Author: markpattersonlaw

Born on the hottest day in 1958 in a hospital about a mile from my practice, son of a lawyer who was a lot like Atticus Finch, I have been appearing in court since I was a teenager. The people of my hometown are just plain folks who really dont understand how the outside world has made their lives complex. Thats where I have found work for I am schooled in the secret knowledge of lawyers. Enough about me, I now am told I should use this space to disclaim that anything I have said here or on any blog should be taken by the individual reader to constitute legal advice. Instead, if you think you have more than a passing interest in any topic I touch on, you should consult an attorney.

The Washington Department of Corrections Catch and Release Program

January 17, 2016

Apparently the Washington Department of Corrections mistakenly got a memo from the Department of Fish and Wildlife, instructing certain species of fish be released upon capture. Failing to read the document closely the DOC altered their practices to allow big fish criminals to go free early. We were in Britain when the story broke. I … More The Washington Department of Corrections Catch and Release Program

But it is 1978!

January 13, 2016

I grew up in a village called Immaculate Conception Parish in the 1960’s. We had a fundamental narrative about how life was supposed to be, where your place in the universe was, and a sense of right and wrong. Ultimately this was shattered by a remarkably critical world that tossed that narrative aside without much thought and … More But it is 1978!

Good Morning, Vietnam!

October 11, 2015

Apparently Huey’s with “Starbucks” markings are landing in hot LZ’s in the central highlands of Vietnam and lifting off with coffee beans, 40 years after similar aircraft marked US ARMY made the same trip with soldiers. So this morning I had to try this java. I will seek to write about it in the style of men tasked … More Good Morning, Vietnam!

Everett Elks Club : Man Cave From A Different Time

October 3, 2015

Scene: Barber shop with men waiting. Monsignor Mattie’s is there for a hair cut as well, reading a newspaper. A spread of Playboy magazines lie on the table in front of him. “Padre”, one of the other patron’s ask him “what do you think of all these dirty books?”  The day this place loses it’s dirty books is the day … More Everett Elks Club : Man Cave From A Different Time