Never Mind the Volokhs

Never Mind the Bollocks was met by a hail of controversy in the U.K. upon its release. The first documented legal problems involved the allegedly 'obscene' name of the album, and the prosecution of the owner of a Nottingham record shop (and label owner Richard Branson) for having displayed it in a window.

However, at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on 24 November 1977, defending Queen's Counsel John Mortimer produced expert witnesses who were able to demonstrate that the word "bollocks" was actually a legitimate Old English term originally used to refer to a priest, and which, in the context of the title, meant "nonsense". The chairman of the hearing was forced to conclude:

Much as my colleagues and I wholeheartedly deplore the vulgar exploitation of the worst instincts of human nature for the purchases of commercial profits by both you and your company, we must reluctantly find you not guilty of each of the four charges.

So what's this British court case about a legendary punk band's album name got to do with Blawg Review?

It's just that readers and hosts have been wondering why Blawg Review is never mentioned on The Volokh Conspiracy, even when an important special issue, like Blawg Review #91 on MLK Day, includes five links to posts by Jonathan Adler, Orin Kerr, and Eugene Volokh.

Where is the love?

Eric Turkewitz of the New York Personal Injury Law Blog, reflecting on two months of blogging, genuinely appreciates the link love -- and responds in kind:

The Blawg Review, perhaps the most widely read of all legal blog compilations on the web, has now included me in two issues, the first of which was #89 regarding my note on a federal judge preventing the use of a pseudonym in a sex assault case. In issue #91, two different posts on emotional injuries were noted: The first on the tax exempt status of emotional injury compensation, and the one on zone of danger emotional injuries.

And Blawg Review gets recognition from veteran bloggers, too, like Carolyn Elefant, who takes note at Law.com's Legal Blog Watch:

After all, the past 90 editions of Blawg Review have drawn hundreds of new readers to new blogs, many of which would have otherwise gone unnoticed but for serving as hosts. And Blawg Review shares another theme with blogs -- its democratic element. Any blog, large or small, well read or scarcely trafficked, can sign up to host and gain even more exposure. You don't find many publications like that anymore -- except, of course, in the blogosphere.

It's really nice to see that Blawg Review is appreciated, whether in a brief note on a well-read blog or in a personal email to the anonymous editor of Blawg Review, like these kind words from Diane Levin of the Online Guide to Mediation:

For what it's worth, by the way, I'm glad you didn't reveal your identity. Whoever you are, you've performed an admirable service to law bloggers everywhere. You've created a very public and vibrant town square for legal bloggers where all voices can be heard. Who you are doesn't matter. It's what you do that counts.

Thanks, Ed.,
Diane

Thank you, Diane, and Carolyn, and Eric, and Glenn, and all the other pajama bloggers who link to the weekly issues of Blawg Review. It's very much appreciated.