While every new email from an unknown sender is a romp through the unknown, some turn out to be critical.  This one may save a life, and who am I to withhold information that could save a life?

Sale!! The bulletproof Robo Vest – lightweight and concealed!!

Only for 48 hours – buy the Robo Vest get for free a Neck Heater.

The next generation of bullet proof vests.  Less than 350 usd! Retail price is more than $800!
Level 3A protection NIJ certified. Can also hold anti stab panels (for additional fees).

That’s right.  It can also hold anti stab panels (for additional fees), though I would think that if you need the body armour in the first place, the anti stab panels should be a no-brainer.

I receive a ton of solicitations for police, SWAT and military gear.  Either they know something about my risk factors that I don’t know, or they assume that anybody who writes about cops is in need of body armour, mini-helicopters with bombs and the latest in Tasers for mass destruction.  Not that I couldn’t think of uses for some of this stuff, but my police equipment budget is, how shall I say it, limited.

Curiously, many emails are press releases, asking me to write about whatever newest and greatest device of mass destruction just came on the market.  I usually respond that I never write about anything I have tested personally, and to just send one along. It’s only happened once, and as soon as I have a justifiable opportunity to shoot a bazooka, I promise that I review will be forthcoming.

Speaking of press releases, this was an interesting notion:

To Mr. Greenfield,

Please view the link below for the Judgment Marketplace press release. This is the first online exchange to buy/sell/trade court judgments with a social networking twist. I would very much appreciate it if you can post this or something about Judgment Marketplace on your site. It is a great asset for everyone to know about. It also introduces the term “judgment trade” into the industry.

Thank You,
Shawn Porat-CEO

Judgment Marketplace

Shawn was so enthusiastic about my interest that he twitted me afterward to write a post about his company.  The idea of a judgment marketplace, an online exchange for buying and selling judgments, strikes me as absolutely wonderful for criminal defense lawyers.  I know many clients who would happily pay good money to be someone else to buy their judgments.  And serve their time.  And put their names on registries, and the life.

What?  Oh, that’s not what you meant, Shawn?  Then why would you send this to me?

Seriously, I’ve got no clue whether this is a good idea or a terrible one, as I’m not in the business of dealing with money judgments on either side of the table.  But whoever told Shawn that cold-emailing and twitting were the way to a blawger’s heart and keyboard, needs a good tuning up.  It seems unbelievable that people who start up business think that blawgs exist to promote their business. 

I realize they don’t mean to be offensive, but if they want to advertise, then advertise.  Put out some money and pay for the space.  I imagine some PR flak or social media marketer sold them on the concept of blanket emailing blawgers, who would love, just love, to write all about them.  Because we have nothing better to do.

And some don’t need us to write about them, because they will be more than happy to do the writing for themselves.

Hello Scott,

I was wondering if you accepted guest post submissions for your site Simple Justice? If so, can you let me know what length, topic, or other requirements you might have?

In case you’re unfamiliar with guest posts, what I’m proposing is that you permit me to write an article based on your specifications to be published on your site free of charge of course. The idea is to get some exposure for my new site by offering to write free articles for more established sites like yours. And along with the article, were you to publish it, would be a by-line mentioning me as the author and linking to my site. Assuming some readers enjoyed the article they might then click on the link and thus discover my site. As for the benefit to you, you’d be getting a free article written on whatever subject you’d wish for your site.

If you’d be willing to accept a guest post submission from me, or if you have any questions, please just let me know.

Thank you,

Chris Jacobson
Founder, Criminal Justice Degree

Shockingly, I am familiar with the concept of guest posts, as well as the concept of free promotion.  I’m a very worldly blawger.  I’ve been around a while.  It’s not like I’m Brian Tannebaum, who received this same email and started drooling at the prospect of a guest post.

Of course, these are the same guys who put out those 100 Top Law Blogs and 25 Top Bow Hunting Blogs (no really,they did this) in an effort to get those blawgs listed, who are so deeply flattered and validated by being “named” to such an august list, to link to their post.  Sometimes, they even offer badges to show the world how you’ve been honored, with the badges linking back to the site. 

Don’t laugh.  Some big blogs, including Above the Law, have fallen for this scam, exuding immense modesty in their appreciation for being included in the 100 Top Law Blogs for Judicial Hotties.  For those of you who have a link or badge from these guys because you were deeply honored to be included in their list, maybe you could use a guest post?  Chris Jacobson is standing by, waiting for your call.