The Wright Firm's Weblog

Texas High School Football Helmet Law?

A new bill has passed the Texas House of Representatives that would require Texas high school football programs to take measures to ensure football helmets are maintained in good condition.  Helmets 10 years old or older would have to be reconditioned every two years and retired completely after 16 years.

Texas LOVES high school football and we LOVE our football players.  The problem is that most of that love is directed at the Varsity team who get the newest equipment and uniforms.  Meanwhile, JV, freshman and Middle School squads tend to get the hand-me-down equipment.  Those younger craniums are just as deserving of remaining concussion-free!  The bill is aimed at protecting those noggins and hopefully reducing number of the up to 67,000 high school athletes each year who suffer concussions.  The bill will soon be up for debate before the State Senate.

The full story can be found here:  http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/04/05/2977997/texas-house-bill-creating-rules.html

And if you really love Texas High School Football (and their helmets!) check out: http://txhshelmetproject.com/

 

For more information regarding Texas law contact The Wright Firm, L.L.P. at 972-353-4600 or visit our website at www.thewrightlawyers.com.  

 

Can the President Kill the Internet?

There is a bill pending before Congress that may give the U.S. President the power to effectively shut down the internet in the event of a “cyber attack”.  Coincidentally, this bill was introduced before the Legislature on the very day that the Egyptian government shut down internet access in that country.

The underlying idea of the “Cybersecurity and Internet Freedom Act of 2011” is to protect critical infrastructure from online attack.  The bill would give the President the power to Senator Joseph Lieberman, one of the bill’s proponents, stated that, “we need the capacity for the President to say, Internet Service Provider, we’ve got to disconnect the American Internet from all traffic coming in from another foreign country…”

The Department of Homeland Security, relying on the Communications Act of 1934, thinks the oval office already has the power to shut the ‘net down.  If there is a threat of war, that law gives the President the power to “cause the closing of any facility or station for wire communication” without advanced warning.  Is an ISP a “station for wire communication”?  Arguably it is.

Detractors of the current bill are calling it an “internet kill switch”.  Many argue that it would create a huge intrusion on privacy and personal autonomy – citing the premise that private industries are better suited for policing themselves from cyber attack.

What do you think?  Should the President be able to “kill” the internet in times of crisis?  Original article here:  http://techcrunch.com/2011/03/06/in-search-of-the-internet-kill-switch/?ncid=webmail

For information about Texas law contact The Wright Firm, L.L.P. at 972-353-4600 or visit our website at www.thewrightlawyers.com.

 

This Site is a public resource for general information about The Wright Firm, L.L.P., Texas Law, and Federal Law.  Nothing in this Site should be construed by you as a source of legal advice. You should not rely or act upon the contents of this Site without seeking advice from your own attorney. Use and access to this Site or any materials or information provided on this Site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and The Wright Firm, L.L.P. or any of its attorneys,  nor is this Site a substitute for legal advice. Any information submitted by you by The Wright Firm, L.L.P. or its attorneys via this Site, an email, or any form of social media communication will not be considered an attorney-client communication or otherwise be treated as confidential or privileged in the absence of an executed Engagement Agreement between you and The Wright Firm, L.L.P. or its attorneys.

 

Oscar Time: The Best Lawyer Movies to Win an Oscar!

Sunday night is Oscar night!  We at the Wright Firm love a good movie, and there’s nothing like a good legal drama.  Here’s our (well… MY) list of Favorite 5 Oscar-Winning movies and Favorite 5 Oscar-Nominated movies featuring lawyers and legal battles.

First, those who took home the Oscar:

1. To Kill A Mocking Bird (1962).  Okay, maybe this one is obvious, but a classic and not to be missed.  Plenty of attorneys out there practicing still cite Atticus Finch as an inspiration.
2. My Cousin Vinny (1992).  One of movie history’s briefest opening statements, “Everything that guy just said is bull-s**t”.  And who didn’t love Marissa Tomei’s turn as an extremely hostile expert witness?
3. Erin Brockovich (2000).  Julia Roberts plays a gal who claims she “hates lawyers! I just work for them.” And manages to help a small town fight and ultimately win one of the biggest toxic tort cases in U.S. history.
4. Chicago (2002).  Who knew lawyers can sing and dance?  Nobody gives the jury the “Ol’ Razzle-Dazzle” like Billy Flynn.
5. Kramer v Kramer (1979).  Also one of the great divorce movies.  Rumor has it for some of the more complex scenes Dustin Hoffman built his character around his own divorce experience.

And now those who were nominated, but the judges ruled against them:

1. A Few Good Men (1992). You Can’t Handle The TRUTH!  What more needs to be said?
2. 12 Angry Men (1957). This one was nominated for three Oscars but didn’t win.  Still, one of the few movies that ever made jury duty seem grippingly interesting.
3. Inherit the Wind (1960).  The Great Spencer Tracy plays The Great Clarence Darrow in the midst of the Scopes “Monkey Trial.”  No matter what your views of evolution, this is a must see for every law student, and anyone else who appreciates a good social debate.
4. The Verdict (1982).  Paul Newman plays an aging alcoholic lawyer making one last attempt to redeem himself against all odds.  Great underdog story.
5. Primal Fear (1996).  Edward Norton is fantastic in one of his first major roles, earning him the Oscar nod.  Richard Gere’s final cross examination of his client is worth the watch.

I know many of you out there are screaming that I missed one of your favorites, so tell us what we missed in the comments!

 

Seriously, you may have to insure a twenty pound male dog in Texas?

State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio) has introduced a bill that would require any Texan who owns a male dog which weighs 20 pounds or more and is not neutered to have an insurance policy covering injuries or damage caused by that dog when it is off the leash or out of the dog's yard, San Antionio’s 1200 WOAI Michael Board reports.1200 WOAI Dog Insurance Article

Apparently the bill would only apply if dogs are off their lease and not on their own property.  The article explains that the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance called it 'ridiculous.'

"Why male dogs only?" Alliance spokesman Jeremy Rice asked.  "Why dogs 20 pounds and not 17? Why only unaltered dogs?" 

So what about the owner who fails to secure their dog?  The owner who fails to have their dog neutered?  Is it really necessary to require all dog owners who fit this category to provide insurance?   Does State Rep. McClendon assume that only dogs that are over 20 pounds dangerous? Isn’t it really the dog owner’s responsibility? We might as well have insurance on humans for the injuries or damage caused by the human? Should we limit this insurance to males over 200 pounds who have not been neutered?   What do you think?

If you have questions about Texas law, contact The Wright Firm, L.L.P. at 972-353-4600 or visit our website at www.thewrightlawyers.com.  Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.  Each case is different so be sure to consult with an attorney.