July 1, 2011 nº 1,060 - Vol. 9
"If moderation is a fault then indifference is a crime."
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
In today's Law Firm Marketing, Copywriting lessons from a bra store!
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Poland set to take over EU presidency
Poland is to take over the rotating presidency of the EU for the first time since it joined the bloc in 2004. Its priorities for the six-month term include building relations with the EU's eastern and southern neighbors, and encouraging economic growth. It also says it wants to promote further EU enlargement. Prime Minister Donald Tusk is hoping that the EU presidency will boost his Civic Platform party and help it retain power in national elections in October. Poland wants to portray itself as a regional power with ideas worth heeding, with perhaps chief among them a focus on the bloc's eastern neighbors. It hopes an "Eastern Partnership" summit in September gathering leaders from the EU and six former Soviet nations will give the initiative new impetus, and wants to conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement with Ukraine.
DOJ appeals bankruptcy ruling striking down federal same-sex marriage ban
The US DOJ - Department of Justice filed an appeal in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Monday contesting a bankruptcy court ruling that the DOMA - Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. DOMA is a federal law barring same-sex marriage, even if it is legalized in a state. The DOJ previously declared that it would no longer defend the constitutionality of Section 3 of DOMA, which defines marriage for federal purposes as a legal union between one man and one woman, in court cases challenging the provision. Assistant US Trustee Jill Sturtevant, who had earlier attempted to dismiss the joint filing, stated that they were appealing to give Congress a chance to "weigh in" on the constitutionality of DOMA. Earlier this year, House Speaker John Boehner announced that he was launching a legal advisory group to defend DOMA. Boehner declined to defend DOMA in this case, deciding it was not worth the resources to overturn a bankruptcy decision. In an event for gay pride on Wednesday night, President Barack Obama reinforced that the DOJ was not defending DOMA in court and that he had fulfilled every promise he made to the LGBT community.
Ethics, politics and the law
The court cannot maintain its legitimacy as guardian of the rule of law when justices behave like politicians. Yet, in several instances, justices acted in ways that weakened the court's reputation for being independent and impartial. Justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito Jr., for example, appeared at political events. That kind of activity makes it less likely that the court's decisions will be accepted as nonpartisan judgments. Part of the problem is that the justices are not bound by an ethics code. At the very least, the court should make itself subject to the code of conduct that applies to the rest of the federal judiciary. Among the court's 82 rulings this term, 16 were 5-to-4 decisions. Of those, 10 were split along ideological lines, with justice Anthony Kennedy supplying the fifth conservative vote. These rulings reveal the court's fundamental inclination to the right, with the conservative majority further expanding the ability of the wealthy to prevail in electoral politics and the prerogatives of businesses against the interests of consumers and workers. The framers of the Constitution envisioned law as having authority apart from politics. They gave justices life tenure so they would be free to upset the powerful and have no need to cultivate political support. Our legal system was designed to set law apart from politics precisely because they are so closely tied. Constitutional law is political because it results from choices rooted in fundamental social concepts like liberty and property. When the court deals with social policy decisions, the law it shapes is inescapably political — which is why decisions split along ideological lines are so easily dismissed as partisan. The justices must address doubts about the court's legitimacy by making themselves accountable to the code of conduct. That would make their rulings more likely to be seen as separate from politics and, as a result, convincing as law.
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1 - The veil behind the wheel in Saudi Arabia - click here.
2 - Oracle demands $2.6bn from Google - click here.
3 - Court blocks Sandra Torres bid for Guatemala presidency - click here.
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Hu warns communists on corruption
Hu Jintao warns China's communists that corruption could cost them the support of the people, as the party marks its 90th anniversary.
China raises income tax threshold
China has decided to raise the level at which people start paying income tax. The standing committee of the National People's Congress is lifting the threshold from 2,000 yuan ($309) to 3,500 yuan a month. The official Xinhua news agency said the committee had decided against a previous suggestion of 3,000 yuan after a strong online response from citizens.
China suppressing lawyers pursuing human rights cases
The Chinese government has implemented measures aimed at suppressing lawyers pursuing human rights cases, AI - Amnesty International reported Thursday. The report, entitled "Against the Law: Crackdown on China's Human Rights Lawyers Deepens," presents evidence that human rights lawyers have increasingly had their licenses revoked or suspended and have faced harassment and torture in some cases. The government has reportedly targeted lawyers who take on land rights conflicts and freedom of religion and expression issues. Chinese lawyers and law firms undergo "annual assessments" which, the government claims, are conducted by independent lawyers associations.
Copywriting lessons i realized while relaxing in a bra store
by Tom Trush
Just before dinner last Friday, my wife suggested an activity that had far less appeal than the basketball game I planned on watching that evening.
She needed new soccer shoes and wanted to know if I was interested in going to the mall.
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy trips out with my wife and kids. But when given a choice between watching my beloved Sun Devils play in the second round of the Pac-10 tournament or going shopping, the comfort of my couch will win almost every time.
Last Friday was one of those rare exceptions.
Fortunately, our first stop at the sporting goods store was fast. My wife found her soccer shoes within minutes.
But as we walked away from the checkout lane, I noticed we headed in the opposite direction of the exit.
My wife had visions of another shopping success.
Like a marathon runner who sees the finish line in the distance, she picked up the pace as we rushed off to a new destination... the bra store.
Partially clothed mannequins greeted our arrival, and I immediately realized I was out of my element. So I took the stroller with my 11-month-old son, found a chair, and sat down to observe the action.
To my surprise, I noticed several copywriting lessons.
First, the sales lady gave my wife plenty of time to explain her situation.
A common theme in copywriting -- as originally introduced by Robert Collier -- is that you must enter the conversation that's already going on in your prospect's head. In this case, the sales lady allowed my wife to reveal that conversation.
Then, she presented a solution that was specific to my wife's problem.
Some companies are so busy touting their products or services as the greatest ever developed that they ignore prospects' problems. Therefore, the text turns into a self-serving "me" message.
Next, the sales lady established herself as an authority by demonstrating her knowledge of the subject. She explained (in enough detail that the words seemed foreign to me) how this new bra matched my wife's needs.
As Zig Ziglar says, "If people like you, they'll listen to you. But if they trust you, they'll do business with you." Presenting information in an educational format goes a long way in developing trust.
In this case, the sales lady built enough trust that my wife followed her to the back of the store for a customized fitting.
While they were gone, I began scanning the store. What I noticed was the usual attention-grabbing signs screaming phrases such as "50% Off," "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" and "Sale." They drew my attention to certain displays -- similar to what subheads can do for your writing.
When my wife returned from her fitting, she was ready to buy. That's when the sales lady revealed one last piece of information.
Since my wife had two bras, she was told she could get a third one at no charge.
This unexpected value is what you should strive to present in your writing. By over-delivering in your content, you'll make your marketing message memorable. What's more, you increase the chances of prospects sharing your information with other people.
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© Trey Ryder
FREE LAWYER MARKETING ALERT: If you'd like to receive Trey Ryder's weekly Lawyer Marketing Alert, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Write "Subscribe LMA" in the subject line and write your name and e-mail address in the body of the message.
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Acuerdo
Panamá firmó este jueves el acuerdo de doble tributación con Francia, en un acto que se realizó en el Salón Bolívar, del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. Por parte de Francia, el acuerdo fue firmado por el embajador de ese país en Panamá, Hugues Goisbault.
Banco
El banco canadiense Scotiabank adquirió al fondo Advent y sus socios minoritarios el 60% de las acciones ordinarias del Banco Comercial en Uruguay -el Estado a través del Ministerio de Economía mantiene el 40% de acciones preferidas-, extraoficialmente se estima que la transacción fue por US$ 240 mlls.
Biodiesel
La china Noble planea invertir US$ 50 mlls. en la construcción de una unidad de biodiesel en Argentina. La planta se ubicará en las cercanías de la localidad de Timbres, en la provincia de Santa Fe, donde la compañía ya cuenta con una fábrica de aceites en la que invirtió US$ 300 mlls. desde 2006.
Brazil's Pao de Acucar merger creates value
Plans to combine Brazil's two biggest retailers via a complex asset and stock swap will bring great benefits to shareholders and consumers. A BNDES-sponsored proposal this week to merge Brazil's Grupo Pao de Acucar and the Brazilian operations of France's Carrefour is justified by the potential jobs and profits it could create.
Greece budget vote: A Pyrrhic victory
Greece has set the austerity course - but it's tough to navigate and a costly victory for PM George Papandreou. The problem for Papandreou is not in parliament. It is what is happening outside parliament: not in Syntagma Square, which is just a few hundred protesters, but with the whole of Greece's 11 million people." The majority of the Greek people are unconvinced by a plan dictated by outsiders. In almost every conversation I have had on the streets the same view emerges: Greeks believe the bankers caused the crisis and that they, the ordinary people, are picking up the bill. The narrative may be flawed, but it won't easily disappear. Under Greece's bail-out programme – fast-track implementation of which was approved on Thursday – some €50bn of privatisation revenues are expected by 2015. The long list of possible disposals includes stakes in state utilities, concessions to operate airports and ports, and leases on state property and real estate for tourist development. However, setting ambitious targets for privatisation proceeds will be much easier than achieving them. The country is divided. The opposition has said clearly that austerity is strangling growth and without growth there is no way that Greece can pay down its debts, if at all. The mood will darken as unemployment rises. Last year 400,000 jobs were lost.
'Doubts' over Strauss-Kahn case
News of the possible collapse of sexual assault charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn hit France on Friday morning like a whirlwind, upending political calculations, challenging moral assumptions and apparently vindicating supporters of the former head of the International Monetary Fund. The sex assault case against former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn appears to be in trouble amid reported concerns over the alleged victim's credibility. Law enforcement officials have told US media the accuser has repeatedly lied since the alleged attack on 14 May. The Guinean-born maid also appeared to have lied in her asylum application, officials reportedly said. Strauss-Kahn is due in court on Friday. His lawyers are expected to ask for his bail conditions to be relaxed. Any doubts about the credibility of the lead witness could spell doom for the case. Although investigators say they have obtained DNA from the hotel room, Strauss-Kahn's lawyers have said any intimate contact was consensual.
Strauss-Kahn Allies Predict his Return to Politics. Strauss-Kahn's allies said they were confident the French Socialist would return to politics after the sexual-assault case against the former International Monetary Fund chief appeared to be weakening.
Morocco votes on King Mohammed's reforms
Moroccans are going to the polls to vote on a series of constitutional amendments and reforms. The proposals, put forward by King Mohammed VI, would give the prime minister and parliament more power. Analysts say that he is widely expected to win the vote, though low turnout could spark demands for bolder changes. His reforms come in response to protests inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings, which ousted leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.
'Get sterilised, win a car' offer in Indian state
Health officials in the Indian state of Rajasthan are launching a new campaign to try reduce the high population growth in the area. They are encouraging men and women to volunteer for sterilization, and in return are offering a car and other prizes for those who come forward. Among the rewards on offer is the Indian-made Tata Nano - the world's cheapest car. Many in the government are worried about the size of India's population.It is expected to overtake that of China by 2030.
Security researchers discover 'indestructible' botnet
More than four million PCs have been enrolled in a botnet security experts say is almost "indestructible". The botnet, known as TDL, targets Windows PCs and is difficult to detect and shut down. Code that hijacks a PC hides in places security software rarely looks and the botnet is controlled using custom-made encryption. Security researchers said recent botnet shutdowns had made TDL's controllers harden it against investigation. The 4.5 million PCs have become victims over the last three months following the appearance of the fourth version of the TDL virus.
Federal judge allows Google Street View suit to proceed
A judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of California on Thursday rejected a motion by Google to dismiss class-action lawsuits under wiretapping laws. Judge James Ware denied Google's argument that when they collected information while creating their Street View feature, the information was freely and publicly available. Google collected private details transmitted on unencrypted wireless connections, but the company claims it was inadvertent. Ware did dismiss state claims, but allowed federal claims to go forward.
Former Khmer Rouge leader promises cooperation with genocide court
Former Khmer Rouge head of state, Khieu Samphan, on Thursday promised to reveal information about of the communist Khmer Rouge regime that governed Cambodia during the 1970s. Samphan told the ECCC - Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia that he would cooperate with the tribunal responsible for trying four former Khmer Rouge leaders. Samphan has repeatedly denied any involvement in the genocide, indicating in books and interviews that he was not responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Cambodian citizens.
UN rights chief criticizes China for not arresting Sudan president
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay criticized China on Thursday for welcoming Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir rather than arresting him to stand trial. Al-Bashir has been accused of crimes against humanity and genocide against Darfur tribal groups. Upon news of a scheduled visit with President Hu Jintao, China came under pressure from the international community to arrest al-Bashir but did not respond. The ICC - International Criminal Court, which issued the arrest warrant, has no police or authority to enforce it without cooperation from governments. Pillay said she was disappointed with China's failure to arrest al-Bashir and that every nation has a duty and responsibility to bring justice to those indicted by the court. China has not commented on the visit, although al-Bashir reportedly met a "red carpet" reception on Wednesday.
Vale SA approves plan to spend as much as $3bn on share repurchases
Vale SA, the world's largest iron-ore producer, said its board approved a plan to spend as much as $3bn to repurchase shares, joining BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group in returning capital to shareholders. The company plans to buy as many as 84.8 million common shares and 102.2 million preferred shares within a 180-day period, according to a regulatory filing yesterday.
Who is the mystery hamptons moneybags?
An ATM receipt left behind that showed a remaining balance of $99,864,731.94 is sparking speculation about who might keep so much in a savings account. The receipt, which appears to show a $400 cash withdrawal from a savings account plus a $2.75 ATM fee, was rumored to belong to the Appaloosa Management honcho David Tepper, who made billions during the housing collapse.
Can software practice law?
A lawsuit claims LegalZoom's do-it-yourself online legal document service is practicing without a license. Is legal self-help software illegal? Wouldn't it be great if there was a Web site that could help regular folks draw up their own legal documents the way TurboTax helps them do their own tax returns? Well, the good news is that such services do exist—and have existed for some time. The problematic news is that a federal class action suit claims they're illegal, at least in Missouri. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that LegalZoom, a do-it-yourself online legal document service that launched in 2001 and was co-founded by O.J. Simpson lawyer Robert L. Shapiro, is engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. The case asks whether, under Missouri law, LegalZoom's server-based decision-tree software is providing services that really ought to be performed only by chin-stroking counselors-at-law licensed by the Missouri state bar.
Thousands of imprisoned crack cocaine offenders could be released early under new sentencing law
Federal prisoners serving crack cocaine-related sentences will be eligible for early release as a result of a U.S. Sentencing Commission decision.
Venezuelan leader treated for cancer
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
Baby Einstein creators question research again
Arab News, Pro-government, Jidda, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Body of missing Taif boy found
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England
US, EU warn against Libyan arms flow to Al-Qaeda
Egyptian Gazette, English-language, Cairo, Egypt
Case against Strauss-Kahn 'near collapse'
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
Tunisians take pride in Arab spring slogans, humor
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel
Haniyeh: Reconciliation is progressing despite delays
Ma'an News Agency, Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories
Russia and China renew rejection of any condemnation against Syria
Sana, Syrian Arab News Agency, Damascus, Syria
Magnitude 5.4 quake hits central Japan, 7 injured
Times of Oman, English-language daily, Muscat, Oman
Mobile harbour unloading vessels could be a reality
Times of Oman Business, English-language daily, Muscat, Oman
Prices skyrocket as fuel and power crisis sores across Yemen
Yemen Observer, Sana'a, Republic of Yemen
Go for British staff, firms urged
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Maid's credibility questioned in Strauss-Kahn case
CNN International, London, England
Sabotaged ship quits Gaza flotilla
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England
Gold to go: Britain's first ever money machine which dispenses not sweets but pure GOLD
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Strauss-Kahn prosecutors said to doubt his accuser
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France
Strauss-Kahn Inquiry: Assault case against IMF chief 'near collapse'
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
US presses for opposition dialogue with Assad, report says
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Warm welcome for Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada
Independent The, London, England
Sberbank trades depositary receipts in London
Moscow News The, Independent, Moscow, Russia
Clinton warns Belarus, Syria over crackdown on dissent
Radio Free Europe, Prague, Czech Republic
100,000 terminally ill 'do not get proper palliative care'
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
Emma Watson: The fashion world can be savage and cruel
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England
Hendra virus outbreak occurs in Australia
WNC News, London, England
Suu Kyi to travel for first time since release
Antara News, News agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
Suthep: Dems have right to form govt
Bangkok Post, Independent, Bangkok, Thailand
Japan business confidence tumbles after disaster
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Patents Bill won't pass before election: Curran, Finlayson
Computer World, IT information, Fairfax, New Zealand
Outgoing US defence chief weighs toll of war
Daily Jang, Left-wing daily, Karachi, Pakistan
One killed in landmine blast in Dera Bugti
Dawn, English-language daily, Karachi, Pakistan
Talk of drift, corruption is propaganda: Manmohan
indu The, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
NATO helicopters end Kabul hotel siege, 10 killed
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India
Punjab asks schools to ban leather shoes
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Golden Kings re-sign McHenry
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Dominique Strauss Kahn to reappear in court
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Outgoing US defence chief weighs toll of war
News The, Left-wing, Karachi, Pakistan
11 dead as Kandahar clashes enter 2nd day
Pajhwok Afghan News, (Independent news agency), Kabul, Afghanistan
Deforestation worsens in Amazon
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
SD officials weigh next action on abortion law
Sify News, Chennai, India
Danes restrict use of death penalty drug
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
South Korea: South Korea-EU free trade agreement takes effect
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
CBI books former oil regulator
Thaindian News, Bangkok, Thailand
UK manufacturing PMI hits 21-month low
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
Russia to supply nuclear submarine to India-RIA
Times of India, Conservative, New Delhi, India
Dominican Republic Police reveals chilling figures
Dominican Today, Independent daily, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Why the monarchy (sigh) still survives in Canada
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Oil slips as China manufacturing slows, IEA sales eyed
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S
Education, health: JLP outscores PNP
Jamaica Gleaner, Independent daily, Kingston, Jamaica
Chavez reveals cancer surgery
Newser, News web site, Chicago, U.S
Female passenger in van that killed officer says 'sorry'
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
'Doubts' over Strauss-Kahn case
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
CONGO: Chikungunya spreads to Pool region
Irin News, Humanitarian news and analysis, Nairobi, Kenya
International community urged to toughen policy on Sudan
Sudan Tribune, Khartoum, Sudan
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