with their music, you watch them perform, you alterknit theater on march 19th. check them out.) empathize, you tune in, and you rock out. when you listen to or go see hot walrus, you do all these
to
hot walrus is not only playing and performing, they are also, and more importantly, talk-. ing to you.
MARCH1997
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14
The New York Law School
Reporter
By Jason D. Krauss City to pursue her feminist artwork. Tempers flare between the two when an old high-school buddy, Pony (Jayce Bartok) who has since become a sucStarring Giovanni Ribisi, Amie Carey, Jayce cessful rock and roll star, comes back to town~ This movie tries to make statement after Bartok, Steve Zahn, Nicky Katt and Parker statement on life, young people today, etc. It fails Posey. miserably. Giovanni Ribisi's role as Jeff became Richard Linklater, the man that brought quite tiring, as he whined and complained throughus Dazed and Confused, brings Eric Bogosian's out the movie. Amie Carey was decent as his girl1994 stage play to the big screen. The play, which friend, but I kept wishing Martha Plimpton, who I happened to see, was incredibly witty. It seemed was absolutely hysterical in 'the play, was up on as though everything funny and enjoyable about screen. Let's see, there have to be some bright the show, was left out of this weak production. spots, right? Parker Posey, Pony's public relations The story centers on the lives of a group of post- sexpot, was excellent. Watch for her in about three highschool slackers, and primarily takes place other movies this year, as she's been touted the next around a local con路venience store in a big thing. Steve Zahn, (That Thing You Do!) resuburban(thus路 the title), New Jersey town. Jeff prising his role from the play, is a pot-smoking pizza (Giovanni Ribisi), the central character, is not parlor worker. Any time I laughed, which wasn't sure exactly what he wants to do with his life, often, was because of Zahn's character. This and is bitter and depressed about it. He spends roughly two hour movie felt like forever. I can't most of the movie engaged in either aimless pon- remember the last time r rooted so hard for the tificating about life and his place in society, or credits to come up. Save your money at all costs. arguing with his long-term girlfriend (Amie 1 gavel (Out of five) Carey), who desperately wants to go to New York Rating: SUBURBIA Directed by Richard Linklater
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-MARCH1997 ~路~,路
New Yo~k Law . . School Reporter .
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15
by catbQy
port authority. i notice the meter isn't on, but who cares. at the end of the ride, the driver says, "i never put on the meter, pay me whatever you think it's worth." _i hate making decisions like this, soi hand him a twenty and say: "give me as much change as you want." "how's five for the ride?" "sounds good." (he hands me back fifteen dollars.) "don't work to hard _tonight." "look man, i drive a cab--it's hard not to."
on the mountain lives a lady, who she is, i do not know all she wants is gold and silver, all she needs is independence so come on grrrl, come on boy.buy yr ticket to the revolution, and dance with me. on the n train going uptown one evening, an elderly wommon asks me to hold the door so she can get off the train. i'm holding the door open, but the conductor keeps on trying to close it. he yells over the loudspeaker: "would you quit conversing in the doorway! !" i yell back, "come on man, i' m trying to hold the door so this womm on can get off the train." ~t this point, another boy jumps up to help me hold the door. the wo m m on is moving really slowly, however. i yell, the boy and i strug g le too keep the doors open, and finally the womm'on limps - o ff the train. the conductor is yelling: "come on, come on'. are you done yet!!" o n e saturday night, sharp and i stand on the bowery and houston, and we watch a bunch of "on duty" cabs completely ignore a black youth. the scene is really pissing me off, and i start yelling at all the cabs as they pass by. eventually, the boy sees a friend of his across the street, and the two of them decide to take a bus. later that evening i get grab .a cab from
one night, three big flashing lights randomly shine into the sky on the comer of 43rd and 10th. the lights are in the bed of a red pick-up truck. i ask the driver if the aliens are coming. (why else would he shine search lights into the sky?) "yes," he replies, unconcerned. "how long before they get here?" "about two hours." , "will i be safe in my apartment?" "yeah, don't worry about it."
"thanks."
.
in the morning the driver is gone, soi guess everything went okay. it's friday, the week has been hellish, and i just want to go uptown. the car i step into on the "a" reeks of oniony body odor. i look around. no one on the train looks homeless [sic], and the people sitting next to me look pretty clean. soon i realize that this boy sitting right across from me is·eating something that smells worse than any garbage dump or · dive-bar bathroom. i can't tell what it is, because the boy is shielding ,the substance with his body and he's wearing one of those big down coats. the boy looks_up from his food (?), and turns to the passenger next to him. "do you know if i can catch the "e" on 42nd street," he asks. "don't know, man," is the answer. he asks another passenger and then another. the answer is always some variation of, "don't know, man." resigned, the bqy returns to his food. "no one fuckin' knows if the 'e' stops on 42nd," he proclaims out loud and in disgust. "we all know," i think to myself, "but_we have our ways of getting back at inconsiderate people like you, who eat gross stuff on our train." fat oppression lives, for now. and my anger seethes at the stupidity of a certain commercial establishment on southwest comer oflexington and 66th. THE FORGOTTEN WOMAN, reads . the brown awnings on top of the store's display windows. i guess she's forgotten because she hasn't bought into your amercian dream times
MARCH 1997
square persecution, because she's still alive and _ healthy, because she hasn't vomited up her last meal, because she doesn't look like she's on heroin, and because she can kick your ass white boy. as sharp, mr. haskeli, and myself line up with the grunge boys and skinny trend grrrls outside of irving plaza to see L7, i understand why i haven't been to a show like this one in so· long. neverthe- · less, i am psyched to see L7. inside, unfortunately and ironically, it's the same old story all over again. all the boys push up to the front leaving the gmls in the back. i mean, come on, of all shows white boy, why? don't you get it? moreover, once L7 gets on . stage, the grrrls are pushed even further back as the boys charge the stage saying things like: "she' s got a really nice ass" "i think she wants me." .a nd "i want to fuck her." maybe i take life too seriously, but i have a right to be pissed. this is not the time or place for white boy stupidity. the following night at the L7 record release party, we are amongst people who believe in what the grrrls are fighting for. i am much happier here. we all are.
16
The New York Law School
Reporter
PROFESSOR, Continued from Page 1
ous research projects. Professor's hip in-class persona, her wry sense of humor, her artistic' taste, and her membership in the '" Outlaw Runner's Club," and you have one zany wommon who significantly adds to the diversity and competency of our school's faculty and staff. Additionally, as a California expatriate, the Professor is actually an a typical New Yorker be~ cause she constantly steps back and examines the City-'s bizarre aspects from a humorous perspective. Early in our conversation Prcifesso_r It takes a certain personality to deal effecSaltalamachia said: "When I look back on my ca- tively with law school research, and I believe that reer, I consider my accompll°shments in the library Professor Saltalamachia has that personality. I can .most significant." In fact, the Professor was quite )ust see her laughing ever so slightly as she ap· familiar with the law library institution while at- proaches the ~tacks. Nothing stresses her out. She tending Golden Gate Law School in the 70s, be- approaches the law like a funky but meaningful cause she often led her classmates through vari- game permeated by different perspectives and sub-
P ~ -o · J es so r Saltalamachia, sees soap operas as an "untapped cultural phenomenon."
Professor Saltalamachia took an opportunity to beat up gender stereotypes when she hired John Cipriano to be her secretary.
jects . .To the Professor, law is freedom. It is an opportunity to discover, create, and choose. Not surprisingly, upon graduation from law school, Professor Saltalamachia worked only part-time as an attorney, while she continued working in -~~ the Golden Gate library. The ,~~re,<::-~,~ ·-$-v o<::- ,~ questions inevitably arose: "Do you have a law degree? Why are ~<::-~~' <o~ o.~~ you doing this?" However, none ~v ,'li of these shallow queries daunted ·-$-v the Professor. The library was her love, and she did not look back. In 1982 New York Law School recruited Professor Saltalamachia because the administration wanted more out of its library. The Professor can flying into New York on a mission to: challenge, modify, buy, resurrect, and educate. She succeeded, and in 1989 the library's renovations were complete. To this day, Professor Saltalamachia continues to dedicate her time to the library, making it more convenient and accessible for the students. Now, not everyone agrees that a library is the friendliest Introducing the Pay-When-You-Pass* place fo the world. Admittedly, sometimes the Professor herself lVlicrolVIash Bar Review. thinks of any library as "an evil maze." see The Name of the To pass the Bar Exam, you need a top-quality review. the NCBE. It includes our exceptionally personalized state But just as law school nears the end, so does your packages, which feature hand-grading of all your Rose, by Umberto Eco. Moreavailable cash. How do you get the best review, when assignments. And if you buy one of our complete packages. over, technological advances you need it most, and can afford it the least? and need the MPRE as well. we'll give you our MPRE Review free. since the 1970s have made legal If you're sitting for the July 1997 Bar Exam, you can buy the MicroMash Bar Review, pay only for shipping and handling Does it work? Well, consider this: is anyone else in the . research . more comprehensive and a $50 materials fee, and we'll defer the Bar review industry willing to put their product on the line and intimidating. For this rearest of the purchase price until you pass like this? the Exam. son, Professor Saltalamachia You know the answer. Make no mistake, we believe this is the begs students to ask the library Now. make the call to get all the details on our remarkable very best Bar review on the market staff for assistance. Our librarself-study MicroMash Bar Review. and this incredible offer: today. It includes our computer-based ians our untapped resources. MBE Review, completely updated for the July 1997 Bar Exam. and features the of them have law degrees, Many Ext. 6265 most recently released questions from library d~grees, or second masters degrees. Ask them for help, because they are here to help us. In her first year Torts course, the Professor is known IR E v , E for using soap opera characters on her final in an effort to lighten 6402 South Troy Circle • Englewood. CO 80111-6424 • (303) 799-0099 up the exam. On a serious note, e-mail: MicroMash@icslearn.com • Web site: http://www.MicroMash.com/learning however, Professor • Certain restrictions apply. Call for complete details. © 1997 M-Mash, Inc. MicroMash is a regtstered trademark of M-Mash, Inc. Saltalamachia sees soap operas as an "untapped cultural phenomenon." 'The working world has no idea that a great part of
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Continued on Page 19
MARCH1997
New York Law School Reporter
17
;,
NYLSnet, Continued from Page 1 menu. After she finished .and logged off, the school's computers went to work. Packets of information passed at light speed through the · school's powerful fiber optic network. The · administration's computers gathered everyone's phone number, while the dial-out ·computer got ready to start calling. That one phone call is evidence of the incredibly smart decision that New York Law School recently made. We began implementing a plan to install a powerful, commercially competitive, stateof-the-art computer network by designing and installing a powerfully robust network back-end. The back-end of our computer network includes the cables running through and between the buildings, the powerful computers and software in room B-210 which process data all night and day, and the school's dedicated internet equipment.
Now is the time to complement NYLS's state-of-the-art backend with an equally powerful front-end. Installing such a powerful back-end is exactly the critical and important forethought needed by today's organizations (law schools, corporations, interest groups, government) that are lead-
ing us into the future of worldwide information · exchange. So, by purchasing and installing the first and most difficult part ofa good network (the back-end), New York Law School has placed itself among today's other leading-edge players. As it becomes easier and faster for each of us as students to access, create, and exchange information, the ~ore professional and successful we will become. A fundamental part of our law school education is learning how to creatively use technology to make our daily living easier. Such things as online or phone registration, saving a two hour train ride in the morning because of a cancelled class, and immediate access to almost any type of information are, just three examples of how NYLSnet could help us become less frazzled and more constructive. We are entering job markets that frown upon the technologically illiterate, and extol those who are committed to using information as efficiently as possible. Having a completed and powerfully robust network will allow us to practice
this important part of being professional. So, now is•the time to maximize our entire network's potential. Now is the time to complement its state-of-the-art back-end with an equally powerful front-end. Our network's frontend includes the computers and printers in the four student computer labs (the two downstairs and the two in the library), the computers used by student organizations, academic departments and administration, and the ones used by our professors in their offices. A front-end_upgrade will deliver us an overflowing gift-basket of technologically advantageous goodies. If we upgrade the network's old front-end computers to faster Pentium _technology running better networking software, we will not have to wait anymore what seems like hours for the cursor to move along the page in Wordperfect. If we upgrade the current ink-jet printers to special networking laser printers, our print jobs will begin printing the moment we removed our fingers from the mouse button. If we upgrade_ the computer software from old versions of Windows 3.11 to new versions of Wmdows NT (industrial grade Windows 95), we will each have individually customizable user environments-personalized screen savers and secured directorieswhich will follow us to whatever computer term.inal we happen to be using. For example, during our breaks we could sit in one of the labs at school to work on a paper, and continue later by logging into NYLSnet from home. We will also be able to take advantage of our .existing real-time Tl connection to the Internet. From every NYLSnet computer terminal we will have instantaneous access to WestLaw, Lexis-Nexis, the World Wide Web, and the rest of the internet. Those services, after the upgrade, will integrate with our current internal e-mail system and our new intranet version of the World Wide Web (NYLSWeb). The administration and each of the school's organizations, departments, and even the students (if they chose) would have theit: own web sites with CD quality sound, video, and full animation. Teachers could post new assignments and optional reading suggestions on their web sites, student _clubs and organizations would notify us of symposiums via subscribed to e-mail lists, and the administration's we~ site would have loan, tuition, grade, and secured exam number information.
What is the point of having a if • k super computer l its eyboard is an abacus? These upgrade benefits coupled with certain minor environmental modifications, like adding wrist rests to reduce the threatof carpal tunnel syndrome, ac1ding posters and plants to colorize and liven up the labs, and separating the student workstations to add desk space, are all important aspects of a fun to use and friendly network frontend. Furthermore, the entire upgrade, including a well-trained support staff is possible for only a fraction of student tuition. In theory it may be true that the front and back ends of a network act as independent entities performing separate jobs. The back-end computers process the information that is punched into the front-end computers. But practically speak-: ing, what is the point of having a super computer if its keyboard is an abacus? Video conferencing,
MARCH 1997 ~
fully animated Web Browsing, super fast e-mail, real-time sound, and push information technology (like the Internet Pointcast system) are impossible without a technologically equal front-end. Right now,research groups at AT&T, Mn', . NTT, and Bell Labs are spending billions of dollars, and using massive amounts of genius brain power trying to design faster and more robust back-end networks. At the same time, programmers are just as frantic, churning out innovative front-end software so these back-end networks will be useful to people. So by having a network back end without a matching front-end, we might as well be strapped into the seat of a powerful state-of-the-art race car cruising down the autobahn at fourteen miles per hour. It's just no fun. .
To maximize the farreaching technological potential of New York La,w School's NYLSnet, and if we are serious about entering the forefront of the professional . community, then we must act now. The back-end cost we have already incurred and industry custom (along with Moore's Law) 1 economically and technologically require us to install a matching powerful front-end. To maximize the far-reaching technological potential of New York Law School's NYLSnet, and if we are serious about entering the forefront of the professional community, then we must act now. Our school has formed the Information Technology Policy Committee that specifically addresses these types_of issues. It has as members almost every associate dean, representatives of the library staff, and the faculty. They are open to our opinions and remarks about New York Law School's role in advancing the technology that law students have access to. The committee may be contacted through the Dean's Office, or through the SBA. A more technically detailed report with costs may be obtained by stopping by the Reporter's office. Thanx to Sui Ki Kan, Luis Rosas, Denise DiVitto, and Elaine Mills. 1
Moore's Law states that with every year that passes, computers (including hardware and software) become twice as good. I:::m)
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18
The New York Law · School
Reporter
FEELING THE BURN: THE AUTHOR.JOINS A HEALTH CLUB
POETRY CORNER By Billie Rand
By Vladimir Vizner SolarD@aol.com
Upon a recent self-assessment, I thought it was about time to use the gym membership I got for Christmas. Looking forward to the.new expe- THE HUMAN SPIRIT rience, I drove to the place in order not to get too tired before the workout. To my surprise, my gym was not a gym at all but rather a health club. The The human spirit is the essence of the soul; difference it seems is that by calling your facility a health club you encour- It's both the bad and the good that make life whole; age women to work-out. Maybe the word "gym" conjures up images of big Life is not always joyous and without pain; burly men sweating and grunting while checking themselves out in the mir- How can we enjoy the sunshine without the rain? ror. The club itself was impressive--all kinds of machines, treadmills, While all in life is not always serene, bikes and weights. It was clean and it didn't smell. After a few visits, I We must strive to realize our dream; noticed that the real joy here was observing the eclectic bunch of people Life brings new meaning to the heart converging here, _only some of whom actually came to work out for them- When we give aid to the troubled at heart. . selves. Others seemingly had ulterior motives. The easiest to spot were the "look at me" people. How could you Integrity and willingness to give miss them? They would strut up and down end_lessly, flexing and stretching Makes us worthy of a better life to live; provocatively. The men would bare their arms while the women would stick By caring and sharing with those in need, out their chests and quickly glance to see if anyone was noticing. You would We find joy to make the heart gleam. think these types would be instantly drawn to each other. But alas, it seems that in their own little worlds they both assume that they can do better than THE BETTER WAY each other. It is better to lose with a conscious clean Than win by a trick unfair; It is better to fail and know you've been, Whatever the price, on the square, Than to claim the joy of a far-off goal And the cheers of the standers-by, .And to know down deep in your inmost soul, A cheat you must live and die. . Next we have the "I'm just looking" people. This crowd, although dressed appropriately, did not have any sweat to show for their visit. Rather, Who wins by trick may take the prize, they came to watch the more desirable gym members. Consistently, a group And at first he may think it sweet, of two or three high school aged girls would sit at the entrance to the weight But many a day in the future lies room since here is where one could observe the glistening men. They would · When he'll wish he had met defeat; try to remain subtle but their actions were a dead giveaway. The men weren't For the man who lost shall be glad at heart, any better but their subtlety could only be matched by a charging bull elAnd walk with his head up high, ephant. While th·e conqueror knows he must play the part Being new I wanted to know how to use the bicep-curl machine, so Of a cheat and a living lie. I asked the guy sitting next to me. In a strained voice he explained it and added, "Man, you can feel the bum! Really feel it-feel the pain!" Funny, The prize seems fair when the fight is on, but my whole life had been spent trying to avoid that exact sensation. I But unless it is truly won guess there is a bit of masochism in this whole scene--it goes with the terri- You will hate the thing when the crowds are gone, tory. For it stands for a false deed done; . But my greatest thrill came when I went to the men's locker room. And its better you should never reach your goal, Here everyone got to let it all hang out. Literally. The steam room looked Than ever success to buy inviting. That is until a guy dressed only in a towel went in leaving the towel At the price of knowing down in your soul behind. Now I have never been a boy scout or an altar boy so the prospect That your glory is all a lie. of feeling my way around in a steam-filled room with naked ·men was not exactly what I had in mind. All in all, I like my new health club. But on a nice.day like today, when I am outside jogging, I will still feel .a twinge of waste. Here I am outs1.de in the fresh air when I can be inside running in place on a revolving • belt staring at my counterpart across 'the way. Funny isn't it?
My greatest thrill came when I went to the men's locker room. Here everyone let it all hang out. Literally.
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New York Law School _Reporter
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SPELL, Continued from Page 16
Ode to the Telephone By Jean Eisenmeyer
Time is of the essence. I hurriedly lock the door to my apartment and make a mad dash for the elevator. I hear your 路persistent ring. I unlock the door to my apartment and finally reach the phone, but it seems I missed your last ring. I am beside myself with frustration. Do you delight in doing this? [Technology, however, with its magic, now can bring back that "long lost" call.] On another occasion, it is about 3:30 a.m. A shrill ring has awakened me. At the other end of the line, I am istening to some inebriated individual shouting obscenities at me. This, of course, is a wrong number. Must you subject me to this? One day, I decide to make an important telephone call. You have forsaken me; the dial tone is not operating. At this point, it is necessary for me to ask a neighbor if I can use her phone, in order to contact your repair division for help. This chore displeases-me. I dislike intruding on peoRle's privacy. [Remember when only your rich neighbor possessed a phone? Now, most people boast a phone in their bedroom and kitchen. Have we come a long way or what!] Is there any way to avoid this? Then again, I inust thank you for all the lovely hours I have spent visiting friends and family through the telephone. So although you anger and frus l trate me on occasion, you bring me peace and happiness on very many others.
the world is glued to these things," she observes. I wonder out loud if these soap opera addicts are living their lives through the television characters. The Professor responds in turn by paralleling soap operas to "internet chatlines [where] people create fantasy worlds themselve~." (This observation makes me wonder if anyone is actually living her/his life. Are we all living in fantasy worlds to some degree? Who deals with reality every second of her/his life? Is this a bad thing?) Professor Saltalamachia admires Christo's "wrap art" as well as the New York City guerrilla art movement. She is a member at The Met, and right now Willie Nelson, Candide, The Commitments, and Horowitz in 路Moscow are in-her CD~player. Her favorite color is black. She is committed to her "sixties idealism," and she really enjoys her job. To all students she says: ''The professors are not against you. We want you to succeed. And we want you to have a fulfilling and successful career." Re-examine your hang-ups. Find freedom. Do what you want, and ignore the peanut gallery. Thank you "Professor."
MARCH 1997
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st Johr,_'s University School ·ofLaw· No gunshots were fired, no church belis rang out signaling chaos. Yet the iiiost powerful man, in the most powerful otjice in the world, ejected himself from the apex of power- the Presidency of the United States of America. And the greatest legal document ever drafted, th~ Constitution, held-the fabric of our nation together during this tumultuous time. While it is the most significant legal event in the last twenty-five years; few would recognize it as such, because we too often neglect and take for granted the sacred charter. Few would remark that it was the 207 year-old dusty parchment that provided for an orderly and fair judicial process by which citizens, through their chosen representatives, called into question the conduct.of their sovereign leader. · And so, with much trepidation in the summer of 1974, the House of Representatives-following the Constitution- drew three Articles oflmpeachment accusing the 37th President of extremely serious crimes. The accusation of obstruction of justice stood foremost among the charges as an impropriety -with grave implications upon the person charged with "faithfully executing the laws" of the United ~tates.
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The Judiciary Committee voted to impeach; now the question would go to the House floor for a full ·vote on whether to subject the President to a trial by the 100-member Senate, mandated by the Constitution. Such a trial would rock the nation to the ·:ery cc:-e of its existence. !t did not occur: the President.resigned from office. Again the Constitution was there. Following its detailed instruction, the Vice-President became the 38th Ptesident. For all the dismay and outrage exhibited at the time, no riots erupted, no fight for power ensued, no military coup took place and no revolution broke out. In like circumstances, such frightening incidents have occurred in every comer of the globe. With peaceful, determined order, the Constitution handed over the mightiest of its responsibilities - the presidency. We have it to thank for our nation's continuing stability and prosperity.
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