APPLE1

I think almost everyone finds dismassals of cases and evidence based on technicalities a point of anger. But, I think the caution exercised with technicalities is an inherent part of preserving the Blackstone Ratio (better that 10 guilty men go free than 1 innocent man be found guilty). That philosophy wasn't just an epiphany of the American Justice System, or Brittish Common Law. It's a principal that has guided much of society for several thousand years. It was evidenced in Genesis and the destruction of Sodom.

I would term the above article a "fluff" piece. It's devoid of pertinent information and any skepticism that you would hope for when controversial topics are reported on by a real news source. Specifically, even the headline fails to say "special" prosecutor. It's very significant when you consider that Erlinda Ocampo Johnson is normally a successful criminal defense and personal injury attorney in NM. I doubt it would serve her career well to say publicly 'that if the prosecutor withholds evidence, it's a minor matter.' What defendant would want to hire her after that???

As I understand, the case dismissal hinges on a finding of withholding evidence by the prosecution. While it may have been a different outcome if the charge was murder vs manslaughter, I think judges have a duty to make sure the consequences for withholding evidence are significant vs a slap on the wrist. If we allow evidence to be withheld with minor consequences, or no consequences, it unravels the whole foundation of the American criminal justice system.

I get that most services charge a "delivery fee." If it's extra for an out call though, isn't that extra the "delivery fee?"

I also see a lot more businesses accepting debit payments and cash. As I understand the debit fees are significantly less than credit card fees.

As I understand, there are a handful of other states that have mandated accepting cash payments for in person business transactions. It's likely also important to note that it's not a cash free for all - - - written into the laws are often provisions for things like not being required to accept bills larger than a $20 and capping acceptance of cash for purchases totalling $1500 or less.

I think you are missing ALL the "fees" associated with collecting cash. It's not just a question of counterfeit bills. It's theft, employees theft, time to count and RECOUNT drawers of cash, time taking deposits to a bank, time giving back change, and making change incorrectly (which certainly may lead to employee attrition).

I think it's always a question of "is the value of the service worth it?" I am pretty resistant to paying a fee to get my own money as well. I know every ATM within 2 miles of my house, and on my daily commute, that is "no fee" or at a bank linked to my own. My mother is resistant to eating out for pleasure. It's only a convience option in her mind. She's said many times that she "spent many years putting 3 meals a day on the table for a family. Making a meal is easy. Why should I pay a ton of money for someone else to do easy work I could do myself."

I understand not wanting to take a lot cash on an airplane, BUT, in the age of ATMs that accept cash deposits, and refillable debit cards, I am not sure simply 'not wanting to fly with cash' is a great reason not to accept cash. I travel some for work. I have both a main credit union account that gives me "partner" access to ATMs across the country, and when that fails, I specifically have a debit card at a nationwide bank.

I think businesses imposing "convenience fees" will be yet another reason cash always exists.

My assumption is that once in effect, it will change from "a handful of misdemeanors that will often be reduced or dismissed," to 'without any human trafficking, it's a handful of felonies that will often be reduced to misdemeanors or dismissed.'

Damn! There are a whole lot a lawyers on COM! 😉

Logic and the ability to experience and conceptualize perspectives outside of one's self are not behaviors reserved or licensed to any state or federal bar. On the contrary, they are skills many, many adults engage in every day.

First things first, I have no doubt that there are countries, cultures, private collectors, etc who have absconded with antiquities of others unscrupulously. But, I am not convinced ALL antiquities have been gathered unscrupulously or need to be returned. After visiting Greece and Turkey and getting a local perspective, I was left with many questions about "antiquies theft." The locals voiced frustration over construction. Claiming that 'with a civilization this old, any time you dig, you inevitably find old crap. Then you have to contact the gov't, wait months or years for someone to show up, look at the stuff, and decide if it's important, or you can keep/throw away the stuff on your land.' I think it's important to recognize that 'familiarity breeds contempt' is a significant concept that transcends all socioeconomic boundaries. I am not convinced that if it was excess crap to me, and I threw it away, gave it away, or sold it, years later some ancestor is simply entitled to decide it's not crap to them and reclaim it. In some countries, outside of human remains, you basically own, and are free to do with what you please, anything you find on your land. I am not only left with questions about when the controlling authority changed philosophy or law within a nation, but also "who" was "in charge" of their release. In earlier eras, when record keeping and public awareness was less, were there landowners selling/giving away antiquities? Government officials acting outside their authority and granting approval? Taking of bribes? Someone just too lazy to create a proper official record of the transfer?

When I realized the barista was more likely to know and start my order than the bartender was.

I have always felt that if normal use would prohibit me from using it, I truly can't afford it. I apply the thought to a watch I couldn't replace easily if stolen, as well a truck I couldn't drive down a gravel road for fear of paint chipping.

If we define "violence" as subjective, along the same logic we can define "lair" and "scammer" as subjective terms. I hire a provider, make him get naked and step on the scale when we meet, and he weighs 151, or 149. His profile said "150" and he didn't correct that in our chats. I am now free to come here and label him a scammer and a liar. Really???

Fall Prides and night parades are my favorite! Cooler temp - lends itself to more elaborate costuming/displays. Evening/darkness comes earlier (allows for better/longer light displays, sometimes even nice bonfires).

No. Violence is an objectively applied word. My crazy suburban helicopter parent sister would likely describe that video as 'out of control drunks violently fighting.' She'd likely even think about joining some committee of fragile snowflakes like herself aimed at making changes for safety. I'd describe it as "a few intoxicated people exchanging a few bitch slaps." I'd then think to myself, 'I hope the bartender waters down their next drink a little bit.'

This is an objective observation, not a statement of subjective facts. In order to be subjective, "wild" and "violent" would have to have predefined parameters and mean the same thing to each and every person.

That's why I have the Mailman Rule: If you know what time the mailman comes every day, and you know he was 20 min late last Tue, you definitely have time to watch all the neighbors, and I will avoid you like the plague!!

I don't care for them. That style reminds me of quick, haphazard sketches as opposed to finished product. It then makes me question if the writing is a quality finished product. I am not saying this to be mean. I am saying this because, I'm sure you know that art/cover art influences book sales, and I think it's a perspective you may want to consider going forward. EDIT: I did go to your website via another post on here. The style of the first pic there, I think dated "April 29, 2021" within the pic, would have made me more interested in pursuing your writing.

Since we are talking about potential bias, I think it's very important to point out @rvwnsd use of the word "usually" is very accurate. I have certainly seen occasions where a non-member provider joined to refute things in a member's negative review, and it worked out well. The provider supplied an account of the session that seemed much more logical and believable to me, and other members, than the info from the original reviewer. I even recall one instance where addressesing a miscommunication via this forum led to a free repeat session. The client ended up pleased, wrote a new review, and the provider maintained a good reputation.

On 6/12/2024 at 7:02 PM, APPLE1 said: If you start a topic and you loose the argument, or are embarrassed about things you wrote, etc, as the creator of the topic you have the option to "hide" or "delete" the topic and then no one can even read it anymore.

Beyond just how many providers responded, it aligns with the general concept about asking "those who have hired" about their experiences. Much like if I want a house cleaner, I am not going to call some cleaners up and simply accept their answers. I'm certainly also going to ask friends and neighbors about their experiences hiring a cleaner.