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First Space Lawyer Graduates
PHPNerd writes "Over at space.com is an interesting article about the first space lawyer. He graduated from the University of Mississippi. 'Any future space lawyer might have to deal with issues ranging from the fallout over satellite shoot-downs to legal disputes between astronauts onboard the International Space Station. The expanding privatization of the space sector may also pose new legal challenges [...] "We are particularly proud to be offering these space law certificates for the first time, since ours is the only program of its kind in the U.S. and only one of two in North America," said Samuel Davis, law dean at the University of Mississippi.'"
Specialization has, for most professions, been a way for the industry to differentiate between its own members. It is not a government-recognized title. For example, a medical doctor can legally perform brain surgery without the 7 year neurosurgery residency. More than that, someone who has completed the 7-year training and *fails* the neurosurgery boards can legally perform brain surgery.
:)
Many HMO clinics/etc, as a cost-cutting measure, will actually hire 'radiologists' and other specialists who have been unable to pass their boards. This is because, while they are legally allowed to practice whatever medicine they want (assuming they have their state license to practice medicine), they will work cheap 'cause anyone who checks their credentials will likely turn them away.
On another note, always check your physicians credentials
I'm sorry, this just reminds me of Heinlein's use of the phrase "space lawyer" as the SF generalization of "latrine lawyer."
Except that John C. Stennis, as in the John C. Stennis Space Center, is from there (I actually met him by chance at a nursing home in Madison near the end of his life). And Fred Haies on Apollo 13 was from Biloxi, Mississippi. So it's not _totally_ unprecedented for someone to from Mississippi to be associated with space...
I'm sorry, this just reminds me of Heinlein's use of the phrase "space lawyer" as the SF generalization of "latrine lawyer."
Heinlein, a former naval officer, was expanding on the navy slang "sea lawyer". A derogatory term referring to someone who tries to use rules and regulations to shirk responsibilities and/or make excuses for their failures. They are generally not the most popular of shipmates.
The State of Mississippi was for many years among the poorest and most litigious states in the entire United States. There have been some recent attempts at reforms which seem to be bearing fruit, but it is not surprising that a new innovation in lawyers and lawsuits has come out of the State of Mississippi. The Wall Street Journal had a recent article describing the litigious history of Mississippi.
As I remember correctly when a dispute on a ship happens a law of the country under which flag the ship sails is applied. Following that logic a dispute in space shuttle would be under jurisdiction of the USA. But what about ISS? Is that similar to a dispute in Antarctica or UN building?
If enithin kan gow rong it whil. (Murfey)
Sure, we can eliminate lawyers and go back to settling disputes at arms. But then you still have a "lawyer" who is a knight fighting as your champion to butcher the other party's champion. But then it sucks when the RIAA hires Sir Lancelot every time and all you can afford is Ichabod Crane.