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This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Nota Bene, 2000s at Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nota Bene, 2008 by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Til E G EORGE. * m WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Nota Bene A Forum for News, Features & Opinions in the Law School Community WASH I Ni I O N DC Wednesday, October 1, 2008 Vol. 23, No. 2

GW Ranked Among Best Law Schools for Hispanic Students

BV TIMOTHY FREY Columnist

The George Washington University ed the University of New Mexico School of then sent out to firms and other practitioners from the private, public, and non-profit Law School was recently ranked the ninth Law, who was first on the list published in in the legal community. The practitioners legal markets. best law school for Hispanic students by the late August. give the students direct feedback on ways to In 2006, the school also created the Hispanic Business Magazine. According to Dean Frederick Law­ organize, structure, and tailor their resumes Latino Law Alumni Association, or LLAA. According to Hispanic Business, rence, "diversity in our community is According to Dean Lawrence, the idea for "George Washington Law builds and main­ extremely important," and it is therefore "GWhas been making a this association came directly from the tains a stimulating, diverse, and inclusive important to the school to recruit not only alumni, who wanted to give back to the GW academic community through its recruit­ Hispanic law students, but students of all serious effort at building community. The mission statement for the ment, financial aid programs, and active different backgrounds. As a result, twenty- diversity, and that they LLAA states that it seeks "to support the support for more than 40 student organiza­ five percent of the current 2L class is made Law School's efforts in recruiting minority tions." Receiving this recognition is not up of minority students. have been very supportive students and faculty, and to promote diver­ uncommon territory for the law school as it In addition to recruiting, the school and helpful." sity within the Law School." It does this by is often ranked as a top school for diversity has established various student and alumni sponsoring "alumni and student networking and for maintaining an environment that is associations that enable students of simi­ opportunities for minorities" and providing comfortable for all students. Data compiled lar backgrounds and experiences to work year-long mentorship support to the HLSA. by the magazine shows that of the school's together and support one another. One of to effectively communicate with the legal The group has also begun the LLAA Schol­ total enrollment of 1412 students, 111 - or these student associations is the Hispanic market. HLSA also hosts cultural events, arship Fund which is offered to Latino Law eight percent - are Hispanic, and that thirty Law Students Association (HLSA). Led by puts on fundraisers, and hosts debates and Students, and hosts "signature events" every four Hispanic students received their J.D.'s President Randy Mora, HLSA currently has other discussions. Last year, the group year for its members. Because the LLAA is a from George Washington last spring. The more than fifty members at GW Law. The teamed up with other student associations, relatively new body, it is currently working school also employs four full-time Hispanic group puts on many programs and events, including the Black Law Student's As­ on building a stronger bond to the HLSA. faculty members, who make up four percent including a Resume Review Program for sociation and the Native American Law HLSA President Randy Mora states that of the total full-time faculty. One L's. This program allows new law Student's Association, to host a Diversity his group has "begun establishing a much Other schools to make the list includ­ students to submit their resumes, which are Panel consisting of diverse practitioners firmer foundation" with the LLAA, and that See Hispanic Business on Page 5 New Wireless System Continues to Trouble Students, Mac Users

BY ELIZABETH WESTBROOK Staff Writer

windows and log back in just as if they had With the new academic calendar well lar network and the portal in particular. the network this year. Briggs says, "Dur­ ing the first few weeks of school we have closed their computers. This brings us to under way, one of the major differences However, Mac users continue to encounter the second major complaint about the new to students' "lives this year is the wireless difficulties. Rather than deal with these monitored the system and have seen that the network, regarding opening and closing network. Students from every walk of tech­ problems, the help desk has had no choice number of users has gone up compared to browser windows. nological life, be it MAC, Dell, Vista etc., but to adopt a policy of aiding Vista users last year. During business hours the system This second issue is especially bur­ as this operating system has taken the place is serving about 700 authenticated users at are feeling the changes. densome to people doing research on FRP Many students are confused about the of XP in PCs. With Macs an increasingly any given moment and transferring over 15 or for LRW for example—work that requires need for the change, although Mac and Vista large chunk of the market—especially on gigabytes of data an hour." A heavier user load should have been the use of many browser windows at a time. users understand the need. Until this year, college campuses—this gap in our comput­ expected given the fact that now Mac and Students*unhappily cite having to either Mac and Vista users were relegated to the ing resources is growing in it inefficiency Vista users would be able to access the same create bookmarks of each browser winder Guest Network, which meant no access to to offer comprehensive computing help to network. The problem was especially no­ when they shut down their laptops or lose the portal or to the law school printers. This GW students. ticeable the first week back to class, when the work entirely. limited access on the guest network was due When asked at the beginning of the the network crashed for hours at a time The help desk is able to provide stu­ to security concerns. year whether Macs would ever be able leaving students all over school without any dents with a program that allows them to Mike Briggs, the Director of Informa­ to print to the law school printers, a help internet access. bypass this browser issue. The problems tion Technology for the Law School says, desk employee responded no, and that they There seems to be a marked improve­ with Mac users continue here however, due "The wireless system that we are currently would never be able to. Such optimism is ment in the network's ability to accommo­ to the help desk's inability or unwillingness using is largely the same as last years with certainly not reassuring to this Mac user. to troubleshoot with or install software for the exception that the security mechanism Most student frustration seems to date all users now. Still, school has been in Mac users. is now more open and software based. In stem from one of two problems: the unreli­ session for a month now and the problem ability of the network and the need to close does persist. Students report being kicked 3L Danielle Roche says she circum- the past we used security that was hardware t and reopen all browser windows each time off the internet multiple times a day ev­ dependent." See Wireless on Page 4 In this respect many students are the laptop is closed and opened. Briggs ery day. When this happens, the affected happy to finally have access to the regu­ credits the-first issue with heavier usage of computer often has to close all browser

MEWS FEATURES OFINIOM Hurricane Ike Page 3 SBA Corner Page 2 Page 3 Write On Iraqi School Days U.S. News & World Report Page 5 Elected Officials with Religious Beliefs Page 7 De Novo Days Music Review Page 2 Nota Bene October 1, 2008 NEWS

NotaBeniT

2008 G STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, DC 20052 [email protected]

N'OTA B ENE IS A BI-WEEKLY STUDENT PUBLICATION AT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY' LAW SC HOOL. NOTA BE NE SERVES AS A FORUM FOR NEW S, FEATURES & OPINIONS IN THE LAW SCHOOL COMMUNITY. WE SEEK SUBMISSIONS FROM STUDENTS AT GW LAW SCHOOL. NEWS AND FEATURES ARTICLES ARE P AID AT A RATE OF $25.01 PER A RTICLE.

EDITOR IN CHIEF SARAH VALERIO

NEWS AND FEATURES EDITOR KATIE EARNEST OPINIONS EDITOR ADAM PEARLMAN STAFF ZEENA ADIL ABDUL-RAHMAN RYAN BOWEN STEFAN CHACON REID COPLOFF TIMOTHY FREY TERENCE G. SCHOONE-JONGEN JOEL SINGERMAN SET SAMH LISA STRAUSS ELIZABETH WESTBROOK

Students Feel Effects of Hurricane Ike

BY KATIE EARNEST . News Editor

Students from Texas are working to of the hurricane and burned down while the sustained serious damage." On a personal possible with the recovery efforts, getting absorb the emotional and financial after­ storm raged. Norman, who used to be a chef level, Ruckman lost about half of his pos­ involved with SHN seemed like a great math of Hurricane Ike, which impacted the at Brennan's, stated: "It was a land mark that sessions when his storage unit flooded and way for me to put my legal education to Houston area on September 13th. had been there since the 60's. There were filled with mold in the weeks following the work for a cause I fe lt strongly about." The effects of the storm, which caused movies filmed there, politicians and the hurricane. Ruckman said: "I was lucky to be Student Hurricane Network par­ extensive damage throughout the cities business elite ate there daily. There was a able to salvage as much as I did. Friends of ticularly focuses on aiding public interest of Galveston and Houston, were also felt fire which three people were hurt, including mine in the orchestra had just bought their and justice advocate organizations, but throughout the Midwest as the hurricane a manager his daughter and another. Besides first home and lost literally everything that also aids in the ongoing need for physical downgraded to a tropical storm when it the loss of life, the greatest loss to Houston, was in the home when flood waters rose to cleanup. Additionally, Student Hurricane swept further inland. Mike Whitican, a 3L in my opinion was the lost of Brennan's." ceiling level." Network members seek to educate their from outside Dayton, Ohio relayed: "There's Norman remained optimistic how­ In the aftermath of the hurricane, peers about the continued need for legal no electricity all in my parents' area. They ever: "Even though I h ave been told that I Ruckman was shocked that the cleanup assistance in the Gulf Coast region. Ruck­ called me to say that there's a tree in our will not recognize the city when I get back, was so slow: "I expected that things would man noted: "For a city like New Orleans, pool." it will rebuild and be back to normal." turn around quickly down there and that that faces constant economic difficulties, Tyler Norman noted that Houston Current student Jonathan Ruckman is enough relief would come to the city that such volunteer work is vital for the recov­ seems to have learned from the city's experi­ familiar with the emotions facing many from people could start over as soon as possible. ery of the community." ences with past hurricanes. "After Tropical the Texas area. Ruckman, a former resident Unfortunately, that was not the case and Over the winter break in 2007, Storm Allison the City of Houston rebuilt of New Orleans, was a cellist with the there's still a lot of work to be done down GW Law students involved in Student the drainage systems, which by all, second Louisiana Philharmonic, when Hurricane there." He noted that the Texas state govern­ Hurricane Network visited New Orleans. hand, accounts worked wonderfully. Hur­ Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August 2005. ment seems better prepared than Louisiana's They helped build a community center, ricane Katrina and Rita also help the city Ruckman was playing cello in the Aspen government and that FEM A"ob viously has worked for the severely undermanned prepare for a direct hit by a hurricane. The . Music Festival for the summer, but had all spent the last three years doing everything City Attorney's Office, did community state of Texas set up a hurricane commission of his possessions locked away in storage in their power to better deal with natural organizing, and assisted with the writing and I actually testified in front of the com­ in New Orleans. disasters." of a handbook for public defenders that mission on behalf of my boss (who was a Ruckman recalled: "The day the hur­ For GW Law community members helped them understand the deportation city council member) about the contraflow ricane hit, I w as supposed to drive back to who have been affected by the hurricane, ramifications of certain crimes commit­ evacuation. During Hurricane Rita much New Orleans to begin preparations for the Ruckman had this advice: "The only thing ted by immigrants. Ruckman recalled: of Houston, scared from Katrina, tried to upcoming symphony season. The orches­ those affected by the storm can really do is "At every stop, the lawyers we worked evacuate and more people died in the evacu­ tra staff notified all orchestra members to wait and be patient. The feeling of being for thanked us for giving up a week of ation than hurricane Rita. The drive from stay away from the city until the hurricane in limbo will pass and things will settle our winter break in order to lighten the Houston to Dallas, usually a 4-4.5 hour cleared and await further notice. I went down." He also said: "I think the best thing workload for the overtaxed lawyers of drive, took some up to 21 hours. This time to my parents' house in Chevy Chase and that came out of Katrina was an awareness New Orleans." the city had more people shelter in place waited there until we were given the go that hurricanes can be devastating and cit­ Terence Schoone-Jongen, one of and only ordered evacuation for people in ahead to return." Many residents believed ies affected by them need as much help as the 2L leaders of Student Hurricane Net­ real danger." that the impact would be minor and that they can get. I think that lesson will ensure a work said that, "Looking at pictures of Though the city was more prepared, evacuation would be unnecessary. However, smoother road to recovery in east Texas." Galveston, in particular, I think—sadly— Norman said that there was still severe dam­ history would mark August 29th as a dev­ After coming to GW Law, Ruckman SHN will have the opportunity to expand age: "The neighborhood that my mom lives astating day of loss for New Orleans, as the became involved with the campus' Student its operations. I al so wonder about "what in was lined w ith hundred year old oaks, and hurricane swept through the city destroying Hurricane Network, a group of law students we haven't seen—the areas that were hit from what people have told me they are all lives and property in its wake. who want to alleviate the legal problems hard, but not to the extent Galveston was. uprooted. These trees were beautiful, they Ruckman noted: "Although all or­ that were caused, as well as exacer­ Those areas could easily fall through the formed a canopy over the street, they were chestra members had been safely evacu­ bated by, Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. He cracks in terms of media attention, which amazing." ated, our concert hall flooded out and was a said: "When I arrived at GW Law, I was in turn affects the volunteer aid those areas Norman also mourned the loss of total loss. All performances were cancelled excited to see that there was already a legal will receive." Brennan's of Houston, a Creole restaurant pending the discovery of alternative per­ aid group devoted to victims of Hurricane Schoone-Jongen, who also traveled integral to the city's culinary cuisine. The forming venues. It turned out that most of Katrina. As someone who knew little about restaurant caught fire during the early hours the major performing venues in the city the law but wanted to help out in any way See Hurricane on Page 4 Page 3 Nota Bene October 1, 2008 OPINION Write On...: SB A Corner: Balance in Legal Writing Surviving Law Boot Camp

BY ADAM R. PEARLMAN BY BRETT SHEATS Opinions Editor SB A President

As the lLs prepare to turn in their theory simply to get published, choosing I was talking with some lLs the other Anyway, I digress. The fact is that at first memo for LRW, and some arguably syntax or vocabulary that is intentionally day and they mentioned to me that their the end of boot camp, you aren't a very good unlucky 2Ls struggle to pick a Note topic, dense, or footnoting for the sake of foot­ first brief is due soon. I smiled and thought soldier. They teach you how to shoot, but and some very unfortunate 3Ls realize noting, academia is a lot like politics -you back to my first year here at GW Law and you aren't very good at it yet. They teach they have yet to meet the school's writing have to set yourself apart to be noticed and remembered working on my first brief. I you how to crawl through the mud, but what requirement, I am reminded of the pains thrive in the "look at me" factor of show­ remembered one moment in particular. I good is that? They even teach you how to and pitfalls of legal-academic writing. ing off how well you did your homework. remember sitting on my couch surrounded deftly maneuver through monkey bars, but My very un-expert advice on this Everyone here is familiar with the concept by cases and not being able to remember unfortunately Al-Qaeda doesn't employ front as far as law school goes - 1) do not of getting noticed among a pool of fellow which case was which. The text of each monkey bar defenses these days. Boot camp over-think your writing, and 2) do not take academics: GW gunners have been much case was garishly highlighted to the point is a rite of passage. Graduating from boot that to mean that it's okay to skimp on the publicized over the past few months. that the words that were not highlighted camp proves that you are not a complete details. But there is still a balance to strike, stuck out like a sore thumb. A sense of and total moron. It's the Army's stamp of Regarding the first folly: and you can't fall into that latter problem of absolute dread filled my mind. I remember approval that you are able to be molded into • 1 Ls - understand that the bulk of sloppiness. Especially in this economy, it standing up, exasperated, and thinking "this whatever the Army needs you to be. I find what you're being graded on is essentially will be the students with the detail-oriented law school to be similar. You aren't going to your ability to repeat the same proposition writing sample that will grab the most at­ leave law school as an expert. You'll leave four slightly-different ways. Sure, there is tention from employers. Emphasize the Law school is a lot law school with a stamp of approval that nuance in the arguments you make to sup­ substantive strengths of your arguments, like boot camp, and you are able to work hard, handle stress, and port that proposition, but you know how but never ignore the weaknesses. And think like a lawyer. That's what that diploma to argue. As much as you might not like make sure you turn in polished products law professors are a means. But you won't leave school ready to outlining, bite the bullet and do it and your — bad formatting can kill good ideas. lot like drill sergeants. argue in front of the Supreme Court. LRW life will become measurably easier. Whatever you're writing, simply try This summer I asked partners at my • 2L Note-writers - remember that to find something about it that interests Really, really smart drill firm if there were any classes I should take writing something original does not mean you, and seize on it. You'll have a much sergeants who probably 3L year before I came back to the firm. They that you have to write something profound. better time with the project, and it will don 7 know how to clean all told me no. They said that they would You've seen things in the world that you show in your product. The best advice teach me what I needed to know to when believe aren't right, are outright unjust, or I ever received about academic writing a rifle. I came to the firm and that I should just simply could be done better - draw from was shared with me during my freshman enjoy my time as a 3L and take classes that that experience and think of what solution year of college: you're not going to be last sounded interesting. It's good advice so far. you would like to see the law provide. person to write on your topic; yours will Taking "Law of Japan" will probably have • 3Ls, you're almost done. If you not be the final authoritative word. Write is not what I want to do with my life." little to no lasting benefit in my legal career, really hate strict legal writing but need to so that you're participating in a conversa­ 1 took a break, calmed down, and but it's realty interesting,. Maybe some day meet the requirement, then find a professor tion. This may apply less when writing eventually got back to work. Eventually, I someone will ask me "what's a bengoshi?" to supervise your paper who understands litigation briefs, where one wants to make finished the brief. I g ot a terrible grade on and I'll be able to look really smart by being that writing about policy issues through a it seem like he has the definitive answer it. I w as not a very good LRW student. It's able to answer. But I d oubt it. legal lens is not a faux pas but something to the specific problem at hand. But, as a not the end of the world. So, 1 Ls, don't fret. That brief isn't the to be welcomed as a skill of pragmatists. broader matter, take comfort in the fact that Of the myriad memories that I will end of the world, and neither is the grade you Professional academics in all fields you won't have the last word. It takes off have from law school, I know that one will receive on it. Don't get me wrong -gra des tend to be guilty of over-thinking. Whether a lot of pressure. always stick with me. As I look back on that are important things, but they aren't the only it's challenging very minor sub-points of a memory, it somehow reminds me of memo­ important thing. Understanding and enjoy­ ries I had from my training as a cadet in the ing what you are learning is a good goal. Army. Law school is a lot like boot camp, In conclusion, I'd like to note that I do Elected Officials with and law professors are a lot like drill ser­ in fact feel like an old man waxing nostalgi­ geants. Really, really smart drill sergeants cally about 1L year and that I am sitting in who probably don't know how to clean a a rocking chair next to a bowl of Werther's Religious Beliefs Face Unfair rifle. Well, unless they are republicans. Originals watching Wheel of Fortune.

Intolerance persons in office, and change "religion" to freedom of religion means not only freedom something else that might shape a politi­ against having beliefs imposed upon you, cian's views: "[Women] shouldn't serve in but also having freedom to choose your BY RYAN BOWEN office because they can't separate their [gen­ own beliefs. Those who most vehemently Columnist der] from their jobs. If it were up to me only purport to believe in the First Amendment Much has been made recently about This is not at all to challenge the [androgynes] could serve in government." would do well to remember that part of it. Republican Vice Presidential Candidate value of separating church and state, and No respectable person would support this Sarah Palin's comments regarding what is not a suggestion that they should be position. The same would go if such char­ she views as "God's plan" and "God's merged in any way. One need only look acteristics as "persons bom of immigrants" will." Statements such as these, coupled to the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem or "Native Americans" were substituted with Palin's views on abortion, pre-marital Witch Trials for a cursory glance at the di­ for "religious people." Anyone who would To Submit an Opinion sex, and other religiously-charged issues sastrous consequences that can result when argue that a member of any of these groups have fired up the evangelical members of the two intermingle in official sanction. should not serve in office would rightfully the Right. Conversely, she has sent many However, electing people of faith to office be decried as a bigot. Yet when the issue is Got something to rant about? members of the Left rallying around the fear hardly constitutes the same effect. the person's religious beliefs, some people of a unification of church and state should First of all, recall that the framers feel that it is fair game to criticize. This is Well, don't just sit there- Palin assume the vice presidency. were predominantly Christians who often entirely hypocritical. TAKE ACTION! Sitting in the Kelly lounge the other conducted prayers before their meetings. Sarah Palin's religious beliefs do not day, I overheard some fellow students dis­ Any argument that those men should shape her decision-making any more than cussing Palin's comments. One expressed have been barred from creating the very the fact that she is a woman, is 44 years The Nota Bene invites readers' old, has five children, is from Alaska, or frustration that, in her view, religious people document that protects freedom of religion opinions. Letters to the Edi­ cannot separate their faith from their jobs, because they themselves had religious any other personal experience that she has tor must be signed, dated and and that if it were up to her she would have beliefs is preposterous. encountered in her life. Let us not forget that only atheists serve in government. That Secondly, religious beliefs are just this is America, and in America people enjoy include a graduation year or sentiment, if there was any truth to her one of the many influences that shape a freedoms of personal belief and expression title. E-mail submissions to nota- words, is troubling on multiple levels. First politician's day to day decisions. Elected that are unequaled throughout the world. [email protected]. of course was the sweeping generalization officials are mere human beings, and as Politicians and public servants are no less reserves the right to about "religious people" in general. Second such are shaped by a variety of factors, entitled to their personal beliefs than the rest Nota Bene is that it is incomprehensible to me why including their heritage, family, culture, of us. If you don't like or agree with Sarah edit all submissions for space, Palin, then by all means, don't vote for her. many liberals single out faith from the many and other individual experiences. grammar, clarity and vulgarity. other factors that influence a politician's Think about the abovementioned Do not, however, chastise her merely for decision making. statement proselytizing against religious believing something. Let us not forget that October 1, 2008 Page 4 Nota Bene NEWS

Wireless Crossword 101 Hurricane Simple Math By Ed Canty 7 8 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 6 ir~ System 5 Across | | from page 2. 14 from 1. 1 Sea weed, e.g. 19 page 5 Feeling of discomfort 17 1 •• 9 Cardiff's locale 1 22 to New Orleans with SHN last year, said vents the browser window issue by con­ 20 21 14 Shakespeare's king that, if the effects of Hurricane Katrina are necting through Internet Explorer but 24 15 Parasites 23 any indication, the Gulf Coast will be faced surfing with Mozilla. She reports that she 16 Residence 26 26 27 26 V29 30 ^•31 32 33 still has to log back into internet explorer with many challenges. "The problems will 17 Garage event 34 35 36 be manifold. On the one hand, there will be through the law log in when she closes her 18 Swear 38 39 all sorts of new legal problems. Whenever computer, but she can keep her Mozilla 19 Lawful 37 neighborhoods, towns, cities are destroyed, windows open and continue to use them 20 Vegas sights 40 41 once she has logged back in. 23 Poet's beyond •4b all sorts of property issues arise. I'm sure, 43 ••44 for instance, there will be all sorts of public Briggs says, "the help desk 24 Be in d ebt • 25 Old Testament Book HHj 46 housing issues, as there have been in New providefs students] with authentication 29 Brewer's grain 46 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Orleans. On the other hand, preexisting software to use instead of the web browser 56 31 Edg e _ authentication. This method eliminates 57 56 59 problems will sort ofjust sit there and not get 34 Spooky • the use of the browser for maintaining 61 • 62 adequate attention. Depending on what sort 35 Points of convergence 60 the connection but does require the user of disaster infrastructure Houston, Galves­ 36 Plasmas I 64 65 63 ton, etc. have in place, these problems could to remember to disconnect when they 37 Pimlico sight 3 1 be monstrous—I hope the area affected by leave the campus." 2L Thomas Kwon 40 Dreaming stages 7 Passed easily 47 Once mor e Ike is better prepared than the area affected has had success with this software: "The 41 Tiptop 8 Trumpeter Alpert 48 At tha t time by Rita and Katrina was in 2005." program they gave me in the computer 42 Pine Tr ee State 9 Dark brown wood 49 Grinder 43 Roth for one He noted that the national Student help desk is great, they should just give 10 Wait patiently 50 Talk wildly 44 Copies * Hurricane Network appears to be in the that to everyone instead of the browser 11 Scen es 51 Allevia te 45 Mother Superior 12 Blue-pencil 52 Container manu­ process of organizing help for the Houston nonsense." 46 Exist 13 Dramatic scenes facturer area and said that students interested in help­ Lasfyear, SBA IT committee mem­ 47 Mature 21 Shakespeare's tragic lover 53 Preced es block or hog ing out should get involved with GW Law's ber, Brad Sauer 2L, researched how other 48 Picnic sight 22 Spontaneous 54 Opera solo chapter of Student Hurricane Network. schools did it. He went to Georgetown 57 Playing card 25 dish 55 Haul "They can also visit www.studentjustice. Law to meet with their IT director. He 58 Shepard for one 26 Waste pipe 56 Different org for more information about what the learned that Georgetown students who 59 Unwritten 27 Scent national organization is doing—there are u^ed Mac or Vista did not run up against 60 Bert's friend 28 Bowlers, e.g. many opportunities beyond what our chapter the same issues. Part of the reason for 61 Artic ulated 29 Mournful cries Quotable Quote 62 Broadcasts does." this is that Georgetown Law's internet and 30 Real estate unit 63 IOUs 31 Secur e again Ruckman also encouraged people computing services are privately funded God does not care 64 Ms. Ferb er 32 Golf clubs who do not live in areas affected by the apart from the law school. about our math­ 65 Go steady 33 Barnyard Moms hurricane to reach out and help: "I would It seems that this new networks ematical difficulties. Down 35 Ice mass He integrates encourage people to give of their time and falls somewhere between the denied 1 Like wise 36 Knife empirically. money to help those affected by the hurri­ access to Mac and Vista users last year, 2 Thin 38 Coat part cane. 1 know that it meant a lot to me to see and the full access that was enjoyed by 3 NFL player Sayers 39 Set deeply • • • Albert Einstein Y\ow much peo\>\e caved about New Orleans all other computers. This means a drop 4 Neighborhood 44 Ridges and One peop\e of New Orleans following ifi morale for many students while others 5 Accuses 45 Meeting plan the storm." find themselves mildly satiated. 2L Tarek 6 Internal organ 46 Lofty nest Ghalayini sums up this issue succinctly: By GFR Associates • POBoi461 Schenectady, NY 12309 .Visit our web site at "[SJtudents are paying top dollar to go www.gfrpuzzles.com here and those resources need to support Interested in getting involved in Stu­ all students. Since a big percentage of See answers on Page 8! dent Hurricane Network? students have or would prefer having Email [email protected] for Macs [or using Vista], the school needs more information about meetings, trips, and to support that platform." But perhaps what the GW Law chapter is doing this year things are looking up. Sauer contends, for New Orleans. C ertainly there is room for improvement but I think the law school is trending in the right direction." Write for the Nota Benel t The editorial board is currently looking for writers for News, Features and Opinions.

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ZEENA ADIL ABDUL-RAHMAN Iraqi School Days. A Series m Part I: The Glimmer in My Eye

This is the first installment of a special Nota Bene series by Zeena Adil Abdul-Rah­ man. Zeena grew up in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, spending most of her high school years in Baghdad.

I am sitting in class in the blistering as the Prado continues to dri. e as slow as heat. I thought I co uld go to a school that possible past my car. He is now right in didn't have air conditioning, but it has prov­ front of me. I know I should stop look­ en to be unbearable. The woman standing ing at him. The other girls might notice in the front of the class makes me feel a bit better about my situation. If I am hot, she must be boiling underneath her head scarf Just as I push open the and long thick dress. It is a hundred and school gate, I see the thirty degrees outside, and this woman is dressed like an Eskimo. What in the world front of the Royal Blue is she talking about anyway? Warning us Prado turning onto against the congregations of people that happen around the large pots of food during the street in front of The author with her high school class the Shiite celebration of Ashura? the school. I try not to She claims that they are plotting to show my enthusiasm; the slightest speculation would send one boy belongs on the cover of People," I topple our government and destroy our of those dim-witted idiots running to my reply. Zainab beams, we all know that country. I don't believe her... and frankly, Mansoor is giving me father. But I just can't stop looking at him. Karam isn't that good looking, but we say I don't care. My mind is somewhere else. the "I know what you The masculine jaw line, the mustache that's it because it makes her happy. Right outside the fences of my school, the just thick enough to say "manly but not old I say good goodbye to the girls as cutest guy in the whole world is driving are doing and your fashioned," and the shining gold watch and they get on to the dusty old school bus. around in his amazing 1998 Toyota Prado. father will kill us both if matching ring that glitters in the sun light The faces of the girls in the windows re­ He is circling the school, waiting to get a he finds out" look. from the one hand that is lazily slumped on flect the broiling temperature inside. I get glimpse of me as I get into my car. All my the steering wheel. into my air conditioned Lexus and wait for friends are jealous of me; 1 have the hottest "Oh my god he is gorgeous!" ex­ Mansoor to finish putting my backpack in boyfriend in the whole school. claims Zahraa, "and from a good family the trunk. I keep replaying that moment too.' You two were meant for each other." I After an hour and a half of this wom­ how intensely we are looking at each in my mind, each time in slower motion. smile and envision what our wedding photo "Only two more days till the weekend" I an's boring speech, the bell finally rings, other. The last thing I need is another one of the twits who have a crush on him will look like. "Oh yeah, this is great. The think to myself. Everything is ready; my hitting my ears like velvet. 1 can 't get my outfit is picked out and my excuse for to suspect that I am the girl he is with. only decent looking guy left in Iraq, and books into my backpack fast enough. I run spending the night at Zahraa's house is Jealous teenage girls are bad, but jeal­ the American girl gets him," jokes Zainab. out of class and head for the bathroom. All carefully scripted. All I have to do now ous Iraqi teenage girls are wicked. Even "Oh, please. You're dating Karam - that the girls are headed in the same direction, is wait. but I a m the first one there. I ju mp into a stall and pull out the lipstick, blush, and Hispanic Business mascara that are hidden strategically in my underwear. We used to hide the makeup from page 1. in our backpacks, until poor Laween got caught. She still hasn't told us what they this bond will only strengthen since "the did to her exactly, but the image of her being numbers of Hispanics in the legal field Hey Look! pulled by her blonde hair into the principal's has only grown recently." office is still fresh in our memories. In an effort to further bolster sup­ I finish putting on my make-up and port for a diverse environment, the school A Big, Ugly head for the main door of the school. My has also recently created the position of heart beats louder with every step. I see Diversity Counselor. According to the Mansoor, our Sudanese driver, standing in law school's website, the Diversity Coun­ front of my mother's Lexus sedan. I am selor aids diverse law students in their Blank Space.. disheartened at how close he is parked to the job searches and works with the diverse door. A shorter walk means a smaller chance student organizations. She also liaises of seeing those piercing Kurdish eyes that with employers interested in recruiting make me melt. The art of timing walking diverge law students and manages the out of the school door the moment the boy's Diversity Newsletter, which keeps stu­ car turns the far comer is one mastered by dents informed of the latest diversity job only the senior girls. I am still a freshman fairs and scholarship opportunities. Jenice and do not have the requisite experience. Goffe, a graduate of the University of Vir­ But today, 1 am lucky. God has timed it for ginia School of Law and former corporate, me. Just as I p ush open the school gate, 1 transactional, and regulatory lawyer at a YOU CAN FILL IT!!! see the front of the Royal Blue Prado turn­ large D.C. law firm, was hired last spring ing onto the street in front of the school. I to fill this new role. The creation of this try not to show my enthusiasm; Mansoor is position is another example of the school's giving me the "I know what you are doing support for a diverse community. and your father will kill us both if he finds While Dean Lawrence doesn't out" look. give too much credence to rankings, he Zahraa squeezes my arm and Fawz is proud that the school is consistently whispers "there he is" in my ear. Noor, as ranked so high with regards to diversity. usual, hasn't noticed any of this and is busy This is because "the survey gives us a way butchering the lyrics of a Spice Girls song. I of describing something that is otherwise walk slowly to the car door watching as the hard to describe," namely the school's Just email [email protected] for Prado inches its way through the alley. He commitment to its diverse students and puts his Ray-Ban sunglasses on... they look alumni. Ultimately, however, the feelings more info about becoming a staff writer! so good on him. Even with the sunglasses, of those students and alumni count the I c an feel his gaze locked with mine. The most. Randy Mora, for one, believes that three other guys in the car are looking at bus "GW has been making a serious effort at with mischievous smiles on their faces. building diversity, and that they have been Mansoor opens the car door for me very supportive and helpful." Nota Bene October 1, 2008 FEATURES Bar Brief: Josephine Lounge

BY SET SAMII AND LISA STRAUSS Columnists

VANILLA: Very Analytical, Nuanced Inversion of Literal Legal Applications

Like to procrastinate? Need some mindless distiaction? Submit your TREAT of the Week! Email [email protected]

Winners will be selected by our Editorial Board and published. ^ ou Trust Us, We 're Experts may submit anonymously if you wish. We promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (andyes, we will be using the Oxford Comma in our reviews). As future members of the DC Lawyers Next Issue's TREAT of the Week: Assistance Program, we are proud to present a bi-weekly run-down of DC hotspots. MINT Before getting into our first review, we d like to introduce ourselves to you, our faithful readers. Set is a recentgraduate of George Washington University and DC's very- own former bar wench. When she's not in the quiet room on the 2nd floor, you can find her gallivanting all over DC's bar scene. Lisa, fresh from the Chicago working world, is thrilled to be in a new city, with new bars. When she's not causing a ruckus in the hard lounge, you can find her watching Bravo reality television, usually with a Styrofoam cup of wine in hand. ,

Case-. September \\, 200%, Josepbme Lounge, \ocated at. \00& Vermont Ave "NW. "We'd heard mixed reviews about this bar and we wanted to go adjudicate for ourselves.

Facts: Josephine Lounge was hailed as DC's hottest new lounge and the "It" place to be seen (hilarious in the context of Washington DC). In the former space of Daedalus, Josephine's has cloaked itself in pretention, lavishing its space with velvet curtains and wallpaper, large chandeliers, and awkwardly arranged faux-French antique furniture. Behind this obvious attempt to create an exclusive space, Josephine's is nothing more than a trashy hangout spot for DC's wannabe socialites. Upon arriving at Josephine Lounge on the night of September 11, the large number of well-dressed, leg-baring girls in our group should have made it easy for our entire gang to get into the bar. Oh, but how wrong we were. The late arrival of our guy friends (claiming environmental friendliness in not sharing our cabs), made it impossible for them to bypass the hoard of scantily dressed girls still waiting to get in. Our own low cut attire made it easy for us to hop the line, however, in retrospect, we wish we had worn turtlenecks and gotten left outside.

Issue: There were many....

Holding: We appreciated the sunken dance floor and stripper pole, which could provoke any good girl law student to bust out her Carmen Electra pole dancing workout moves. We also liked the co-ed bathrooms, this kept the lines down and the crowding around mirrors to a minimum. However, there were approximately seven guys in the entire bar (because most were waiting to get in upstairs, past the velvet ropes and the plethora of bouncers), and the drink specials were not special at all. The wait for drinks was absurd (perhaps due to the fact that we are broads ... see section on the bartenders' attire below), the cosmos were fake-me-out super-sweet cranberry cocktails with a splash of vodka, and while the bartenders were nice when we finally got their attention, the $5 drinks were most definitely not worth the wait. Call me crazy but isn't it economically efficient to let more guys into a bar since they will be the ones buying most of the drinks? We haven't bought our own cosmopolitans in years. When we tried to seduce the bouncers in order to get our guy friends in, we were given the following option: our friends could get in if they bought a table for a mere $800. S80(C ?! ?!?!?! ?! News flash Josephine Lounge- this ain't New York or LA. And wasn't this a bar review for law school students? What law school student, living off their ODB- style welfare checks provided by Citibank, can afford an $800 night out? Some other points of contention- why were there twenty bouncers outside the bar? And were the headsets really necessary? Why were the bartenders dressed like members of the Pussycat Dolls at a lingerie party? We realize this is making it sound like heaven on earth for guys, but we've got news for you, you WON'T BE ABLE TO GET IN. Again, we repeat, NO DUDES ALLOWED IN THIS BAR (unless you are connected Euro-trash or the son of some Arab Sheikh).

Rule: Don't build a lounge in DC thinking you might attract J Lo and the like. The best you'll do here is Bristol Palin. The dive bar down the street where Lisa wound up was classier, the drink specials were great and there was a better guy to girl ratio than Josephine Lounge could ever hope for. Quoting the ever-wise HOVA "you can pay for school but you can't buy class."

Do you have suggestions, comments, concerns or just need a bar recommendation? Email us at [email protected].

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EMAIL [email protected] Page 7 Nota Bene October 1, 2008 FEATURES

TERENCE G. SCHOONE-JONGEN well the study aid squares with what your 2. Waiting Until the Last Minute: professor is teaching you. If there is a dis­ avoid it. Especially when it comes to things De Novo Days crepancy between them—and lord knows like, for instance, getting an appointment at there were many between my Torts E&E the Writing Center. You want to sign up for and and torts lectures—keep in mind that that several weeks in advance. You want to it ain't gonna be the study aid that grades send your draft to the writing fellow you're Well, I Should Be Working your exam. Second, there is the issue of meeting with 24 hours in advance. You want oversaturation. You need balance in your to arrive to said appointment on time. With­ on My Memo, But...: life, and if it's a choice between taking an out taking these three affirmative steps, the hour to decompress and taking an hour to appointment will go something like this: read a study aid, the former choice may You: Hello, sir! What tips, pointers, Time Management as a 1L be preferable to the latter. and comments do you have for me, based At the same time, though, there are on the draft of my memorandum I sent you certain study aids that are flat out worth I hear a lot about time-management total looking through. The issue here is at 4:30 this morning? their weight in g old. So, while I never these days—there is always some panel or not that portion of time spent with the Me: I have not read your memoran­ cracked my Crim or Contracts E&Es, other being advertised on this count. And study aids, but that portion of time spent dum, because you have no appointment, and the Torts E&E proved useless, the why not, after all? Gluttons for punishment ordering them and paying for them. And and even if you did have one, you sent your Glannon Civ Pro E&E saw a great deal that law students are, each and every one underlying that lost time is the greatest memorandum to me less than 24 hours in of use. I'd heartily recommend it. Also, of us probably has too much on their plate. waste of time I have ever, ever, ever advance of your appointment. And we are I actually used the Emmanuel Property Between two jobs, three student organiza­ engaged in (with two possible excep­ out of time. Have a nice day, and don't outline during said Property exam. On tion positions, writing center appointments, tions): reading a certain "what to expect forget to leave enough time for bluebooking the one hand, it's terrifying that I needed non-law school obligations, a journal, from law schooF'-themed book that has and local rules compliance! to do something like that, since I had my and, oh yeah, class, you may find yourself proven to be pure baloney. Its name: 3. Above The Law: Complete. Waste. own short outline with me. On the other wondering when you can finally get to the Planet Law School. If you have read it, Of. Time. Nothing but a bunch of legal- hand, it tells you a bit about how good the Amsterdam Falafelshop for the reasonably- try to erase all memories of its "advice." types trying to make themselves feel better Emmanuel outline is. priced large falafel (the answer: 2:30am If you haven't read it, you are missing out by tearing other people down. If I want to Incidentally, if anyone out there Friday morning). Perhaps such panels can on the disjointed ramblings of an author hear/read garbage like that...well, I don't wants a set, or individual volumes, of the aid you in this regard. But will they give who doesn't have the guts to use his or her have to go on the internet, at any rate. Col- E&Es corresponding to first-semester 1L you the whole story? I h ope not, because I real name. Mostly, "Atticus Falcon, Esq." legiality is the better path, grasshopper(s). classes, email me. I'm poor and need am throwing my hat into the time-manage- (the pomposity makes me dry heave even Happy time-managing! TSJ the money. ment-advice ring at this very moment. Use now) tells you to buy more study aids than these helpful hints in structuring your time, you can fit on your bookcase, let alone and you will be guaranteed to have followed read, and offers grim prognostications of these helpful hints. how your professors and colleagues will 1. Study Aids: Be cautious here, attempt to destroy you. But I digress. friends. I have several attractive Examples The use of study aids can be a mis­ Advertise in and Explanations volumes sitting on my use of time for two possible reasons, in shelf that I may have spent all of 13 minutes my view. First, there is the issue of how the Nota Bene Music Review: 1/8 Page $75 (20 square inches) Forget the Bloc Party, 1/4 Page $125 (40 square inches) 1/2 Page $200 (80 square inches) Just Stay Home Full Page $300 (160 square inches) BY REID COPLOFF Columnist

They've gone all Radiohead on us. replacing much of the bombast and politi­ We offer discounts Kinda. cal fire with delicate melodies and (gasp!) English faux-post-punkers Bloc Party longing love songs. If this was a document for multiple issue commitments. have made their third full-length, Intimacy, of a weekend for Okereke and company, an album that contains hints of Radiohead- it was a decidedly low-key affair. While Contact us at [email protected] style electronic rock freakouts, available A Weekend in the City wasn't a failure, online months before it drops in stores. The per se, it was nonetheless disappointing for our publishing schedule. difference? Well, there are two. One, you when stacked up next to Silent Alarm's have to pay for it. Two, it's not as good as ringing promise. Radiohead. In late August, two months before its street date, Bloc Party posted Intimacy Bloc Party first burst onto the scene Bloc Party. Until then we have the Bloc like "Biko," "Signs," and "Ion Square," all on its Web site. Available either as a $10 nearly four years ago at the height of the Party three-headed monster, which isn't of which would have been at home on A digital download or as a $20 digital down­ so-called post-punk revival. Featuring a always a bad thing. Weekend in the City. In fact, at times "Ion load with a hard copy shipped following quartet of Londoners who met in reform The album blasts of with "Ares," Square" sounds remarkably like A Weekend the album's October 28 release, Intimacy school, Bloc Party got their break after a rollicking track which actually begins in the City's "I Still Remember." Muted and showcases three versions of Bloc Party. lead singer Kele Okereke passed a tape to with what sounds like an alarm. Dis­ understated, these are the more ... well, There's the rocking, hook-heavy Bloc Franz Ferdinand lead singer Alex Kapranos jointed and disorienting, "Ares" hearkens intimate moments of Intimacy. While it's Party of Silent Alarm. The nuanced, love­ (remember him?) at a 2003 show. back to Silent Alarm and is an instant nice for a band to mix it up, there's simply lorn Bloc Party of A Weekend in the City Their first full-length, 2005's Silent reminder of how great this band can not much to say about this quiet Bloc Party. (which would have been more aptly titled Alarm, took the jittery, angular sound of be. Okereke's vocals spurt out in quick It's not bad, just forgettable. Intimacy). And there's hints of a new Bloc original early-'80s post-punkers Gang of call-and-response manner and the song Then there's electro Bloc Party, seen Party, a genre-bending band that dips its Four and Josef K and fleshed it out, add­ begins with the seemingly political shout on "Zepherus," "Better Than Heaven," and toe into electronic experimentation with ing soaring choruses and rousing solos, of "War war war war. I want to declare lead single "Mercury." These songs are kind fairly unpleasant results. effectively making an underground style of a war." Even if the band can't fulfill the of ... well, they suck. It's like Radiohead The initial digital download fea­ music palatable for the arena rock masses. musical promise of "Ares," it's nice to had a lobotomy. It's utterly astounding that tured 10 tracks with four more scheduled The catchy-as-hell music exploded beneath know that Bloc Party is powerful as ever. the band selected the repetitive, dull and for the forthcoming street release. The Okereke's predominantly left-wing vocals, Similarly songs such as "Halo," "One downright annoying "Mercury" as the lead first of these bonus tracks, the stellar that took aim at George W. Bush, who he re­ Month Off," and "Talons" find the band single since it's nearly unlistenable. "Talons," is available now. ferred to as "so James Dean, so blue jeans," mining roughly the same territory. The Welcome to the three worlds of Bloc As a whole, it's unclear what to and "just like his Dad." Okereke commonly songs are faster and harder, but possess Party: exhilarating, soporific, and cringe- make of Bloc Party version 3.0. Are they introduced the songs in concert with state­ the ability to shift tempos, and the vocals inducing. When I blast "Talons" in my still arena rockers? Are they transition­ ments like "This song is about arrogance," are a little more urgent and angry. It's car, though, it's pretty easy to remember ing to something new? Perhaps in time or "This song is about stupidity," before Bloc Party at their best, which is pretty why Silent Alarm didn't make it far from it will more clear whether this is a stop­ excoriating the president. freaking excellent. my CD player for about 6 months after it gap release in a steady flow of output or Two years passed and Bloc Party re­ On the other hand, there are tracks came out. leased A Weekend in the City in early 2007, a transition album that will lead to a new October 1, 2008 Page 8 Nota Bene THE BACK PAGE law school events Feminist Forum Happy Hour 6:00pm,Tonic

Friday October 3 SBA Mentor Kick-Off DOCKET 5:00-8:00pm, National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

Wednesday October 1 Monday October 6 Financing Your Public Service Career: How to Afford the International and Comparative Law Colloquium: James Legal Career You Really Want! Bacchus Hear from financial aid experts about various ways to manage 12:00-1:00pm, B505 your debt to pursue your dream career. 5:00-6:00pm, B505 Law Revue Open Mic Night Auditions 8:00-10:00pm, L201 Thursday October 2 Pro Bono Fair IP Speaker Series - Beth Noveck 4:00-6:00pm, B505 "Public Participation in Intellectual Property Policymaking'Trofessor, New York Law School Director, In­ Law Revue Band Gig stitute for Information Law and Policy Hear Restatement of Rock and Motion to Quash! 12:00-1:30pm, LIS201 9:00pm, DC9 Why Antitrust? SALDF Bake Sale Sponsored by the ABA l0:00am-5:00pm, Hard lounge 5:30-6:30pm, LIS201

SIMPLE MATH A L G A •B L A H • W A L E s L E A R L I C E IA B O D E S A L E 1A V E R IL I C ! T O N E A R M E D B A N D 1 T S ARIES (MARCH 21—APRIL 19) D U E Look to your right. Now look to your left. One of these people thinks you O E R| need to learn the meaning of the phrase "personal bubble." P S A L M S •M A L T R 1 M E E R 1 E F O C 1 S E R A

TAURUS (APRIL. 20—MAY 20) T W O D O L L A R 6 E T T O R You're never going to get back the ten minutes you just spent reading this R E M S A O N E M A i N E paper. Might as well go home now. 1 R AH A P E S A B B E S S GEMINI (MAY 21—JUNE 21) SFLHBL A R E• A G E If you don't know what a bengoshi is, you're never passing the bar. T H R E E L E G G E D R A C E H E A R| T A L A N • o R A L CANCER (JUNE 22—JULY 22) E R N 1 E S A 1 D A 1 R S The love of your life is waiting for you at Josephine Lounge. N O T E S • * O N A1 D A T E LEO (JULY 23—AUG.. 22) No means no. Unless the question was "Would you like more tequila?" and then no means "Hell no."

VIRGO (AUG. 23—SEPT. 22) Avoid stripes. Hearsay LIBRA (SEPT. 23—OCT. 23) Function: noun You ju st might be funnier than those Microsoft-Seinfeld commercials. 1 : e vidence based not on a statement not made under oath But not by much. 2 : hilarious statements made around GW Law

SCORPIO (OCT. 24—NOV. 21) Maybe a new hair color would help? Overheard in Computer Crimes: "I don't want to startle SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22—DEC. 21) you, but if you go online you can, in fact, find gambling and You think you have a handle on your first semester, but you wonder if all pornography." the studying will be worth it in the end. It won't be. Overheard in the hard lounge: "Sometimes in class, I'm CAPRICORN (DEC. 22—JAN. 19) Dammit, and here you thought Bloc Party was the coolest thing since tempted to say 'Five points for Gryffindor!"' - Dean's Fellow skinny jeans... Overheard in Forensic Science: "You wouldn't expect to AQUARIUS (JAN. 20—FEB. 18) find cauliflowers in the pubic region. You wouldn't expect to Don't be afraid to try something new this weekend. It will find most vegetables in the pubic region." lead to money and happiness. And a felony arrest.

PISCES (FEB. 19—MARCH 20) We hear there might be an opening for a Giants' quarterback later this Hear something funny in class or around the law football season. You should look into that. school? Email Hearsay at [email protected]