Note: These are my personal thoughts and do not in anyway represent the opinions of my employer, the Minnesota State, Hennepin County, and Ramsey County Bar Associations. *** May 1, 2025 was National Law Day of Action. Events to mark the day were held throughout the nation, with 1,500-2,000 attending in New York City. Organizers encouraged attorneys to retake their oath as part of the planned events in order to reaffirm their commitment to the…
I picked up a book from the library recently called “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. The copyright date is 2016, which makes it almost a decade old. However, I wish it had been published much earlier, like the late 1980s or early 1990s. You see, it was during that period that I read all kinds of self-help books trying to divine my purpose…
Do not capitulate to the authoritarian in advance. I have heard this advice from pro-democracy experts numerous times over the past few months. It’s critical advice when faced with an incoming President who promises to be a vindictive dictator from Day One. In the United States, all of us hold the freedom of speech dear, especially the freedom to criticize our government officials, and this is one area, among many, where we should not capitulate.…
Hubby and I had occasion to visit San Diego last week. While there, we visited a shop called the Sea Hive. It was a combination of a maker’s market and antiques store, with the floor divided up among numerous sellers. One seller, whose area had a sign that said “Gentleman John,” was selling old books. Laying on a round table in Gentleman John’s space were numerous books wrapped in blue wrapping paper. By the blue…
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union is on strike. While listening to a report about the strike, I heard that one of the union’s demands was for a 4-day (32-hour) work week at the current level of pay for a 5-day work week. According to this Associated Press article on the strike, this demand has been dismissed by automakers, but, darn it, it shouldn’t be. Switching to a 4-day work week isn’t about laziness. It…