Vested Interest - March 1998 Issue

The President’s Thoughts

Normally it’s meteorologically accurate that "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Unfortunately, this analogy doesn’t routinely apply politically. Especially this year. With the month starting out with profound primaries, March will certainly come in as usual. However, in light of the political polarity afoot, no doubt it will roar all the way through. The only place for lamb this month is next to a dollop of mint jelly.

As we await the political outcome, we continue to struggle with one of our principle problems - to expose the disguise of the tort deformers. Not only do we need to convey the real motives behind the rhetoric, but also communicate the message in a simple and concise manner that anyone can understand.

Then it occurred to me. What about a rhyme? A nursery rhyme! What could be more simple and concise. So, I put pen to paper, let the good rhymes roll and came up with this . . . .

Eddie had a little lamb
Civil Justice League it’s name

And everywhere that Eddie went
It’s virtues he’d proclaim.

He brought his lamb to Springfield
And talked about Reform

And with the help of partisans
Created quite a storm.

The problem was that Eddie’s lamb
Was not a lamb in fact

It really was a wolf you see
Dressed to play an act.

In the name of tort reform
And acting like a lamb

The wolf and Eddie perpetrated
A monumental scam.

They pushed through legislation
One purpose in their sights

To maximize their profits
In exchange for people’s rights.

But rights are not commodities
They are not for sale

And any efforts towards that end
Most ultimately fail.

The highest court reversed their deeds
By opinion loud and strong

They said no matter what you call it
Wrong is always wrong.

The moral of this story is
Just as the saying goes

A wolf will always be a wolf
Despite the sheep-like clothes.

I guess there was a place for lamb this month!

Laird M. Ozmon, President
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

Our condolences to the family and friends of State Senator Penny Severns.

She was our good friend and a premier Stateswoman. She will be missed.