Randy Barnhart

This is Exciting: The Digital Public Library of America

In early December of last year, Professor Robert Darnton of Harvard University was interviewed by Rhys Tranter, a PhD candidate at Cardiff University. Darnton warned that "commercial interests are exploiting digital technology in order to fence off large parts of our cultural commons," but that the Digital Public Library of America is "an answer to that threat."

To the question, how does the Digital Library of America compare with the idea of a Digital Republic of Learning, Darnton replied in a way which should excite everyone. To him, the Digital Public Library of America is more than a gleam in his eye and no mere utopian dream. The Library is taking shape now and may emerge fully fledged by 2020. The general idea for the Library is "to make available, free of charge, the cultural heritage of our great research libraries," but in a non-commercial way, unlike Google's book project, which has been tangled up in the courts over copyright.

Money, of course, is necessary, but Darnton stated that major American foundations "are enthusiastically supporting this idea." As for the technology, the Library is working with computer scientists who say that "this is not even difficult, they can design the infrastructure for this new library." Of course, "digital" means that it will be a "distributed system," not some colossal structure rivaling the Pentagon. Indeed, it won't be one big database, either, but a system of linked databases "scattered all over the United States in a way to make them perfectly compatible: the user won’t even know where the book, or the pamphlet or the manuscript is located."

The first "beta" will or should be available by April of 2013. As with Google, copyright will be an issue, but over 2 million books already in the public domain and in special collections in many heretofore inaccessible research libraries will be made available.

Darnton says that the Digital Library project has the best law school professors working on the copyright issue, devising legal strategies to deal with it in order to make "at least some of these copyrighted books available" to all readers. In "ten years, we will have a library greater than the Library of Congress, which is the largest library in the world, available free of charge to everyone." This is exciting!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing All A Festive Season

Wishing All a Festive Thanksgiving Day 2011

The Firm Salutes All Veterans on 11/11/11

September 11 - Ten Years Ago & Today

Memory Honor Fortitude

Book - PTSD and Our National Responsibility

Yesterday, our country celebrated the Memorial Day Holiday.  And, three weeks ago the American people celebrated the U.S. military forces that apprehended and destroyed a symbol of terrorism linked to 911 – Osama Bin Ladin.  During our barbecues commemorating our fallen veterans and during our celebrations of our military victories, we should also be cognizant of the hidden costs to the deployment of U.S. troops to combat areas abroad.  In 2010, Mr. Dave Phillips was one of three finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for his series, Casualties of War which was published in the Colorado Gazette in 2009.  Phillips is a Colorado Springs native who completed a masters degree from Columbia University and joined the staff of the newspaper in 2003.  An impetus for Mr. Phillips’ work began with a sharp spike in the crime rate in Colorado Springs which appeared to be linked to soldiers at Fort Carson returning from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Phillips began to research the stories of 10 returning veterans who had been members of an army unit at Fort Carson, the “Band of Brothers,” that was made famous in World War II by their bravery on D-Day and by their implacable resistance to the Nazi offensive at the Battle of the Bulge.  

via www.toplitigationblog.com

An excellent post by a Denver law firm with some great lawyers...

The book, Lethal Warriors, can be found here and here. 

Memorial Day 2011 - The Firm Remembers

"John Basilone (November 4, 1916 – February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II.  He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the purple heart, Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. He served three years in the United States Army with duty in the Philippines before joining the Marine Corps in 1940.

After attending training, Basilone deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Solomon Islands and eventually to Guadalcanal where he held off 3,000 Japanese troops after his 15-member unit was reduced to two other men. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima, after which he was posthumously honored with the Navy Cross. He has received many honors including being the namesake for streets, military locations and a United States Navy destroyer."

wikipedia

 

COLORADO TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION - 14th Annual Spring Dinner

Thursday, May 12, 2011
Denver Marriott City Center
1701 California Street

Cocktail reception begins at 5 p.m. Dinner, awards and keynote speaker start at 6 p.m.

T.R. Reid - KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Reid has become one of the nation’s best-known correspondents through his coverage of global affairs for The Washington Post, his books and documentary films, and his light-hearted commentaries on National Public Radio.  His most recent book, “The Healing of America,” became a national best-seller as it lays bare the moral question at the heart of our troubled system, dissecting the misleading rhetoric surrounding the health care debate.

More info here.

The firm is a Gold Sponsor of this year's Spring Dinner.

Thanks - Navy SEALS

The firm gratefully acknowledges the courage and commitment of the NAVY SEALS. Their ethos is quoted below:

My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day. My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own. I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations. I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me - my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete. We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend. Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.

 

Tribute: US District Judge Roll

U.S. District Judge John M. Roll
Named Arizona's chief federal judge in 2006, Roll won wide acclaim for a career as a respected jurist and as a leader who had pushed to beef up the court's strained bench to handle a growing number of border crime-related cases.

"I have never met a more sincere ... fair-minded, brilliant federal judge or any judge for that matter in my whole life." - Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik

via today.msnbc.msn.com

Merry Christmas 2010

Happy T-Day to All - 2010

photo © 2007 Dave | more info (via: Wylio)The firm wishes all good people a warm and happy Thanksgiving.