Nationwide Bar (Exam) Could Be A Reality

Lawyers are notorious whiners. In a certain way, that is what they are paid to do. And one thing you will always hear lawyers, especially new ones, whining about is the bar exam.

The bar exam, to a lawyer, kind of turns into the big fish story that every old man has. The longer ago you took the bar, the more and more difficult it was at the time. Well, there is some breaking news on the bar exam front.

A movement exists to push for a national bar exam. Currently, in order to practice law in a state, a person must have either passed the bar in that state or waived into the bar through other requirements.

The new movement would nationalize the bar exam and make it easier for attorneys to practice law in other states. The Hypotenuse, of course, does not take a position on this either way. I am just here to inform those of you who are interested.

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202434472731&src=EMC-Email&et=editorial&bu=Law.com&pt=Law.com%20Newswire%20Update&cn=LAWCOM_NewswireUpdate_20091012&kw=Uniform%20Bar%20Exam%20Drawing%20Closer%20to%20Reality

By: Drew S. Sprague

Don't Be This Guy

File this under, don't try this at home, or in a gas station. While the following video may have nothing to do with law or the Triangle or North Carolina for that matter, The Hypotenuse is always concerned about public safety and wants to remind all of the loyal readers out there, "Don't be this guy."

Stay safe out there North Carolina and enjoy this silent film from your local convenience store.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_40rM_L0s&feature=player_embedded

By: Drew S. Sprague

Recycle North Carolina... Or Else!

Watch out North Carolina! You may want to look over your shoulder the next time you empty the trash. A new North Carolina law, which goes into effect in October, is now making it a crime to NOT recycle. When you empty the trash bin, be careful out there. Johnny Law could be watching.

Disclaimer: If The Hypotenuse sees anyone dumping a sacred aluminum can into the trash or even tossing a plastic bottle in the garbage, The Hypotenuse may have to perform a citizen's arrest on anyone who does not abide by the new recycling law.

Here's the vid.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/5265939/

Here's the article.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5265295/

By: Drew S. Sprague

Leave The Choking To The Opposing Team

The Hypotenuse has had death on the brain recently. The reason for that is because I almost died the other day. Due to my own personal experience, I have decided to dedicate a posting to the safety and well being of North Carolinians as well as those living beyond our borders. Here's the rub (and we ain't talkin' pork barbecue, although I wish we were).

I almost choked the other morning. I am an admittedly poor pill taker, and I was attempting to swallow one of those horse pill sized multi vitamins. Well, as I tilted my head back and tried to gush down the water and horse pill vitamin simultaneously, the vitamin went down the wrong pipe.

I began choking, and my life flashed before my eyes. I was having trouble breathing and coughing at the same time. As I was about to call 911, with one last good cough, the vitamin shot out of my mouth, flew across the kitchen, and landed in the sink.

The scary part of the whole thing was that I really had no idea what to do. This is where The Hypotenuse comes in. I have since learned that you can actually give yourself the Heimlich Maneuver. This is easily accomplished by simply pushing your stomach against a chair or other object. See the above picture. Remember, coughing is good in this situation.

Also, here's a video to aid in your Heimlich knowledge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJDpr05zmB4

Hope this helps. Let's leave the choking to the opposing team on Saturdays. Stay safe out there NC.

By: Drew S. Sprague

And The Last Word Is...

They say everything is bigger in Texas. At least that is what we are told. The Hypotenuse has been there. In fact, I have family in Texas and usually visit around the Holidays during the even numbered years in which the Summer and Winter Olympics are held. I'm not sure if everything is indeed bigger there, but I am sure Texans think everything is bigger there.

Well, here is an interesting development out of the Lone Star State. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has created a website with the last words of all of the inmates who were executed on death row in Texas. No matter your thoughts on the death penalty, and The Hypotenuse is not gonna even think about touching that issue, I thought the website was interesting.

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/executedoffenders.htm

By: Drew S. Sprague

Lake Lure, NC Will Hold Memorial For Patrick Swayze

North Carolinians looking for a way to remember Patrick Swayze now have their chance. Lake Lure, NC, the original filming site for Dirty Dancing, is hosting a memorial service for the actor this weekend. The memorial service will be held at Firefly Cove, the housing development that served as Camp Chimney in Dirty Dancing.

Here are the details:

http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/dirty-dancing-town-to-hold-patrick-swayze-memorial-2009179

I'm thinking the phrase, "Noboby puts Baby in a corner" will be overheard at the service. R.I.P. Mr. Swayze.

Photo Credit: Bruce Gifford/FilmMagic

by: Drew S. Sprague

Raleigh Lawyer May Take Down The NCAA

It's not often that the NCAA gets taken down. But, a Raleigh lawyer may be in the process of doing just that. A member of the Wake County bar argued in court the letters of intent signed by high school athletes to attend a particular college do not meet the requirements for a contract under North Carolina law.

In order to sign a valid contract in North Carolina, you must be an adult. Hence, children under the age of 18 cannot sign a contract because, in legal terms, the court has ruled that they do not have the capacity to form a contract, since children are minors. Considering most of the student athletes who sign a national letter of intent to play college sports are under the age of majority, this Raleigh case may set precedent that the NCAA letters of intent are not valid contracts and therefore unenforceable.

Check out the article.

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/college_basketball/story/5971174/

The NCAA is one of the last monopolies still in existence in America. It would be nice to see a Raleigh guy take them down. Plus, if this case or a future case creates precedent, NCAA recruiting will be forever changed.

By: Drew S. Sprague