Helping out a neighbor has always been a hallmark of American life. From barn-raisings to stump-pullings in the day of the frontier, to keeping an eye on the neighborhood kids, we've always put a premium on being helpful and generous with those living close to us.
At least, until now. Now...it seems that it's against the law. At least in the state of Michigan. It seems that our "Nanny State" doesn't like the competition.
A story making the rounds tells the tale of Lisa Synder, a neighborhood mom in suburban Grand Rapids, who was trying to help her neighbors by watching their kids as they wait for the schoolbus. That way, everybody thought, her neighbors could head off for work on time, and her helpfulness could help make everyone feel better about living in such a nice neighborhood. Unfortunately, the State views this as unlicensed "day care"---and has threatened to throw her in jail if she doesn't cease and desist.
Now that the story has hit the airwaves, the politicians are falling over themselves trying to find a way out from under the ridicule. Michigan's beleagured governor, Jennifer Grandholm, has instructed the head of the state's Department of Human Services --- the same agency that threatened the mom with jail --- to "work with the Legislature" to remedy the situation.
This is, of course, a welcome step --- and, given the state's dismal economic state, anything that helps people get to work on time would be applauded by anone with an ounce of sense. Unfortunately, there appears to be no legislation that can require bureaucrats to use common sense...or prevent people wanting to feel important from misusing laws intended to protect people to oppress them, instead.
But...at least in these days of instant communications, we're able to see the pratfalls of the policitians as they try to scamble out from under their own sense of self-importance.
Too bad we can't pass a law to make people think.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Casa Nueva Caminsky???
Well...Nonie and I went ahead and put in an offer on the house we've been looking at in White Lake: 4-1/2 acres, rising to the house on the hill, just outside of Milford.
I'm not completely sure that this is such a wise move. OUr current house is paid for...and the new one could prove to be a money pit. Since it's actually a bigger house, the utility bills will probably be higher. There are lots of repairs needed. I really wanted to spend most of my time reading, and writing, and traveling. And the Universe around Livonia seems so well-ordered and predictable.
But life is largely a shared adventure. And the place really is quite lovely. So, if the bank is desperate enough to take what we think we can afford, we may be moving out into the country.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
I'm not completely sure that this is such a wise move. OUr current house is paid for...and the new one could prove to be a money pit. Since it's actually a bigger house, the utility bills will probably be higher. There are lots of repairs needed. I really wanted to spend most of my time reading, and writing, and traveling. And the Universe around Livonia seems so well-ordered and predictable.
But life is largely a shared adventure. And the place really is quite lovely. So, if the bank is desperate enough to take what we think we can afford, we may be moving out into the country.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
Voices from the Past
I attended my 40th high school reunion last night...at the lovely Howell spread of Jim Draffen, one of our classmates. His "Rockin D" Ranch was a magnificent venue...and it was one of the nicest reunions we've ever had. It was very touching to see so many faces from the past...see how they've changed, how life has treated them, and how we've all learned so much through the years.
Among the things I leared was that I was one of a handful of kids who actually liked high school. I suspect it may have been because I was so terrified of girls: I had music, and sports, and books, and studies to occupy my mind instead of teenaged angst and the various "coming of age" crises. And, it seems, I was blessed by an unusually gifted set of teachers---experiences which, it seems, not all of my classmates shared.
Too bad we can't all press "reset," take a Mulligan, and have another go. Maybe, just maybe, we'd get it right this time.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
Among the things I leared was that I was one of a handful of kids who actually liked high school. I suspect it may have been because I was so terrified of girls: I had music, and sports, and books, and studies to occupy my mind instead of teenaged angst and the various "coming of age" crises. And, it seems, I was blessed by an unusually gifted set of teachers---experiences which, it seems, not all of my classmates shared.
Too bad we can't all press "reset," take a Mulligan, and have another go. Maybe, just maybe, we'd get it right this time.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Voice of Forever
Ernie Harwell returned to the ball park to say his goodbyes last night.
For as long as I can remember, he was the voice of the Detroit Tigers. He had just come to town when I began falling in love with the game. I can remember when he was teamed with the also-new George Kell, sharing radio and TV duties together.
Through the years, he was a constant presence...a constant reminder of when I was a young boy...an older boy...a young man...and now, a middle-aged man, with aging parents, who has noticed Time watching over his shoulder every now and then.
There are landmarks to every life: birthdays, vacations, the first day of school...then, before long, graduations, weddings, and eventually funerals. But through it all, a constant presence has been Ernie Harwell, the voice of the Tigers. Now, with cancer racing through his aging body, his voice will soon leave us.
Thanks, Ernie...as you requested, we'll try not to cry when you're gone. Instead, we'll simply try to remember...as we try to feel as young at heart as you always were.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
For as long as I can remember, he was the voice of the Detroit Tigers. He had just come to town when I began falling in love with the game. I can remember when he was teamed with the also-new George Kell, sharing radio and TV duties together.
Through the years, he was a constant presence...a constant reminder of when I was a young boy...an older boy...a young man...and now, a middle-aged man, with aging parents, who has noticed Time watching over his shoulder every now and then.
There are landmarks to every life: birthdays, vacations, the first day of school...then, before long, graduations, weddings, and eventually funerals. But through it all, a constant presence has been Ernie Harwell, the voice of the Tigers. Now, with cancer racing through his aging body, his voice will soon leave us.
Thanks, Ernie...as you requested, we'll try not to cry when you're gone. Instead, we'll simply try to remember...as we try to feel as young at heart as you always were.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Jeff in the Legal News
A very nice article appeared about me in the local Legal News yesterday.
It was written by Jeanine Matlow, a freelance writer I know, who belongs to my writer's group, the Ridgewriters. Apparently, my story interested her editors enough to have Jeanine do a write-up.
I've been getting calls and congratulations all day. It's nice to be noticed; now, all I have to do is start selling a few more of my books.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
It was written by Jeanine Matlow, a freelance writer I know, who belongs to my writer's group, the Ridgewriters. Apparently, my story interested her editors enough to have Jeanine do a write-up.
I've been getting calls and congratulations all day. It's nice to be noticed; now, all I have to do is start selling a few more of my books.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Attorney General Opens Torture Probe
n light of Attorney General Holder's decision to align this country with the practice common throughout the world of trying to imprison a new ruler's predecessors, there is no telling where the chips will fall. Onion News Network's panel of experts explores one possible aspect of this new policy.
Is Using A Minotaur To Gore Detainees A Form Of Torture?
Republican leaders have, so far, declined to comment on developments.
Actually, the Democrats haven't commented either...but that's beside the point.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
Is Using A Minotaur To Gore Detainees A Form Of Torture?
Republican leaders have, so far, declined to comment on developments.
Actually, the Democrats haven't commented either...but that's beside the point.
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
New Horizons in Embarrassing Your Kids
This is the season when a lot of parents are sending their kids off to college. As Onion News shows, this doesn't mean that we can't continue to be a constant source of embarrassment to them. All it takes is Facebook...and a little persistence.
Facebook, Twitter Revolutionizing How Parents Stalk Their College-Aged Kids
Stay tuned for further updates....
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
Facebook, Twitter Revolutionizing How Parents Stalk Their College-Aged Kids
Stay tuned for further updates....
JEFFREY CAMINSKY, a veteran public prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. His books include the science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the exciting second volume in the Guardians of Peace-tm series, The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the acclaimed Referee’s Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating. All are published by New Alexandria Press, and are available on Amazon, as well as directly from the publisher.
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