Author Archives: Gavin Stevens

About Gavin Stevens

Humptulips County is the wholly fictional on-line residence of Stephen Ellis, a would-be writer, an avid fan of William Faulkner and his Yoknapatawpha County, and a retired lawyer.

A Froggish Valentine’s Day Present

The Pacific chorus frog, Pseudacris regilla, is hereby designated as the official amphibian of the state of Washington. Revised Code of Washington, Section 1.20.150 In my small corner of Humptulips County, the second week of February always marks the annual … Continue reading

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The State of Our Union

The President must give the Congress information on the State of the Union from time to time. Article II, Clause 3, United States Constitution I enjoy someone who can give a good speech. There is something spellbinding about a good … Continue reading

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Rushing to Judgment

Once I began using a desk top computer on a regular basis in my practice in the early 1980′s, I quickly realized that my ability to deliberate over pending decisions was being impaired. As the speed and capacity of computers … Continue reading

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Veterans’ Day

I am not a veteran, but that does not mean that I lack an appreciation for the sacrifices that so many of our fellow countrymen have made over the years while serving in our armed forces. There is a story … Continue reading

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Memories and Sky

The sky was as full of motion and change as the desert beneath it was monotonous and still — and there was so much sky, more than at sea, more than anywhere else in the world. The plain was there, … Continue reading

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Dance Me to the End of Life

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin Dance me through the panic till I’m gathered safely in Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove Dance me to the end of love Leonard Cohen, … Continue reading

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Saving America’s Virtue

“Elaborate care went into figuring out the precise gradations of coercion,” said David B. Rivkin Jr., a lawyer who served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.  “Yes, it’s jarring. But it shows how both the … Continue reading

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Realities in the Arrest of Professor Henry Louis Gates

News has been hard to come by in Brasil, but I’ve been reading a lot today and have to say that Henry Louis Gates acted like a moron… Tweet by brennonbortz to The Huffington Post O WOW! I just saw … Continue reading

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Shane! Come Back Shane!: A Modest Proposal

I think we need a gunslinger Somebody tough to tame this town I think we need a gunslinger There’ll be justice all around. John Fogerty, “Gunslinger,” from his 2008 album Revival Congressman Jim McDermott, the liberal Democrat from the 7th … Continue reading

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At Last, Spring!

It’s all I have to bring today – This, and my heart beside – This, and my heart, and all the fields – And all the meadows wide – Be sure you count should I forget Some one the sum could … Continue reading

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