Year: 2008
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT DEPT.
A Lesson About Child Pornography
They just caught an alleged child pornographer in Newark, Ohio. The miscreant had taken nude photos of a 15-year-old girl and was sending them to the girl’s friends—also minors—on their cell phones. What really makes this a story, however, is the identity of the individual who was exploiting this poor girl. Some of you know… Read more
LEGAL DEPT.
So Your Lawyer Has Some Influence?
Saturday, Scott Greenfield posted about the ethics of defense lawyers who make a big deal out of the fact that they used to be prosecutors and can therefore do a better job of defense. Scott, let’s say, has his doubts: The pitch is intended to capitalize on a basic misperception by the public, that the… Read more
POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPT.
Retouching Sarah Palin
It’s hard to really be sure, but the dumbest issue among the many dumb issues to emerge from this election season is the question of whether it was disrespectful of Newsweek to put an unretouched photo of Sarah Palin on the cover because it exposed all her flaws. That’s an easy one: Newsweek does journalism. They’re… Read more
BIOETHICS DEPT.
Fear Itself is Fear Enough
A few months ago I saw squirrel get hit by a car. I had just noticed it starting to cross the street when it spotted an approaching car and froze on the pavement. It was probably safe where it was, but I could see it was overwhelmed by fear and I knew, a second before… Read more
POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPT.
Music Rights, Politician’s Rights
One of the many side issues during this campaign season has been the use of contemporary music by the campaigns—in commercials or as background to conventions and rallies. The original artists don’t always like the candidates who use their music, and often they have the legal right to stop them. (Not always. Music licensing is… Read more