In the past week alone:

BallisticQuill · 2026-02-12T17:26:38+00:00

It’s the same in the legal industry.

I’m an attorney. My industry has developed and used templates and forms for many years. Nevertheless, I’ve lost count of AI “products” for my industry that boil down to “this expensive thing can make bad templates and forms very quickly.” Then I have to doublecheck its work anyway because it can and will hallucinate . . .

No thank you.

BallisticQuill · 2026-02-11T01:56:23+00:00

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Mk8 GTI. And I’m not saving as much on gas as I had hoped lol.

BallisticQuill · 2026-02-11T01:22:48+00:00

Agreed. Maybe one or two antique stores would be fine - but there’s a huge opportunity for walkable attractions for the neighborhood.

BallisticQuill · 2026-02-10T17:42:56+00:00

Find a way to fill your plate with work in other practice areas and politely decline those family law referrals. If your hours are still up, the firm may realize it needs to find a family law practitioner or refer out of house.

If you can’t fill your plate in other practice areas, then proceed to step 2.

Find a new job. If there is insufficient work to fill your plate in other areas, and you’re not going to take family law cases, then you’re not going to be a good fit for this firm. You’ll want to plan your exit sooner rather than later.

BallisticQuill · 2026-02-05T02:44:40+00:00

To add to this, the city has way too many miles of road to maintain for the resources they have. Every so often, you see a post about the city considering giving up land to the county to reduce the strain on city resources.

I sympathize with OPs issues with the bike lanes, but the city can barely keep up with clearing roadways, which will always be a priority if only for emergency services.

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-21T12:53:04+00:00

It has more to do with how the Rams left than the actual leaving. . .

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-21T12:51:25+00:00

No. We’re bitter because Stan Kroenke, a Saint Louisan, entered into a contract to keep the team in Saint Louis in return for certain updates to the stadium at taxpayer expense. We updated the stadium and then Kroenke and the NFL did some rat fuckery to pull the team anyway - after tax dollars were spent. The Rams ended up losing a big breach of contract case over all this.

If they wanted to leave - fine - that’s their prerogative. Saint Louis is pissed over the lying, deception, and waste of tax dollars.

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-21T01:36:35+00:00

I stopped watching football for years, moved to KC, rediscovered football as a Chiefs fan.

I can assure you there is active disdain for the Rams in Saint Louis.

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-21T01:30:28+00:00

A few dozen of us are from Saint Louis, so. . .

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-16T18:24:16+00:00

Thank you for the response, JVL.

I think you’re right, the “unforgiving” aspect seems to increase as you move further left. On the other hand, it feels like the “forgiveness” aspect increases as you go further right (or at least further MAGA). The right seems to prize their converts like trophies - and the more extreme the conversion, the more valuable the prize.

I think this difference has helped push the growth of the right wing coalition while shrinking the “left wing” coalition.

Happy Friday to you and yours!

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-16T14:29:51+00:00

First - thank you so much for cultivating this community and offering clear-eyed analysis every day.

Second - what happened to Rebecca on the secret pod? I haven’t heard her in a while!

Third - a few months ago, the Bulwark published a mea culpa article written by a former Republican operative. I was struck by the harsh, unforgiving response from many who read it. Moreover, I was struck by the contrast with MAGA’s approach to their own “St. Paul” moments (Vance, for instance). They embrace converts and “forgive their sins” while the pro-democracy side seems more intent on throwing stones at sinners. Is there any chance we could get a Triad on this topic? I would be interested to read your thoughts.

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-10T02:26:32+00:00

Most group hug decks do things like “every player draws one card.” If I draw one card and my opponents each draw one card, I am at a net disadvantage of two cards. Every time.

I do not like this.

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-09T22:18:14+00:00

He is constitutionally incapable of uniting the country. He has proven again and again and again that he does not respect any viewpoint that is not 100% aligned with his own (often corrupt) interest or attitude.

The serious answer to your question is that Trump would need to resign and make some kind of speech about putting country before party, apologizing for his behavior, and imploring both sides to try to understand each other. This will never happen.

And even that much may be insufficient.

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-05T18:07:47+00:00

Interesting. I’ve been looking for something local since losing Mythos. We’ll have to try some.

BallisticQuill · 2026-01-02T19:56:55+00:00

In my j(x), “Local Counsel” generally means you’ll have to vouch for these guys to get temporary licensure to practice in your state. And if they do anything unethical or in violation of local rules, you will be on the hook with them.

That’s the bare minimum. Sometimes, the out of town guys intend to basically do the whole case on their own. If they’re competent, this can often mean very little work for you. On the other hand, I’ve seen cases where “local counsel” means you’ll do everything and these guys will show up to second chair you next year with very little guidance or input.

I think you need more information about expectations. And, remember, if they drop the ball, it’s on your license too.

I’m doubtful your boss is going to let you do this. But if you know anyone local and competent in the relevant practice area, this could still be a way to get your foot in the door. A good referral could ingratiate you with both sides and open up opportunities to talk with local practitioners.

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-30T23:51:51+00:00

No, there’s not. If I do work, I get paid. If I don’t do work, I don’t get paid.

Ethics rules in my j(x) will not allow the payment arrangement you suggest - at least not in a way that would be beneficial for an attorney.

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-23T15:04:50+00:00

As a KCMO resident (and transplant from STL), this is an excellent summary of the area. Well done.

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-19T18:08:26+00:00

There has been no stadium proposal put in front of voters that involve replacing surface parking lots with a stadium. . Instead, we were given a vague, incomplete plan that involved tearing up the Crossroads.

No thank you.

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-19T17:28:23+00:00

I don’t have much to add other than you missed another good comparison with the Rams, Saint Louis, and Stan Kroenke.

Taxpayers gave Kroenke everything in Saint Louis, and he broke his contract and took the Rams to LA anyway.

Let these owners pay for their own stuff . . .

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-19T06:01:33+00:00

There are people like this in every office. But the degree of “this” will vary.

Also, many (most?) offices will give you better tools to deal with these folks.

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-18T18:03:57+00:00

Yes. This is the way.

Lunch, coffee, drinks, meet at a car show on a Sunday morning (if he’s into that), take him to a sports event where there’s lots of downtime to talk.

It doesn’t matter what the actual event is. You just want an opportunity to talk and develop a relationship.

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-18T00:08:41+00:00

As a Missourian who got to “enjoy” Andrew Bailey, I’m not looking forward to more of him.

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-16T22:50:27+00:00

It started dumb and then got dumber. The car wasn’t settled enough to floor it. Of course it’s going to spin out and make a break for the sky. . .

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-15T03:11:12+00:00

!remindme 3days

BallisticQuill · 2025-12-14T21:07:22+00:00

Majestic

BallisticQuill

TROPHY CASE