# Pro bono bullshit **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 9, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132 "2010-09-09T02:43:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 44
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/861 "2010-09-23T17:08:58Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > They are either making crappy arguments that I easily shot down or just making bare assertions. [Tousles **RandRover** ’s hair] Yes you did, you clever, clever boy. Yes you did. Didn’t you shoot them down well? What a good boy. [/Tousling] ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/862 "2010-09-23T17:11:26Z")
22? You reading the large type edition or something? It’s 18 for me. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/863 "2010-09-23T17:18:39Z")
> [@villa](#): > > Tousles I just found out a couple of months ago that I’ve been wrong about this word my whole life–I thought it was homophonous with “tussle.” ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/864 "2010-09-23T17:33:52Z")
Ah, sfg. You going to respond to my ass-kicking of your argument? Villa and jayjay, if you can do any better than these other chumps, then step right up. If Ýou can’t, then by all means continue to just act the fool. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/865 "2010-09-23T17:39:30Z")
At least RR keeps up the public’s perception of lawyers… ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/866 "2010-09-23T17:40:02Z")
I already did, sparky. I’ve also run it by around 20 other lawyers, from liberal douches to ex-GOP political appointees, and they agree with the rest of the world other than you. So I’m voting for willful blindess on your part on this, and will just hang around. I figure you’ll disgrace the profession whether I watch or not, so I might as well get some entertainment value from it. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/867 "2010-09-23T17:46:46Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Ah, sfg. You going to respond to my ass-kicking of your argument? Oh, you mean that piffle about a responsibility not being a \*responsibility \*if you can get away with not doing it? Wholly unconvincing. Borderline nonsensical. I’m seriously embarrassed you that that’s the best you can come up with, and you continue to point to it as some sort of master stroke. On the other hand, “who’s gonna MAKE ME?” does fit nicely within the established “playground rhetoric” rules. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/868 "2010-09-23T18:00:36Z")
Ah, sfg. You going to respond to my ass-kicking of your argument? Villa and jayjay, if you can do any better than these other chumps, then step right up. If Ýou can’t, then by all means continue to just act the fool. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/869 "2010-09-23T18:02:09Z")
Uh oh. He’s stuck in a loop. Do you smell something burning? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/870 "2010-09-23T18:02:21Z")
Ray Charles playing tennis against Stevie Wonder, endless love. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/871 "2010-09-23T18:07:16Z")
Blurp. Please pardon the double post. Villa, what exactly did those 20 lawyers say? That a lawyer is required to do pro bono? You sure they meant “required” in the sense of “absolutely have an actual obligation in the real world” instead of just “have a moral/ethical obligation”? ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/872 "2010-09-23T18:09:02Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Villa, what exactly did those 20 lawyers say? That a lawyer is required to do pro bono? You sure they meant “required” in the sense of “absolutely have an actual obligation in the real world” instead of just “have a moral/ethical obligation”? I think the direct quote from one was “God this guy’s a prick. Tax lawyer you say? Color me unsurprised.” ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/873 "2010-09-23T18:19:22Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Villa and jayjay, if you can do any better than these other chumps, then step right up. DRINK! bub 4 buddy 2 chump(s) 2 smart guy 1 bro 1 tough guy 1 ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/874 "2010-09-23T18:49:11Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > > SFG: I’ve already covered your argument 100 times in this thread. The preamble to the rules (ie, the part you quoted) does not impose a responsibilitý to do pro bono. It just recites the existence of that responsibility. And the onlý place it exists is in the ether of a “moral obligation.” I did not take on that responsibility by agreeing to abide by the rules because the rules don’t impose that responsibility. > > > > The language you quoted is just some flowery bullshit language that’s just supposed to remind lawyers of some amorphous ethereal bullshit “moral responsibility” Þhat doesn’t actually exist in the real world. > > > [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](#): > > > > **SFG** : this is too easy! You must reply with two villanelles separated by a WCW-style enjambing poem of about fifteen lines or so. > > Fucking hell. Do you know I had to go \*look up \*what a god damned villanelle is? Okay, fine, here we go: > > \*\*Rand \*\*is a fucking tard > To anyone that’s clear > Being human is hard > > His mind a tub of lard > Logic is nowhere near > \*\*Rand \*\*is a fucking tard > > At those been dealt a card > Of poverty he jeers > Being human is hard > > His recollection scarred > By chugging Everclear > \*\*Rand \*\*is a fucking tard > > He could defend a ward > Of state, his daughter’s peer > Being human is hard > > He’d rather do the yard > And cower home in fear > \*\*Rand \*\*is a fucking tard > Being human is hard > > What may seem to us > to be self-evident– > to those granted great power > responsibility is also given– > somehow elude this thing. > (I shall not name him man > for that implies a level of maturity > that he has not attained.) > We might wish to offer pity, > but that would be neglectful > of his own neglect > of his own oaths, > freely given. > The benefit without the payment; > A hoarder of justice. > > Obligations denied > He claims it doesn’t count > We can all see he lied > > Relentless as the tide > \*\*Rand \*\*runs off at the mouth > Obligations denied > > With any shyster tied > In equivocation’s amount > We can all see he lied > > Excuses, they have vied > To overtop the mount > Obligations denied > > How long can we abide > The way we’re being wound? > We can all see he lied > > His vows he’ll override > With a juvenile pout > Obligations denied > We can all see he lied So I gather that villanelle means any song where the the chorus is “Rand is a fucking tard” ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/875 "2010-09-23T18:56:51Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > > [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > > > Fucking hell. Do you know I had to go \*look up \*what a god damned villanelle is? Okay, fine, here we go: > > > > \*\*Rand \*\*is a fucking tard > > To anyone that’s clear > > Being human is hard > > > > His mind a tub of lard > > Logic is nowhere near > > \*\*Rand \*\*is a fucking tard > > > > At those been dealt a card > > Of poverty he jeers > > Being human is hard > > > > His recollection scarred > > By chugging Everclear > > \*\*Rand \*\*is a fucking tard > > > > He could defend a ward > > Of state, his daughter’s peer > > Being human is hard > > > > He’d rather do the yard > > And cower home in fear > > \*\*Rand \*\*is a fucking tard > > Being human is hard > > > > What may seem to us > > to be self-evident– > > to those granted great power > > responsibility is also given– > > somehow elude this thing. > > (I shall not name him man > > for that implies a level of maturity > > that he has not attained.) > > We might wish to offer pity, > > but that would be neglectful > > of his own neglect > > of his own oaths, > > freely given. > > The benefit without the payment; > > A hoarder of justice. > > > > Obligations denied > > He claims it doesn’t count > > We can all see he lied > > > > Relentless as the tide > > \*\*Rand \*\*runs off at the mouth > > Obligations denied > > > > With any shyster tied > > In equivocation’s amount > > We can all see he lied > > > > Excuses, they have vied > > To overtop the mount > > Obligations denied > > > > How long can we abide > > The way we’re being wound? > > We can all see he lied > > > > His vows he’ll override > > With a juvenile pout > > Obligations denied > > We can all see he lied > > You know, (and I say this only because I’m quite sure it won’t bother you a bit) I’ve never really liked you. I have no idea why either, just didn’t. > > But this has completely changed my mind. > > I…I love you man. SFG is a chick. I made the same mistake because she plays a tank (chicks are usually healers or go pew pew) but it turns out she has boobs. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/876 "2010-09-23T18:59:18Z")
liberal douche 15 bub 4 buddy 2 chump 2 smart guy 1 bro 1 tough guy 1 ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/877 "2010-09-23T19:18:33Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > > Villa and jayjay, if you can do any better than these other chumps, then step right up. > > DRINK! > > bub 4 > buddy 2 > chump(s) 2 > smart guy 1 > bro 1 > tough guy 1 \*\* hiccup \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/878 "2010-09-23T19:21:50Z")
Blurp. Please pardon the double post. Villa, what exactly did those 20 lawyers say? That a lawyer is required to do pro bono? You sure they meant “required” in the sense of “absolutely have an actual obligation in the real world” instead of just “have a moral/ethical obligation”? ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/879 "2010-09-23T19:35:14Z")
> [@villa](#): > > > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > > Villa, what exactly did those 20 lawyers say? That a lawyer is required to do pro bono? You sure they meant “required” in the sense of “absolutely have an actual obligation in the real world” instead of just “have a moral/ethical obligation”? > > I think the direct quote from one was “God this guy’s a prick. Tax lawyer you say? Color me unsurprised.” That’s not really fair. First, MOST attorneys fail to fulfill their pro bono responsibility but most of us at least pay lip service to having intended to do it but then make up some excuse (Washington DC is cool about this by letting us buy indulgences, you can literally donate money to the legal defense fund and consider your pro bono obligation fulfilled). Second, we tax attorney are handicapped by a practice that strains our ethics on an almost daily basis. Litigation lawyers are rewarded for winning arguments, corporate lawyers are rewarded for really good spellchecking (corporate lawyers can go through a 50 page tax memo and find the two times you didn’t doublespace after a period), tax lawyers are rewarded for helping the people most capable of paying taxes avoid paying those taxes. There is literally no reason why tax lawyers are any less capable of performing pro bono work than corporate attorneys but for some reason, there is usually one guy in the tax department that carries the whole department in the pro bono arena and you just KNOW that guy is going to go work for a non profit in the next 3 or 4 years. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132/880 "2010-09-23T19:41:16Z")
You call that a handicap? I call it selecting for people like **Rand**. Just like car dealerships tend to select for aggressive hard sellers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132.md?page=43) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-bono-bullshit/553132.md?page=45)