Government
Sep. 5, 2019
Envy of the world, indeed
Gary A. Watt
Partner, Hanson Bridgett LLP
State Bar Approved, Certified Appellate Specialist
Email: gwatt@hansonbridgett.com
Gary chairs Hanson Bridgett's Appellate Practice. He is a State Bar-approved, certified appellate specialist. In addition to writs and appeals, his practice includes anti-SLAPP and post-trial motions as well as trial and appellate consulting. His blog posts can be read at www.appellateinsight.com.
Reading Dan Lawton's piece on the State Department planning the possible U.S. annexation of Greenland (is there also a "Canada Plan?"), I couldn't help but feel increasing anxiety. [Dan Lawton, "Annexation, legally speaking," Aug. 20, 2019.] Thank goodness I read all the way to the end though, because I felt such overwhelming relief when I read how our system of laws is the envy of the world and the involvement of lawyers should provide a buffer against our worst tendencies. It's not like our laws and lawyers have ever played a part in the trillions of dollars (direct costs only) squandered on foreign military adventures. It's not like our laws and lawyers (and judges) ever propagated slavery, Jim Crow, Chinese Exclusion, Japanese Internment, toppling democratically elected foreign governments, torture memos, separation of families, .... Phew! Such relief. Envy of the world, indeed.
-- Gary A. Watt
San Francisco
The views expressed here are his own
Submit your own column for publication to Diana Bosetti
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390
Send a letter to the editor:
Email: letters@dailyjournal.com