Monday, December 29, 2008

RED MASS


RUMPOLE EXPLAINS: Red Mass is an "idea", a "concept", designed to honor those in our profession who have passed on. I assumed, wrongly, that people would understand that I was proposing a NON-DENOMINATIONAL ceremony to honor our friends who have died. But judging by the number of emails I received, I was wrong. So one New Year vow is to communicate more effectively.

HEY, HERE'S AN IDEA-why not have a non-denominational service where all those who served the legal community and have passed away in the last year are remembered? Gee, that sounds like a good idea. And the best part is, unlike the Red Mass in Washington, DC, this service would be NON-DENOMINATIONAL, meaning all people of all faiths, or no faith, would feel comfortable at the service.


NFL Update below:


FROM WIKIPEDIA:


Red Mass
refers to a Mass celebrated annually in the Roman Catholic Church for judges, prosecutors, attorneys, law school professors, students, and government officials. The Mass requests guidance from the Holy Spirit for all who seek justice, and offers the opportunity to reflect on what Catholics believe is the God-given power and responsibility of all in the legal profession.

One of the better-known Red Masses is the one celebrated each fall at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. on the Sunday before the first Monday in October (the Supreme Court convenes on the first Monday in October). It is sponsored by the John Carroll Society and attended by Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, the diplomatic corps, the Cabinet and other government departments and sometimes the President of the United States. All officials attend in their capacity as private individuals, rather than as government representatives, to quell arguments with respect to a weakening of the separation of church and state. This logic had greater import in the 1950s when the first services were held, as Catholicism was viewed with greater suspicion than today in the American body politic.
A Red Mass is now celebrated annually in more than half the states of the United States
.


Rumpole says, we have had this idea for several years now. A "Red Mass" type remembrance in the large 4th floor courtroom in December for all those attorneys and judges who have passed away during the year. This year we would remember Sy Gaer, Stuart Mishkin, Alvin Goodman, and David Stern.


Who are we forgetting?


Which Judge wants to take this project on with help from a volunteer from the FACDL?

NFL Update: We hit 3 of 4 (naturally) and how th Ravens/Jags didn't even score a field goal in the second half is beyond us- because if they had we would have been 4 for 4. As it is we enter the playoffs 1189 Mangini's up. Right now lock of the week- Your Philadelphia Eagles will beat he Vikes in Minny. Guaranteed.

It's "snow" nice here in the high Sierras we may never come home.

13 comments:

  1. Unless it's going to be truly non-denominational, and not called anything like "Red Mass type" -- the name "Red Mass" having long and unpleasant associations for many familiar with the DC event! -- do it somewhere other than the court building please.

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  2. what about the Jewish judges and lawyers? we don't do mass

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  3. Rump:

    Whatthe story with Harvey Ruvin's clerk's office website. The criminal traffic area is all screwed up.

    Wondering Lawyer

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  4. Rump:

    Who is your accountant? You went from plus 809 to plus 1189?

    You won three - $400
    You lost one - $220
    Net plus $180
    Season - $989

    Either way, you were 3/4 and continue to beat the pros.

    Ravens are a lock next weekend.

    Both teams are 11-5. Of the 11 Dolphin wins, only one versus a playoff team - Chargers, early in the season.

    Ravens beat two playoffs teams and beat both of them bad - Fins and your cheesesteak Eagles.

    But a more telling stat is the five loses:

    Fins lose to two playoff teams: Arizona and Ravens.

    Ravens lose their five to two number one seeds (Giants and Titans); two number two seeds (Steelers twice); and the hottest team entering the playoffs - the Colts.

    Defense wins championships and the Ravens have a better D and with Flacco looking like a real QB now, they could go far into this playoff tournament.

    And how bout my Hurricanes, boy do I wish for the days of Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar, Steve Walsh, Gino Toretta. Was that the worst final three minutes of a Canes game ever? Young team will be much better next year - I hope.

    Captain Out ....

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  5. DROP PAYS (THANKS TO THE JAABLOG):

    SIMONS, STUART M.
    JUDGE
    2008 annual salary: $145,080
    Monthly pension: $7,776
    DROP payout: $265,781

    BRUMMER, BENNETT H.
    PUBLIC DEFENDER
    2008 annual salary: $153,140
    Monthly pension: $8,164
    DROP payout: $487,398

    On a lighter note, congratulations to Governor Sarah Palin - you can now call her Grandma.

    Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's teenage daughter Bristol has given birth to a son. The 7 lb 4 oz baby was born on Sunday in Palmer, Alaska, and is named Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston

    Cap Out ...

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  6. Random thought with the altruistic nature shared so often on this blog, but why has no one stepped up in this community to come up with some sort of loan assistance repayment program for all the new attorneys who go into public interest? Many of you make your comments about how great it was when you were an ASA or APD, but have since gone into the private field. Why not try to help out those that want to maintain the path? Eventually even the best public servants are forced to leave the jobs they love with loans totaling over $100,000 from three years of law school.

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  7. Amazing and sad that you got no response on that post Rump.

    I think it's a great idea to celebrate the honorable and ethical among us. I would urge you to celebrate the living and practicing as well.........while many don't deserve it, many do and we don't show our appreciation enough as it is. It's a shame that some of those who passed may never have known how widely respected and liked they truly were.

    On that note, I'd like to give a special thanks to the public officials who could be making a lot more money in the private sector and treat their jobs with the respect they deserve (how I miss being counted among them.........). Let's all resolve to contribute to the community in some way this year.

    Good luck to all; God bless.

    BTDT

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  8. BUY YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THEY ARE ALL GONE .....

    The NFL will announce a move of the Pro Bowl from Hawaii to Miami for 2010.

    That means that the Pro Bowl will be played at Dolphin Stadium on January 31, 2010 and the Super Bowl will be played on February 7, 2010 at the same venue.

    Be patient, customer service operators are standing by to take your orders.

    Cap Out ...

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  9. It's WHOM are we forgetting.

    Secondly, why limit this just to this geographic area? We should remember Chief Justice Rehnquist, even though most South Florida lawyers can't comprehend 99% of his rulings and why they were correct.

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  10. I would like to let all my friends and former colleagues at the MJB that I have finally retired from the SAO here in Key West. (Yes, I have 32 1/2 years in as a State employee, time flies when you are having so much fun.) I am staying here and am opening my own practice doing CRIMINAL DEFENSE. I'll be doing a little family and mediation on the side. Some of you have visited me, my new office is right across the street. You can reach me at 305-296-0203 or 305-849-8663 after January 5. I can't wait to start pestering young prosecutors! Miss you all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  11. 10:17........WRONG. Several people have pushed loan forgiveness and raises for ASAs and APDs. Unfortunately, the legislature just keeps cutting. And, at this point, we can understand why. The bottom line is that the current economic crisis is killing state government.

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