Say What?

I just returned from a day of jury duty. I was not selected for the case, but I sat through a day of jury selection that proved to me once again that: Most people in this situation are quite honest and dedicated, and a very few are unworthy of the right to vote. Naturally, I can't say anything about the case, because it is still ongoing.

But entering and exiting the courthouse in downtown San Francisco, I passed the desk pictured above. It is, as you can see, a completely empty desk with a sign on it that says "Self-Help Information Desk."

Huh? Do you go up to the desk and say to yourself, "Excuse me, how do I get to courtroom 602? Oh, just take the elevator on the right and follow the hall to the end. Oh, thank me. I'm welcome."

The Beginning of the End of Berlusconi? Immunity Rejected by Italy Court

For those of you following European politics, this is huge news. (One should always keep in mind the multi-page special section The Economist ran years ago laying out very effectively --  devastatingly, in my view -- the reasons Silvio Berlusconi shouldn't be Italian prime minister.) Now that Italy's high court has ruled that the sweetheart legislation giving Berlusconi immunity isn't legal, is it time to write his political epitaph (yet again)?

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's top court ruled on Wednesday that a law granting Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution violates the constitution, in a verdict that will reopen trials against him and may undermine his government.
[READ COMPLETE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE]

Alec Baldwin Discusses LA Family Court

Actor Alec Baldwin, just 24 hours after winning his first Emmy Award (for his starring role in "30 Rock"), spoke to The Commonwealth Club of California on Monday, September 22, 2008, about his experiences in family court following the breakup of his marriage to actress Kim Basinger.

Baldwin did not come to The Commonwealth Club to speak about his Emmy or his storied acting career. He instead spoke only about what he learned as a result of his family court experience. He was a funny and gracious guest speaker at The Club, but his purpose was, of course, very serious.

(Apologies for the graininess of the video; I was at the back of the room, and my batteries were dying.)