Doug Berman and Scott Greenfield are two preeminent and prolific law bloggers. By any measure, they are among the top five opinion makers when it comes to law and blogging. Each has reached that pinnacle through an intellectual horsepower that is equivalent to the Chevy 427 engine that I hungered for in my youth and still hunger for now.
Image credit: Chevrolet
For good or ill, Doug, one of the few true federal sentencing experts, is probably responsible for my decision to try blogging. He was the first blogger to clearly demonstrate the power of the medium to influence real life decisions of judges. Scott is responsible for teaching me about legal realism when viewed from the criminal defense trenches and doing so with stunning, and sometimes brutal, brilliance. This weekend both Doug and Scott had something to say about what I wrote last week. See here for Doug and here and here for Scott. While these fellows frequently disagree with me, the fact that they acknowledge my musings makes me feel that what I write might be worthwhile.
I’m blushing. I hope that doesn’t make me a Girlie Man.
Image credit: bookofjoe
RGK
You should blush after SHG’s devastating criticism of your death penalty post, but perhaps not for the reason you are blushing.
Judge Kopf – I believe that your stated reasons for writing this blog include promoting understanding of the courts and the legal profession, as well as provoking commentary and discussion. You certainly have been successful on those objectives. I believe that your blog is also frequently mentioned in the widely-read How Appealing blog. Elaine Mittleman
Judge:
Pride is rightfully yours so…blush away!
Robert
John,
Great snark!
The fact that SHG wrote two posts to explain the error of my way does not cause me any embarrasment at all. Hell, he might be right. The fact that he took the time to engage with my writing, however, causes me to blush in good way. I would hate to think that my writing is irrelevant, and Scott’s multi-post critique gives me hope that my writing is worth reading.
All the best.
RGK
Re: the engine pictured, in the ’60s our family had a huge blue Impala station wagon that may have had a big block engine. The car was a steel behemoth.
Jill,
It almost surely had a “big block” engine. Just guessing, but I wonder whether it was a 409.
Those were the days!
All the best.
RGK
It could have been an SS 396.
“The” muscle car of all time was the 1970 Superbird with either the 426 Hemi or the 440 6-pack.
ExCop-LawStudent,
For street racing, it was too heavy. Assuming each car was stock, Scott’s SS 396 likely would have blown the socks of the Super Bird in the typical city block contest.
Besides, it was a Chrysler product. Sorry.
All the best.
RGK