The similarities between the cryptkeeper and NFL owner Al Davis
are uncanny-scary. Curious to get some feedback if others see it as I do.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Who's the Judge? Rough Case
I had a case that I was appointed as special prosecutor. I will spare you all the graphic details but the man was charged with lewd conduct. He basically did some things with his daughter he shouldn't have. At any rate he pled guilty and in the plea agreement I signed I said I would not be bound to any recommendations of the pre-sentence investigator. Meaning, I could argue whatever I wanted to at sentencing. This is ok to share because it is all public record.
I got all the evaluations back from the pre-sentence investigator and one recommends probation and one recommends 6 months in jail. Typically, a prosecutor won't recommend more than the evaluators, but it didn't quite sit right with me. I had not made up my mind what I was going to recommend until the Judge asked for my recommendation. But I also felt that no one was really remembering that fact that this defendant did some bad things to his daughter.
The standard goals of sentencing are deterrence, punishment, protection of society, possibility of rehabilitation. This defendant had no prior criminal history, admitted his crime right up front, and was remorseful for what he did. But I felt that if he was just put on probation there would be no punishment which is what I related to the Judge. The Judge asked me how much time I thought was appropriate and I said that 1 to 2 years was appropriate given the nature of the crime. (Now I know some of you will think that anyone that does this type of crime should be put away for life-and while I agree it is a very serious offense there is also in my mind a scale of severity. About a month ago I had another case with a defendant with the same charges, but he had done this for a number of years and other details of the case made it much worse than the case I had today-that other defendant received 8 years to life in prison. So when I compared that case to this one, this one wasn't anywhere near as bad).
The defense attorney was surprised at my recommendation and still asked for probation. The Judge commented on a lot of the statements that both I and defense counsel made and setenced the defendant to 1 1/2 years to 8 years. He said he had made his mind up before I made my recommendation.
My point with this whole post-Who the heck am I to recommend a man spend time in jail? I felt a little bad in that the evaluators recommended a much lighter sentence for this man due to that fact that he had no prior criminal record, that he was honest in all his answers, that he admitted his crime, yet I wanted more-I felt bad that I wanted more-not becuase I don't think he should be punished for his crime-it just makes me ache inside that he has destroyed his family and that there needs to be consequences for that. Addtionally, I just did not see how probation would serve as a punishment. At any rate-I am learning that these serious sex cases are not for the faint of heart. They are extremely tough for me to deal with. Recommending sentences is tough for me-This may be sad to say after doing prosecutor work for over 2 years now, but I have no idea what the appropriate sentence is for someone. Although the defendant that got 8 years probably deserved even more. But it is heartbreaking to watch these 8-10 year old kids disclose what has been happening to them. And then be involved in the process of putting their "Daddy" who they still love in jail for a while. Anyway sorry for the rambling, but had to write this out maybe for theraputic value for me if nothing else.
I got all the evaluations back from the pre-sentence investigator and one recommends probation and one recommends 6 months in jail. Typically, a prosecutor won't recommend more than the evaluators, but it didn't quite sit right with me. I had not made up my mind what I was going to recommend until the Judge asked for my recommendation. But I also felt that no one was really remembering that fact that this defendant did some bad things to his daughter.
The standard goals of sentencing are deterrence, punishment, protection of society, possibility of rehabilitation. This defendant had no prior criminal history, admitted his crime right up front, and was remorseful for what he did. But I felt that if he was just put on probation there would be no punishment which is what I related to the Judge. The Judge asked me how much time I thought was appropriate and I said that 1 to 2 years was appropriate given the nature of the crime. (Now I know some of you will think that anyone that does this type of crime should be put away for life-and while I agree it is a very serious offense there is also in my mind a scale of severity. About a month ago I had another case with a defendant with the same charges, but he had done this for a number of years and other details of the case made it much worse than the case I had today-that other defendant received 8 years to life in prison. So when I compared that case to this one, this one wasn't anywhere near as bad).
The defense attorney was surprised at my recommendation and still asked for probation. The Judge commented on a lot of the statements that both I and defense counsel made and setenced the defendant to 1 1/2 years to 8 years. He said he had made his mind up before I made my recommendation.
My point with this whole post-Who the heck am I to recommend a man spend time in jail? I felt a little bad in that the evaluators recommended a much lighter sentence for this man due to that fact that he had no prior criminal record, that he was honest in all his answers, that he admitted his crime, yet I wanted more-I felt bad that I wanted more-not becuase I don't think he should be punished for his crime-it just makes me ache inside that he has destroyed his family and that there needs to be consequences for that. Addtionally, I just did not see how probation would serve as a punishment. At any rate-I am learning that these serious sex cases are not for the faint of heart. They are extremely tough for me to deal with. Recommending sentences is tough for me-This may be sad to say after doing prosecutor work for over 2 years now, but I have no idea what the appropriate sentence is for someone. Although the defendant that got 8 years probably deserved even more. But it is heartbreaking to watch these 8-10 year old kids disclose what has been happening to them. And then be involved in the process of putting their "Daddy" who they still love in jail for a while. Anyway sorry for the rambling, but had to write this out maybe for theraputic value for me if nothing else.
Friday, March 27, 2009
ANGRY SOCK FOLLOW UP
So I came home from work today and Kyle came running up to me "Dad I gave mom the angry sock cause she was frustrated at me." It made my day and brought me my laughter I needed.
\
\
STAR WARS TRAGEDY!!
I regret to even post this but I have to share my grief and utter disbelief that this ever happened. I can't believe the original actors ever agreed to do this. Please read this info from the most authoritative source we have-wickipedia. Then watch the clip to see how truly bad it really was. I just don't know how to feel about star wars anymore-this could be the biggest calamity known to man.
The Star Wars Holiday Special was a two-hour television special (including commercials) set in the Star Wars galaxy. It was the first official Star Wars spinoff produced, but included all the stars Mark Hammil, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher. It was directed by Steve Binder. It was broadcast in its entirety in the United States only once, on Friday, November 17, 1978 on CBS-TV from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST).[1] In it, Chewbacca and Han Solo visit Kashyyyk, Chewbacca's home world, to celebrate Life Day. Along the way, they are pursued by agents of the Galactic Empire who are searching for rebels on the planet. The special introduces three members of Chewbacca's family: his father Attichitcuk, his wife Mallatobuck, and his son Lumpawarrump.
RECEPTION
Generally, The Star Wars Holiday Special has received a large amount of criticism, both from Star Wars fans and the general public. David Hofstede, author of What Were They Thinking?: The 100 Dumbest Events in Television History, ranked the holiday special at number one, calling it "the worst two hours of television ever." Shepard Smith, a news anchor for the FOX News Channel, referred to it as a "'70s train wreck, combining the worst of Star Wars with the utter worst of variety television." Actor Phillip Bloch explained on a TV Land special entitled The 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments, that the special "just wasn't working. It was just so surreal." On the same program, Ralph Garman, a voice actor for the show Family Guy, explained that "The Star Wars Holiday Special is one of the most infamous television programs in history. And it's so bad that it actually comes around to good again."
The only aspect of the special which has been generally well-received is the animated segment which introduces the bounty hunter Boba Fett, who would later become a popular character when he appeared in the Star Wars theatrical films.
Regrets
Regrets
George Lucas himself has rarely commented on or even acknowledged its existence, except to friends and co-workers. He is thought to hold a low opinion of it. For instance, Tom Burman, one of the costume designers for the holiday special, has said that Lucas once told him that he was very disappointed with the final product.
At one Australian fan convention he reportedly said[2] "If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of that show and smash it." In an online chat with fans, he reportedly said: "The holiday special does not represent my vision for Star Wars." In an interview with Maxim magazine in May 2002, Maxim asked the question, "Any plans for a Special Edition of the Holiday Special?" Lucas responded with "Right. That's one of those things that happened, and I just have to live with it."
Later, in a May 2005 interview with StaticMultimedia.com, Lucas was asked if the film had soured him on working in television: He replied: "The special from 1978 really didn't have much to do with us, you know. I can't remember what network it was on, but it was a thing that they did. We kind of let them do it. It was done by... I can't even remember who the group was, but they were variety TV guys. We let them use the characters and stuff and that probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but you learn from those experiences. I had a wonderful time on Young Indiana Jones. It was a great series. We did it for four years. I spent those four or five years actually working on it. That's really all I did during those years. It was really a great experience and I love television."[3]
The official Star Wars site states that the holiday special "delivered mixed results," but explains that the highlight of the special was the Boba Fett animated segment.[4] The official site also says, when referring to the fan interest in seeing the Wookiees on screen, "the 1978 Holiday Special didn't cut it."[5] When asked at a fan convention, "So, you don't like it (the holiday special) either?", Lucasfilm head of content and fan relations, Steve Sansweet replied "No. I mean, I like the ten minute introduction of Boba Fett, but that's about it." The official site also refers to the Boba Fett animated segment as "a cult classic."[6].
On February 8, 2006, Harrison Ford made an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and during the interview, O'Brien brought up the special, and began asking various questions regarding it, such as inquiring whether he remembered making it. Ford said nothing, but looked away and shook his head nervously, then saying he had no memory of it whatsoever and it, therefore, "doesn't exist." The audience responded with laughter and applause. O'Brien then asked Ford what he would think if he played a clip of the special on the show, Ford jokingly grabbed him, then said that "[he'd] never seen it, maybe it'll be nice." Humorously acting anxious and distracted, Ford suffered through the clip (which featured a scene showing Ford as Han Solo telling Chewbacca and his wife that they are "like family" to him), and then muttered a gruff, sarcastic "thank you" to O'Brien, before continuing with the interview to promote his then newest film, Firewall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCNGjKnTzaQ
The Star Wars Holiday Special was a two-hour television special (including commercials) set in the Star Wars galaxy. It was the first official Star Wars spinoff produced, but included all the stars Mark Hammil, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher. It was directed by Steve Binder. It was broadcast in its entirety in the United States only once, on Friday, November 17, 1978 on CBS-TV from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST).[1] In it, Chewbacca and Han Solo visit Kashyyyk, Chewbacca's home world, to celebrate Life Day. Along the way, they are pursued by agents of the Galactic Empire who are searching for rebels on the planet. The special introduces three members of Chewbacca's family: his father Attichitcuk, his wife Mallatobuck, and his son Lumpawarrump.
RECEPTION
Generally, The Star Wars Holiday Special has received a large amount of criticism, both from Star Wars fans and the general public. David Hofstede, author of What Were They Thinking?: The 100 Dumbest Events in Television History, ranked the holiday special at number one, calling it "the worst two hours of television ever." Shepard Smith, a news anchor for the FOX News Channel, referred to it as a "'70s train wreck, combining the worst of Star Wars with the utter worst of variety television." Actor Phillip Bloch explained on a TV Land special entitled The 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments, that the special "just wasn't working. It was just so surreal." On the same program, Ralph Garman, a voice actor for the show Family Guy, explained that "The Star Wars Holiday Special is one of the most infamous television programs in history. And it's so bad that it actually comes around to good again."
The only aspect of the special which has been generally well-received is the animated segment which introduces the bounty hunter Boba Fett, who would later become a popular character when he appeared in the Star Wars theatrical films.
Regrets
Regrets
George Lucas himself has rarely commented on or even acknowledged its existence, except to friends and co-workers. He is thought to hold a low opinion of it. For instance, Tom Burman, one of the costume designers for the holiday special, has said that Lucas once told him that he was very disappointed with the final product.
At one Australian fan convention he reportedly said[2] "If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of that show and smash it." In an online chat with fans, he reportedly said: "The holiday special does not represent my vision for Star Wars." In an interview with Maxim magazine in May 2002, Maxim asked the question, "Any plans for a Special Edition of the Holiday Special?" Lucas responded with "Right. That's one of those things that happened, and I just have to live with it."
Later, in a May 2005 interview with StaticMultimedia.com, Lucas was asked if the film had soured him on working in television: He replied: "The special from 1978 really didn't have much to do with us, you know. I can't remember what network it was on, but it was a thing that they did. We kind of let them do it. It was done by... I can't even remember who the group was, but they were variety TV guys. We let them use the characters and stuff and that probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but you learn from those experiences. I had a wonderful time on Young Indiana Jones. It was a great series. We did it for four years. I spent those four or five years actually working on it. That's really all I did during those years. It was really a great experience and I love television."[3]
The official Star Wars site states that the holiday special "delivered mixed results," but explains that the highlight of the special was the Boba Fett animated segment.[4] The official site also says, when referring to the fan interest in seeing the Wookiees on screen, "the 1978 Holiday Special didn't cut it."[5] When asked at a fan convention, "So, you don't like it (the holiday special) either?", Lucasfilm head of content and fan relations, Steve Sansweet replied "No. I mean, I like the ten minute introduction of Boba Fett, but that's about it." The official site also refers to the Boba Fett animated segment as "a cult classic."[6].
On February 8, 2006, Harrison Ford made an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and during the interview, O'Brien brought up the special, and began asking various questions regarding it, such as inquiring whether he remembered making it. Ford said nothing, but looked away and shook his head nervously, then saying he had no memory of it whatsoever and it, therefore, "doesn't exist." The audience responded with laughter and applause. O'Brien then asked Ford what he would think if he played a clip of the special on the show, Ford jokingly grabbed him, then said that "[he'd] never seen it, maybe it'll be nice." Humorously acting anxious and distracted, Ford suffered through the clip (which featured a scene showing Ford as Han Solo telling Chewbacca and his wife that they are "like family" to him), and then muttered a gruff, sarcastic "thank you" to O'Brien, before continuing with the interview to promote his then newest film, Firewall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCNGjKnTzaQ
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
DAVE'S FIRST BLOG
OK all you blog crazies I guess I will give in. I will admit it has been fun to read your blogs-my complaint is that I do not think they should ever replace a phone call. Nothing drives me more nuts than when I am talking to someone and they say haven't you read my blog? It's like I am being downgraded to irrelevant status if I have to go read what someone wants me to know about their life.
Life is great right now-I feel busy and have three great kids and a sweet wife, not much more a guy could ask for except a room with like a million fish tanks. But seriously, life is great.
Brianna is as sweet as she can be-obedient, cheerful, smart, way above average on reading for her age. She is precious.
Kyle-hills and valleys, one second he will make you want to hug him and another, well you get the idea. We have been struggling to deal with his anger and talking back. I knew Melanie was going to contribute some bad genes somewhere along the line. (ok we all know where it comes from, I admit it). We have been doing a bit of reading and for FHE we had a lesson on anger for the whole family. I told the story of when i killed Dan's mormon crickets and he was angry but didn't hit me. Just got me in a bunch of trouble with mom and dad. Anyway, we now have an angry sock in our house. Whenever someone feels angry which is a natural emotion that needs to be expressed, they can grab the angry sock and wring it. we will see how it goes.
I had so much fun taking him to the fish auction in Salt Lake. We spent the night before at Great Grandma Brown's and had a good visit with her. While at the auction, he held my bid paddle and bid on a few things I didn't want when I wasn't paying attention. But we had so much fun. On the car ride down the cord to the dvd player was screwed up so we just talked. The next morning I told him I would buy him a toy since his cord was broken. We were at the Quik Stop in Malad-there were no toys to be found in that place. He found a traveler's sewing kit that he like so we got that. It lasted for about 10 min. Once in Salt Lake I bought a new cord and all was well. Anyway, I don't get the chance to spend a lot of extended one on one time with him so it was great.
Kameron-is getting so much personality. He makes a face when he gets mad at something. He curls up his top lip and breathes really hard-it is hilarious.
Work is work
Melanie takes great care of us all and I enjoy spending time with her. Last week we went to the Titanic exhibit and had a great time. We are really trying to make a goal and go out at least once a week and to take our kids and do something fun for them once a week. Sometimes we succeed, sometime we dont.
Well that's all for the blog now-I make no committments on posting very often but at least there's something out there now.
Life is great right now-I feel busy and have three great kids and a sweet wife, not much more a guy could ask for except a room with like a million fish tanks. But seriously, life is great.
Brianna is as sweet as she can be-obedient, cheerful, smart, way above average on reading for her age. She is precious.
Kyle-hills and valleys, one second he will make you want to hug him and another, well you get the idea. We have been struggling to deal with his anger and talking back. I knew Melanie was going to contribute some bad genes somewhere along the line. (ok we all know where it comes from, I admit it). We have been doing a bit of reading and for FHE we had a lesson on anger for the whole family. I told the story of when i killed Dan's mormon crickets and he was angry but didn't hit me. Just got me in a bunch of trouble with mom and dad. Anyway, we now have an angry sock in our house. Whenever someone feels angry which is a natural emotion that needs to be expressed, they can grab the angry sock and wring it. we will see how it goes.
I had so much fun taking him to the fish auction in Salt Lake. We spent the night before at Great Grandma Brown's and had a good visit with her. While at the auction, he held my bid paddle and bid on a few things I didn't want when I wasn't paying attention. But we had so much fun. On the car ride down the cord to the dvd player was screwed up so we just talked. The next morning I told him I would buy him a toy since his cord was broken. We were at the Quik Stop in Malad-there were no toys to be found in that place. He found a traveler's sewing kit that he like so we got that. It lasted for about 10 min. Once in Salt Lake I bought a new cord and all was well. Anyway, I don't get the chance to spend a lot of extended one on one time with him so it was great.
Kameron-is getting so much personality. He makes a face when he gets mad at something. He curls up his top lip and breathes really hard-it is hilarious.
Work is work
Melanie takes great care of us all and I enjoy spending time with her. Last week we went to the Titanic exhibit and had a great time. We are really trying to make a goal and go out at least once a week and to take our kids and do something fun for them once a week. Sometimes we succeed, sometime we dont.
Well that's all for the blog now-I make no committments on posting very often but at least there's something out there now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)