JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL RICHARD E GERSTEIN JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG. THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO JUSTICE BUILDING RUMOR, HUMOR, AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT AND BETWEEN THE JUDGES, LAWYERS AND THE DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF, CLERKS, COURT REPORTERS, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO LABOR IN THE WORLD OF MIAMI'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE. POST YOUR COMMENTS, OR SEND RUMPOLE A PRIVATE EMAIL AT HOWARDROARK21@GMAIL.COM. Winner of the prestigious Cushing Left Anterior Descending Artery Award.

Monday, May 03, 2010

DRILL BABY DRILL



This oil disaster in the Gulf Of Mexico is about to change our life here in Florida, and not for the better.

AP is reporting that the oil slick will hit the Florida Keys in a week, and that will compound what is already an enormous ecological disaster:

From the AP report:
Nick Shay, a physical oceanographer at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, said Monday once the oil enters the Loop Current, it likely will end up in the Keys and continue east into the Gulf Stream.Shay says the oil could affect Florida's beaches, coral reefs, fisheries and ecosystem within a week.He described the Loop Current as similar to a "conveyor belt,"sweeping around the Gulf, through the Keys and right up the East Coast. Shay says he cannot think of any scenario where the oil doesn't eventually reach the Florida Keys.


The anti-intellectual crowd of right wing and religious republicans prefer their leaders to have a ready quip, be a person of the people, and not be too smart. Prayer is better than education and intelligence in their (warped) view of the world. And this is not to diminish prayer, but this is to diminish those who would rather their leaders pray several times a day then have a high IQ and be learned in the areas where they work and seek to lead. That is why Sarah Palin's "Drill Baby Drill" was such a hit and was much preferred by those religious republicans as an energy policy to a thoughtful discussion of energy issues.

So here is our question: Where is Sarah Palin and her pals now that an ecological disaster of dare we say biblical proportions is about to strike and perhaps wipe out a unique ecological zone? Will prayer protect the coral reefs of the Florida Keys? Will prayer stop the 210,000 gallons of oil leaking into the Gulf every day? Will prayer solve our energy crisis, because as we've seen, the slogan "Drill Baby Drill" hasn't helped that much.

It is said that the good lord helps those who help themselves.

We've put our entire ecosystem at risk by drilling for oil in the ocean. The ocean is a resource that is precious, fragile, and not necessarily salvageable depending upon the damage we inflict upon it.

With more than a million gallons of oil about to hit the gulf stream and loop around Florida and head up the east coast, the least we can do is pray for those in power to have the wisdom and ability to help solve this disaster.

Folks, this is going to be a whole lot worse than we realize right now.


37 comments:

Anonymous said...

No Shrimp & No oysters, OH MY
DS

The Straw Buyer said...

If I pump even the tiniest bit of oil overboard on my yacht I'll be hit with massive fines and could actually get arrested. If I create a slick and then put some soap on it to dispurse it and get noticed the fines become larger and I will definately go to jail. All that for just a tiny bit of oil or fuel. Who's gonna be responsible for this mess?

sexy blonde hottie said...

Rumpolium- whtcha doin in Paris?

Anonymous said...

Obama signed drilling legislation just days before the spill and AFTER the spill when asked if he would not have signed the legislation, he said he stood by his decision. Or have you forgotten that already?

Anonymous said...

Congress's failure to act on deep water oil rig safety can be attributed to the mother's milk of corruption and decay in our society, lobbyist money. And who had more money to throw at congress since 1993, Big Oil. Norway and Brazil have had fail-safe third stage safety switches on their deep water rigs since 1993. You can look to the Executive branch if you want to, how many have we had since 1993? 3. Spread the blame aroud. This is systemic. To politicize this is error. Maybe the next Congress and Executive will reign in the lobbyist because no one in Washington shows any inclination to do so. Congress and the Executive are in constant campaign mode and in need of Big Oil $$$ that flows from the lobbyist checkbooks. The members just can't resist those campaign contributions, free steak dinners with the $100 bottles of wine, and the monthly trips to Vegas and beyond. What happens in Vegas, ....

Anonymous said...

adrien will win, as you lawyers are detached from the common people and the common people have common sense....go adrien...."""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""ADRIEN"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Anonymous said...

The Pres said BP will pick up the tab for the clean up; But I love the way BP said it, THEY will pay for the NECESARY and Proper clean-up costs
DS

Anonymous said...

I saw Rumpole at the REGB today.

Anonymous said...

palin stands by her drill baby drill comments today in the la times. check it out

Rumpole said...

The only person who has less common sense than Sarah Palin is you-7:37. But at least you're not a member of the Bar.

Anonon said...

Spill... oh no... spill, is Palin's catchphrase now.

Fake Pat Robertson said...

The Florida Keys' lifestyle was the cause of this oil spill, nothing else. The Keys deserve to get slicked with oil as they tolerate homosexuality, drinking and debauchery in general. Just look at the God-fearing Florida Panhandle.....oh shit, they're gonna get hit too. Looks like I need a new line.

Anonymous said...

Almost 100% of the endorsers on Monica Gordo's are of Cuban/Latin decent. It would be nice to see some diversity!!!!

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

A new Circuit Court Judge ...

We should have a replacement for Judge Norman Gerstein very, very soon. Gov. Crist is choosing between:

Victoria Brennan
Jose Fernandez
Alan Fine
Darrin Gayles
Anita Margot Moss
Deborah White-Labora

Cap Out ...

Anonymous said...

gayles or fernandez would be my pick

Anonymous said...

Spill baby Spill

Anonymous said...

Captain, the list has been narrowed to Brennan, Gayles, and Fernandez. I'm a big fan of Fernandez but have no idea how he has made it this far in the selection process. My money is on Brennan.

Anonymous said...

Fernandez!

Anonymous said...

Have you ever heard Monica Gordo talking on La Poderosa radio station? Among other things, she's said that prisoners have free internet unlike poor people on the outside who have to pay for it! Based on the things she says, I'm voting for her opponent.

Anonymous said...

My money is on Fernandez.

Anonymous said...

Beleive it or not, word is that the recently arrested "Times Square Bomber" wanted to blow up the Comedy Central Building as part of the new Jihaud against South Park, after that show had the temerity to mention the prophet Muhamed in a recent episode. Not only is the bomber significantly lacking in religious self-esteem (you don't see Christians, Jews, Mormons, and especially Scientologists seeking revenge against South Park after being skewered by animated puppets) but also in basic criminal skills. Even my most unsophisticated client knows that you use a stolen car as part of your plan to commit a major felony. This moron apparently purchased the explosive loaded van in his own name and e-mail address.

Unfortunately, our country is in for more misery if people like this--who don't understand or want to understand some of our basic values--are allowed to wander around planning this type of mischief. The paradox is that it looks like the only way to prevent these cretins from continuing to plan such attacks on America is to undermine these very values. In effect, they are using our own freedom against us. The future looks very bleak indeed.

Batman said...

For those of you who are still interested, especially the idiot on May 1 at 12:42 who thought I make things up, please check the Secretary of State, Elections Division website and see that William Johnson is not a candidate for Circuit Judge.

He has officially withdrawn and has had his qualifying fee returned.

Apologies may be made as publicly as the derogatory comments or you can email me at the address on my profile and I will publish it. The last alternative is don't dispute what you know nothing about unless you are ready to say who you are and from where your so-called expertise comes.

Anonymous said...

Johnson officially disqualified by the Secretary of State........say hello to Judge Rodriguez Chomat.....Captain you still don't know s--t .......all that will be left of Adrien after Samantha Ruiz Cohen gets done with him will be the Milli-Vanilli hairdo and his roller skating sneakers......."Girl You know it's true!......The guy is a total joke!

Anonymous said...

Go go JOA JOE.

Stop Porn Piracy said...

I never thought I would ever say this - Somebody call the "Q"!

Piracy is hurting the bottom line of the adult entertainment industry, according to a new public-address video starring porn stars.

“What we’re trying to communicate in these new videos, is that this is not just hurting the big companies like Larry Flynt, but the people who work in production, the performers, the sideline businesses like makeup artists,” says Joanne Cachapero, the coalition’s membership coordinator, in a telephone interview Thursday. “Piracy is really a problem for our industry in terms of dropping revenues. This is what we’re trying to communicate to the consumer.”

If Rumpole would start paying for his porn the issue would be non-existant.

People I am concerned all you robed readers start paying for your porn. Stop hurting the industry!

Anonymous said...

Who cooked the deal in the Johnson and Rodriguez-Chomat race? Armando Gutierrez? Bob Levy? Hector Lombana? H. T. Smith? Al Lorenzo?

Anonymous said...

OK kids,

Let's look at the top three:

Joe Fernandez. Been a judge only a short time. Has pissed off both the defense bar, the PD AND the SAO. Is rude and denies everything. Wins an award for most recusals for his bad attitude.
Yea, promote him just to get rid of him.

Victoria Brennan. Only got appointed cuz she work for Jeb. Jeb and Charlie hate each other. Her reputation is not as bad as Joe's but, she has not been known for her kindness or compassion. She is no great judge.

Darryn Gayles: Been a judge for many years. Has great resume, state and federal. Is respected and admired by all. Never pisses off anyone and does a good job.
He is my pick.

Anonymous said...

can anyone speak to the qualifications of Kuntz.....I looked at his site, but I want to know details

Anonymous said...

Give it Gayles. He has put in his time and is a good judge. Well liked and knows the law.

Fernandez has been a big disappointment and has a huge case of robitis. Pretty sad considering he was an ASA and roamed the halls of the REG bldg on the defense side. Had the potential to be a good addition to a pretty weak county bench.

Brennan- eh, nothing special.

Anonymous said...

Who cares about tomorrow! All defendants, please pay my fee TODAY!

Toy Story said...

Gayles. White Labora. Brennan. In that order.

Anonymous said...

The comments about Judges Brennan and Fernandez are interesting and are the same ones that have been posted repeatedly probably by the same lawyer. I think they are way off base. Both Judges were very good lawyers and know the system. It seems you are upset becasue they didn't grant you a 6th continuance. It's been my view that they will grant continuances if you are a lawyer that actually works on your cases. If you sign a DWLS for $150 at 10 dollars a month don't expect 15 continuances so you can get paid. I would guess you are not a very good lawyer. The good lawyers don't complain about these judges.

I am a former ASA and only ever heard good things about these Judges from the SAO. The PDs I worked with were usually complimentary as well. And, again, it seems that it's the hack lawyers that may be complaining.

Judge Gayles is an okay Judge. Nice guy but kind of "blah". He's been hiding in branch court so can't say more about him.

Anonymous said...

Judge Gayles is the best of the bunch. Probably one of the few real judges in the county bench today. He knows the law and applies it correctlly, and does it with a nice and humble attitude.

Fernandez knows, or ought to knw, the law, but the lawyers in the REGB and this blog made it very hard for him to apply fearlessly when they began calling him "JOA Joe". He swung the pendulum all the way to the conservative side when it was clear that he was developing a reputation that could damage him in the next election.

Anonymous said...

Kuntz was a reporter here in town before he went to law school.

He’s been out 14 years or so. He’s got a civil law practice (started at H&K) but I know he does family and domestic violence cases pro bono.

He’s about 50, very good reputation in the civil bar. I’ve seen him work close up and he is very smart, very fair. Good guy.

Anonymous said...

Monica Gordo will be a horrible judge. But the Cubans will vote for her!

Anonymous said...

Monica Gordo will make an excellent Judge. Some tech savy supporters of her competitors are creating a smear internet campaign

Anonymous said...

Monica Gordo is highly qualified and would be an excellent judge. I find the comments about her "cuban only" endorsements to be highly suspect. A judge is supposed to be impartial, clearly this blog is not. Would there less of an issue if her last name was Smith or Levin?