Opinion

Panting legal wimps

It's a fair bet that for 90 of its 119 years Newcastle Courthouse was without air-conditioning. It's a cert that not on any day of those 90 years did any of the lawyers, magistrates, judges and staff carry on as they did on a couple of days this week when the air-conditioner packed it in. On Tuesday, for example, they talked of conditions being beyond tolerable, they threatened to strike, they threatened picket lines at the courthouse entrances, they called for the Attorney-General's head, they threatened to call in a WorkCover investigation into working conditions, and they invoked the feared Occupational Health and Safety Act. That was after they removed their coats and robes, turned the fans up to max and mopped their brow. Sure, they couldn't open the windows, as they did in the pre-air-con days, but, hey, the maximum temperature in Newcastle on this day, Tuesday, was a mild 25 degrees.

Rumpole would have thundered on but not our panting, wailing wimps. Should we blame an enfeebling of the general population or is the enfeebling confined to the legal fraternity? And do you have any good lawyer jokes?

Posted By: Jeff Corbett on 9/12/2009 4:24:00 PM | Comments (56)

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Jeff - now YOU are trolling! That aside, why do lab technicians now use lawyers instead of rats? There are some things even a rat won't do.

Posted by Sir Peter Hawkington-Smyth-Harpic-Riverstone IVth SC AO MBE KCMG GCMG, 10/12/2009 9:00:42 AM, on The Herald

[Caveat : my closest and only mate is a lawyer]. Would the ANZACS have whined? Most people have become lazy, whining, 'woe is me', 'somebody else's fault' wimps. It seems that one of the last havens of intellectual rigour and creative thought (the legal fraternity) has fallen victim to this malaise. A shame really ~ there just doesn't seem to be a new generation of interesting, colourful, exciting characters in Newcastle to replace the delightfully eccentric and intelligent personalities of our recent past (eg Godfrey Tanner). Can anyone envisage any of the current crop of legal eagles / doctors / politicians storming through the halls of bureaucracy, commerce or academia, roaring with indignation at how flaccid we have all become? No. It seems the intelligentsia has all but died. God forbid we should rely on medicos for any worthwhile intellectual engagement. Why don't sharks bite lawyers? Professional courtesy.

Posted by Abundance, 10/12/2009 9:20:28 AM, on The Herald

What's the difference between a lawyer and a catfish? One's a bottom dwelling scum-sucker and other one's a fish. I think some people just have this sense of entitlement that blinds them from reality. Be thankful you HAVE aircon on the days that it's working and on the days that its not, well, its just a taste of what's in store for you isn't it.

Posted by Hot as Hell, 10/12/2009 9:20:56 AM, on The Herald

Lawyer in Newcastle Court: "It's hot as hell in here!" Observer: "Well I guess you would know."

Posted by Jaded, 10/12/2009 10:03:22 AM, on The Herald

do you know how hard it is to keep a straight face when your mascara is running? Better watch your words when you start picking on professional wordsmiths?

Posted by notashrink, 10/12/2009 10:20:58 AM, on The Herald

Hmm. An oldie- what do you call 12 Lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start. As I sit here and try to visualise Newcastle's Legal Fraternity parading outside the Court, in the hot sun in a protest, wigs and robes correctly worn, along with fob watches, striped pants, cuff links and black shiny shoes, my mind rejects the visualisation. They will probably repair to the Businessmen s Club and circle the foyer, scotch in hand, monogrammed kit bag in the other. This whole thing must be a Donald McKinnon Geddes carry over legacy. Good one Don.

Posted by MizJasper, 10/12/2009 10:35:58 AM, on The Herald

Here's a couple of jokes for you Jeff, lets just hope this isn't defamation because they are sweating as we speak.... 1) What do Lawyers use for birth control?..... Their personalities ! 2) What is the difference between a Lawyer and Gigolo?..... A Gigolo only screws one person at a time! 3) How do you get a group of Lawyers to smile for a photograph?..... Just say FEES! 4) What is the difference between a Lawyer and an angry rhinoceros?...... The Lawyer charges more! And here is my favourite just for you Jeff......"Sshhh, don't tell anyone". 4) What can a Goose do that a Duck can't and a Lawyer should.... Stick his bill up his Ar$e! ha, ha, ha, ha.. I think you would be quiet suprised to know that one of Newcastles leading Lawyers is a Comedian after his days working hours.. A very funny man.

Posted by The Real Tough Titties, 10/12/2009 11:05:46 AM, on The Herald

You have to remember that these rooms are enclosed, no access to any air in the building. That these rooms are packed to the rafters with magistrates, court staff, media, defendants, general public and lawyers. We all know the hot air that comes from media dont we. That would heat up the room by 5 degrees on any day. Then add lawyers to that. But easier to throw stones from your air-condition office at the Newcastle herald then actually going 200 metres up the road and checking your facts. Facts, yes something you may of forgotten about in your journalistic career.

Posted by CJ Supporter, 10/12/2009 11:07:59 AM, on The Herald

CJ CJ, you shouldn't take it so hard! Perk up a little.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 10/12/2009 11:31:32 AM

I'll swap jobs with them, I would ban legal aid and start handing out tougher penalties to everybody that fronts me in court. Real sentences, no parole. Murder, rape, kiddy fiddlers jail for life untill the day they die. Then it would be hot in court, just like my kitchen.

Posted by Chef Dude, 10/12/2009 11:09:33 AM, on The Herald

CJ ~ surely facts can be dispensed with for today?.....

Posted by Abundance, 10/12/2009 11:27:02 AM, on The Herald

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Q: Was Herald columnist Jeff Corbett out of line to label Newcastle Courthouse staff complaining about broken air-conditioning ``wimps'' and ``precious diddums''?

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Poll Date: 10 December, 2009