Rockwall Herald-Banner (Texas) Opinion

A look at this weekend's opening movies

2012-02-04T11:30:45-06:00

BIG MIRACLE

Marine mammals actually brought about a Cold War thaw.

It’s a safe world for judges out there, or is it?

2012-02-03T15:29:13-06:00

In a recent survey performed by AOL Jobs using statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job of judge was rated one of the best “lifestyle jobs”

Kindness still goes long way

2012-02-02T15:28:10-06:00

Sometimes, a kind gesture or an encouraging word will come out of nowhere and at a time when you least expect it.
How do I know that?

As weird as they wanna be

2012-01-30T12:11:00-06:00

Sometimes, the bizarre aspects of the legal world stand out. There are the outrageous lawsuits, like the convicted drunk driver who sues the family of the motorist he killed or the burglar suing the business he was trying to rob when he hurt himself on their premises. Then there are the litigants themselves, who often seem like refugees from a bad TV reality show. Other times, however, you have to dig a little deeper into a police report, an indictment, or a civil suit to arrive at the truly weird kernel at the heart of the matter. This week, I’d like to bring you my own little roundup of the legally weird.

Looking at this weekend's movies

2012-01-28T12:15:33-06:00

MAN ON A LEDGE

Precariously perched on the ledge of the 22nd floor of New York City’s Roosevelt Hotel, ex-cop and fugitive Nick Cassidy (“Avatar” star Sam Worthington) seems poised to jump. But Nick reveals to NYPD negotiator Lydia Anderson (Elizabeth Banks) that he does not intend to commit suicide. Instead, he says that he will remain on the ledge to prove that he is innocent of the crime for which he received a 25-year sentence.

Turning over a new leaf to be kinder, gentler

2012-01-26T18:07:39-06:00

I want to share with you today about a new leaf that I’ve turned over. I promise to try to be kinder and gentler as often as possible.

Bored with the movies? Go to the courthouse instead

2012-01-21T16:25:38-06:00

Like many Americans, I had more than my fill of three things this holiday season: turkey, egg nog, and movies. Not just the big, splashy blockbusters, mind you, like “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” but also those smaller art-house films that become critical darlings and Oscar favorites. But now, just as I resign myself to the filmgoer’s malaise that accompanies the string of movies released early in the year that won’t light up the box office or garner golden statuettes, I’ve realized that there is an endless source of almost cinematic entertainment waiting for me down at the courthouse. So forget your local multiplex

To wife Becky: I will be here

2012-01-19T16:24:35-06:00

It’s no secret that wife Becky and I speak in clichés.

Our forever favorite is, “The best is yet to come.”

President Obama’s judicial nominees: A question of qualifications

2012-01-16T15:54:59-06:00

One of the many advantages that being president confers is the opportunity to shape the judiciary—potentially for decades to come—through lifetime appointments to the federal bench.

A look at this weekend's opening movies

2012-01-14T08:52:12-06:00

JOYFUL NOISE

Blame “American Idol” and its popular offshoots and, of course, “Glee” for sparking the return of the big screen musical.