John Clark Pro Se Blog

Let us all salute (now disbarred) attorney Richard I. Fine, for today, March 4, 2010, marks the FIRST ANNIVERSARY of his solitary confinement in an L.A. County jail for the crime of challenging a judge in the course of a courtroom procedure. The details can be found here and here, and is a cause for bewilderment and shock. Judicial Watch, the ACLU, and other watch-dog agencies have their work cut out, in order to correct this astonishing abuse of judicial power.  Whatever happened to the writ of Habeus Corpus?

Me? I was jailed for 24 hours by Judge Gold one day before I was to start defending myself in his Family Court.  But this senior gentleman, Richard Fine, now starts his 366th day in solitary confinement, where apparently he can't now chew his food, having lost his teeth.

George Burns said it best.

"Sincerity is everything. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made!"

Especially if you can do it better than anyone else.

Last night's airing of her BAFTA Fellowship Award for lifetime achievement, which I saw on BBC America, was quite riveting. Darling Vee, as we called her, was in great form, but in new ways: if you can't lick 'em politically, find other ways, or places, to lick 'em.

Journalist Andrew Anthony writes an interesting in-depth article in the Sunday Observer on her life and times.  As is often the case these days, the comments section is rather more interesting than the article.  Read it here.

Yes, my sister-in-law for 32 years, Vee continues to age gracefully, like a fine old cheese.

But is this a rant? He decided to end his life in a rather spectacular way (flew his little plane into a building housing offices of the federal government.)  He believed there was no other way to be heard, and certainly got our attention.

He makes this final statement.  It should be read and considered - the least we can do - before passing judgment as to his state of mind. Click here so you can read it too.

George Burns said it best.

"Sincerity is everything. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made!"

Listen to it.

The media's intent to embarrass him has ricocheted to the detriment of big business, the attraction of the public to the game of golf, and the loss of millions of dollars.

Thus, TMZ,  the National Enquirer, Mail online, Page 6, and its ilk, are the ones who should apologize, for they have together damaged the American economy.  The law of unintended consequences?  I know all about that.

Meanwhile, one continues to wonder at this society's appetite for unremitting hypocrisy. The airwaves' No. 1 popular show continues to be 2 1/2 Men, starring Charlie Sheen, which is all about his sexual exploits.

So, Tiger, stay with it and don't feel depressed. Just think of media whore lawyer Gloria Allred sitting with her porn star client, demanding an apology too.  Frankly, I think you should employ a lawyer to demand apologies from these pretty ones, for the crime of shamelessly hawking their wares in front of you, knowing you would fall victim to their charms. I think it's called sexual entrapment.

Funny funny. Says it all, and the humor of it will give you perspective, help you get back on your game, and us LOL. 

I am frequently contacted by pro se (aka pro per) would-be litigants, asking for advice. Of course, I tell them I am not an attorney and cannot give advice. That market is cornered by licensed attorneys. However, there are numerous "self-help" sites, claiming that if you get the procedures right, you'll be fighting your opponent in court on a level playing field.  That promise is a cruel joke.

The pro se goes to court thinking that the judge will act as a sort of umpire, or referee.  A session in chambers might even settle differences, but the pro se is never invited into the judge's inner sanctuary, while an attorney is.  Court rules only, and you'd better know what you're doing.  The pro se is put under oath, and the opposing attorney is not (in fact, the client may not even be there.)  And if the smart attorney opposite you sneaks in a few hearsay comments on behalf of the non-appearing client, it's assumed by new-comers that the judge will call a foul.  But it doesn't work that way, and if brought to the attention of the court of appeal by way of a writ, it will be ignored. And so the outraged pro se seeks to have the judge replaced, and the same judge looks at the motion and denies it.

The system as it is set up gives judges huge leeway, and one might be forgiven for thinking that there are 2 groups, one consisting of "good, fair-minded" judges, and the other of "bad, corrupt" judges. I have come to believe that they are all the same. If a visionary judge sets out on the path of true justice, it won't be long before the temptations strewn about the office overcome any chance of their continuing on that path. Money is the goal and sole objective, quietly distributed among associated disciplines, and taking place under a cloak of immunity. And what kind of a deal is THAT?

It is my belief that the U.S. system, especially as it applies to Family Court and Probate Court, needs to be fundamentally reformed.  As it now exists, it is open to charges of corruption, even to the point of bearing signs of a RICO ("if it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck..." well, you know).   And if you think that any D.A. in the country is going to investigate, think again.

I now bring you the following dissertation on the subject, and it should be read thoroughly from beginning to end, because it makes its points and provides authorities in a sound and reasonable manner.  It deals with the real world as it is, not the virtual world of our Constitution, which is studiously ignored all the time. It's headed "bad judges", but I think the word "bad" should be removed. And suggestions on improving the judicial appointments system are made.

My site stands for REFORM, and is intended to get people thinking. There's a groundswell of unhappy self-represented near bankrupt litigants, and it is time for them to get out of their chairs, and as Howard Beale said in the movie Network:   "I'M MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANY MORE!"

This will link you to the article here.  Read it and be stunned. And let me hear from you.

January 20, 2010.

I wonder if this is part of Delta pilot training? Is this on a simulator?

Poor old Capt. Benjy, having to struggle with the responsibilty of keeping his sister's, my youngest daughter's, marriage to a Cuban-American (fine with me, by the way, hope he's not a dissident) last August 1st. secret from me, her father.

Swearing the entire family members and their friends to secrecy while dancing at Liam Neeson's farm upstate NY (disguised as "Dance Party of the Century".)  Well, Facebook and the attraction of marriage giftlists, and the internet, means that those things don't stay secret for very long.  Meanwhile, I'd like to think that Annabel might have liked to have had her father present to proudly give her away.  Tradition. Blessing the marriage, that sort of thing.  Guess not.  Too bad for both of us, she'll discover in time.  Meanwhile, for the benefit of passengers, we need to understand that Captains' minds are sometimes in the cockpit of their home lives, but not in the left seat.

MD-80 CHECKLIST, arrival:

TAXI
1. Auto brakes....................................................OFF
2. Spoilers.........................................................RETRD
3. Radar...........................................................OFF
4. Wing heaters...................................................SET
5. Ignition..........................................................OFF
6. Check list completed to apron
7. APU.............................................................AS REQD
8. Flaps & slats....................................................UP & RETRD
9. Checklist completed
PARKING
1. Parking brakes...............................................ON & CHKD
2. Seat belts switch.............................................OFF
3. Ice protection................................................OFF
4. Fuel pumps...................................................SET
5. IRS............................................................SET
6. Anti-collision light...........................................OFF
7. Peneumatic crossfeed.......................................OPEN
8. Air conditioning..............................................SET
9. Lights.........................................................AS REQD
10. Hydraulic pumps...........................................SET
11. Engine oil quantity.........................................CHKD
12. Aircraft log/NOTOC........................................SIGNED/STORED
13. Fuelling info (as required).................................PERFORMED
14. Emergency light switch....................................OFF
15. Checklist completed
GOING HOME ON MOTORBIKE
1.  Eyes on road………………………………......…........…ON & CHKD
2.  Call Mom for orders……..……….....….....…...……AS REQD
3.  Call Step-Dad (Brandon Maggart) for advice...AS REQD
4.  Get orders from wife………….………………......….AS REQD
5.  Check Facebook………………........…….……..……..AS REQD
6.  Check Mom’s killer lawyer Emily Edelman....AS REQD
7.  Check leaks to Dad’s blog……….….……….....…..OPEN
8.  Re-check Facebook wedding pictures.….…….PENDING
9.  Check control of his grandchildren..….…..….WILLCO
10.  Say Hi to Liam………………………….........………..PENDING
11.  Mental logbook.......................................SIGNED/STORED
12.  ?!!%?/#%*&$$$?...(|:>(........................CALL AMBULANCE
 

My best Christmas present was from my fellow cadet shipmate of 57 years ago, I'll just call him Nick, who contacted me from Vancouver as a result of reading the article I wrote in Wikipedia about the Silver Line.  Together, there were 4 of us, we tramped around the world very slowly, (to and from Hull, England)  on a creaky old Liberty type tub of a ship called the SS Silvertarn. That was during the Korean War, and we wove around the US/Chinese combatants with the Red Duster prominently displayed.  What he sent me for Christmas was a scan of the ship's logbook. There I'm listed as I.J. Clark, and it seems I was well behaved (pity). Here's a pdf of the logbook. Download file

Those were the days when a youngster, just emerging from the Second World War in England, could venture out to see the world, much of it in disarray. The sense of wonder was overwhelming; the realization that there were other cultures and ethnically based political systems (we were the first ship to put into the new Communist Republic of China) to think about, and that the world's makeup of humanity is and always will be essentially tribal.  Which has led me to view each country's approach with a healthy cynicism.  There is no one answer, except live and let live (with appropriate controls of course, now that we have those unhealthy WMDs.)

Message to Lynn:

Hey Lynn,

I've been reading some of the terrific notices after your opening last night on Broadway.  I saw the play last year in L.A. but now I see that with the aid of your canny director (hi, Joe) you've added references to our 32 year marriage which, you now say, was for you filled with loneliness and lovelessness.  Linda Winer of Newsday says your tales of our marriage teeter uncomfortably close to revenge.

Why didn't you let me know? You misled me all along, it seems. I pulled out a book we put together a few years ago, This Is Living.  I wanted to check the dedication you surprised me with when it went to the publishers. It says "For John.  Who has opened my eyes to myself, has been a part of every good thing that has ever happened to me, and has loved me through fat and through thin."  So you lied? Now I feel uncomfortable, and wish you had saved me from your years of perdition.  I could have gone elsewhere, created my own career, and saved myself from being demonized and alienated by you and our children.

Well, carry on, anything for a successful show, and the critics DID spell my name right. We know that you have the performing talent to make the phone book sound interesting (there's an idea.) 

LATER

Vanity Fair has recorded a clip from your show. Reader fans may want to hear this.

Investigative reporter Lucy Komisar saw it. This is what she has to say about it, click here for her review.

You've made everyone aware Nightingale may be your swan song, and I don't want to rain on your parade (yet. My warehouse, which you stocked, is still full of good family memories, and all I need for my book which keeps me busy. Also my own solo show. which I may call Canary.)

Meanwhile, say hi to my kids for me, wish them a Happy Christmas, and treat yourselves to a read of A Christmas Carol.

It's my birthday today, which reminds me of another birthday, spent in jail. There was some interest from the press at the time, and I consented to be interviewed.

It was with the respected Los Angeles Times. What they did to me gives the best example of why the press is not to be trusted, if they have an agenda, which they usually do.  It set the tone for me up until the present time.  With Nightingale, Lynn Redgrave seeks to continue the spin. And she doesn't grant interviews, a normal process in the promotion of a play.  What the lawyers did, some might say was foster criminal fraud behavior, covered up by the courts and the L.A. Times.  So read this, and let's not hear any more of the nonsense in critics' reviews:

Somebody found this and recently put it on Utube, so thanks to them, here's some fun from a few years back. Just the first part of the program. I think this proves we had a pretty good marriage.

Tattletales