tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post5650272055204267890..comments2023-11-27T02:17:22.859-06:00Comments on The LawDog Files: Meditations on paper armourLawDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05232684877582591461noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-7562989754328934072010-04-15T22:21:11.047-05:002010-04-15T22:21:11.047-05:00I'm *way* late to the party, having just been ...I'm *way* late to the party, having just been directed to your blog a few days ago via the Saga of Mr. Johnson. That was beautiful, but I digress.<br /><br />I wish I'd had this to hand my clients, once upon a time. I practiced family law for 20 years before I couldn't stand watching people tear their kids apart anymore and closed my practice. What you've said here was part of my set-speech for abusive relationships. "Sure, I can get you a restraining order, but I'm a lawyer, not a fairy godmother. All it does, really, is create a record that you're afraid of this guy. It's not magic. It's a piece of paper. It won't stop a bullet, a knife, or a fist." I said that over and over, and over and over watched women (and one man) put their faith in the Magic of The Law(tm) and find out that, like the Wizard of Oz, it was all smoke and mirrors.Alisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09383039470064357262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-23897796063184389112008-12-01T15:02:00.000-06:002008-12-01T15:02:00.000-06:00Actually, paper amour was used in battle during th...Actually, paper amour was used in battle during the Song Dynasty. It consisted of 'chips', each made of a piece of paper folded over many times, connected with leather and nails. It was light and flexible, but quite resilient to arrows.<BR/><BR/>http://www.orientaldiscovery.com/view_info.asp?viewid=830macdjordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14370786994365521651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-33034206815702240512008-06-02T20:51:00.000-05:002008-06-02T20:51:00.000-05:00My best friend from high school: took her 27 years...My best friend from high school: took her 27 years and two murder attempts before she finally truly chose to be clear of the guy. She escaped while he was knifing her, she survived, he's in jail on attempted premeditated charges, no trial yet while they assess his mental state, and in the State of Maryland the average amount of time he'll serve for what he did to her is a whopping four years. The judge was going to grant bail, too, till she said, If you let him loose I am a dead woman. He will find me and he will finish the job. If you let him loose you will never see me again and you will have no witness, because I am not sticking around.<BR/><BR/>The judge changed his mind. No bail. And her boss fired her for not showing up at work that day in order to be in court to see that the judge did that. (Turned out a blessing--now the guy doesn't know where she works, and she got a raise at a new employer.)<BR/><BR/>Three and a half years left now on that average four...<BR/><BR/>What I want to know is, every single time his dutifully visiting daughter says her mom's name at the jail, he threatens to kill his ex-wife. WHY isn't he charged with making terrorist threats each and every single time he does? He's in jail, fer cryin' out loud, the conversations are recorded!<BR/><BR/>Oh, and, you want chutzpah definition #2? He insisted he didn't want a public defender: his wife should be forced to pay for his defense. On charges of trying to kill her.<BR/><BR/>And she's afraid to finalize the divorce while he's refusing to sign the papers, on the grounds that some idiot judge will throw it out later when the guy appeals when he gets out, saying he wasn't represented.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-72638451297370654262008-05-28T17:44:00.000-05:002008-05-28T17:44:00.000-05:00I recall, vaguely, an incident of a woman being mu...I recall, vaguely, an incident of a woman being murdered by an ex-something or other. The news article stated that she had applied for a restraining order, but had not yet received it.<BR/>I swear to God the reported lamented: "if she had only done it sooner".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-29300953688862139532008-05-22T16:24:00.000-05:002008-05-22T16:24:00.000-05:00Amen! In order to enjoy the protective properties ...Amen! In order to enjoy the protective properties of that paper you have to be able to survive the encounter it's meant to protect you from, no?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-69665757832618768632008-05-21T11:16:00.000-05:002008-05-21T11:16:00.000-05:00Restraining order = deer tag for stalkersGet your ...Restraining order = deer tag for stalkers<BR/><BR/>Get your tag, and fill it. If you don't have the tag, you have a greater risk of getting jailed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-24549024743695719572008-05-20T11:06:00.000-05:002008-05-20T11:06:00.000-05:00Pax, I'd be honoured if you would.Pax, I'd be honoured if you would.LawDoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05232684877582591461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-3482456984002986632008-05-20T09:49:00.000-05:002008-05-20T09:49:00.000-05:00LawDog ~Permission to mirror on Cornered Cat?paxLawDog ~<BR/><BR/>Permission to mirror on Cornered Cat?<BR/><BR/>paxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-79002827836332564182008-05-19T22:53:00.000-05:002008-05-19T22:53:00.000-05:00Doesn't magical thinking solve every problem?Doesn't magical thinking solve every problem?Rogue Medichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07598646309630074992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-39770745699366597632008-05-19T22:49:00.000-05:002008-05-19T22:49:00.000-05:00I've tried to explain this to reporters in my gun ...I've tried to explain this to reporters in my gun store before - they're just amazed that we don't collect pieces of paper called "firearms registrations" that would somehow magically keep people from shooting other people with actual, real-life guns.<BR/><BR/>ColtCCOAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-69486810157229338552008-05-19T22:10:00.000-05:002008-05-19T22:10:00.000-05:00Dear Mr. Dog,I dare say that this poetry ranks on ...Dear Mr. Dog,<BR/><BR/>I dare say that this poetry ranks on the scales towards Lt. Col. Grossman's "Sheep and Sheepdogs". I shall save it and make it required reading for my daughters. (thankfully, too young to marry, but not too young understand)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-82396133076769815262008-05-19T21:34:00.000-05:002008-05-19T21:34:00.000-05:00It works far better (and the miscreant can read it...It works far better (and the miscreant can read it better) when you pin it to his forehead with a 14" dagger shoved up to it's hilt.Rorschachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11848860674369931761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-77368455754309236772008-05-19T20:55:00.000-05:002008-05-19T20:55:00.000-05:00Once again, as usual LawDog is able to drive the p...Once again, as usual LawDog is able to drive the point home very eloquently.<BR/><BR/>The most good a R.O. or P.O. will do for you, is in case you are forced to defend yourself in a manner that proves lethal to the critter, at least the police will know you followed the letter of the law prior to the event. Remember, criminals by their very nature do not care about or fear the law. They fear prepared citizens who are able to resist their violence.Derius Thoranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08222228057642865021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-21584755955819755202008-05-19T17:36:00.000-05:002008-05-19T17:36:00.000-05:00Curious question: When did the terminology change?...Curious question: When did the terminology change? When I was a kid, these pieces of paper were Restraining Orders. This word change isn't really helpful, though. Call the paper anything you want, but it offers no protection from a bad guy who is bent on doing harm.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09954628762314972147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-58450794976583697772008-05-19T13:52:00.000-05:002008-05-19T13:52:00.000-05:00A very similar line of thought can be had from "Fa...A very similar line of thought can be had from "Fate is the Hunter:"<BR/><BR/>"Rule books are made of paper. They will not cushion a sudden meeting of stone and metal."Comrade Misfithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15404477636451308763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-65759771422429582272008-05-19T12:15:00.000-05:002008-05-19T12:15:00.000-05:00And my friend Oleg proves that the old saw about a...And my friend Oleg proves that the old saw about a picture being worth a thousand words is quite correct.<BR/><BR/>I wish I were as talented with a camera as you are, buddy.LawDoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05232684877582591461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-69348813581394044932008-05-19T12:02:00.000-05:002008-05-19T12:02:00.000-05:00http://www.olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/arms/or...http://www.olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/arms/order0072.jpg.html<BR/><BR/>and<BR/><BR/>http://www.olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/arms/paper0209.jpg.htmlOleg Volkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06547911680603650247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-11957846383046921862008-05-19T10:09:00.000-05:002008-05-19T10:09:00.000-05:00A Protective Order is a valuable piece of paper, a...A Protective Order is a valuable piece of paper, and I recommend that victims of violence obtain one even beyond the Emergency Protective Orders that we usually request from the judge when we arrest the actors in such cases as family violence. <BR/><BR/>A Protective Order is far more useful to <B>responding officers</B> than, say, a Restraining Order. With a P.O., <B>responding officers</B> can make an arrest on view, or even in some case not on view, for violating it. A Restraining Order only allows us to report to the court that he violated that court's civil order, and the actor might be subject to sanctions for Contempt of Court, or the like. Yawn. <BR/><BR/>But the thing about this is, Protective Orders and their ilk only apparently work if <B>responding officers</B> are summoned, and they arrive in time. In other words, if you fear for your life, and you are depending upon a Protective Order to save you, what you really are doing is depending on people with guns to protect you, except that they aren't there with you all the time. If you're depending on someone with a gun to protect you, why not have him or her there all the time-- why not make that person be YOU? Because, while you might not be Quick Draw McGraw or Annie Oakley, you most assuredly <I>are</I> on the scene with yourself, all the time.Matt Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03500429239798601210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-11420717902145673922008-05-19T10:07:00.000-05:002008-05-19T10:07:00.000-05:00Aren't those things multiple pages? If so, spread...Aren't those things multiple pages? If so, spreading it on the floor could at least simplify cleanup.<BR/><BR/>They should include something for the walls, though; all that buckshot can really splash stuff around.KD5NRHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04169457396389789270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-18975925993688791062008-05-19T09:46:00.000-05:002008-05-19T09:46:00.000-05:00In Philadelphia, even the police are shot on a pre...In Philadelphia, even the police are shot on a pretty regular basis.<BR/><BR/>Those gun laws are very effective؟Rogue Medichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07598646309630074992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-3689153511122653172008-05-19T09:45:00.000-05:002008-05-19T09:45:00.000-05:00Relying on a piece of paper to keep you safe is lu...Relying on a piece of paper to keep you safe is lunacy. That always reminds me of the famous picture of Neville Chamberlain getting off the plane and holding up the piece of paper (the "peace treaty" with Germany) and saying "At last, peace in our time! Hitler has given his word!"<BR/><BR/>We all know how that turned out. Well, at least the ones who study history know how it turned out.<BR/><BR/>-- chicopantherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-20027300825063704032008-05-19T09:39:00.000-05:002008-05-19T09:39:00.000-05:00A long time ago I had a 'bad' boyfriend that I had...A long time ago I had a 'bad' boyfriend that I had to get a restraining order against. It didn't work and he still harassed and bothered me. And my friends.<BR/><BR/>At the time I would not have even been inclined to carry a weapon. 10 years on I feel a lot differently about it and find that now it's virtually impossible to get a permit (paperwork, bureaucracy etc - I should point out I live in the city of Philadelphia) <BR/><BR/>I have the utmost respect for what cops do, but they can only enforce that piece of paper if they are there. And it only takes a second for violence to enter the picture.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01756206789145025880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-68790879895114971442008-05-19T09:04:00.000-05:002008-05-19T09:04:00.000-05:00Lawdog,Clearly you have never had a really bad pap...Lawdog,<BR/><BR/>Clearly you have never had a really bad paper cut. Paper can be nasty. Just ask anyone who pushes it all day.Rogue Medichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07598646309630074992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-2508611438478008072008-05-19T08:20:00.000-05:002008-05-19T08:20:00.000-05:00Dog, I hope you don't mind, but I've cut and paste...Dog, I hope you don't mind, but I've cut and pasted your entry (with your name and blog addy) to the head of security at my daughter's former college. He told us that if the guy that was stalking/threatening my daughter didn't respond to 'a good talking to' by campus security, then an order of protection would make her safe. <BR/>BTW, She's back home with us - far from the college - and I'm afraid that guy is likely stalking another coed by now....M.E. Againhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986300723374285638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-86334790759048714032008-05-19T00:45:00.000-05:002008-05-19T00:45:00.000-05:00This is one of those things that reminds me of an ...This is one of those things that reminds me of an old saying...<BR/><BR/>"It's better to be tried by 12 then carried by 6."<BR/><BR/>Sadly, I think far to many people seem to think bits of paper, locks and other passive devices are "protection".<BR/><BR/>More or less, they do give some protection but, they are more deterrent then protection I think.<BR/><BR/>Locks are for honest people and so are bits of paper with "the law" on them.<BR/><BR/>It takes folks like you LD to put a little teeth in them nice bits of paper and true protection in front of those that have them I sez.<BR/><BR/>And thank you..once again..for doing a job I sure don't want to do.<BR/><BR/>Don't have the temperment I think for it...too set in my ways *wink*.Simeron Steelhammerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10947368651002261601noreply@blogger.com