Florida Judge Steven Merryday rejected a request to postpone a trial so a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agent could view Monday's solar eclipse.
Merryday, who presides in the Middle District of Florida, denied the motion, noting that the eclipse would last "no more than two minutes and forty-two seconds" while the trial has involved many people's time and effort.
"Definitely recurrent, sometimes consequential, and occasionally spectacular, the solar eclipse understandably occupies a provocative place in history and in art," Merryday wrote. Referring to the song "You're so Vain," he continued, "In a popular 1970s song, the splendid Carly Simon introduced the attendance of a former suitor [reportedly the actor Warren Beatty] at a solar eclipse as probative evidence of his putatively insufferable vanity."
The judge also scorned the assistant U.S. attorney who made the motion "where no AUSA has moved before"— a Star Trek allusion — for using the phrase "schedule to occur" about the eclipse, "as if someone arbitrarily set the eclipse, as an impresario sets a performer, to appear at a chosen time and place, subject always to some unstated exigency."
"Cruel fate has dictated that the August 21 eclipse will occur during the trial of an action in which the agent is a principal participant on behalf of the United States," Merryday wrote. "When an indispensable participant, knowing that a trial is imminent, pre-pays for some personal indulgence, that participant, in effect, lays a bet. This time, unlike Carly Simon's former suitor, whose "horse, naturally, won," this bettor's horse has—naturally—lost."
It’s not the first time Merryday has gotten an unusual request for a court delay. In 2012, a lawyer involved in a murder-for-hire trial asked for a delay so he could participate in an annual Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest.
Is it any more dangerous than looking at the sun normally? It's the same amount of rays or whatever right?no but you aren't supposed to stare at the sun normally either
Is it any more dangerous than looking at the sun normally? It's the same amount of rays or whatever right?
I don't even know if it's peaked here or not. It's supposed to be passing through the state up north right now, but at the same time we're only getting like 75-90% coverage so it's like... not even dark outside to hint the Eclipse is happening. :lol
https://twitter.com/BostonGlobe/status/892485878731476993
I looked at it even with the glasses and my eyes still feel weird, strained
Pretty sure I'm about to go blind
This new $1* blockbuster is filled with those seasoned, crispy potato bites we all love. And let us not forget the great supporting roles of the melted, real cheddar cheese, creamy chipotle sauce and nacho cheese sauce. It’s obvious that it’s the combined powers of all these ingredients that makes this burrito truly amazing.
I looked at it even with the glasses and my eyes still feel weird, strained
Pretty sure I'm about to go blind
Err...I really hope you weren't using one of the glasses that got recalled...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHwnp4FUAAE97_M.jpg)
2024 will be pretty cool
(http://i.imgur.com/UuH5u8z.png?1)
I looked at it even with the glasses and my eyes still feel weird, strained
Pretty sure I'm about to go blind
The totality here in Nashville for a few minutes were very cool.
The birds in Centennial Park were confused as fuck. "Welp, I guess it is time for bed"
(http://i.imgur.com/UuH5u8z.png?1)
The temperature drop was remarkable! I can't wait until we completely blot out the evil sun.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyjJbhuwGkU