Judging Great Characters

Great character models are all around us ... even on the bench. Phil Williams, an investigative reporter for WTVF-TV in Nashville found that many local judges are simply too busy to come to work. One judge works a second job as a funeral home worker (he was working his second job the day Phil tracked him down). Meanwhile, a courtroom full of folks waited. Another judge (she admits to having issues with being late) came in late and had to leave early (despite a packed courtroom). Her reason, she had to pick her dog from the kennel. According to the report most judges in the area earn around $150,000.00 a year. Instead of sitting on the bench however, they are golfing, pulling up shrubs from around the house, stopping by for a beauty treatment or two. Or picking up the family dog. Are you thinking what I'm thinking....

Hot Picks

Here's a look at what readers are reading during these challenging times...

Books explaining financial issues are becoming more popular during the current economic crisis--along with thrillers and cookbooks, Reuters reported.



Kathryn Popoff, Borders v-p for adult trade books, told Reuters: "People are really thirsting for knowledge and trying to understand what's happening out there and how we could have gotten to this point in the economy."Book buyers are also nabbing thrillers for escapes and cookbooks because more people are eating at home to save money, Reuters said.
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Moby-Dick, an official novel

The Associated Press has reported that the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill last week "naming Moby-Dick the state's official book." Fellow lawmakers questioned Rep. Christopher Speranzo's proposal to make Herman Melville's (1851) classic "the official book," given the state's rich literary history. Representative Cory Atkins, (Concord) was "appalled" by the choice," indicating that her district has more authors per square mile than any other. "What about Louisa May Alcott? What about (Nathaniel) Hawthorne? How am I going to face my constituents?" she asked.