philcline – Page 5

The Alumnus

October 24, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

The Alumnus, A Novel by Phil Cline Chapters Seven through Nine Chapter Seven “Looney.” We were alone again, just the detectives and me. Detective Wiley had just weighed in with his considered opinion. Characteristically short, but I was inclined to agree with his assessment. However, I was not anxious to see our suspect so described in official police […]

The Alumnus, Chapters 4-6

October 22, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

Chapter Four I sat staring at my autographed baseball. “Mickey Mantle” handwritten. And right below; “NO. 7” also in script. Best centerfielder ever. Maybe the best ball player ever. I looked at the other autographed baseballs on their individual glass stands on my office credenza. “Ted Williams.” “Willie Mays.” “Duke Snyder”. Good ballplayers. Great ballplayers. But not as good as “The Mic.” Now there was […]

The Alumnus

October 17, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

Chapters One through Three, Chapter One I held Brenda’s nametag in my hands. Gingerly. I hated cutting myself and the plastic’s broken edges were ragged and sharp. It had been split in a diagonal line from top left to bottom right. I was careful of the back too. Just as hazardous was that awkward needle pin lock contraption […]

Cline on the Constitution

May 31, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Judiciary

Freedom of the Press (to Slander, Publish Falsehoods and Lie?) Each day falsehoods, inaccurate information, fabrications and outright lies are published in the media about public officials and ordinary citizens who happen to end up in the public spotlight. The falsehoods are then republished. And republished. And republished. Spreading like a virulent cancer, they can destroy a person’s reputation […]

Cline on the Constitution

May 16, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Judiciary

The American Constitution and the English Common Law Supreme Court cases interpreting the Constitution make frequent forays into legal history. Not just U.S. history, but to English Common Law. For example, a case decision involving an ordinance prohibiting the open carrying of weapons such as hatchets and swords in England in the 17th century was recently cited in […]

Cline on the Constitution

May 2, 2021 by philcline in Bill of Rights / Blog / Cline on the Constitution

The last few months I’ve been concentrating on completing a couple of outside writing projects I started some time ago. In the meantime, as always, significant developments have begun to emerge in the world of Constitutional law. Let’s start to catch up a little. Any comments or suggestions are, as always, welcome. Now on to today’s entry. […]

The Fall

January 8, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings

From Richard III by William Shakespeare. “And every tongue brings in a separate tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain. . . . All several sins, all used in each degree, Throng to the bar, crying all, “Guilty! Guilty!” I shall despair; there is no creature loves me, And if I die no […]

The Texas Lawsuit

December 13, 2020 by philcline in Blog / Cline on the Constitution / Judiciary / Presidency

So, what was the Texas lawsuit all about? With one or two exceptions, I haven’t paid very close attention to the lawsuits filed in some states on behalf of President Trump challenging the election results. A couple of reasons. First, as a former prosecutor, I’m familiar with what it takes to put together an actual […]

You Should Not Have Said That

December 9, 2020 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Short Stories

“Well, you were wrong,” said the young man, “You know you were wrong.” His older companion shook his head. “But People take it the wrong way. Sure, that’s what I said, but, really, it was nothing.” “They heard you. You should not have said that.” “Okay. Okay. But, you know, People jump to conclusions. They get offended for no good […]

One-Man Rule

November 21, 2020 by philcline in Bill of Rights / Blog / Cline on the Constitution

Cline on the Constitution – One Person Rule And so, this is how it happens. How we forget what it’s like to live in a democracy. We simply get used to it. We accept being told what to do, what rules we must follow. Not laws mind you, not legal codes introduced in a legislature, debated and voted […]

Author: philcline