International Law in My Court?

The debate continues...

Today, the Washington Post ran a story on two recent Supreme Court decisions on the role of foreign law in the U.S. court system. The Court ruled yesterday that foreign law doesn't apply for those convicted of gun charges abroad, but does apply when citizens try to screw foreign governments out of tax money. Hmmm, let's see if I get this right. Foreign violent crime convictions not okay in courts, white collar crime is.

Although, living in Kazakhstan, I can understand the doubt our courts would place on criminal convictions from foreign courts when so many are used as politician's weapons. But then why allow them at all?

These rulings, on the heels of the Court's ruling in Roper v. Simmons, based largely on international law, are certainly not the last of the debate on the role of foreign law and international law in our courts. (Click here for Dahlia Lithwick's take on Roper...)

Talking Turkey

I'm planning a trip to Turkey in May and while doing some research online I came across this wonderful website - Tom Brosnahan's Turkey Travel Planner. Tom has written Turkey travel guides for Lonely Planet and Frommer's. In addition to his suggestions, there are great discussion boards on hotels, food, beaches, books, etc.

Great way to get advice from other travelers and find interesting things to do and see that may not be covered in your standard travel guides.

I still have no idea where we're going to stay, but somehow I don't think it will matter much. Can't wait to get there!

The juggling begins

Two years ago I took a leave of absence from law school and moved to Central Asia. It has been, without a doubt, one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I've been to crazy places, met insane people and did it all with my best friend: my husband.

Now, we are getting ready to return to the States and I'm preparing for 2L. There's registration (Evidence, Tax, Corporations, Con Law II, Islamic Law, Laws of Terrorism, Crim Justice, etc.), there's the Law Fellow position I was just accepted for, early interview week for which I am woefully unprepared and then law review. And of course keeping up my freelance work. I know I do well when there is alot on my plate, but I am wondering how I am actually going to manage all of this?

Oh and I forgot, we need to find a place to live, reregister our cars, buy cell phones, get our stuff out of storage, try to fit all of our carpets into a 600 square foot place (b/c that's all we'll be able to afford...)

I suppose planning a wedding and moving half way around the world after 1L was comparable. But surfing bridal sites as a break from studying always seemed like my guilty pleasure, not a job!

Regardless, it is going to be fun to be a student again. There is just something so refreshing about being in a place where people are excited about ideas -- where teachers and students go to talks not because they have to or because they'll meet the right contacts, but because they are simply interested ...

In the footsteps of Tocqueville

In the May 2005 issue of Atlantic Montly, Bernard Henri Levy follows in the footsteps of Alexis de Tocqueville with a fantastic account of American life through foreign eyes. He traveled across America, from the Baseball Hall of Fame to the Mall of America and provides poignant insights on facts of life we consider common -- for example, the ubiquitous nature of the American Flag.

He spends time with politicians, prison wardens and local civic leaders -- it is an expansive look at what we call America and a great read.

Alumni Travel Programs

The other day I visited William & Mary's web page to register with the alumni society. I noticed a "travel" link on their page and discovered that they provide extensive travel programs available to W&M alums.

An interesting way to see the world & catch up with old friends! Sure beats stuffy 10 year reunions...

Death in Iraq

When I logged onto the Washington Post this morning my eyes were drawn to a beautiful young woman who was pictured siting with an Iraqi woman and child. I skimmed the caption, expecting to read a style-like story on aid workers in the war-torn country. Instead, I learned of another suicide bombing, another attack, another death...

This time, it was Marla Ruzicka, a 28 year old Californian who by her own sheer will and tenacity brought millions of dollars of aid money into Iraq and Afghanistan to help vicitims of the war. Those who knew her commented on her love of life, her giggle, her amazing ability to do serious work in a serious place and maintain a cheerful disposition on life.

Her last words were, "I'm alive."

There is no doubt that throughout her short life, she did live.

Introducing...

Welcome to my blog!

So, I've been trying to figure out how to introduce my new blog, The Road Less Traveled. Before I get to the "what" and the "whys" let me explain the title.

One of my absolute favorite poems is Robert Frost's Road Less Traveled. The image of standing in the middle of the woods, at a fork in the road, is one that I've often thought about when faced with tough decisions. Down one path is the easy way, following in the footsteps of those who have gone before, with little risk ahead. The other, overgrown with brush and trees, is unknown -- dangers lurk around every corner and success isn't guaranteed. Which to choose?

For me, that unpaved winding road has been the one upon which I've found a world of adventure.

This blog will primarily cover subjects I write about: travel, politics, legal issues and foreign affairs. I hope to provide information on off-the-beaten trail adventures, people doing extraordinary things with their lives, and the virtue of taking risks. On the legal side, I'll post on interesting legal developments both at home and abroad, legal education and my own search for a way to combine a legal career and a sane life.

While travel and the law may seem like odd bedfellows, they are my two passions and I find that in both, not following the crowd is the way to go.

So to kick off my blog, here's to Robert Frost and the his Road Less Traveled.

ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth

Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference

Robert Frost