Editor's Note: My surprise is foiled! The "LLL" colu/1/n will be replaced in Ihe Fall 1994 issue by a colullln 1II0deled after Ihe ABA JOllmal hU/1/or colullln Obiter Dicta. After IIlllCh study alld inforlllal polling, we felt Ihal opening the space up for contributions frolll all lIIelllbers could be an interesting change. Readers looking for Vic Flellling's writing can find his colllmn, a replica of Law, Literature &
Laugllter, in Ti,e Daily Record each Friday. Flellling has been wriling for Ihal publication for severallllontiis now.
It is with great regret that I read that the Law, Literature & Laughter (LLL) column was to be discontinued in The Arkallsas Lawyer as of this summer. 1 would ask that you please reconsider this decision. As a contributor and regular reader of the column (a.nd the magazine as a whole) I think to discontinue it is a mistake. Of aLi the professions out there which tend to take themselves a little too seriously, 1 think attorneys are probably the most guilty of this foible. Vic Flemings's column served to remind us all that we are people, just like everyone else. Besides, it we can't laugh at ourselves, what right do we have to laugh at anyone else? The magazine will not be the same without Vic's LLL column. Not everything written for and by lawyers has to be completely serious and legally thought provoking. Not only is there room for humor in the legal profession, it is (in my opinion) absolutely required for the mental health of attorneys. We need to be able to stand back and look at our profession and laugh when laughter is called for. We may even be able to learn something from what we are laughing at. Finally, I note that the ABA jouY/la/ has not discontinued its humor column, Obiter Dicta, even though its format has changed in recent years. I think our "local" publication should follow in the same track. So, once again, please do not cease publication of LLL! If Vic can't do it, get someone else to.
Lynn D. Lisk North Little Rock
It was with a great deal of sorrow and consternation, mixed with a little anger, that 1 recently learned that you and the other powers that be at the Arkansas Lawyer have chosen to discontinue Vic Fleming's marvelous "Law Literature & Laughter" contribution to our professional publication. I absolutely can not imagine what has come over you and the other people who may have been involved in making this decision, but you have made a grievous error. I always tremble when 1 hear that one of my favorite publications is going to be subjected to a "new format" by management/editors/publishers, because of the publishing rule that the "new" as used in "new format" invariable means "worse." The rule is being strictly enforced in this instance, most regrettably. Vic Flemming's "LL&L" has been a source of joy and enlightenment for almost a decade, and is easily one of the two or three most popular features of Ti,e Arkallsas Lawyer, issue after issue, a fact which you would have easily discerned, if you had made the attempt. But we all make mistakes, and the best of us readily admit our mistakes, and correct them. I am going to assume that you are among the best of the lot of law publication editors, and that you will, accordingly, immediately correct your error in this case. Please reinstate Law, Literature & Lallghter, immediately, and without further ado. All will be forgiven.
It's my understanding that Law, Literatllre, & Lallghter is going to be discontinued in the Arkansas Lawyer. 1 just wanted you to know that 1 enjoy that article and wish that you would reconsider deleting it from the Arkansas Lawyer. Patrick Harris Little Rock
I was disappointed to read in last month's edition that the journal will no longer include Vic Fleming's humor column. 1 have enjoyed Vic's column over the past several years and I will miss it. The humor column is not the most important part of a law journal, but 1 do think it is valuable. I think it is important for the profession to be able to laugh at itself, for the sake of our collective mental health and also for the sake of our public image. I would ask that you reconsider your decision and find a place in the new format to continue Vic's column. Marilyn Rauch Little Rock
I am a subscriber to the Arkansas Lawyer. Usually the first column I turned to is LLL. I was saddened to hear that a decision was made to discontinue this column. I feel it is both interesting, joyfilled, and fun. I hope you will reconsider and encourage Mr. Fleming to continue his work.
One of the things which 1 always enjoyed reading in the Arkansas Lawyer is the article Law, Literature & Laughter which I am aware has been written by Victor Fleming over the years. That awareness comes from my having submitted to him a contribution or two falling within the Laughter segment of unusual experiences which 1 have encountered in the practice. Recently, someone mentioned that this would no longer be included in our Bar publication and I am writing to encourage its retention as a devoted reader over the years.
Peter A. Miller Little Rock
William J. Wynne 61 Dorado
Timothy F. Watson, Sr. Newport
7 ARKANSAS LAWYER
SPRING 1994