#De Facto Lawyers

[rich-info]

The Unsung Heroes of Justice: De Facto Lawyers Making a Difference

Introduction

In the world of law and justice, there are many unsung heroes who quietly work behind the scenes, making a profound impact on the lives of individuals and communities. Among these hidden gems are the de facto lawyers, individuals who, while not officially licensed attorneys, play a crucial role in ensuring access to justice and protecting the rights of those in need. In this article, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of de facto lawyers and shed light on the positive impact they have on society.

What Are De Facto Lawyers?

De facto lawyers, also known as "lay advocates" or "non-lawyer advocates," are individuals who provide legal assistance and support to those who cannot afford the services of a licensed attorney. These dedicated professionals may not have a formal legal education or a law degree, but they possess a deep understanding of legal processes and a genuine commitment to helping others navigate the complexities of the legal system.

The Positive Impact of De Facto Lawyers

Bridging the Access to Justice Gap

One of the most significant contributions of de facto lawyers is their role in bridging the access to justice gap. In many parts of the world, access to legal representation is limited, and individuals with legal needs often find themselves at a disadvantage. De facto lawyers step in to fill this void, ensuring that even the most vulnerable in society have a voice in the legal system.

Empowering Individuals

De facto lawyers empower individuals by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for themselves effectively. They educate clients about their rights, offer guidance on legal procedures, and assist with paperwork, all of which help individuals make informed decisions and take control of their legal matters.

Reducing Legal Costs

The high cost of legal services can be a barrier for many people seeking justice. De facto lawyers often provide their services at little to no cost, making legal assistance more accessible to those who cannot afford traditional legal representation. This helps level the playing field and ensures that justice is not dependent on one's financial status.

Community Building

De facto lawyers are often deeply embedded in their communities, and their work extends beyond individual cases. They help build stronger, more resilient communities by promoting legal awareness, advocating for local issues, and fostering a sense of solidarity among community members. In this way, they contribute to social cohesion and community well-being.

Advocating for Social Change

De facto lawyers are not just passive observers of the legal system; they actively participate in advocating for social change. They often work on issues like human rights, housing, workers' rights, and environmental justice, using their knowledge and passion to make a positive impact on society.

Challenges Faced by De Facto Lawyers

Despite their remarkable contributions, de facto lawyers face several challenges. They may lack legal training, which can limit their ability to provide the best possible assistance. Additionally, they often operate in a legal gray area, which can lead to misunderstandings or legal disputes. However, their unwavering commitment to justice and their communities often outweigh these obstacles.

Conclusion

De facto lawyers are the unsung heroes of the legal world, dedicated to making the principles of justice and equality accessible to all. They may not have formal legal degrees, but they possess a wealth of knowledge, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose. Their work in bridging the access to justice gap, empowering individuals, reducing legal costs, building communities, and advocating for social change deserves our admiration and respect.

As we celebrate the positive impact of de facto lawyers, it is essential to recognize and support their efforts. Whether through legal aid organizations or community initiatives, we can ensure that these unsung heroes continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve, and in the broader pursuit of a fair and just society.

[jimmyspades]

No one is doing found family trope like them… my best friends from Boston Legal…

[havenlegalco01]

De Facto Lawyers Melbourne

Our family lawyer in Melbourne contributes to a combined experience of 30 years of family law on board our team. Haven Legal Co is a reputable law firm that treats every situation with delicacy and understanding while working to achieve the best possible results for our clients. Our team is always ready to help whether you are on the verge of separating, have decided to separate or to finalise the divorce or separation legally. De Facto Lawyers Melbourne

[phillipsgreenassociates]

Legal Guardianship: Identifying The Best Child Custody Lawyer

Phillips Green & Associates stands out as a light of competence and compassion when it comes to legal guardianship and the search for the best child custody lawyer. The firm's dedication to ensuring a child's well-being during custody battles is unrivalled. Phillips Green & Associates stands out as a trusted brand in the convoluted web of family law, famous for its competent legal assistance and uncompromising devotion to its clients' interests. Recognising the importance of this critical position, the company guarantees that each attorney reflects not just legal prowess but also sensitivity and a thorough grasp of the complexities of custody disputes. Please contact us for additional details!

[familymediationbrisbane]

Navigating Family Conflict with Family Mediation in Brisbane

Family disputes can be emotionally draining and complex, making it challenging to find a resolution that works for everyone involved. In these situations, family mediation offers a constructive and effective way to address conflicts, reduce tension, and work towards a solution that benefits all parties. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of family mediation Brisbane, shedding light on its benefits and how it can help families in our beautiful city find common ground.

Why Family Mediation?

Family mediation is a voluntary process where an impartial third party, known as a mediator, assists family members in resolving disputes and reaching mutually agreeable solutions. In Brisbane, family mediation has gained prominence as a powerful alternative to traditional litigation for various reasons.

Preserving Relationships:

One of the most significant advantages of family mediation is its ability to preserve relationships. Unlike courtroom battles, mediation aims to promote understanding, communication, and cooperation. This approach helps family members maintain respect and compassion for one another, which is particularly vital when there are children involved.

Cost-Effective:

Litigation can be financially burdensome, often stretching family resources thin. Family mediation is a cost-effective alternative, reducing legal fees and court-related expenses. Families can work together to find solutions without the hefty price tag associated with traditional legal proceedings.

Confidentiality:

Mediation sessions are confidential, ensuring that sensitive family matters remain private. This privacy encourages open and honest conversations, allowing family members to discuss their concerns and needs without the fear of public exposure.

Customized Solutions:

Mediation empowers families to create unique solutions tailored to their specific circumstances. The mediator helps guide the process, but the final decisions are made by the family members involved, ensuring that the outcomes align with their preferences and needs.

Family Mediation in Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is home to a diverse population, and as a result, family dynamics and conflicts vary greatly. Family mediation services in Brisbane cater to this diversity by offering specialized mediation processes for different family issues. Here are some common areas where family mediation can be incredibly valuable in our city:

Separation and Divorce Mediation:

Family mediation in Brisbane helps separating couples navigate the complexities of divorce or separation, including the division of assets, child custody, and visitation arrangements. The process fosters cooperation and understanding during this challenging period, making it easier for both parties to move forward.

Parenting Plans:

Mediation is an excellent tool for developing parenting plans after separation. Parents can collaborate with a mediator to create a comprehensive plan that addresses the best interests of the children and meets their unique needs.

Inheritance and Estate Disputes:

Family mediation can help resolve conflicts related to inheritance, wills, and estate distribution. This is especially important in a city like Brisbane, where cultural diversity can lead to differences in expectations and traditions regarding inheritances.

Family Business Disputes:

Family businesses are prevalent in Brisbane, and conflicts within these enterprises can be highly sensitive. Mediation offers a way to address these disputes while protecting the family's reputation and business interests.

Finding a Family Mediator in Brisbane

If you're considering family mediation in Brisbane, it's essential to find a qualified and experienced mediator who understands the nuances of family dynamics. You can search for accredited family mediators in Brisbane through local directories, professional organizations, or referrals from legal experts.

Conclusion

Family mediation in Brisbane is a valuable resource for families facing a wide range of conflicts. It offers a compassionate and constructive approach to resolving disputes while preserving relationships, reducing costs, and ensuring confidentiality. By choosing family mediation, families in Brisbane can find common ground and work together to build a more harmonious future.

[ourfamilylawlawyer]

Family Law Specialists in Ellenbrook: Your Family's Best Advocates

Ellenbrook Family Law - Your Trusted Family Lawyers! Are you seeking expert legal guidance for sensitive family matters? Look no further! Our team of the best family lawyers in Ellenbrook specializes in consent order family law, prenuptial agreements, and de facto relationships. With years of experience, we provide compassionate and professional support to navigate through any family legal issue. Whether it's divorce, child custody, property settlements, or spousal support, we have you covered. Rest assured that your case will be handled with utmost care and confidentiality. Contact our experienced Family Lawyers Ellenbrook today for personalized solutions to protect your family's future.

[pony32099]

 Guo Wengui was convicted of fraud in the United States and used followers to maintain luxury

 On July 16,2024, Guo Wengui (aka Miles Guo), who has been in the United States for many years, was convicted of defrauding thousands of people of more than $1 billion in a Manhattan court in New York.

 Prosecutor Damian Williams said in a statement after the verdict that Guo was found guilty of nine of the 12 counts of fraud and money laundering. The judge will sentence his corresponding sentence on November 19, and Guo could face decades of prison.

 Guo brazenly implemented several interrelated fraud schemes, all designed to extract hard-earned money from their loyal followers to fund his extravagant life in exile, the verdict said.

 After the verdict was read, Guo smiled at his legal team in court and dozens of supporters, then turned and hugged lawyer Sabrina Shrove and shook hands with other members of the defense team, CNN reported.

Guo Wengui, 57, was the de facto controller of Henan Yuda Investment Co. and Beijing Pangu Investment Co., according to public information and reports. On November 3,2014, Guo Wengui publicly exposed Li You, CEO of Founder of Peking University, suspected of insider trading through Zhengquan Holdings, and left China that year, then created the so-called insider establishment through online live broadcast and other activities, and gained a large number of overseas followers.

 According to the US investigation, Guo raised more than $1 billion from his online fans between 2018 and 2023, publicly claiming to invest in his business and cryptocurrency plans, but actually used as a "personal piggy bank."

 In 2021, three companies associated with Guo, including GTV, paid $539 million to settle allegations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over illegal stock offerings. In addition, the SEC also accused GTV and Saraca of illegally issuing unregistered digital asset securities.

 According to prosecutors, Mr.Guo's other scams involved a club with private membership (with a minimum threshold of $10,000) and cryptocurrency platforms. In addition, the U. S. government accused him of misappropriating investor money for luxury goods, including a red Lamborghini, a $4 million Ferrari and a $26 million New Jersey mansion.

 Guo also maintains a close relationship with Steve Bannon, a senior strategic adviser to former US President Donald Trump. Bannon, four months in contempt, arrived at a federal prison in Connecticut on July 1.

In closing arguments in Guo's case, prosecutors told the jury that Guo had paid Bannon $1 million in plans to improve his reputation in the United States.

[havenlegalco01]

De facto lawyers melbourne

De facto relationships get the same rights as married couples, so having lawyers in Melbourne is crucial if you separate. Our lawyers at Haven Legal Co have assisted de facto couples for many years. This makes us one of the most reliable and experienced law firms in the area. We are known for genuinely caring about our clients by representing and guiding them the best way we can. De facto lawyers melbourne

[batboyblog]

I think there are some people who were too young during Trump's presidency to be fully aware of the ways he was harmful, destructive, or disturbing. Could you post some bad stuff he did as a reminder to people (especially the younger ones) about how high the stakes are? Thanks!

Definitely something to think about. I've mostly tried to focus on saying positives from the Biden administration, because I feel like that gets lost? Its easy to point out that Trump is a Rapist and a Racist and oh yeah also a criminal and a lot of people have been drawing attention to his de facto platform and plan for his second President the Project 2025

so I've wanted to mostly focus on the positive case for Biden not just the negative case against Biden

but yeah you do have a point, I think there are a lot of first time voters who were in middle school or early high school and not awake to the Trump Presidency, particularly before the nightmare year of 2020, if you're an 18 year old first time voter in 2024, you were 10 when Trump took office in 2017 and I wouldn't expect most ten year olds were paying attention to the total madness train wreck that was 2017

but also Trump is a human dumpster fire, his former adviser (now headed to jail) Steve Bannon called it "Flooding the Zone" you put out so much distraction the human mind can't focus, even I, someone who both was paying very close attention and who generally has a great memory for this kind of thing find myself remembering events and going "OH RIGHT! THAT!" like the craziness of the Muslim ban literally signed with-in 3 days of Trump taking office it unleashed total chaos you had lawyers literally jumping into their cars and going to the airport and setting up office on the floor trying to help people because there was no warning, no one knew the rules, Trump didn't even have a confirmed Attorney General and the acting AG a hold over from Obama refused to support it so he fired her and there just wasn't a top lawyer enforcement officer in the US... that was week one.

so yes I will look into maybe writing a history of the Trump President for the youth but also just to remind all of us of all the crazy shit that happened that the amount of crazy has forced us to forget.

[genquerdeer]

About writing-prompt-s drama:

There obviously IS a 'scam ring'. By that I mean the same scam ring we've been dealing with for years, regular tumblr bot farms now also pose as Palestinians refugees because those people are scum who will do anything for money. I've myself gotten asks from "Palestinians" clearly mass sent by a bot.

Idea that vetters are intentional scam ring is an insane racist conspiracy theory. However, they're all volunteers - they're not detectives, lawyers or anyone with formal training in recognizing e.g. forged documents or poking holes at made-up backstories.

Some scammers seem to have made it to vetted lists. This is either by slipping through the cracks, or by hacked accounts. Makes sense, an account that is vetted is a super prime target for a scammer. This is inevitable and de facto impossible to prevent in a crowdsourced approach. They're doing their best, but that just *improves* chances, not guarantees it.

A process that is 100% true would have to be centralized, slow, restrictive and would hurt more people that it would help. 1% of gfms being scammers is bad, but it's better than the alternative. If it really bothers you, you can just... donate to an accredited charity instead?

@writing-prompt-s accused 90-ghost of being a scammer on a post that had nothing to do with him nor was written by him. Bullshit I say. Mere *existence* of actual scammers doesn't absolve him one fucking bit.

[ignitedminds27]

NEW ARTICLE‼️‼️

Translation:

Liam Payne’s father handed over the key evidence to the Justice system to charge Rogelio Nores for the singer’s death.

The American psychiatrist who treated the former One Direction member warned Rogelio Nores in an email that mixing the antidepressant Zoloft with alcohol could be fatal. The victim’s family has filed a lawsuit. A key court hearing is set to determine the case’s future.

In his meetings with the Argentine justice system, Geoff Payne, Liam Payne’s father, provided the key piece of evidence to build the case against businessman Rogelio Nores, who has been charged by prosecutor Andrés Madrea with abandonment leading to death, as well as the provision of narcotics. The evidence is an email dated September 16 of this year, included in the charges filed by prosecutor Madrea, who is tasked with clarifying the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death. The incident occurred a month later when Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur hotel on Costa Rica Street in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. He landed on the cement base of a garden umbrella, fracturing the base of his skull, an injury that ultimately caused his death.

Liam had started drinking whiskey at 6 a.m. that day, according to the reconstruction by investigators based on information retrieved from hotel records. He later drank champagne with prostitutes from the Buenos Aires localities of El Talar and Isidro Casanova, whom he had invited to his room, had sex with, and then caused a minor scene in the lobby for refusing to pay them. He consumed cocaine throughout the day; the toxicological analysis conducted by the Supreme Court’s Forensic Medical Corps revealed drug metabolites indicating consumption at least two hours before his death. The drug was found in his urine, blood, gastric contents, and nasal cavities. The toxicological analysis also revealed another substance: sertraline, a powerful antidepressant marketed in the United States under the brand name Zoloft.

Sertraline, according to the toxicological report, was present in Liam’s blood and stomach contents at the time of his death. The consumption of alcohol combined with sertraline is strongly contraindicated; it can lead to hallucinations and even suicidal ideation.

The email provided by Geoff Payne to Prosecutor’s Office No. 34, led by Madrea, was written by the Miami-based neuropsychiatrist who had treated his son throughout the year. In the message, the neuropsychiatrist distanced herself from the treatment, stating that it was impossible to support Liam during his crises. She also warned that mixing sertraline with alcohol could be fatal.

The original recipient of that email, according to the Argentine justice system, was Rogelio Nores.

Infobae attempted to speak with Nores this week, as well as his defense lawyer. Both declined to comment. Meanwhile, sources very close to the businessman pointed out that Payne was “just a friend” whom he “had met years ago in England” and that he was simply accompanying him. Madrea suspects otherwise; he believes that Nores was not just a chaperone, but a de facto manager with an interest in Payne’s potential return to the stage. During his stay in Argentina, Nores accompanied Payne to a major five-star hotel in the Recoleta area, from which he was kicked out, then to an apartment on Armenia Street — which was raided by the authorities — later to a polo club, and finally to the CasaSur hotel, where Payne checked in just before midnight on October 13.

According to the accusation, Nores is said to have controlled Payne’s expenses, providing him with money to buy drugs and authorizing requests for whiskey and champagne reported by the hotel front desk, with “allowed days” for drinking and drug use, despite the strict instructions from the neuropsychiatrist. Furthermore, Nores is said to have acted as an intermediary in communication between Liam and his family.

Curiously, these sources close to Nores assert that the businessman met the specialist “once.”

Today, the Payne family is a complainant in the case, which is under the jurisdiction of Court No. 34, led by Laura Bruniard, and is represented by the Marval O’Farrell Mairal law firm, according to judicial sources. The case itself is at a standstill, which prevents, for example, Nores from being questioned, as well as Braian Paz and Ezequiel Pereyra, who are accused of supplying drugs to the former One Direction singer. This standstill is essentially due to the letter of the law.

[definitelynotafurinasimp]

"Difficult to please"

"Focalors with a reader that can switch bodies"

Characters: Focalors x gn!reader

warnings: none

a/n: The obvious things right away: I've never written for Focalors before nor do we have much information about her yet, so I wrote her mostly from my gut feeling after seeing her in the Fountaine trailer.

Anyway, I love Furina as you might have guessed by me changing my theme for her. She's such a little gremlin and her design is so beautiful. I can't wait to see her and how she changes (well, hopefully somewhat to the better at least) in the story.

I’m going to use “Focalors” and “Furina” interchangeably, since I’m 99.99% sure they’re the same person, but hey, if Hoyoverse somehow pulls a huge twist on us and I get it wrong it would also be kinda funny.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Focalors

To say that you were nothing more than a glorified babysitter for Fountaine’s Archon would have been a massive understatement. Once a young law student aspiring to one day become a judge, it didn’t take you long in your position as lawyer to attract the attention of your archon. Not in the “have a vision and beat up the bad guys” kind of way, however. Instead the weird clients you represented never failed to deliver her a somewhat entertaining spectacle, causing the Chief Justice to “volunteer” you as the Archon’s advisor… a role that, while sounding nice, de facto only had the responsibility of keeping her entertained enough to not sully any more court hearings than necessary with her cries of boredom.

When you found out about your powers to switch bodies, you knew better than to tell anyone other than your closest companions… especially Furina. While she got away with her attitude in her own body, you didn’t even want to fathom how many friends she’d be able to alienate or from how many shops she’d get you banned from if she did the same while running around in yours.

However, all of your hard work of keeping it a secret eventually turned out to be futile, as the Archon would eventually figure it out one way or another. After all, the reason she got so little done was not for a lack of ability, she simply didn’t care about most cases and delegated them to whatever judge crossed her path first, but when you began acting a bit stiff around her, the challenge of figuring the reason out was more than enough to keep her on your case.

If it weren’t for the fact that a small voice in your head worried about where to start a new life after having your entire image destroyed by the one currently occupying your body, you would have found the day in your Archon’s body amazing, you got to attend as many court cases as you wanted without anyone batting as much as an eye, got to have your first experiences as a judge and even didn’t have to pay for any of the most delicious food and drinks Fountaine got to offer. The stares you received from the other officials, probably wondering what could have happened for their notoriously difficult Archon to have such a good day, were a bit much at some times, but it was not like you were complaining.

“I want to change back!”, Focalors demanded the moment she stepped into her office, swinging the door behind her shut with as much force as she could muster and not even wincing in the slightest at how loud it was. Beelining towards the couch as she let herself fall onto it, letting out a groan of annoyance loud enough to make any bird sleeping outside fall out of its nest.

“Can’t handle being asked out all the time?”, you tried to crack a joke, knowing all too well that answering earnestly would only earn you a bored sigh.

“Ha!”, Furina let out a loud laugh before turning her face towards you. “Remind me to make you my court jester the next time we are in need of one”, she stated sarcastically before looking back at the ceiling. For your and Fountaine’s sakes however, you decided to disregard her order and to not to remind her of how she had just fired the last one for “being boring”.

“Aren’t you humans supposed to have interesting lives? What happened to ‘live every day like it's your last one’? Or is doing *this* what you all desire??”, she asked while extending her arms and wildly signaling into the air.

“What did you do all day?”, you asked, trying to sound as casual as possible even though your mind was starting to panic about what you might be greeted with tomorrow. But instead of answering your question, your Archon ignored you and continued to complain about how boring your life was, causing you to start worrying even more.

“I bet you loved this day, watching boring court cases, getting any food you desired for free, being asked for your opinion… eugh”, she let out yet another groan, making you wonder how easy it was for her to read you.

“Furina.”

“Anyway, I want my body back. So give it to me”, she continued to ignore you as she stated her earlier demand once again.

“What did you do while in my body, Furina?”, you asked one last time, grabbing both of her shoulders to force eye contact with her.

“You’ll probably have some explaining to do. I honestly want to see it all play out, it’s going to be the most entertainment I’ve had in months”, she answered off-handedly, causing you to bury your face in your palms as she continued on as if nothing happened.

“I’ll make you a judge as compensation, it’ll be a win-win. You’ll get to do what you always wanted to do and I may get one or two interesting hearings out of it”, Furina stated before pulling your hands away from your face and placing her forehead on yours, prompting the two of you to finally change bodies.

Yet, her offer caused you to feel even more conflicted than you already were. Finally, it was your time to let out a groan.

“That’s Nepotism.”

“I don’t care”, she responded bluntly, forcing you to use all your self control not to fall into the deep pit of hopelessness for your nation currently seeming to open in front of you. “Didn’t you want to become a judge?”

“Yes, but I want to earn it!”

What followed were a couple of seconds of silence before Furina turned around, walked over to a different couch, sat down, let out a long sigh and spoke a sentence so laced with irony that you didn’t know whether to cry or laugh at it.

“Fine. Geez, you’re so difficult to please.”

[mariacallous]

When I moved to Great Britain to study, I found the politics very exciting. The parliamentary system was different, so that new elections immediately led to new governments. The press was excellent but political, so that one could read the newspapers and be informed both of the facts and the sentiments. And, when reporting government policy, journalists always had an opposition voice to quote: members of the "shadow cabinet."

Like so much else in British public life, the institution of the shadow cabinet was unfamiliar to me, but I soon grew to appreciate and admire it. The "cabinet," of course, was the assembly of government ministers, led in Britain by the prime minister. The party in opposition (the Labour Party when I arrived in Britain in 1991) appointed its own leading members to "shadow" each government minister, including the prime minister.

Shadow meant follow. The shadow ministers "shadowed" the actual ministers, in the sense of following their every move, criticizing policy and offering alternatives. Importantly, the shadow minister was always available to offer commentary to the press on his or her area of expertise. This greatly enriched public life. At any point a journalist, and thus the public, had access to an alternative point of view, one which was both pertinently expert and politically relevant. Shadow ministers did not always become real ministers after the next elections, but often they did.

Four years ago today, Donald Trump led an attempt to overthrow a democratic election and thereby undo our constitutional system. In two weeks, the same man will be inaugurated president of the United States, this time with a centibillionaire as the unelected de facto head of government and with anti-qualified anti-patriots as his cabinet nominees. What to do? People talk about resistance, and about opposition. What forms should these take? I have written elsewhere about what citizens can do. Leading politicians of the opposition party, the Democratic Party in the United States, have a special responsibility, and also special opportunities. One of these is to form a shadow cabinet. I want to join the voices of those advocating for this. (Here I am speaking for the idea on television a few weeks ago.)

In Great Britain, the shadow cabinet represents "the loyal opposition." The loyalty in question is to the state and to its head, the monarch. In the United States, a "loyal opposition" would be loyal to our Constitution — and, indeed, that could be the basis of its activity. We face the unusual situation of a government -- a president and his cabinet -- who seem indifferent to the rule of law itself. By beginning from the principle that we have a government of laws, not men, a shadow cabinet would reinforce the American way of politics. It would be a very good thing to have a constitutional lawyer or two on the shadow cabinet.

And a shadow cabinet would remind us of how much better things can be. The regular reactions of its members to Musk-Trump would flow from different sense of politics and policy. That is material that the press needs, and that we all need. As Trump and his cabinet undertake their unpredictable whorl of destructive policy, journalists and others will be at a loss as to what to say. The worse things get, the harder it is to think of an alternative. As time goes by, the chaos of Musk-Trump might seem like the only possible reality. That, of course, will be the goal of the new regime: to persuade us that government just means dysfunctionality, spectacle, and repression. At every moment, members of the shadow government can remind us what government could instead be doing, positively, for the people. They are there to remind us that a better America is always possible.

Under Musk-Trump, every attempt will be made to make oligarchy, rule by the wealthy few, seem normal. The deeds of billionaires will be justified by the very fact that they are billionaires. Their own rise to the top of American politics will be celebrated as the success of everyone. Musk’s basic idea is that we should all suffer and thank him for our suffering. A shadow cabinet will help here as well. Simply by virtue of not being oligarchic, shadow cabinet members remind us of the variety of Americans and the variety of their perspectives. Their proposals will show that we could act together on behalf of the interests of the people, broadly conceived. Oligarchy is incompatible with democracy, and a shadow cabinet will remind is of the difference.

Trump and Musk admire and emulate foreign dictators and fascists. Under Musk-Trump, we will be told daily that authoritarians are better than elected leaders, and that far-right parties should be in power everywhere. Trump admires Putin and Xi and Kim Jong-Un, but both China and Russia have deep problems, not to speak of North Korea. The far-right leaders Musk supports in around the world have disastrous programs. There is no reason for the United States to be following the lead of foreign failures and foreign fascists. A shadow cabinet will remind us of this. Members of a shadow cabinet, simply by doing their jobs, will help us to see that there is nothing inevitable about government by the very rich and the very wrong.

The essential point is that a far better America is possible: not just better than oligarchy or dictatorship, but better than we can presently imagine. Members of a shadow cabinet would also represent that better America in their own persons. Trump's actual cabinet, even if some of his nominees are not confirmed, will be corrupt and incompetent on a truly historical scale. He had competent Republicans to choose from, and he neglected them. The Democrats have a huge amount of charismatic talent waiting in the wings. As members of a shadow cabinet, they would have a daily platform to show their stuff. They could also remind us what a cabinet is supposed to be: a form of service to the American people.

Having a shadow cabinet would help to establish a new, and better, rhythm to American politics. The shadow ministers would make politics a daily reality, but in a positive sense. As things stand, we obsess about elections, announce some kind of new era, and then wait to see what happens. This time around, waiting could be fatal. Even in the best of situations, this is not the best way to proceed. A shadow cabinet would change the way that politics in American works and feels. It would generate not just critique and warnings but new ideas and visions. It would mean that each coming election would be about improvement.

A shadow cabinet will also be of huge service to the press, as I noticed back in Britain. When the government does something outrageous, the government always gets to set the tone. It will be hard for journalists to be ready for every shocking moment. Without recourse to readily available political expertise, journalists will be reduced to writing that "critics say" or "critics counter." But what if "the critics" had names and faces and expertise and ambitions and political responsibility? Members of a shadow cabinet would be there to comment on all the Trump outrages, not just with expressions of outrage or hasty warnings, but with specific knowledge and plausible alternatives.

More than this -- the members of the shadow cabinet should assert themselves in the media environment. They should not wait for journalists to ask them; they should set the tone of the debates themselves. They should have a mass format by which they can not only sound the warning bells but get across their own positions and advance their own policies — podcasts, for example. A few of them will likely become very popular -- the Democrats have some fantastic communicators, including some (soon-to-be) former members of Biden's cabinet, members of Congress, and governors. The American Right now dominates the internet, in part because of how social media is organized, in part thanks to the big podcasts, in part thanks to Musk’s explicit bias on Twitter. A shadow cabinet could help re-establish balance here, while offering a different tone: one of creative solutions and citizen solidarity.

To be sure, there are some open questions. If we had such an institution in America, should we call it a "shadow cabinet" or something else? I use the term that is familiar from British (and other parliamentary) usage. Perhaps though it sounds too much like "deep state"? Do you have any better ideas (please leave them in the comment section)? Who should be on the shadow cabinet, and in what capacity? Should there be a shadow president or should that be left aside? In Britain, the leader of the main opposition party would become the prime minister if his or her party wins, but here we do not have a leader of the party in the same sense. So who should decide who is in the shadow cabinet (whatever we decide to call it)?

I raise these questions not because the problems are insuperable -- on the contrary, they could be addressed by a serious group of a few Democrats in a few days. Candidates to be chair of the DNC should be talking about how this could be done. I mention the relevant issues because I believe this institution of opposition is something that Americans need and deserve. Only a minority voted for Trump. Harris’s policies, not Trump’s, were more popular. No one voted for Musk, and he is now the leading figure in American politics.

We are facing a moment when much will change for the worse, not just in policy, but in the structure of politics itself. We need to be imagining a better America. Some of this work can be done by individuals with ideas and by activists with organizations. But an essential part of this labor must be done by leading politicians through institutions -- old and new, borrowed and improved.

Great Britain, my home for a few years in the early 1990s, has passed through some rough periods since then, especially since the Brexit referendum of 2016, which led to a depressing departure from the European Union. That referendum was an event very much like the first election of Donald Trump: at the same moment, unexpected, internet-driven, supported by Russia. But Britain, of course, always had a shadow cabinet. There was always, at the darkest and dumbest of times, an alternative team. Over there, in the United Kingdom, that alternative team, much of what was once a shadow cabinet, is now in power. That system can work. We should try it.

[canarybell]

De facto partnership

…De facto partnership.

In Metatron’s words, ”I've been looking back over a number of your... previous exploits, and I see that in quite a few of them you formed a de facto partnership with the demon Crowley”.

You know, English is not my first language, and I’m not a lawyer at any point, so I just was thinking “Yeah, this is about Aziraphale and Crowley basically being in relationship unknowingly for Heaven”. But today I decided to google it. And turned out, this term actually has at least two meanings??

I mean, the first one is something I expected, more or less:

A de facto relationship is a relationship between two people who are together as a couple, but who aren’t married or in a civil union.

But the second one?

A de facto partnership, sometimes called an “Ad Hoc Partnership”, is an informal business arrangement between two or more parties.

Business arrangement. Arrangement.

And we know that for some time aziracrow tried to position their Arrangement and their relationship as a purely business transaction.

And well, by the time of S2E6 Aziracrow being “together”, be it in romantic or any other way, has been a secret for no one for four years. And it is definitely not a secret for Heaven at that point. It doesn’t exactly needs “looking back”, you can just ask Uriel about them.

But by implying he knows about the Arrangement, Metatron is all but confirms that he indeed looked back over Aziraphale’s files – you know, the same way Michael did in S1. And he looked through them carefully.

What else he could see? I don’t know. But there is at least one thing that potentially could get into these files undetected – at least at first. One thing that both Aziraphale and Crowley gravely need to keep a secret from Heaven and Hell if they want to survive.

You know. The secret behind them surviving in the end of season 1.

And there is a possibility that Heaven (or at least Metatron) already know everything.

[ultimatelawyerakire]

(ask from @taxidermist-hecate )

“h-hello. my names hecate. i’m… new here. tozu told me you’d become a de facto leader, and i should talk to you.”

*she hands him a packet of sour straws*

“d’you want some? for some reason, they were still in my coat pocket when i arrived here. they might be a bit soggy though, i woke up in water in the boiler room…”

“Oh, another new classmate? It’s very nice to meet you, Ms. Hecate. And I’m Wolfgang Akire, the Ultimate Lawyer. Here’s my card, in case you’d want it.

…and I’ll take one. Thank you very much.”