Fine

2010-07-16T20:14:00.013-05:00

Winkler's Commentaries is at an end. A big thanks to my loyal readers.

This blog began in August 2007, after my first quarter of law school. It replaced my first experiments at a blog on MySpace beginning in December 2006. The blog has seen a few distinct phases, undergoing substantial revisions from time to time to suit my needs. Compared to my term in practice court, I have ample time to write. But writing for the blog has become a chore. Regrettably, nothing in the foreseeable future promises to change that.

The blog has floundered for some time now. I lost my place on the Razor's blogroll in the September 2009 sifting. Rather than drag this blog's half-dead carcass along indefinitely for the odd thought I do want to share, I think it better to deliberately lay it to rest.

If we're not already connected, I hope you will follow me on some other social media I use:

facebook (my privacy settings are tight--email me or comment if you have problems finding me)
twitter
linkedin

Take care,

Nathan

So Long, Professor Osler

2010-07-16T20:13:00.001-05:00

A number of logical opportunities to reflect on Professor Osler's departure have passed me by. For instance, the original announcement. Then his final lecture. I needed more time to brood.

Why does his move to St. Thomas feel like such a loss to me? Professor Osler is the professor whose work generates the most publicity for Baylor Law. But my success or failure depends far more on my own efforts than the reputation of the law school.

Professor Osler is Atlas, on whose shoulders rest the better part of the program that prepares students for criminal practice. But I intend to practice transactional law and am thus an additional step removed from that concern.

Professor Osler is a good and dedicated teacher. But I graduated before he announced his departure--I was never unable to take a class of his that I wanted to.

The important thing is that Professor Osler is a spiritual giant. Religion hasn't been a focal point of our relationship, but I have appreciated his example all the same. Without realizing it, I had come to expect Professor Osler to be just down the road in Waco, where I could see him from time to time. With him in Minneapolis, there will be far fewer opportunities to interact.

I can't begrudge him the move he feels best. Baylor's loss and mine mean corresponding gains for the faculty, staff, and students at St. Thomas and the Razor will make its way to my news reader regardless of the location of its author.

Professor Osler, Godspeed.