While in the latter parts of a post this morning, the power went out.  It happens with some regularly around here due to an abundance of old trees.  We love our trees, but they are very needy.  And when they fall, they often take power with them.  That's the price of green.

I had some great posts, thing that really mattered, running through my head and coming out my fingers, but the time to write is past and other work demands my attention.  To those who inquired about my lack of posts, rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.  I'm still here.  Thank you for your concern.

Anyone disappointed by my lack of fodder this morning can leave me a comment and request their money back.  Don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings.

Update:  The first post this morning was about the suicide of Rutgers freshman, Tyler Clementi.

It started with a Twitter message on Sept. 19: “Roommate asked for the room till midnight. I went into molly’s room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with a dude. Yay.”

Clementi's roomate, 18 year old Dharun Ravi, probably thought this was just hysterically funny at the time. I bet he doesn't now.  As the young set has informed me, everything on the internet is just for fun.  Stop taking it so seriously. 

My second post was about Bennett's post, Today Only? Negotiating pleas isn't for the squeamish, and if someone can bulldoze you into a plea by using the "today only" ploy, chances are you don't have the guts for this work.  On the other hand, know your adversary, including the judge.  With some people, "today only" means exactly that, and they will cut off their nose to spite their face just to keep their word. 

It's not a job for the gutless, but better to know up front whether the person making the pitch is going to live with the consequences.  If you don't know, it will be your client living with the consequences, whether they want to or not.