Must See Video: Dogs Greeting Soldier Coming Home From 14 Mths in Iraq

I'm late in the game here, lots of folks have been sharing this video for awhile. I found it on Mental Floss, and I discover that Andrew Sullivan posted in a year ago.

Still, how can NOT I share it here, in case you haven't seen this?

God bless our soldiers and God bless dogs.

I love this video.
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I Rank Within Top 3 in Google Search Results for My Blog Posts and the Search Results are in the Millions

Yesterday, I went roaming thru my blog post stats and found some very nice results. Like I'm hitting with posts in the top 3 out of millions in Google search results, and with posts that have staying power (they're old and still hitting hit.) So, please forgive my intrusion into the usual theme of this blog, but I'm republishing my post from yesterday on my Writer-Lawyer blog here (and on Everyday Simplicity and Rebecca Kennedy, too) as an experiment - to see what happens, stat-wise ....

This afternoon, I stopped to check the stats for my personal blogs and found some nice results. I do this a lot, but today I actually stopped to make a little tally.

I've listed some of them here, and these searches are accurate as of today's date - using only Google. I have results in Yahoo, Bing, Ask, AOL, etc. but I chose only to check Google Search Results and only through the past couple of days results as recorded by StatCounter. For some, I saved the search results in OneNote, but this got to be time-consuming so I didn't do this for everything on the list.

And while I write professionally for several blogs/blawgs, these results are only for my personal blogs - as well as a little tidbit at the end where I blogged for a couple of friends and kept track on StatCounter for them, too. No waiver of client confidentiality here.

The biggest search result?
2 out of 1.75 billion for a two month old post

1,750,000,000 and my post is number two, after being published in June 2009 (see no. 1 under Backseat Lawyer).

The second largest search result?
3 out of 77 million for a 3 year old post

77,300,000 and my post is number three, after being published in August 2006 (it's three years old) (see no. 5 under Rebecca Kennedy's Blog).

Oldest post still getting strong results?

The 2005 post that still ranks no. 7 out of 23,400,000 -- see no. 4 listed under Rebecca Kennedy's Blog.



Google Search Results - Backseat Lawyer

1. my post is no. 2 out of 1,750,000,000 (yes, that's billion) for the search "how will michael jackson death affect his life insurance pay out"- I published it on 06/28/09;

2. my post is no. 1 out of 5,120,000 for the search "casey anthony employment universal"- I pubished it on 08/09/08;

3. my post is no. 8 out of 2,620,000 for the search "billings murder fla" - I published it on 07/23/09;

4. My post is no. 5 out of 1,320,000 for the search "jose baez", published on 01/15/09; and

5. the same post regarding "jose baez" is no. 3 out of 894,000 for the search "jose baez bio" - I published it on 01/15/09.

Google Search Results for Rebecca Kennedy's Blog

1. my post is no. 3 out of 49,700,000 for the search "thriller vs. mystery"- I published it on 11/24/06;

2. my post is no. 1 out of 33,200,000 for the search "how to write a book in six weeks"- I published it on 09/16/06;

3. the same post as above is no. 2 out of 28,300,000 for the search "how to write a book in two weeks"- I published it on 09/16/06;

4. my post is no. 7 out of 23,400,000 for the search "book length in words" - I published it on 12/14/05; and

5. my post is no. 3 out of 77,300,000 for the search "what is isbn?" - I published it on 08/12/06.

Google Search Results for Everyday Simplicity

1. my post is no. 3 out of 30,400,000 for the search "cleaning burnt pans" - I published it on 01/11/06;

2. my post is no. 2 out of 19,200,000 for the search "tips for surviving a depression" - I published it on 11/28/08;

3. my post is no. 1 out of 1,200,000 for the search "coca cola made with sugar" - I published it on 04/10/09;

4. my post is no. 2 out of 1,480,000 for the search " becoming an ex-patriate" - I published it on 01/16/06, and if you take out the hyphen to create the word "expatriate" in the search, then the post becomes no. 2 out of 640,000;

5. my post is no. 4 out of 4,300,000 for the search "products made from petroleum" - I published it on 06/15/07.


And I did a quick check for other blogs ....

Google Search Results for Jean Jennings' Blog
(Jean's blog is dormant but it's still getting some great results for her.)

1. my post is no. 2 out of 5380 for the search "Bexar County Jury Duty," and no. 4 out of 59,200 for "San Antonio Jury Duty" ... the post was published 07/07/08 and while these aren't high volume searches, Jean gets steady traffic from a targeted group -- she's a practicing criminal defense/CPS attorney in San Antonio, Bexar County;

2. my post is no. 2 out of 3,220,000 for the search "san antonio jail visiting hours" - published 08/02/08, another targeted group for Jean's local criminal defense practice; and

3. my post is no. 6 out of 2,510,000 for the search "search warrant examples" - published 08/09/08.

Google Search Results for Judge Tom Rickhoff's Blog
(Judge Rickhoff's blog was recently reactivated after being dormant for an extended period of time)

1. my post is no. 1 out of 458,000 for the search "Not Forgotten Coalition" - published 04/25/06.
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Monday, August 17 - Prepare for Delays Getting into the Courthouse: the Keller Impeachment Starts at 9:30 am

Tomorrow morning, the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Sharon Keller of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals will start at 9:30 am in the courtroom of Judge David Berchelmann.

A friend just sent over a "tweet" -- there are protesters planning on demonstrating on the courthouse steps tomorrow morning (they are estimating their numbers at 1900) ... and of course, we should all assume there will be the usual news crews and media trucks.

So, if you've got a hearing or jury duty or a job to do tomorrow morning at the Bexar County Courthouse, best to plan ahead.

We've already got some confusion with the construction next door at the Justice Center, you know.

Looks like tomorrow may be quite a Monday....
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Byrd and Melanie Billings Murder in Florida: When Do the Florida Sunshine Laws Kick In? How Does Billings Case Impact the Casey Anthony Defense?

A Florida Grand Jury has just indicted the seven men whose mugshots we've already come to recognize as the "Ninja Warriors" arrested for the murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings. Each of the men -- including the minor, Rakeem Chavez Florence (16) -- have been formally charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of home-invasion robbery. With this, the death penalty is apparently still on the table.

(The other defendants are Wayne Thomas Coldiron (41); Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. (35); Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Sr. (56); Donald Ray Stallworth (28); Gary Lamont Sumner (30); Fredrick Lee Thornton (19).) It's alleged that the younger Gonzalez was the sole shooter in the case.

Florida Seeks to Hike Up the Bond on Long-Wiggins

Today, the Florida prosecutor is asking the court to increase the bond on the sole female defendant in the case thus far -- Pamela Long-Wiggins. She's charged as an accessory after the fact and she's out free on bail.

Apparently the state attorney -- I think they're called "state attorneys" in Florida, not DAs like here in Texas -- is wanting to up her bond to $500,000. Pamela's also been arrested for bigamy charges, and there are reports she's being investigated for food stamp fraud, too.

Billings Family Confirms Second Safe in the Home

Today, the Billings' family attorney released a presser that there WAS a second safe in the house but it had less than $200,000 in it -- far less than the millions of bucks that was going around in rumors.

Okay. That's what I've read today (I also watched Dateline last night, nothing new there -- if you've been reading Websleuths or Ricksblog, that is.) ... and here's what I'm wondering:

When do the Florida Sunshine Laws impact the Billings case to the extent that they did in the Casey Anthony case?

I can't find a clear answer to this in my web searching. Sure, I found details on the Florida Sunshine Laws themselves. And, I found lawyers that are ready to help journalists fight to enforce the Florida Sunshine Laws. I also found discussions by editors on just how great the media thinks the open records legislation in Florida is for them.

Still, all that being considered, we are not seeing the detail that we saw in the Anthony case. Not at all. The motions, warrants, etc. that are filed in the public record are being scrutinized by the media, the bloggers, the forums, etc. Likewise, the information (press releases, interviews, etc.) from the Billings family and others -- including persons of interest like Henry "Cab" Tice.

But we're are not seeing the investigation file content. No videos or transcripts of interviews by law enforcement. No inventories. Nothing but the initial footage from the Billings' security cameras that was released as the police undertook their manhunt shortly after the killings.

Isn't that interesting? I think so.

Where are the Billings "document dumps"?

Here in Texas lots of attorneys have been jaw-dropping shocked at the amount of information to which the public (read that potential jury pool) has been given access in the Anthony case. Shocking to us, and from what I read and hear from my bretheren in other less sunny jurisdictions, shocking to the point of absurd to lawyers in other jurisdictions, too.

However, here's something to ponder. If the Florida Sunshine Laws apply across the board to all criminal cases (as I think they do, based upon what I've read) then why aren't we seeing lots of state investigatory details about the Billings case by now?

What About Billings as it compares to Anthony -- and Anthony's Trial by Media argument?

And, if there are not big "dumps" in Billings -- as there have been in Anthony -- are we seeing a blatant constitutional defense for Casey Anthony on being tried in the media?

Truth be told, I followed all the Anthony stuff as it was released. I've watched the video interviews, I've read the transcripts, etc. However, as an attorney I wondered as I wadded through all that info (and there's a amazing amount of it) what the Florida attorneys would do with all the exposure.

And, as an attorney I'm not surprised that we're not seeing lots of output from the Billings investigators. That makes sense to me, and I have been favorably impressed with the local authorities in the Billings case. Fast to move, fast to apprehend, they seem professional and astute.

Still, comparing these two high-profile media cases, in the same state, occuring during overlapping time periods, does make one pause. I don't know that I'm asking for Billings to turn into Anthony here, as much as I have that inquiring-minds-want-to-know curiousity.

What I'm pondering is how Billings juxtaposed with Anthony impacts not only the Anthony case, but tells us about the media overall. Lots to think about here.
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Byrd and Melanie Billings Murder in Florida: My First Impressions

Those of you reading regularly know that I practice in the local Children's Court, so I was especially interested in the first few new stories on the murder of a couple who had adopted so many special needs kids. Byrd and Melanie Billings -- didn't they look nice in that big family photo?

1. They adopted, not just fostered. They weren't getting those monthly foster care checks, assuming that Florida runs like Texas. Nope. They adopted those kids as their own. Maybe they get some financial support (over and above Medicaid) because the kids are special needs. But they're not being paid by the state to care for them in the same way that they would be as foster parents. Big points in my book.

2. And what about the story that they sued the family member for child support? I'm not seeing a problem here. The parent is supposed to be financially responsible for his or her offspring. If he/she is well-meaning but chaotic, using the system to get an automatic withdrawal out of their paychecks may solve lots of problems. I'm not going to assume that this was an acrimonious lawsuit without knowing more because it may not be the case.

3. Melanie's MySpace comment that these kids are "perfect." This may seem like a bizarre comment to some, even denial of the obvious -- but it's not that strange to hear from someone who has been around special needs kids. There is an innocence, and a joy - yes, a joy - that these folk possess that is quite amazing. They are just so intrinsically GOOD, for lack of a better phrase. You feel better for being around them. Knowing that Melanie Billings felt this way about her kids tells me a lot about her. She knew the wonderfulness of these children, appreciated it. And, knowing that -- and knowing what these kids can be like to be around -- I know that Melanie Billings spent many happy days in that home. She considered herself blessed, and she was.

4. Staying in the House? What a horror for those kids to have been home that day. Horror. My first thought was to wonder if those that loved them would ever want them to return to the scene of the crime, literally. Then I pondered for awhile, and considered that this house was built with special needs in mind. Look at the wide sidewalks. The pool (therapy here, not just fun and games). I'm assuming there are railings and wide hallways (to accommodate wheelchairs) and other specialized construction within this dwelling. And, there are a lot of good memories, too.

So, when I learned that the kids would be returning to live in the house, after new carpeting and other alterations had been made, I thought it was a good idea. Sad, yes. But this is their home, and the security of memories, and tradition, and the special accommodations it provides, may be very beneficial to them. Move them someplace else, it's another big, big loss. Good for Melanie's daughter to make this call -- you know it can't be easy for her, to live in the home that her mother died in. That's a selfless act.

Okay. First impressions. More later.
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Ed Freeman Is a Name I Want To Know

A friend sent this to me by email just now, and I thought it would be a good idea to post it on the web.

While Ed Freeman died last August, not in the same time frame as the Michael Jackson media frenzy (which is what I thought at first, upon reading the email), I still like the idea of stopping a minute to think about Ed Freeman.

It's never a bad thing to ponder courage, and respect a hero. And, yes, it is sad that his passing did not get more media coverage -- something else we can all stop and ponder today for a bit.

For more on Ed Freeman, check out his Wikipedia bio. His obituary (with photos) is here. Now, here's the email I was sent:

"Ed Freeman

You're an 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded, and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley , 11-14-1965, LZ X-ray, Vietnam . Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1, and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the Medi-Vac helicopters to stop coming in.

You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're not getting out. Your family is half way around the world-12,000 miles away-and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.

Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of helicopter, and you look up to see an un-armed Huey, but it doesn't seem real, because no Medi-Vac markings are on it.

Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come.

He's coming anyway.

And he drops it in, and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 2 or 3 of you on board.

Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire, to the doctors and nurses.

And, he kept coming back.13 more times.and took about 30 of you and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Ed Freeman, died last Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at the age of 80, in Boise, ID.May God rest his soul...

Medal of Honor Winner
Ed Freeman!

Since the Media didn't give him the coverage of Michael Jackson, send this to every red blooded American you know. THANKS AGAIN ED FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR OUR COUNTRY. RIP"
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Ann Coulter vs. Peggy Noonan on Sarah Palin. Catfight!

Just read this column by Peggy Noonan and then read this column by Ann Coulter.

The topic in both articles: Sarah Palin.

You know what I'd like to see?

Ann Coulter and Peggy Noonan face to face. On TV. Live.

Yeah.
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