"Yes" Men are a Dime a Dozen

I just sat in what one person in the audience called an "infomercial" for the Alberta Law Society. Put on by a very experienced, knowledgable and ethical member of the society, but an infomercial none the less.

His talk repeated the words "in the public interest" enough times to almost make one believe it was intended to make us believe that to be so. It also pointed out to us how "no one is above the law", a point which was scoffed at around our small table of eight very ordinary people.

It came across as a self serving cheerleading session intended to build public support for the idea of lawyers policing lawyers. Or self regulation. I am not an expert on the law society but I am an expert on self regulation and it usually turns out to be a great deal for the industry seeking to police themselves, and a less great deal for the "public interest". That is my own experience. I think of the young finance industry whistleblower who took his own life after learning the hard way that some people "are" more above the law than others. (see www.breachoftrust.ca video chapter six ) He found out the hard way that the law society is actually there more to protect lawyers interests than the public interest. At least that is what I found out when I complained about the lawyer who misled a calgary judge and had him sign off a private search warrant (Anton Piller order) that took away the young man's rights to even talk to police. I am sure the law society did not want that to get out when they dismissed the complaint.

Others at my table had similar feelings, one 70ish lady gave me her favorite quote about the law, which was this, "The law can be used to keep justice away".

Another pointed out the obvious which was that "of course some people are above the law". The speaker had no response to this other than to say his system is not perfect but that it had to strive for perfect ideals.

Then he should have not shown up to mislead us with his infomercial. He could instead of been an honest, candid speaker of the problems, and the initiatives they undertake to try to solve those problems. Instead he appeared as a simple 'talking Yes man" for the industry, rather than attempting to create sound, helpful discourse.

The world already has enough "yes" men. They are the most common human on the planet. When will we see an industry participant who actually questions his industry, questions poor practices, solves self serving issues?

When will we be able to listen to a speaker who has something to say, beyond how great they are, how great their profession is?

What a waste. Still. Nice guy. He just does not even know that he has assigned himself a role, an "actor" if you will, in a stage show where his is more on the side of the problem, instead of being on the side of solution.

below is a link to a 15 year old child who is doing a far better job for society:

http://dailybail.com/home/and-a-child-shall-lead-them.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheDailyBail+%28The+Daily+Bail%29