Please Help Find a Replacement for Judge Harry T. Edwards

Judge Harry T. Edwards of the D.C. Circuit was next up for Howard Bashman's "20 questions for the appellate judge." But at the last minute, he backed out. Now Howard is warning, "If I am unable to obtain a replacement October 2004 interviewee by this Friday, this web log's '20 questions for the appellate judge' feature will permanently come to an end after twenty quite remarkable installments in twenty months."

It seems sort of draconian that Howard might cancel the entire feature if he misses a single month, but I don't think it's an idle threat. Howard's crazy like that, and he could easily pull the plug on the entire "20 questions" feature just to spite appellate judges across the land. We can't let it happen!

At first, I was willing to offer to mediate the dispute between Howard and Judge Edwards. So twenty questions is just too many for the busy judge--how about ten questions? Or five questions? If Howard didn't agree, how about twenty very easy questions? "How old are you, You Honor?" "What's your favorite soup, Your Honor?" Easy questions like that. Judge Edwards would be finished in no time.

But given the shrill tone of Howard's warning, I sense there is no time for mediation. Instead, we must help him find a replacement. This means me, and this means you. Everyone knows an appellate judge or two. Some people even have one for an uncle or distant cousin. Call them on the phone, today. Explain that Howard Bashman's "20 questions" feature--which isn't quite yet an American institution, but is pretty damn close--is about to be deposited into the dustbin of history if we can't work some last minute magic.

And I don't want to hear anyone dumping on Judge Edwards. It's not about Judge Edwards anymore. If he was too busy to answer Howard's questions due to the press of other business, or because he had a family crisis, or just because he's still having trouble hooking up his new Tivo--it doesn't matter. "20 questions" is bigger than any single judge, even if that judge happens to sit on the D.C. Circuit. No, it's a problem for all of us. So get to work, dammit. Help Howard find a replacement. No complaining will be allowed.

UPDATE 10/1/04. Amazing news: A replacement has been found!

Comments

[Prof. Yabut]

Geez, the only appellate judge I ever met (not counting Justice Breyer, who taught me antitrust but had no time to supervise my 3L paper, unless I did it on his current research project; no further comment needed), was Harry Edwards himself. As Prof. Edwards, Harry T. taught labor law, so he might be able to point Howie to materials on striking and maybe equal opportunity. I sure wish I could help Howard with his real problem, but it's not my specialty.

[David Giacalone]

Issa and I have a moon haiku for Mr. B.S.Man:

scolding
vain man...
the autumn moon

This moon's for you, Howard!

[Evan]

David: On this weblog, at least, can't we all be friends? Arguably, I started it, but now I feel bad.

But wait . . . I didn't start it. I note this earlier post at The Uncivil Litigator, which links to still another post at another weblog.

So I'm not the only one who read Howard's plea for help. But I'm the only one taking it seriously--trying, that is, to get the word out to appellate judges everywhere to STEP FORWARD AND BE INTERVIEWED.

[anon]

I considered clicking through to offer my services for the sure-to-be-popular "20 questions for a recent law school graduate from a 2nd tier school who is on a 24 hour watch of mble.org to see if she passed the bar" feature.

But I thought I'd wait until he's more desperate. And I need a pithier title.

[David Giacalone]

Compared to UCL, I'm being downright kind, not to mention civil. (Issa wrote that haiku a couple centuries ago, so I can't vouch for his intentions.) Meanwhile, it warms my heart to see that you're trying so hard to be helpful.

But, seriously, 20 Questions is the only substantive part of that hyper-linky weblog, so I do hope the feature continues.

[Evan]

David: I completely agree with your last statement, despite my tongue-in-cheekiness.

[Rain Man]

Wait a sec here. HB wants to pout, and you want to give him a toy to play with so he won't pout anymore? I say the best response to pouting is to ignore it. If HB wants to lessen his own blog by subtracting its only substantive feature, I say let him. It's his blog--he has the right to screw it up if he wants to. It won't ruin my day.

[No.84]

It's his blog--he has the right to screw it up if he wants to. It won't ruin my day.

I no longer read HA. If I want to know what's going on in the appellate world, I check out the slip opinions available online. It takes less time doing it this way than wading through junk storied. Besides, I can easily spot the decisions I care about - they begin with "United States v."

[Jeremy Richey]

I like 20 Questions too. I hope it continues. Howard, ignore your detractors.