Author: TSA Press

Set
your
mind
back
to
November
4,
2024,
one
day
before
the
presidential
election.

I
know. That’s
hard.

Imagine
that
you
were
about
to
vote
for
Donald
Trump
for
president.

I
know. That’s
even
harder.

But
if
we
can
do
time
travel,
then
surely
we
can
adopt
the
mindset
of
the
77
million
people
who
chose
to
vote
for
Trump
about
15
months
ago.

If,
on
November
4,
you’d
been
able
to
see
the
future,
would
you
have
cast
your
ballot
the
same
way?

If
you
had
known
that,
upon
taking
office,
Trump
would
immediately
pardon
1,600
of
the
January
6
rioters,
would
that
have
made
a
difference
to
you?

Suppose
you
had
known
that
Trump
would
support
the
idea
of
setting
up
a
“compensation
fund”
to
reimburse
the
rioters
who
had
lost
income
or
paid
fines
because
of
their
conduct? Still
voting
for
Trump?

Suppose
you
had
known
that
Trump
was
going
to
fire 17
inspectors
general on
his
fifth
day
in
office
in
his
second
term?
That’s
an
awful
lot
of
lawlessness.
Do
I
have
you
yet?

Suppose
you
knew
that,
as
part
of
his
crackdown
on
illegal
immigrants,
Trump
would
have
thousands
of
masked
federal
agents
storming
around
American
cities,
and
those
agents
would
have
shot
(and
killed)
some
American
citizens? Is
the
name
“Kamala
Harris”
starting
to
sound
acceptable?

Suppose
you
knew
that
Russia’s
rate
of
drone
and
missile
attacks
on
Ukraine
would
increase
for
the
first
year
Trump
was
in
office,
rather
than
drop
to
zero
because
Trump
had
ended
the
war
on
his
first
day
in
office,
as
he
promised?

Suppose
you
knew
that,
after
Trump
had
been
in
office
for
a
year,
the
inflation
rate
would
be
essentially
the
same
as
it
had
been
when
Trump
was
campaigning
on
the
promise
of
reducing
the
rate
of
inflation
“very
quickly“?

Or
suppose
you’re
a
supporter
of
Palestine,
living
in
Michigan,
and
your
vote
helped
Trump
to
win
that
state
in
2024. Suppose
you
were
figuring
no
one
could
be
as
bad
for
your
cause
as
Joe
Biden
had
been. Are
you
still
voting
for
Trump
despite
what
you’ve
seen
happen
for
the
last
year?

Suppose
you
knew
that
Trump
would
have
approved
airstrikes
or
bombing
operations
in
seven
foreign
countries
during
his
first
year
in
office? Does
that
conflict
with
your
“America
first”
priorities?

Suppose
you
knew
that
tariffs
would
have
jumped
from
about
2.5%
(on
average)
to
about
18%
(on
average)
during
Trump’s
first
year?

That
Trump
would
have
threatened
to
invade
Greenland,
prompting
our
NATO
allies
to
send
troops
to
the
country
to
help
defend
it
in
case
of
American
attack?

That
the
value
of
the
dollar
would
have
crashed
10%
against
the
euro
during
Trump’s
first
year
in
office?

That
the
United
States
would
be
on
the
verge
of
losing
measles
elimination
status,
which
it
had
held
since
2000,
as
a
result
of
the
pockets
of
unvaccinated
people
around
the
country?

That
two
members
of
the
Federal
Reserve
Board
would
be
the
subject
of
federal
criminal
investigations?

That
Trump
would
sue
his
own
government
—
the
IRS
—
for
$10
billion
in
damages
supposedly
inflicted
on
Trump
when
his
income
tax
records
had
been
leaked
during
his
first
term?

That
the
East
Wing
of
the
White
House
would
have
been
torn
down?

That
the
U.S.
economy
would
have
lost
68,000
manufacturing
jobs
during
Trump’s
first
12
months
in
office?

That
the
U.S.
Agency
for
International
Development
would
have
been
gutted,
and
thousands
of
people
would
have
died
as
a
result,
at
Trump’s
command?

That
the
National
Institutes
of
Health
would
have
been
gutted?

That
Trump
would
replace
the
board
of
the
Kennedy
Center
and
the
new
board
would
choose
to
rename
the
building
the
“Trump
–
Kennedy
Center”?

That
the
United
States
would
have
attacked,
without
showing
probable
cause
or
giving
warning,
boats
sailing
off
Venezuela,
killing
the
crew
members
on
board,
and
later
attacked
Venezuela
and
abducted
President
Nicolas
Maduro
without
congressional
approval?

Did
your
bingo
card
capture
all
these
thoughts?  

Or
are
you
gonna
need
a
bigger
card?

Was
your
wildest
imagination
wild
enough?

And,
last
but
not
least,
do
you
regret
your
vote?

C’mon.

A
little
bit?

Would
Kamala
Harris
really
have
been
this
bad?

---

Mark Herrmann spent
17
years
as
a
partner
at
a
leading
international
law
firm
and
later
oversaw
litigation,
compliance
and
employment
matters
at
a
large
international
company.
He
is
the
author
of The
Curmudgeon’s
Guide
to
Practicing
Law and Drug
and
Device
Product
Liability
Litigation
Strategy (affiliate
links).
You
can
reach
him
by
email
at [email protected].

Last
month,
the
Trump
administration
tried
to
minimize
Black
history
by
removing
plaques
honoring
people
enslaved
by
George
Washington.
Not
to
be
one-upped
by
the
federal
government,
the
effect
of
Florida’s
legislation
is
minimizing
Black
in
the
present
—
literally.
Florida
A&M
University
College
of
Law,
a
law
school
housed
in
a
historically
Black
college,
had
its
speech
chilled
as
they
tried
to
draw
attention
to
Black
History
Month
events.

Click
Orlando
has
coverage:

Aaliyah
Steward
says
she
is
in
her
final
year
at
Florida
A&M
University
College
of
Law,
and
she
has
encountered
obstacles
while
trying
to
promote
Black
History
Month
events
for
the
Black
Law
Students
Association.According
to
Steward,
certain
words
were
flagged
during
the
approval
process
for
event
flyers.

“It
was
‘black,’
‘affirmative
action,’
and
‘women’
as
well,”
Steward
said.
Steward
says
she
was
told
those
words
could
not
be
broadcast
or
published.

If
they
can’t
say
Black,
are
they
supposed
to
say
the
N-word
or
something?
Negro,
I
mean.

They
were
told
to
abbreviate
“Black
History
Month”
to
“B
History.”
Come
on,
man,
even
the
Trump
administration
still
lets
you
say

Black
History
Month.
If
things
were
slightly
normal,
the
school
would
have
just
told
the
students
to
go
ahead
with
the
flyers
and
wouldn’t
have
to
worry
about
funding
being
snatched
from
them;
instead,
the
school
rattled
on
about
how
important
it
is
to
stay
in
compliance
with
Senate
Bill
266
and
whatever
regulations
exist
to
make
adding
Black
to

the
list
of
words
you
can’t
say
on
television.

If
merely
seeing
the
word
Black
offends
your
sensibilities,
there’s
no
amount
of
“Don’t
Say
Black”
law-ing,

Kid
Rock
lip-syncing,
or

milk
chugging
that
can
prepare
you
for
the
real
world.

‘Black’
Banned
From
Flyers
For
FAMU
College
Of
Law
Black
History
Month
Event,
Student
Says
[Click
Orlando]

---

Chris
Williams
became
a
social
media
manager
and
assistant
editor
for
Above
the
Law
in
June
2021.
Prior
to
joining
the
staff,
he
moonlighted
as
a
minor
Memelord™
in
the
Facebook
group Law
School
Memes
for
Edgy
T14s
.
 He
endured
Missouri
long
enough
to
graduate
from
Washington
University
in
St.
Louis
School
of
Law.
He
is
a
former
boatbuilder
who
is
learning
to
swim, is
interested
in
critical
race
theory,
philosophy,
and
humor,
and
has
a
love
for
cycling
that
occasionally
annoys
his
peers.
You
can
reach
him
by
email
at [email protected]
and
by
tweet
at @WritesForRent.

• 
  Image
  Credits
  :
• 
  X@TheBMA_SA

Post
published
in:

Featured

Ed.
note:
Welcome
to
our
daily
feature, Quote
of
the
Day.

I
was
astonished.
I
have
never
seen
anything
like
that.
When
I
came
to
the
U.S.
attorney’s
office,
I
had
won
13
state
murder
prosecutions,
and
I
still
thought
I
had
such
a
slim
chance
of
getting
a
job
because
it
was
such
an
ultracompetitive
place.
Now
it’s
like,
‘If
you
ever
threw
a
pass,
do
you
want
to
be
a
quarterback?’

— Mark
Rotert,
a
former
federal
prosecutor
who
worked
as
a
U.S.
attorney
in
Chicago,
in
comments
given
to
the

Washington
Post,
concerning
the
Department
of
Justice
and
its
odd
recruiting
methods,
following
an
exodus
of
qualified
lawyers.
Rotert
recently
received
an
email
encouraging
former
prosecutors
to
apply
for
work,
and
asking
that
they
forward
the
recruiting
email
to
a
friend
(Rotert
was
one
of
those
friends).

---

Staci
Zaretsky is
the
managing
editor
of
Above
the
Law,
where
she’s
worked
since
2011.
She’d
love
to
hear
from
you,
so
please
feel
free
to email her
with
any
tips,
questions,
comments,
or
critiques.
You
can
follow
her
on Bluesky, X/Twitter,
and Threads, or
connect
with
her
on LinkedIn.

Cadwalader’s
planned
merger
with
Hogan
Lovells
was
supposed
to
be
a
stabilizing
moment.
The
kind
of
Biglaw
power
move
that
quiets
rumors
and
reassures
partners
that
everything
is

fine.
Instead,
it’s
become
the
latest
accelerant
in
their
partner
exodus.

The
newest
departures
are
significant.
Cadwalader
litigation
co-chairs
Philip
Iovieno
and
Nicholas
Gravante,
Jr.,
along
with
partners
Sean
O’Shea,
Michael
Petrella,
and
Matthew
Karlan
are
decamping
en
masse
for
Mintz.
That’s
because
the
merger
created
client
conflicts
that
couldn’t
be
papered
over,
and
the
lawyers
decided
their
clients’
interests
—
and
their
own
—
required
a
fast
exit.
“We
found
out
about
the
merger
on
December
18th
with
Hogan,
and
we
knew
there
was
a
conflict,”
Iovieno
said.
“We
worked
to
see
if
we
could
resolve
it,
but
there
was
nothing
we
could
do.
It
was
important
for
our
clients
for
us
to
move
swiftly
and
make
it
as
seamless
as
possible.”

Mintz,
for
its
part,
wasted
no
time
framing
the
move
as
a
major
win.
The
firm
said
the
group
will
establish
“a
powerful
new
vertical
at
Mintz,
combining
exceptional
trial
strength
with
a
standout
record
representing
technology,
healthcare,
retail,
and
food
and
beverage
clients.”
Iovieno
echoed
that
enthusiasm,
saying
the
group
was
looking
for
a
firm
“that
had
a
top-flight
litigation
and
trial
practice,”
and
that
Mintz
was
“in
a
position
to
support
us.”

Zooming
out,
this
isn’t
an
isolated
incident,
it’s
part
of
a
much
larger
pattern
that
Above
the
Law
has
been
documenting
for
months.
Long
before

the
Hogan
Lovells
merger
was
announced,
Cadwalader
was
already
leaking
partners.
As
we
reported
last
fall,

merger
momentum
was
building
precisely
because
the
firm’s
woes
were
deepening,
with

leadership
changes
and
exits
piling
up
as
rumors
swirled.
That
momentum
didn’t
stop
the
bleeding:
nearly
40
lawyers
jumped
ship
in
a

single
practice
group
raid,
and
the
firm
appointed
a
new
co-managing
partner
amid
what
could
politely
be
described
as
chaos.
Even
earlier,
litigators
were
already
voting
with
their
feet,

particularly
after
Cadwalader’s
controversial
decision
to
capitulate
to
Donald
Trump,
a
move
that
sparked

multiple
partner
exits
and
drew

sustained
criticism.

The
merger
was
meant
to
stem
the
tide
of
partners
heading
to
the
exits,
but
at
least
17
partners
have

reportedly
departed
Cadwalader
since
the
HoLove
merger
was
announced.
Though
they
put
a
positive
spin
on
the
departures,
a
Cadwalader
spokesperson
said,
“While
we
have
been
very
pleased
with
the
minimal
conflicts
arising
from
our
planned
merger,
we
expected
that
a
few
would
be
inevitable
in
the
process
of
creating
a
global
firm
with
more
than
3,100
lawyers.
We
are
disappointed
that
our
colleagues
will
not
be
a
part
of
the
combined
firm,
but
the
interests
of
the
clients
come
first,
and
we
wish
them
the
very
best.”

On
the
same
day
as
the
Mintz
departures,
Cadwalader
also
lost
two
M&A
partners:
Stephen
Fraidin
to
White
&
Case
and
Nick
Ramphal
to
A&O
Shearman.

---

Kathryn
Rubino
is
a
Senior
Editor
at
Above
the
Law,
host
of

The
Jabot
podcast,
and
co-host
of

Thinking
Like
A
Lawyer.
AtL
tipsters
are
the
best,
so
please
connect
with
her.
Feel
free
to
email

her
with
any
tips,
questions,
or
comments
and
follow
her
on
Twitter

@Kathryn1 or
Mastodon

@[email protected].

This
surge
in
interest
is
driven
by
Zimbabwe’s
diverse
offerings,
from
the
awe-inspiring
Victoria
Falls
to
its
rich
wildlife
and
culture.
With
affordable,
curated
itineraries
designed
for
Indian
travelers,
the
country
is
now
seen
as
an
accessible,
exciting
alternative
to
traditional
destinations.
Tour
operators
have
played
a
pivotal
role
in
highlighting
Zimbabwe’s
unique
experiences,
making
it
easier
than
ever
for
Indians
to
explore
the
wonders
of
Southern
Africa.

Zimbabwe’s
tourism
sector
is
making
significant
strides
on
the
global
stage,
as
it
continues
to
attract
growing
attention
from
international
markets.
In
2026,
Indian
tour
operators
are
actively
promoting
Zimbabwe
as
a
top
destination,
a
clear
indicator
of
the
country’s
rising
prominence.
This
surge
in
interest
is
driven
by
international
recognition
and
sustained
marketing
efforts,
which
have
amplified
Zimbabwe’s
appeal
to
global
travelers.

The
turning
point
for
Zimbabwe’s
tourism
sector
came
with
its
recent
accolade
as
the
Best
Destination
of
2025
by
a
leading
global
travel
magazine.
This
prestigious
recognition
has
played
a
pivotal
role
in
enhancing
Zimbabwe’s
profile
on
major
international
platforms,
particularly
in
key
source
markets.
The
acknowledgment
has
also
helped
to
boost
confidence
among
international
travel
trade
players,
reinforcing
the
country’s
position
as
an
attractive
and
competitive
destination.

The
Ministry
of
Tourism
and
Hospitality
Industry
shared
that
Zimbabwe
is
making
noteworthy
inroads
into
the
fast-growing
Indian
outbound
tourism
market.
India
has
emerged
as
one
of
the
world’s
fastest-expanding
travel
markets,
driven
by
an
increasingly
affluent
middle
class,
improved
air
connectivity,
and
a
growing
demand
for
long-haul
and
experiential
travel.
As
such,
Indian
tourists
are
seeking
unique
travel
experiences
in
destinations
that
offer
adventure,
culture,
and
nature
—
all
of
which
Zimbabwe
is
well-positioned
to
provide.

At
the
Outbound
Travel
Market
(OTM),
South
Asia’s
largest
travel
trade
exhibition,
Zimbabwe’s
presence
has
proven
fruitful.
The
event
draws
thousands
of
travel
professionals,
tour
operators,
and
destination
marketers
from
across
the
region
and
beyond.
The
country’s
active
participation
at
the
OTM
has
already
yielded
promising
results,
with
numerous
tour
operators
showing
interest
in
Zimbabwe’s
tourism
offerings.
This
involvement
is
paving
the
way
for
the
development
of
tailored
travel
packages
that
will
attract
a
growing
number
of
Indian
tourists
to
the
country.

Zimbabwe’s
tourism
sector
is
uniquely
poised
to
cater
to
India’s
outbound
travelers,
offering
a
diverse
range
of
attractions
that
resonate
with
the
Indian
market.
The
country’s
iconic
Victoria
Falls,
Hwange
National
Park,
and
Mana
Pools
are
among
the
top
natural
attractions
that
draw
global
attention.
Additionally,
Zimbabwe’s
rich
cultural
heritage
and
the
opportunity
for
adventure
tourism,
such
as
safaris
and
wildlife
experiences,
align
well
with
the
interests
of
Indian
travelers,
further
enhancing
the
destination’s
appeal.

The
increasing
demand
for
African
tourism
is
particularly
evident
in
Zimbabwe’s
expanding
reach.
Analysts
note
that
India’s
outbound
market
has
been
experiencing
unprecedented
growth,
and
Zimbabwe’s
tourism
sector
is
well-positioned
to
tap
into
this
potential.
By
providing
a
diverse
and
rich
portfolio
of
travel
experiences,
Zimbabwe
offers
Indian
tourists
the
chance
to
explore
a
destination
that
is
not
only
unique
but
also
accessible
in
terms
of
logistics
and
pricing.

As
part
of
its
strategy
to
further
grow
tourism,
Zimbabwe
has
also
focused
on
positioning
itself
as
a
destination
for
cultural
immersion
and
sustainable
tourism.
The
country’s
varied
tourism
offerings,
from
its
wildlife
reserves
to
its
UNESCO
World
Heritage
Sites,
make
it
an
attractive
proposition
for
tourists
from
around
the
world,
especially
those
looking
for
an
authentic
and
immersive
travel
experience.
Zimbabwe’s
strategy
to
highlight
these
attributes
plays
a
vital
role
in
enticing
tourists
from
countries
like
India,
where
there
is
a
rising
demand
for
travel
experiences
that
combine
nature,
culture,
and
adventure.

Tourism
in
Zimbabwe
is
a
crucial
pillar
of
the
country’s
economy.
The
sector
contributes
significantly
to
foreign
currency
generation,
employment
creation,
and
the
country’s
broader
economic
development.
Zimbabwe’s
tourism
industry
also
supports
key
sectors
such
as
hospitality,
transport,
airlines,
arts
and
crafts,
construction,
and
agriculture.
The
sector’s
interconnected
nature
ensures
that
the
benefits
of
tourism
are
felt
throughout
the
economy,
making
it
a
valuable
asset
for
the
country.

The
growth
of
tourism
is
also
playing
an
essential
role
in
Zimbabwe’s
efforts
to
diversify
its
export
revenues.
While
the
country
has
traditionally
relied
on
minerals
and
agriculture,
tourism
provides
an
avenue
for
economic
diversification,
helping
to
reduce
reliance
on
these
sectors.
Iconic
attractions
such
as
Victoria
Falls,
Hwange
National
Park,
and
Great
Zimbabwe
are
driving
the
development
of
tourism
infrastructure,
including
hotels,
transport
networks,
and
other
essential
services.
These
developments
support
both
the
tourism
industry
and
the
local
communities
surrounding
these
areas,
creating
jobs
and
stimulating
local
economies.

Tourism
receipts
also
play
a
crucial
role
in
supporting
the
country’s
balance
of
payments
and
financing
infrastructure
development,
particularly
in
resort
towns
and
tourism
hubs.
The
income
generated
from
tourism
provides
the
government
with
the
resources
needed
to
invest
in
vital
infrastructure,
such
as
roads,
airports,
and
other
services
that
benefit
both
the
tourism
sector
and
local
residents.

As
Zimbabwe’s
tourism
sector
recovers
and
grows,
the
country
is
transitioning
from
a
post-pandemic
rebound
to
a
more
sustainable
growth
trajectory.
This
progress
is
driven
by
enhanced
destination
marketing,
increased
air
connectivity,
and
a
stronger
global
presence
for
key
attractions
like
Victoria
Falls
and
Hwange
National
Park.
These
efforts
have
already
yielded
significant
results,
with
international
tourist
arrivals
exceeding
pre-pandemic
levels
in
2025.

Zimbabwe’s
international
recognition,
including
its
ranking
among
the
best
countries
to
visit
in
2025,
is
a
testament
to
the
country’s
increasing
visibility
and
appeal
as
a
tourism
destination.
The
recognition
has
positioned
Zimbabwe
as
a
must-visit
destination
for
travelers
seeking
unique
and
enriching
experiences,
further
consolidating
the
country’s
position
as
a
leading
global
tourism
player.

In
2026,
Zimbabwe
has
become
a
leading
travel
destination
for
Indian
tourists,
driven
by
exclusive
packages
offered
by
tour
operators
that
highlight
the
country’s
unique
attractions
like
Victoria
Falls
and
its
rich
wildlife.

Looking
ahead,
Zimbabwe’s
tourism
sector
is
expected
to
continue
on
its
upward
trajectory,
driven
by
strategic
market
penetration,
government-led
initiatives,
and
strong
public-private
collaboration.
The
country’s
unique
attractions,
coupled
with
its
enhanced
marketing
efforts
and
rising
global
profile,
are
set
to
make
it
a
top
destination
for
travelers
from
around
the
world,
especially
as
it
strengthens
its
ties
with
emerging
markets
such
as
India.
With
continued
focus
on
sustainable
growth
and
expanded
international
partnerships,
Zimbabwe
is
poised
to
emerge
as
a
top
global
tourism
destination
for
years
to
come.

Source:


Zimbabwe
Becomes
a
Leading
Travel
Destination
for
Indian
Tourists
in
2026,
Thanks
to
Exclusive
Packages
by
Tour
Operators

–
Travel
And
Tour
World

Post
published
in:

Environment

Pour
one
out
for
Missouri
prosecutors!

A
year
ago,
the
state

sued
Starbucks
for
failing
to
hire
enough
white,
male
baristas,
forcing
consumers
“to
pay
higher
prices
and
wait
longer
for
goods
and
services
that
could
be
provided
for
less
had
Starbucks
employed
the
most
qualified
workers.”
Implicit
in
this
is
the
assumption
that
you
need
a
flat
white
dude
to
make
a
flat
white.
Or,
more
specifically,
that
medium-roast
managers
are
less
qualified
than
their
blonde
peers
—
something
for
which
no
evidence
was
presented.

But
the
effort
to
grind
Starbucks
over
the
company’s
DEI
policies
fell
flat
last
week
when
a
federal
judge
tossed
the
legally
undrinkable
swill.
Looks
like
the
state’s
top
prosecutor
ought
to
worry
more
about
the
quality
of
her
lawyering
than
the
race
of
the
brew
master.

Bitter
Beans

It
all
started
so
well!
Andy
Bailey,
who
was
then
Missouri’s
attorney
general,
was
desperate
to
catch
President
Trump’s
attention.
He’d
been

passed
over
to
lead
the
Justice
Department
in
favor
of
Pam
Bondi.
But
he
still
had
high
hopes,
and
so
he
used
his
position
as
state
AG
to
file
a
bunch
of
culture
war
trollsuits.

In
February,
he
sued
the
ubiquitous
coffee
company
alleging
that
it
unlawfully
discriminated
against
white
men.
The
complaint
pointed
to
Starbucks’
2021
Global
Environmental
&
Social
Impact
Report,
which
laid
out
aspirational
goals
for
women,
LGBTQ+
employees,
and
BIPOC
in
management
and
executive
roles.
AG
Bailey
insisted
that
this
had
cost
the
citizens
of
Missouri
dearly,
although
he
was
a
little
cloudy
on
exactly
how
lesbians
in
management
raised
the
price
of
a
venti.

Nor
did
the
complaint
point
to

any
individual
Missouri
resident
who’d
been
harmed
by
Starbucks’
policies
—
no
white
dude
who
lost
out
on
his
big
promotion
because
of
“invidious”
DEI,
no
executive
who
had
his
bonus
cut
based
on
failure
to
put
enough
Latinos
in
management.
Instead,
he
gestured
vaguely
in
the
direction
of
the
“234
job
openings
in
Missouri,
ranging
from
barista
to
store
manager
to
district
manager”
and
insisted
that
“Starbucks’
policies
harm
the
many
Missourians
whom
[sic]
work,
or
would
like
to
work,
at
Starbucks,
but
have
been,
are
being,
or
will
be
discriminated
against
as
future
victims
on
the
basis
of
their
race,
sex,
or
inclusion
in
other
protected
groups.”

Bailey
also
sweetened
the
pot
with
a
gratuitous
attack
on
the
term
“LatinX.”

And
it
worked!

Well,
not
in
court.
But
Bailey
did
manage
to
get
Trump’s
attention
long
enough
to
get
himself
made
deputy
director
of
the
FBI.
All
he
had
to
do
was

babysit
Dan
Bongino
for
a
few
months
until
the
podcaster
got
bored
and
wandered
back
to
his
studio.
If
Bailey
keeps
his
head
down,
maybe
he’ll
be
running
the
FBI
when
Kash
Patel
finally
manages
to
wear
out
his
welcome!

No
Filter

Meanwhile
back
in
Missouri,
Bailey’s
successor
Catherine
Hanaway
was
having
a
lot
less
fun
as
the
Starbucks
case
percolated
through
the
court
system.

In
October,
Senior
Judge
John
Ross

ordered
the
state
to
fix
all
the
broken
links
in
its
pleading
instanter.

“Plaintiff’s
complaint
is
heavily
reliant
on
language
that
purports
to
be
quoted
from
various
reports
and
documents
authored
by
Defendant
or
otherwise
describing
Defendant’s
policies,
practices,
and
strategic
objectives,”
he
sniffed,
noting
that
“it
has
come
to
the
Court’s
attention
that
the
majority
of
the
links
to
these
electronic
documents
are
no
longer
functional.”

And
then
he

French
pressed
the
state’s
case
into
oblivion
for
failure
to
state
any
plausible
theory
of
standing
or
legal
claim
for
relief.

“Plaintiff
failed
to
allege
that
any
actual
Missouri
residents
applied
for
an
open
position
in
Missouri
and
were
rejected,
were
passed
over
for
promotion,
were
disciplined
or
demoted
unfairly,
or
tried
and
failed
to
take
advantage
of
any
other
benefit
of
employment
with
Defendant
because
of
a
protected
characteristic,”
he
wrote
incredulously,
noting
that,
if
such
victims
of
discrimination
exist,
they
are
perfectly
free
to
sue
on
their
own
accounts.

He
also
noted
that
Missouri
supplied
exactly
zero
evidence
connecting
the
“allegedly
unqualified
employees
who
were
hired
based
on
‘non-merit
considerations’”
to
the
“presumed
skew
in
prices,
wait
times,
and
product
quality.”

And
Judge
Ross
wasn’t
done!

“Even
if
Plaintiff
did
have
standing
to
pursue
the
claims
of
individual
citizens,
Plaintiff’s
claims
are
still
doomed,”
he
continued,
noting
that
the
Missouri
Attorney
General
“lacks
statutory
authority
to
bring
claims
under
Title
VII,
Section
1981,
or
the
[Missouri
Human
Rights
Act].”

In
short,
this
case
was
incompetently
pled
and
defective
both
procedurally
and
substantively.
It’s
functionally
a
press
release
that
allowed
Bailey
to

congratulate
himself
for
protecting
his
constituents
“from
a
company
that
actively
engages
in
systemic
race
and
sex
discrimination”
and
then
waste
a
lot
of
court
resources
cleaning
up
his
home
brew
slop.

It
was
a
cup
of
frothy
indignation,
and
now
it’s
just
backwash.
But
…
Andy
Bailey
got
his
promotion,
so
assume
that
the
FBI
will
be
raiding
a
Starbucks
near
you
soon.

Subscribe
to
read
more
at
Law
and
Chaos….

---

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Dye produces
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and
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