This is going to be an odd post, and I hope not out of line.

[tblue37]

During the Zimmerman trial, someone posted a link here to lawyer Frederick Leatherman’s blog:

http://frederickleatherman.com

I have found Leatherman’s legal analyses and the readers’ comments on the blog concerning the Zimmerman trial (and other trials in which serious injustice seems to have been committed) to be informative and helpful.

I don’t know anything about Leatherman himself, either as a person or as a lawyer, but I very much appreciate his analysis of these cases and of various legal issues.

I noticed on his most recent post concerning the Michael Dunn murder trial that his plea for contributions sounded a bit desperate. I have contributed as much as I can, but I don’t make very much, and I try to support a variety of worthwhile causes and people.

I believe that we progressives often do less than RWers to financially support those who labor for our causes. No doubt a lot of that is simply because the RW side has more well off and more obscenely wealthy folks, and a lot of us simply cannot afford to contribute money, or if we can, we have to be very selective about whom we give our limited funds to.

But even our rich guys tend not to offer anywhere near the level of financial support the RW’s super-rich offer to their pet causes and people.

Since I was directed to Leatherman’s blog by way of a DU post, I think maybe he has some readers here. My purpose for this OP is to suggest that those who can afford to do so and who like to read his blog might want to toss $5 or $10 his way to help him keep it going.

[tblue37]

1. I still would kind of like people to see this post. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Why would a freaking attorney need hand outs?

He is a lawyer, let him practice for a living.

[tblue37]

4. Actually, though I know nothing about this guy, I have been reading several recent

books about law schools and lawyers.

Apparently half of all lawyers cannot get work, while those who do make piddling salaries for the most part, which are not enooough to help them manage their very high student loan debts.

Meanwhile, except for a few at the top (the legal profession's version of the 1%), even the "middle class" in law firms are getting squeezed and destroyed. They are pushed out, even after officially making partner, or they, along with associates who have not yet made partner, are forced to pile up more and more billable hours to carry the richies at the top, who do little work but still feel entitled to almost all of the firms' income.

Seriously, you should read Failing Law Schools, Don't Go to Law School, and other such books. People think law school, followed by employment in a law firm, is still a viable career path, but in fact it has become a scam for most, trapping them in deep, deep debt with little hope of actually earning a living in the legal field.

[Isoldeblue]

3. That was the main site I used

before, during and after the trial. Glad to see someone else appreciate him. I had recommended it to someone last year, in answer to a question, but I don't think it was you.

I agree we need to support more if we can.

[okaawhatever]

5. He liveblogs court cases of interest and answers questions submitted by readers. He keeps people

informed of trials that matter to the 99%. He is a former law professor and is trying to educate the masses. The contributions are actually to keep the service he provides alive. He has almost one thousand posts and surely that represents a lot of court room time and effort. I was unfamiliar with him and his work, but it's important so I'll pb & j it for dinner and donate. I hope others that find his service useful will do the same.

[tblue37]

6. I also find the comments informative. Not all, of course--but many regular commenters on

his site are incredibly smart and well-informed.

He did a great job (as did his commenters) on the Zimmerman and Kelly Thomas trials.