Posts by ScottY

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  • Up Front: A Kink in the Pants,

    Mrs Skin, I don't mean to suggest Comeskey's at fault for taking Xue on as a client. I was merely pointing out that he made a choice. And I agree that someone had to defend him. So I've no issue with that.

    But if Comeskey was at any stage deeply uncomfortable with anything he was asked to do, he could have found a way out.

    I guess this is why I don't practise criminal law and he does.

    I agree with you about the lack of understanding about lawyers' roles. Actualy, most of us don't go anywhere near the courts.

    I don't necessarily believe, however, that our role is so special that we should be immune from public criticism. Sometimes a lawyer crosses the line with his/her conduct of a case. I'm not saying this is one such instance, but I have no difficulty with people asking the question.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Up Front: A Kink in the Pants,

    I'm late to this, but here are some observations, in no particular order.

    As others have said, a lawyer must act in the best interests of his/her client, to the exclusion of other interests. If this involves trying to find someone else to pin the blame on, so be it. That's not the lawyer's fault - it's his/her job.

    Also, a lawyer must not refuse client instructions without good reasons.

    So certainly, insofar as the letter of the law goes, Comesky's all to the good.

    But two other observations:

    If Comesky really wanted not to act for this guy he'd have found a reason. Lawyers turn people away all the time, sometimes for good reasons, sometimes for spurious ones.

    Also, most court lawyers are underpaid and underworked, and do good work. There is, however, a small group of high-profile individuals who seem to bask in the notoriety controversial cases bring.

    So the "only doing his job" line only goes so far.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Island Life: Driving around Mt Eden,…,

    The thing everyone seems to be forgetting is that prisoners are real people.

    That's right - think of the nutrient potential if we converted these living organisms into fertiliser for our crops.

    Isn't that the ultimate in giving back to society?

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Island Life: Driving around Mt Eden,…,

    Let's combine those ideas Scott.

    No, on reflection, I think both our ideas are too costly.

    We should be making money from these people. My motto is always act as the Romans would.

    We've now got a great big new public space on the Auckland waterfront. Send them there. Put up a some temporary seats and sell tickets to the spectacle. We can hire the lions from the Zoo for the day.

    A slightly more controversial, and less popular, suggestion would be to not imprison so many people, but hey, what kind of PC-socialist loony would you have to be to go for that? And where's the entertainment value?

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Island Life: The resignation of Captain Worth,

    Be careful what you wish for, who's next on their list anyway? You don't have to get far down the ACT list before the flake to substance ratio gets very high.

    According to this the next on the list is Hilary Calvert.

    Apparently she's a Dunedin lawyer. Doesn't sound from what I can find to be a nutjob. Could be wrong but.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Island Life: Driving around Mt Eden,…,

    Crusher Collins should think about a move to the environment ministry. By taking police cars off the streets she's shown she's the only Nat with a plan to cut emissions.

    I think containers are too costly. Can't we put the prisoners on a boat and set them adrift? Let God find a home for them.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Hard News: What to Do?,

    In fact I've decided hat I'm going to use my vote to cancel out Bob McCoskrie's vote

    Maybe we need to go further. Let's cancel his voice.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Field Theory: Excusez-moi?,

    Ok, consider this.

    Almost every time he's played for the AB's he's showed a lack of ball skills and a tendency to give away turnovers.

    And often he's come into the team on the back of good form.

    Which shows he doesn't have the temperament for the top level.

    So never again I say again.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Field Theory: Excusez-moi?,

    But given the circumstances, couldn't it perhaps be worthwhile to call Lauaki into the squad?

    NO! NO! NO!

    NEVER AGAIN!

    (Taking medicine now. Feel better)

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Field Theory: Excusez-moi?,

    The lineup for this week looks a bit stronger, with Kaino and Conrad Smith back. A couple of injuries (Thomson, Hore), but on balance slightly stronger I think.

    But the bench looks decidedly weak. Let's cross fingers and hope for no more injuries. If so who in the country will be left standing for the next game?

    (Graham, if you're reading this, I haven't played for a few years, but I'm available if needed)

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

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