The Offence of Jesus Christ

"If you have never really wrestled with the offence of Jesus Christ, you haven't come to understand the trajectory of his salvation - the graciousness of his salvation - you really don't know what he stands for. If you've never felt the offensiveness of Jesus Christ, and sensed it, and struggled with it, you don't really know what the gospel is." - Tim Keller in his sermon The Offence of Jesus

Self-Control

Twice at Bible Study over the last three weeks we've been asked to write down the answer to a question about the Holy Spirit and what we'd like him to do in us. Both weeks I've written down self-control. I wish self-discipline was part of the fruit of the spirit because I'd write that down for sure. And invisibility. "For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, invisibility, magical wizardry and self-control."

I've been feeling un-self-controlled lately. Doing the whole full time work, 8:30am-5pm thing has thrown off my whole "I'm a youth minister/unemployed person and I'll get up whenever I want and laze my way to midday" routine. Which has meant this year I've really been struggling to read my Bible and pray every day. So I want self-control, which is probably self-discipline, to actually get up and do my quiet times and not sleep as long as possible before I start turning up to work unreasonably late.

I've also been feeling un-self-controlled, because every fortnight, without fail, I run out of money. I'm on a full-time wage. Albeit a full-time Christian wage, but a full-time wage none the less. Last year, I was living off unemployment benefits, this year I'm living off a descent salary, with tax-benefits, and I still run out of money. You'd think I'd have learnt to save money last year. It's like I have a gambling problem. So I want self-control. I'm not sure spending all my money in the first few days of getting it is honouring God with my money. But it is honouring the that place that sells take-away potatoes. Oh yeah.

Anyway, all this to say, after Bible Study on Monday and praying for self-control, I got up at 6:30am on Tuesday morning, had my shower, had my church planting prayer meeting, and arrived at work half an hour early. This morning, I got up at 6:40am, had a shower and a shave, had my quiet time and arrived at work 5 minutes early. It could be a miracle.

Of course, I know getting up at twenty-to-seven isn't a miracle in most people's books, but I'm willing to believe, if only for the last two days, the Holy Spirit has done a tiny little bit of sanctifying of my relationship with the snooze button. Now I'm hoping he's sanctified my wallet too.

Although I really want to get Friday Night Lights: Season 2 on DVD.

Deathly Hallows

This is an awesome teaser. Good work teaser makers.

Photoshopping

I've been spending many hours at work in Photoshop this past week. It's been quite fun. I've been making posters and bookcovers for the ministry resources we put out. Sometimes, when I get carried away, I start to fancy myself as a real graphic designer. And then I look at size of my 14" display and remember that I wasn't hired for my photoshop skills, but my Jesus-skills. And Jesus workers doesn't need 30" displays.

Speaking of skills, let me show you one of my youth evangelism designs that didn't quite make the cut:

CALIFORNIA MAN JAILED FOR VOICEMAIL THREAT TO MAYOR DAILY

Hiz Honor Mayor Richard Daley

The long arm of the Chicago law reached out and grabbed a San Jose, California man for allegedly threatening the life of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Christopher Traynor Fox, 39, was arrested last month after he allegedly left an obscenity-laced message at Daley's office.

Prosecutors allege that Fox’s voicemail message contained a threat; He was charged with threatening a public official and is now being held on a $1 million bond. Originally held in San Jose, Fox was transported several days ago to Chicago to face criminal charges there.

Fox has admitted in court that he made a call to the mayor but denies he made a threat.

On Sunday, Fox's attorney said he intended to file a motion to reduce the $1 million bail.

Defense lawyer Tony Eben called the bond "unreasonable," and claimed "nothing was said that was to be taken seriously."

In the meantime, Hiz Honor was not amused by the “just kidding” defense or the profane voice message.

Fox allegedly took exception to Hiz Honor’s stance on gun control—so naturally Fox made his point by threatening to shoot the Mayor. (As if this was calculated to persuade Daily to NOT ban firearms in his city?)

Many states, including California, have laws on the books making it a felony offense to expressly or by implication threaten an elected official, or their staff.

UPDATE:

Fox was reportedly arrested in his home town of San Jose CA just 48 hours after making the voicemail threat to Mayor Daily, but is now in custody in Chicago. He appeared in court today, and we will have further updates when more is known.

UPDATE (7/13/2010): Fox's bond has been lowered from $1 million to $500,000.

Stuntmasters

Howie, Josh and I went on the Sydney Airport Tarmac Tour, which was awesome. Then we did some crazy stunts in the Maccas' carpark which was even more awesome. Probably the awesomest thing on YouTube. Dramatic Hampster, you're going down.

Well Played

If we are going to have to have a new leader, I think Mark Schwarzer should be the new PM.

It was great watching the Socceroos play this morning. They played so well. SBS are nattering on at the moment about how they're national heros or something. I'd be inclined to agree, except I'm not sure heros should be people who kick a ball well.

Still they did make me happy to be Australian, even if we didn't make it through to the group of 16.

Now if only New Zealand can beat Paraguay tonight.

Good-bye Tin Tin

I was so happy when Kevin became our Prime Minister. Now I'm sad that he's not our Prime Minister.

I think I'm feeling rather let down by Labor today. I voted for Kevin. Well technically I think I voted the Labor person in my electorate. But I voted for a Labor party with Kevin as its leader. I liked that he seemed to care more about people that pleasing big business. I liked that he was going to say "Sorry". I liked that he was going take action on climate change.

So when Labor won, I was excited by the prospect of a new government. I liked that Julia was his Deputy. I was happy to see so many women in prominant positions of power.

Over the past few years, I can't say Kevin has made all my dreams come true. Though I thought he probably would be a little of a let down. Politicians always are. Actually, he was quite a lot of a let down at times.

But the past 24 hours have been most depressing. I'm sad that Kevin didn't get a chance to lead when things got tough. I'm disappointed that our politicians are so scared of losing an election that they'll oust their leader when things don't look good for them. I'm sad that Julia stood by her leader right up until she had him kicked out of the Prime Ministership. None of this makes me believe that they really believe in leadership at all. Only power, fear and job security.

Lots of people have been excited about the fact that we have our first female PM. I was looking forward to that prosect. But I don't want it this way. I don't really care about the gender of the Prime Minister if they get in through disloyalty.

But then again, that's politics. It's not like Kevin got in to leadership in any better fashion. And Julia will probably lose her leadership that way too, if she doesn't lose the election and step-down as a result.

Ahh. It's a shame.

Still, all the best Julia. I hope you lead us well.

24th June

Tomorrow the Socceroos could be out of the World Cup and Kevin Rudd out of office.

Could be a big day for Australia.

My guess is more people will be paying attention to the soccer.

See Ya Later, Academia

I'm home from my last exam, for my last subject in my BTh. This really could be it. I really could be finally done with Bible College. I only started in 2002. I have a full six months left to sit the last subject again if I fail before subjects start slipping off the back end. I've probably been a little hasty getting this done.

The first question I had to answer in the exam was What are the main objections to the doctrine of predestination? Discuss the strengths of the responses which may be given to these objections. I really wanted to discuss the weaknesses of the responses just because the question was a little too biased for my liking. But I answered like a good Calvinist because I can't be bothered risking another six months of assessments and stuff to teach the examiners a lesson they probably wouldn't even notice.

That said, I was pretty happy with the exam. I think the 5 hours or so of study I did for this exam really helped. I was pretty impressed. I think 5 hours is more study than I've done for college in the last 5 years combined.

I celebrated the end by eating Pad See Ew and reading Time magazine. Tonight I'm gonna go watch a movies with Ryan. I party hard.

Anyway I should go do some real world work, because I still have that to do. Probably for another 40 years or so.

PHIL SPECTOR WRONGFUL DEATH CIVIL TRIAL GOES TO MEDIATION

Legal News Analysis

By Blogonaut

Several readers have emailed us asking for our views on news reports that the parties have agreed to mediate the civil wrongful death action filed by Lana Clarkson’s heirs in 2005.

According to news accounts both sides in the civil suit—which seeks money damages on behalf of Lana Clarkson’s heirs on the theory that the music producer caused her death—have agreed to mediate the dispute.

Mediation is a nonbinding form of informal dispute resolution where the parties agree to appear in front of a neutral party (who is either an attorney or a retired judge) who essentially guides formal discussions among the parties and attempts to help the parties reach a settlement agreement of the dispute. It is a nonbinding process, because the matter will not settle unless a mutual agreement is reached on the terms of a settlement that both sides signoff on.

So what are the advantages to the plaintiffs and to Phil Spector in mediating?

1. The litigation is bound to be expensive.

Although a Los Angeles County jury found the music producer guilty of the malice murder of Lana Clarkson last year, that conviction cannot be used or even mentioned in any civil trial unless and until it is affirmed on appeal, and it is looking more and more like the conviction is substantially likely to be reversed.

In addition, according to news reports, if the civil case has not settled by next October, the court will be setting a trial date—meaning that it is unlikely that the appeal will be resolved before the case gets to trial in any event.

Therefore, the same very expensive expert testimony that was presented during the criminal trial would have to be presented during the civil trial on the issue of suicide vs homicide.

2. The result of any civil trial is uncertain for both sides.

The prior alleged “victim” testimony presented to the jury in the criminal case might not be admissible in the civil trial—and without it who knows what the verdict on liability will be?

In addition, wrongful death damages consist of two components: The lost earning potential of the decedent and monetary compensation for the lost care comfort and companionship of the lost loved one to her heirs. The first component in this case is negligible and the second very hard to value. Typically, wrongful death awards without a substantial lost earnings potential are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and not millions.

But how about punitive damages? While punitive damages are possible, unlike the OJ wrongful death case where you had two victims with their throats cut (in other words an undeniably cold-blooded, intentional and premeditated act) the basis for punitive damages in the civil case here is far from certain.

In addition, since OJ the United States Supreme Court has held that in most cases, a ratio of punitive damages to compensatory damages greater than 1:1 will be overturned as unconstitutional. Therefore, with compensatory damages expected in the hundreds of thousands—and not millions—of dollars, there is little likelihood of a ten million or twenty million award of punitive damages in this case. But unlikely does not mean impossible, and there is great uncertainty for Phil Spector in taking the civil case to trial as well.

General damages, such as for lost care, comfort, and companionship, are largely up to the jury to fill in the blank on the jury form with little guidance from the court, and will rarely be overturned on appeal unless clearly excessive.

3. Unless the case settles, it could take years for Donna Clarkson to see any money.

While the case is expected to go to verdict sometime in 2011, even if the jury awards substantial compensatory and punitive damages to Donna Clarkson, that does not mean Phil Spector has to write her a check.

Assuming that Phil Spector has the financial ability to post a bond in the amount of 1.5 times the judgment, the judgment will be stayed during an appeal process that could last anywhere from a minimum of two years (until 2014) or, if the case goes all of the way to the United States Supreme Court on the issue of punitive damages, many years.

Remember, some of the victims of the Exon Valdez oil spill are just getting their last payment and a full 1/3 of the Exon Valdez plaintiffs died before receiving ten cents of their award—because the case was tied up in the appellate courts for years.

Therefore, it makes a lot of sense for both sides of this civil case to not only mediate their differences, but to work hard at a mutually agreeable settlement.

That does not mean a settlement that will make both sides happy; there is no such thing. Any settlement, by definition, requires true compromise on both sides.

So, dear readers, you now know what we think of the reported mediation in the Phil Spector wrongful death case, what do you think?

All comments (with one notable exception) are welcome.

Kiwi Love

Dear New Zealand,

You rock my world cup.

Love,

Tom

Big Hair

I'm pretty sure it's time for a hair cut.

And some hair plugs.



"Advanced hair, yeah, yeah."

Sex Myths: Part One

I've stuck up part one of the Busting Sex Myths talks I did at Soul this year. Remember, y'all helped me write them back here.

If you're interested you can go find it blogged about here or you can get the audio file here. I'll stick up part two next week sometime.

Remember if you like the talks and sermons I post, you can subscribe to the podcast by sticking http://feeds.feedburner.com/tompreaches in your RSS machine or iTunes. Or you could just search for "Tom French" on iTunes and you'll find me.

I'm telling you now, because like I said, I have 2 to 5 more talks to be sticking up on the podcast and I don't want you to miss out on hours of me pontificating about Jesus and sex and all that.

Enjoy.

Christian Camping is Cool

These guys are leaders on a Christian summer camp in the US. If they were my leaders, I'd become a Christian straight away. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - even be awesome at trick-shots. Yeah baby!

TWO GA JUDGES FEUD, ONE TAKEN TO JAIL BOTH UNDER INVESTIGATION

Chief Magistrate Donald "Sonny" Caldwell

What happens in Catoosa, Georgia when a judge reports his superior for misconduct? Hint: former Clark County Nevada Judge Elisabeth Halverson found out the hard way when she defied Chief Judge Kathy Hardcastle.

If you guessed "he gets locked out of the courthouse," you guessed right. And if you think that this sounds a lot like Thunderdome (two men enter, one man leaves) you would be right as well.

When Judge Peters filed an ethics complaint against his boss, Chief Magistrate Judge Donald "Sonny" Caldwell, he was banished from the courthouse—except he did not go willingly and was arrested for trespassing, according to Chattanooga News Channel 9 on June 16.

One day after Magistrate Judge Anthony Peters was put in handcuffs, Chief Magistrate Donald "Sonny" Caldwell is now off the job as well, News Channel 9 reported.

According to the report:

County attorney Chad Young says the Judicial Qualifications Commission has been contacted and is investigating. NewsChannel 9
confirmed today the GBI is also examining two specific allegations Regarding Peters.

Turmoil and tension have filled the Catoosa Magistrate's Office. 14 year magistrate judge Peters and his boss Chief Magistrate Donald "Sonny" Caldwell have been at odds. Peters sat down one on
one with us. "Yes, I knew it was coming. I just knew it was a matter of time before I went to jail." That happened yesterday because he wouldn't leave after Caldwell insisted on it.

Last month, Peters filed a complaint against Caldwell with the Judicial Qualifications Commission. He said the complaint centered on "nepotism." Peters continued, "It's either his way or the highway and that was evident yesterday when I was led away in handcuffs."

“Turmoil and tension have filled the Catoosa Magistrate's Office”—what a marvelous gift for understatement. Since one judge had another taken away in handcuffs you might say that!

Meanwhile, both the Judicial Qualifications Commission and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are investigating.

Why can’t the judge’s in San Francisco be this interesting?

DEBBIE LORENZANA, THE WOMEN FIRED FROM CITIBANK FOR BEING TOO SEXY, GOT BOOB JOB BEFORE FIRING, NOW HAS ALRED AS ATTORNEY

Video report of Lorenzana’s boob job and "DETERMINED MANHUNT"

We first posted on this story here.

We now have an update from the Above the Law blog that is so convoluted that we must let Elie Mystal tell it in his own words:

It’s been a couple of days since we’ve mentioned former Citibank banker Debrahlee Lorenzana. In fairness, I’ve been afraid to criticize her and risk alienating all of the women in the world.

Maybe her former lawyer is safer ground? A couple of days ago we mentioned that Lorenzana hired Gloria Allred. But yesterday news surfaced about the lawyer Lorenzana fired, Jack Tuckner. Dealbreaker claims that Debrahlee might have just fired the perfect man for her case:

Specifically, Lorenzana says that she was told not to wear pencil skirts or stilettos. And while Tuckner may be the creepiest lawyer of all time, it turns out he has deep knowledge of this sort of footwear (and the other accoutrement that might fill out the ensemble), and how its presence in the corporate world can only enhance business, such as when a stilleto is shoved up one’s ass.

Yeah, it turns out that Tuckner is no stranger to sexual harassment claims…

The New York Post reports:

In June 2008, Manhattan women’s-rights lawyer Tuckner was sued by his former office manager, Lisa Brockington, who claimed in court papers that he watched porn at his desk and wore a “slave” collar at work. Her suit called him a “self-described ‘testosterone-poisoned’ attorney with a penchant for bondage and sadomasochism who demeaned . . . the women who worked for him.”

Read more about this story that keeps on giving (Above the Law)

What we are not clear on is has Gloria "have news video will take case" been brought in the sue Citibank or the former attorney?

UPDATE: READ, After SM spanking scandal involving former lawyer, Debrahlee's lawyer is legal-counsel-to-the-starfuckers Gloria Allred (Gawker)

UPDATE: Mood music for this post (Rick James)

WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER DISBARRED FOR JAIL SEXCAPADE

Was it love or lust that cost the attorney appointed by Gov. Joe Manchin to head the West Virginia Office of Consumer Advocacy his license to practice law last week?

According to the Opinion of the West Virginia Supreme Court that defrocked him, lawyer G. Patrick Stanton, Jr. entered the Prunytown Correctional Facility in Taylor County in October 2005 to see a female inmate, Rose Auvil. Stanton told prison officials that he was Ms. Auvil's attorney. But as the Director of the West Virginia Office of Consumer Advocacy, Stanton could not practice law privately. That was his first mistake.

His second mistake—and it was a doozey—was getting caught in the inmate interview room having sex with the inmate femme fatale.

Prison officials were not amused.

Neither was the West Virginia Supreme Court, which rejected a recommendation by a disciplinary panel that the lustful lawyer merely be suspended in favor of booting him permanently out of the profession.

Stanton had represented Auvil in the past, but he had also engaged in a sexual relationship with her that dated back to 1986. Stanton admitted that he had lied to a corrections official over the phone to schedule an attorney-client visit with the woman.

Stanton had been a lawyer in West Virginia since 1979.

Humility

If you were going to define humility for an 8-12 year old how would you do it?

I wrote "Humility is not thinking you're better than you are." I'm not sure it's the best answer though.

Finding the Good

"At least they know the ground even if they don't have good memories here." - SBS Commentator early in the New Zealand vs Slovakia game, finding a positive in New Zealand's experience at losing at the ground - "Well at least they've got practice losing here."

MICHAEL JACKSON DR. CONRAD MURRAY WILL KEEP LICENSE (FOR NOW)

****Breaking News****

LINDA DEUTSCH-AP


Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor today refused a request to suspend the medical license of Michael Jackson’s “house physician” who is criminally charged with causing the music legend’s death by negligently administering a powerful anesthetic drug to Jackson typically reserved for serious medical procedures in an operating theatre, LAT reporter Linda Deutsch reports in an AP story filed hours ago.

Judge Pastor was emphatic about his refusal to change an order previously issued by Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz declining to suspend Murray's medical license when he was arraigned in February, Ms. Deutsch reports in the story.

According to the story:

“Pastor told Deputy District Attorney General Trina Saunders the medical board had the option of holding an administrative hearing on the license. He also said she could appeal his ruling. “Pastor said he might revisit the issue if there was new information.

California authorities have sought the suspension since Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter in February.
He is accused of giving the pop star a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol.

“The pop music legend died after Murray, his personal physician, administered propofol and other drugs to help him sleep. “Murray maintains nothing he did should have killed Jackson. He remains free on $75,000 bail.”

Read more: Doc charged in Jackson death to keep Calif license (Linda Deutsch AP)

Shared Loss

I'm pretty happy I got up at 4:30am to watch the Socceroos get smashed by Germany. Not because it was an enjoyable experience, but it was an important one. It's going to be defining our national sporting identity for the next week, so I figure, I'm glad I shared the experience with the rest of Australia.

Revival

Tonight for youth group we took our boys to play laser tag. Usually we get about five or six boys along, last week we had eight boys, tonight we had fourteen boys. We've almost tripled in size in two weeks. It's the great laser tag awakening.

I told them all to come back next week. Let's hope they do. Next week we'll tell them about hell and punch them till they give their life to Jesus. Youth need the gospel and not just laser tag.

Vox

I stuck up a new talk on the preaching podcast/blog. It's one I did at a school last month. I recorded it on my phone because I thought it might be good to post.

Things have been very quiet on the podcast this year. This isn't for lack of preaching, but lack of access to recordings. But between now and August I should have about seven new talks and sermons to post. So things should speed up a little.

Anyway, if you want to listen, you can go listen to the new one here.

KELLEY LYNCH ANNIVERSARY SERIES: ANOTHER READER SPEAKS OUT

Kelley Lynch (Boulder PD booking photo)

It has been one year since—following her bannage from these pages— we first posted about the controversial former Leonard Cohen manager Kelley Lynch. (See here.)

To commemorate the one year anniversary of almost daily harassment by Ms. Lynch consisting of multiple daily emails (over 4,000 to date) sent to the IRS, the FBI, the media, attorneys, governors, mayors, the State Bar, local police agencies and many others—all falsely accusing us of multiple criminal offenses (and worse)—we have invited various persons (including Lynch’s own family) to guest post here.

Here is the second in a series of such posts. These views do not necessarily reflect our views and pursuant to 47 U.S.C. Section 230(c)(1) we are not responsible for third party content, such as this post.

What is wrong with Kelley Lynch’s Family?

Opinion

By Kelly Green

What in the hell is wrong with the adult members of the Lynch family? The lovely cast of characters includes: her parents Joan and John Lynch, her sister and brother-in-law Karen and David McCourt, her ex-husband and Rutger’s father Douglas Penick, and Ray’s father Steven Clark Lindsey. Even though Rutger’s an adult and her son Ray is nearly eighteen-years-of-age, I don’t believe in visiting the sins of the mother on the child. Certainly, the Lynch family realizes Kelley has serious mental health issues—how can they not? How can they continue to be deliberately indifferent toward her current mental health CRISIS? Indeed, their deliberate indifference toward her mental health CRISIS shocks the conscience of all sane and decent people! As hard as I try, I come up with no answers that justify their indifference. Certainly, they’re horrified by her loony and insane behavior; certainly, they’re appalled Kelley has become a shady character rapidly spinning out of control; certainly, they’re disappointed their once promising daughter/sister/spouse chooses to implode, crash, and burn on the internet—in public, for all the world to witness. So why does the Lynch family choose to remain deliberately indifferent toward Kelley’s mental health CRISIS? What is wrong with the Lynch family?

Let’s start with mom and dad—err, Joan and John Lynch. Kelley’s mental health issues are not a new development. As a kid, they most likely considered her high-spirited; as a teenager, she was a petulant wild-child. When Kelley went off to college—and she’s attended some of the best colleges in the US—well, they were relieved. They believed she was no longer their problem. Au contraire Mr. and Mrs. Lynch: HAVING CHILDREN IS A LIFE SENTENCE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE OF PAROLE. EVER.

After college, Kelley hooks up with Douglas Penick, they marry and Rutger joins the family. No marriage is perfect—especially when one spouse has mental health issues—and later divorce. Later, Kelley hooks up with Steven Clark Lindsey, and soon their family includes Steven’s daughter Jennifer, Rutger, and their son Ray. Friends, it never ceases to amaze me that Kelley Lynch suckered two men into not only hooking up with her but also breeding with her. What the hell were they thinking? Why didn’t they notice her mental health issues? Perhaps Penick found her quirky or charming—but what’s Lindsey’s excuse? Didn’t Lindsey and Penick ever speak? Are we to believe Penick never spoke to Lindsey about Kelley or Rutger? Seriously, there was no robot warning: “DANGER WILL ROBINSON”—of course I mean, “DANGER STEVEN CLARK LINDSEY”. I understand Kelley hates Lindsey—and probably has issues with Penick—but her sons are very lucky she hooked up with men who’ve done quite well raising her kids. I know she maintains Lindsey is evil and Ray has issues with his dad—but what teenage boy doesn’t have issues with his dad? From the outside, it appears as though Rutger and Ray are doing fine. And their fathers get all the credit for single-handedly shepherding her children into adulthood.

While the kids are young, Joan and John Lynch, and Kelley’s sister Karen, relocate to sunny southern California. Voila! In no time, nearly the entire Lynch family is on Cohen’s payroll. John Lynch becomes Cohen’s bookkeeper—and John keeps the books for ALL of Cohen’s accounts and assets. As to who employed Joan and Karen—well, it’s complicated; nevertheless, Cohen paid their wages.

As was proven in court, Kelley habitually, and freely, co-mingled her finances with Cohen’s finances. Given her tenure with Cohen, perhaps she thought she was ENTITLED to Cohen’s money. Kelley’s parents had to be aware of her creative finances: after all, her dad was the bookkeeper for Kelley’s accounts AND for ALL of Cohen’s accounts; in addition, Joan’s listed as a contact on Cohen’s accounts. As Cohen’s bookkeeper, he had to realize Kelley was co-mingling her funds and accounts with Cohen’s. Are we to believe her parents never discussed how Kelley managed Cohen’s accounts? So why did Joan and John Lynch choose to be deliberately indifferent toward Kelley’s criminal conduct? John and Joan had many opportunities to stop Kelley’s criminal behavior; yet, they chose to turn a blind eye to her FINANCIAL TERRORISM. Why? What is wrong with the Lynch family?

If the Lynch family honestly worked for Leonard Cohen, they were, indeed, entitled to payment from Leonard Cohen. I certainly don’t begrudge them honestly earned wages. However, if Joan and Karen worked for Kelley, or any of her numerous entities, then Kelley was responsible for their wages.

While the Lynch family controlled, and closely guarded, Cohen’s finances, Kelley eagerly helped herself to more than $7M of Cohen’s cash. While Joan, John, and Karen worked for Cohen, Kelley purchased a condo for her parents. Since Kelley stole $7M from Cohen and purchased an expensive condo for her parents, it’s fair to speculate who really financed John and Joan’s California condo. Did Cohen UNKNOWINGLY purchase Joan and John’s condo? I’m sure she’ll insist Cohen gave the condo to her parents as a gift. There’s a sure-fire way to ascertain whether the condo was, indeed, a gift from Cohen: did Joan and John paid gift taxes on the condo? Since Kelley routinely instructs the IRS to investigate her enemies for tax fraud, she’ll have no problem asking the IRS to investigate her parents. Why do Joan and John choose not to comment on the purchase of the condo? Why do Joan and John Lynch choose to remain deliberately indifferent to their profoundly mentally ill daughter, Kelley. Routinely, Kelley reports her mother’s “writing a declaration as we speak that absolutely proves everything [Kelley] says is the truth”! Yet, Joan and John remain silent. Why? What is wrong with the Lynch family?

And then there’s her sister Karen. As I said before, I’m unable to ascertain for whom Karen actually worked; however, it appears Cohen probably paid Karen’s wages. After Karen leaves Cohen’s employ, Karen and David McCourt begin Softwhere Solutions. Some wonder if, perhaps, Cohen’s cash made it’s way into Softwhere Solutions. As usual, Kelley refuses to deny giving Karen any of Cohen’s cash for Softwhere Solutions. Instead, the McCourt’s choose to refer Stephen to their attorney—and I question their motives in referring Stephen to their attorney. Most likely, they want their attorney to announce they’re not responsible for Karen’s bat-shit crazy sister Kelley. Apparently, the McCourt’s remain unfazed that some believe Cohen may have UNKNOWINGLY given money toward Softwhere Solutions. Yes, perhaps it’s better for some to think Cohen’s cash worked its way to Softwhere Solutions—but god forbid the McCourt’s have anything to do with, or be concerned about, Kelley. Why? Why do the McCourt’s choose to be deliberately indifferent toward Kelley’s rapidly declining mental health CRISIS? What is wrong with the Lynch family?

Five years after stealing $7,000,000 from Leonard Cohen, Kelley continues to struggle: she continues to deal with intermittent employment, homelessness, and mental illness. While homeless in Boulder CO, she works as the project coordinator for Deneuve Const; recently, she claims to have worked for a paralegal firm. In the past five years, she’s failed to find a job anywhere near her educational ability. As usual her tenure at each job is brief. With the exception of Deneuve Construction, according to Kelley’s internet posts, she insists she encounters crooks and thieves, tax cheaters and embezzlers, spies and secret agents on the job. Because she has no job, she remains homeless—although she wants us to believe she has a home; however, sleeping on her son’s couch or a friend’s floor is not the definition of one’s home. While in Texas, Star of Hope tries to get Kelley back on her feet. According to Kelley’s Lynchlogic, SOH thought having her reside at SOH put other clients at risk. Since SOH is based in Texas, it hopes to reunite Kelley with her family in Texas—staying in Texas allows her access to SOH’s community outreach programs. Had Kelley remained in Texas, she’d continue to receive treatment for her mental illness. Even though it meant Kelley would have a home and receive treatment for her mental illness, neither Joan and John Lynch nor Karen and David McCourt wanted anything to do with Kelley. Knowing your child or sibling lives in a nearby shelter, WHO ALLOWS A CHILD OR SIBLING TO REMAIN A RESIDENT AT A NEARBY HOMELESS SHELTER? Instead, the Texas clan chooses to be deliberately indifferent toward Kelley’s homelessness and rapidly advancing mental illness. Because the Lynch family wants NOTHING to do with Kelley, Rutger agrees to take in Kelley. SOH gives Kelley a one-way bus ticket to California where she bunks on Rutger’s couch. How do Joan and John and Karen and David justify dumping their extremely abusive mentally ill daughter/sister on Rutger? Kelley thrives on CHAOS—and they think it’s appropriate to dump her on Rutger? What is wrong with the Lynch family?

The Lynch family is complicated. While on Cohen’s payroll, they ALL knew of Kelley’s deceit and criminal conduct—and why should they stop her? After all, courtesy of their demented daughter and sanity-deprived sister, they’re living the sweet life in a sunny southern California condo. They knew she’s using Cohen’s stolen funds to finance the Lynch lair. They knew she was stealing from Cohen—and they did nothing to quell the rampant reign of their daughter—the FINANCIAL TERRORIST. Today, they STILL choose to remain deliberately indifferent to her crimes and mental illness. Why? What’s wrong with the Lynch family?

A lot has happened since the Lynch family worked for Cohen. Kelley’s relationship with her family is fractured. Yet, the Lynch family remains silent. Neither Kelley, her parents, or sister are willing to confirm or deny who financed their homes and businesses. No one intends to name the beneficiary of Kelley’s financial terrorism. I understand why an abusive mentally ill Kelley likes to jerk around and harass strangers. But why in hell does she choose to terrorize her parents, harass her siblings, and humiliate her kids? What is wrong with the Lynch family? Neither her parents nor siblings choose to issue a statement. Not even a simple statement acknowledging their love for Kelley. Not even a statement acknowledging Kelley’s mentally ill and needs in-patient psychiatric treatment. Not even a statement that gives Kelley hope of ever reconciling with her family. Not a single word. No, they choose to remain deliberately indifferent toward Kelley and her mental illness.

What is wrong with the Lynch family?

SFF

I've often dreamt of making full use of the Sydney Film Festival. I'd love to take two weeks off and just watch movies all day.

Alas, this year was not the year. But on Saturday I did manage to find a day mostly free to watch movies. So Ryan and I went movie watching. Three movies in one day. Excellent.

Movie One: Ordinary People



This is a film about how war makes ordinary people willing participants in atrocities very quickly and easily. At least I think that's what it's about. It was certainly the most pretentious and arty of the films we watched. It was shown in a cinema full of film snobs who say they love movies, but only go to the cinema three times a year.

I think watching the film brought out my rage at the pretentious attenders of the Film Festival. Because they have this love of cinema, which doesn't extend to going to the cinema to watch the movies that everyone is watching. In fact they don't go to the movies, they only watch "films", because they're snobs.

I know all this because I judged the back of their heads in the darkened cinema.

Of course the film should have made me angry about war and stuff, but there were more immediately pressing issues for me to be concerned about.

But if I must talk about the film, it was about the day in the life of a young, Russian (probably) soldier, who spends most of the film sitting around, sleeping, drinking vodka. Every now and again he executes "terrorists". The film had many long silent shots of this guy sleeping, staring at the sky, riding on a bus, and drinking vodka, just as you expect to see in a Dendy cinema. It seemed to be about how mundane and ordinary life is, except when you're putting people to death.

It wasn't a bad film really, though it can't have been that good an arty film because I think I understood the point. But it has certainly confirmed my desire never to be soldier in any army. Despite how much I love guns and tanks and stuff, I hate killing people more. Thank you, film.

If I was Margaret or David, I'd give it three and a half stars.

Movie Two: Cell 211



Now this was a freakin' movie!

The Sydney Film Festival described this as a film that "delivers a sharp uppercut to the fiercely clenched jaw of the Spanish penal system." If that doesn't make you want to watch the film, nothing will. The Spanish penal system has been crying out for a sharp, celluloid uppercut for a very long time and we're glad someone has finally gotten around to delivering it!

By golly this was a good film. I didn't go in expecting much, but I think this is the best prison film I have ever seen.

It's about a prison guard who gets caught in the middle of a riot on his first day of work and pretends to be a prisoner to survive. It's amazing. It's tense, got brilliant characters, it doesn't preach, it has plenty of blood and unflinching uppercutness (which made many of the film goers gasp and say "oh my"), and it has a tight, well paced, fast moving story.

If you get the chance to see this film, see this film. It'll make your month.

Movie Three: The Loved Ones



After a falafel roll and a can of drink, it was time for our third film. Jemma joined us for this.

The Loved Ones is an Australian horror film. I didn't know anything about it, but I was looking forward to watching something in English.

It turns out we were at the Sydney premiere and the Director, Producer and some of the actors had come along to introduce it and do a bit of a question and answer afterwards.

Once the film started I really wanted to like it, because the director was there. I didn't want him to see that I wasn't impressed. But I didn't have high hopes, because Australians don't tend to make a lot of good movies. Especially not horror or action. (Though Wolf Creek was pretty good).

Once the film started it seemed to confirm my fears. It was just your average horror film. A carbon copy of every teenage slasher flick to come out of Hollywood in the past 30 years. There's the requisite troubled main character, hot girlfriend, nerdy best friend, sex scene, kidnapping by a freaky man and high school dance. It was all there. I was really disappointed that this director I just saw interviewed had made something so unoriginal.

And then at the beginning of the second act, the whole film took a brilliant twist. A really simple one, but it changed the whole deal, and suddenly it was a new take on an old idea, done with humour, wit, and charm. I'd tell you what it is, but if you can watch the film without knowing what's coming, it'll make it all the more exciting.

It being a horror film, there's plenty of blood and painful torture, but it's also a whole lot of fun. It's obviously made by a guy who loves horror movies to bits. It's like Shaun of the Dead if only Shaun was actually a good zombie movie (though it's still a good comedy).

This was excellent film number two of the day. If you can handle a horror film, go see this one. It's one of the best horror films I've seen in a long time. And it's Australian. Who'd have thought?


So there's my SFF experience. Maybe next year, I'll take the two weeks off work and just watch "films" the whole time. That'd be great. And pretentious. Oh my.

Whitegood

I bought a fridge on Sunday. It's been more significant than I thought it would be. Now I feel like I'm properly an adult. I own a whitegood. All the stuff I own doesn't fit into one room anymore. I feel like it's time to settle down, like it's time to get a mortgage to house my fridge.

Damn it, van Warmelo, you seduced me into middle age. You and your reasonably priced, lusty fridge.

KELLEY LYNCH ANNIVERSARY SERIES: ONE READER’S OPINION

Kelley Lynch (Bolder PD booking photo)

It has been one year since—following her bannage from these pages— we first posted about the controversial former Leonard Cohen manager Kelley Lynch. (See here.)

To commemorate the one year anniversary of almost daily harassment by Ms. Lynch consisting of multiple daily emails (over 4,000 to date) sent to the IRS, the FBI, the media, attorneys, governors, mayors, the State Bar, local police agencies and many others—all accusing us of multiple criminal offenses—we have invited various persons (including Lynch’s own family) to guest post here.

Here is the first in a series of such posts. These views do not necessarily reflect our views and we are not responsible for third party content, such as this post.

Bloggers Beware

Opinion

By Susanne Walsh

To those of you who have not yet been "lucky" enough to meet Kelley Lynch on the internet, you are herby warned that she is a very disturbed woman so filled with hate and need for revenge that I believe she can be dangerous to anyone who gets involved with her and her crazy rants.

Ms. Lynch was indeed Leonard Cohen’s personal manager for several years. However a few years ago Leonard Cohen discovered that Ms. Lynch had stolen and mismanaged his entire savings. Cohen fired her, sued her and won a judgment of $7.9 million.

However Ms. Lynch vanished and never made an attempt to pay back the money she stole from the old poet, instead she (from wherever she was hiding) started to harass Mr. Cohen and his attorney (e-mails and phone calls). In 2008 Leonard Cohen obtained a restraining order against Ms. Lynch which she accepted, but she then started a vicious hate campaign against Leonard Cohen by targeting every newspaper/magazine forum that would bring a favorable review of a performance by Mr. Cohen.

Ms. Lynch has in the most disgusting manner slandered and lied about Mr. Cohen and his family; she has falsely accused him of every crime in the book from tax fraud, thief, liar, perjurer, child molester and much more. Any blogger who will respond and disagree or object to her brutal attacks, she will verbally abuse and even threaten to “report” to The Department of Justice or even at one point to Department for Humanity in Haag, for making her look and sound “not credible” and for "obstructing justice".

She will also turn things around and play the victim, accusing all who in a disagreeable way reply to her postings, that we are all insane, stupid liars that are harassing her and her children and parents and destroying her life. In the past few years Ms. Lynch has sent several hundred e-mails to the IRS and other public offices with her claims punishments for especially Leonard Cohen, but also everybody who does not agree with her, as she for years has been “waiting” for Bruce Cutler or some other high profile lawyer from Phil Spector’s legal team to come knock on her door and take her case against Cohen and the rest of the world who she believes have a conspiracy against her.

It should be noted that Leonard Cohen has never been arrested, charged or prosecuted of any wrongdoing as well as he has never responded to Ms. Lynch’s slanderous hate campaign and since the legal matters were finalized has never publicly spoken of Ms. Lynch and her betrayals

Susanne Walsh

PUBLIC DEFENDER CHOKES PROSECUTOR OVER COURT DATE

This just in, from Above the Law:

“A Cook County prosecutor was hospitalized this morning after being choked in a hallway of the 26th and California criminal courthouse, allegedly by an assistant public defender, police said.

“The 50-year-old assistant state’s attorney “might be injured very badly,” an official could be heard telling prosecutors at the courthouse. But another source said the prosecutor was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital only for observation.”

Reading between the lines here, and as a veteran defense attorney once exclaimed to the undersigned—as we sighed “I hate victims” as a witness made his way into court on crutches:

“You have been doing this too long”.

Jim Wagner was right-we just did not realize it until 20 years later.

Read more:

Lawyer of the Day: Public Defender Needs Defending (Above the Law)

TOO SEXY FOR CITIBANK FIRED WOMAN ALLEGES

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

NY Post

Is it possible that a woman could be so sexy, even in a conservative business suit, that no men in the office can get any work done?

That is precisely why Debbie Lorenzana claims in her wrongful termination suit that she was fired from her job at Citibank-- her bosses told her they couldn't concentrate on their work because her appearance was “too distracting”.

Lorenzana, a 33-year-old single mom, pointed out female colleagues whose clothing was far more revealing than hers:

"They said their body shapes were different from mine, and I drew too much attention," she says.

"Men are kind of drawn to her," says Tanisha Ritter, a friend and former colleague who also works as a banker and praises Lorenzana's work habits.

"I've seen men turn into complete idiots around her. But it's not her fault that they act this way, and it shouldn't be her problem”, a Village Voice story reports.

Lorenzana's gender discrimination suit was dismissed last month because her deal with Citibank called for any disputes to be settled in private arbitration. She's pressing on with her case there.

"Are you saying that just because I look this way genetically, that this should be a curse for me?" she told the Village Voice, which first reported her case.

In a statement, Citibank said, "We believe this lawsuit is without merit and we will defend against it vigorously."


View Slide Show (Villiage Voice) [please refrain from shouting "Yea, Baby" if viewing at work].


Read more:

Woman Claims She Was Fired for Being Too Attractive (Above The Law)

Woman says she was from Citibank for being too hot (NY Post)

Is This Woman Too Hot To Be a Banker? (Village Voice)

Curvy Banker Says She Was Fired for Being ‘Too Distracting’ in Business Suit and Heels (ABA J.)

Is This Woman Too Hot To Work At Your Office? (Deal Breaker)

Maggoted

I had a beer tonight and I just had two cold and flu night tablets, which you shouldn't take with alcohol. Things are going to get cra-zy.

I expect to wake up in my frontyard with no pants on.

Economy of Awesome

Today I did a talk in a primary school where I ate a chocolate éclair as part of my opening illustration. Because of that all the kids thought I was amazing and mobbed me afterwards.

Chocolate éclair eating leads to celebrity status. I'm living the fatties' dream!

ATTORNEY FINE DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS (JAIL)

Much as happened (Fine-wise) since we reported that a State Bar judge recommended the disbarment of notorious adjudicated legal bully Richard L. Fine—likened by the State Bar Court to a “gladiator”—and not in a good way.

For one thing, Fine has been disbarred.

For another, Fine has been incarcerated for the last 12 months over his refusal to appear at an Order of Examination and truthfully state what all of his assets are so some of his scorched-earth litigation victims can collect some of the court ordered fines that Fine was ordered to pay.

Then things really went downhill for Fines.

As reported by Legal Pad, quoting the LAT:

“The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Fine's petition to end his confinement. Fine has filed habeas corpus petitions, from his jail cell, at the district, Ninth Circuit and California Supreme Court level. Fine alleges that Yaffe is biased against him because of his work on advocating against judicial perks.

“According to the LAT, Fine intends to continue his battle, despite the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to take up his petition "effectively [puts] an end to his dogged legal quest.”

Qanda

I went to see Q&A getting filmed last night with Howie and Dingo in Studio 22 at the ABC.

On the show was Liberal Senator Corey Bernardi, Clare Bowditch, Miriam Lyons, Mitch Grady and Maxine McKew. They were a good group. Everyone spoke rather well. Bernadi and McKew just sounded like politicians who can never say anything much except for the party line. Bowditch spoke like an artist about "listening to your inner ear" and "speaking from the heart", but I generally agreed with her. However, the winner of the night, in my view, was Mitch Grady. He's an "aspiring Liberal" whatever that means, but he was smart, persuasive, and spoke very well. I hope he doesn't become a politician because he won't be allowed to speak well anymore.

It was a rather rowdy crowd. I had some young Liberals in front of me who would only listen to Bernardi and spent the rest of the night muttering that everyone else was an idiot and should shut up. I wanted to kick them in the back of the head. But I didn't because Jesus would not be pleased.

The largest applause of the night followed Corey Bernardi's explanation of why he wants to ban the burqa: "If we think that we’re not going to have a problem in 20 years as the burqa becomes more prevalent, I think we’ve got to think again and we’ve got to nip it in the bud now and say, “Enough is enough. We have a different culture, a different society here, one that is open where you can see people’s faces and you can communicate effectively with others."

He says his argument stems from people using the burqa as a disguise to commit a robbery in Sydney. It seems like a rather absurd reason to ban a burqa, it's not like there's a campaign out there to ban ski-masks and motorcycle helmets. This has to be about more than just public safety. Otherwise you can just ban the wearing of face coverings in banks, police stations and at airport security screening.

It worried me that there was such a depth of approving response in the crowd to the idea of banning the burqa. I'm disturbed by any attempts to limit religious freedom in our country. Just because I'm not a Muslim doesn't mean I want to stop them expressing their faith in the way they believe is right.

Mitch responded pretty well when he said: "I think there’s a very fine line between a country who, through a law, interferes with somebody’s choice by banning the burqa and a country who, through a law, interferes with somebody’s choice by forcing them to wear a burqa... When we’re having these debates, we need to go back to first principles. When do we ban something in a western liberal democracy? ...We have to accept that in a Western liberal democracy we all have rights and freedoms and choices and that those rights are not granted at the whim of the state but they’re granted to us on the basis that we have innate integrity as a human being and so what it essentially means is that rights in our society must apply axiomatically. You don’t need a reason to give somebody a right but you do need a damn good reason to take it away."

The issue of Rudd's back flip on using government funds to pay for political advertising in the mining taxes debate came up. Corey scored some easy points in that one, because poor Maxine is stuck trying to defend something which is clearly the result of Rudd's lack of integrity and by trying to make it out as being in the public interest.

Once again Mitch put it well: "What I find interesting about this debate is that the government seems to think that if somebody expresses a point of view that’s different to theirs, then that is misinformation. That’s not - it’s not misinformation, it’s an argument and as a government you need to be prepared that other people are going to have different points of view. Now, the government has no shortage of mechanisms available to get its message out there: political journalists and what not. If you want to air a political advertisement, then that should be paid for by political parties and nobody is stopping the Labor Party from submitting an ad defending that policy. But the government should not be - whether it was Howard and WorkChoices, whether it was Labor and the mining tax, the government should not be spending money to defend policy and it’s very different to swine flu, which had a clear public benefit. This is a benefit that only serves to try and keep Kevin Rudd in power."

To which the Liberal Senator responded "Hear, hear!" I think he may have only listened to the last line and missed the bit where Grady stuck the boot in Howard.

All up it was a fun night. Probably most fun was being part of live television, I love live TV. And I love politics. But live TV is 1000 times better.

I think I might go back.