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Sunday Mini-Column:
California’s State Lawyers Have Discovered The Perils Of Going To The Office
California’s state government lawyers have apparently discovered a new occupational hazard: going to the office. Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered many state employees back four days a week. For most Californians, that is called having a job. But the union representing state attorneys has responded exactly as you would expect a union full of government lawyers to respond: by filing complaints. Lots of them. According to The Sacramento Bee, the union has filed about 15 unfair labor practice charges since July over return-to-office policies.
And now we get to the really good part: the union says requiring these lawyers to work in their offices could put their bar licenses at risk. Come on. The argument is that some attorneys are sitting in cubicles where someone might overhear a confidential conversation. Fine. That is a problem to solve. Give them access to a private office. Reserve a conference room. Find a quiet place to make the call. Lawyers managed to protect confidential information for a very long time before Zoom, Teams and working from home became normal.
But apparently California’s state lawyers are different. Put them in a cubicle and suddenly the entire concept of attorney-client privilege is hanging by a thread. The union’s general counsel actually argues that the state is putting its lawyers in a position where they could commit unethical conduct simply by showing up for work. Apparently lowering your voice, closing a door or moving somewhere private is now beyond the capabilities of people who passed the California Bar Exam. Naturally, the solution is not simply to fix legitimate workplace issues and get back to work. No. These are government lawyers. So we get grievances, bargaining demands, unfair labor practice charges and arguments over whether management can require employees to come to the office at all.
Here is the simpler answer: fix any real confidentiality problems, then report to work. Private-sector lawyers somehow manage to practice law in office buildings every day without losing their licenses. If California’s state attorneys cannot do the same, perhaps we have identified the real problem. We have too many state lawyers.
SEVEN COLUMNS AND A GREAT VIDEO BELOW!
The Case For Fusionism For A Different America
One of the questions I get a lot from subscribers is about my political philosophy. I write a lot, and I think people are trying to understand the underpinnings behind my clarity on so many issues. This column is my humble effort to answer that very question. I hope that you find it useful as you do your own self-reflection on what you believe, and why.…
The California Education Establishment Has Been Hiding Failure
Our morning content is free for all subscribers and guests! Usually our afternoon content is behind a paywall… If you are not yet a paid subscriber, consider upgrading — you are missing a significant portion of what we produce each week, and your support makes it possible. If you want to get it all and support my efforts, please consider a paid subscription! There is significant exclusive content below the paywall, after this morning’s column.
Sacramento Says Build More Homes. Then Makes Them Harder To Build.
Our morning content is free for all subscribers and guests! Usually our afternoon content is behind a paywall… If you are not yet a paid subscriber, consider upgrading — you are missing a significant portion of what we produce each week, and your support makes it possible. If you want to get it all and support my efforts, please consider a paid subscription! There is significant exclusive content below the paywall, after this morning’s column.
The Next AI Crisis May Begin At Your Water District
Typically, our afternoon content is behind a paywall—or there is something extra for paid subscribers. If you are not one, please consider upgrading. You are missing a significant portion of what we produce each week, and your support makes it possible. If you want it all and want to support my efforts, please consider a paid subscription!
The Surveillance State Is Being Built One Camera At A Time
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Happy $40 Trillion National Debt Day — For Those Who Celebrate
So you didn't get any afternoon content from me yesterday because I messed up and only sent it to our 640 or so paid subscribers. So you are getting this as a third piece of content today, with my apologies!
Who Had The Worst Week In California Politics For The Week Ending 8/21
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But Wait… There’s More…
I have seven stories highlighted from this week, but there were more. Find them all here.
One Great Video
My friend Will Swaim, the CEO of the California Policy Center, walked through all of the ballot measures on the latest episode of the Epoch Times’ California Insider show. Unimprovable.
On This Day In History… In 1305…
THE EXECUTION OF WILLIAM WALLACE!
On August 23, 1305, Scottish resistance leader William Wallace was executed in London after being convicted of treason against England’s King Edward I. Wallace had become one of the central figures in Scotland’s struggle against English rule. In 1297, he and Andrew Moray led Scottish forces to a stunning victory over a larger English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Wallace was subsequently appointed Guardian of Scotland, governing in the name of the absent Scottish king, John Balliol.
His fortunes changed the following year when Edward I defeated the Scots at the Battle of Falkirk. Wallace eventually gave up his position as Guardian but continued resisting English domination. After years as a fugitive, he was captured near Glasgow in August 1305 and transported to London. Wallace rejected the charge of treason, reportedly arguing that he could not have betrayed Edward because he had never sworn allegiance to him.
It did not matter. Wallace was sentenced to the brutal punishment reserved for traitors: hanging, drawing and quartering. He was executed on August 23. His head was displayed on London Bridge, while parts of his body were sent to several Scottish cities as a warning. Instead, Wallace became a martyr — and an enduring symbol of Scottish independence.
One of the best movies of all time was the film adaptation of the life of William Wallace — the movie Braveheart. If you haven’t seen in — well then stop what you are doing and rectify this glaring omission in your movie viewing history right away. In the meantime, below is the clip from the movie that shows the execution of Wallace.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Jon