One of the bigger crimlaw news items these days is a report from the Columbia School of Law that claims Texas executed an innocent man in 1989. According to an AFP wire story by Chantal Valery: The report, entitled "Los Tocayos Carlos: Anatomy of a Wrongful Execution," traces the facts surrounding the February 1983 murder of Wanda Lopez, a single mother who was stabbed in the … [Read more...] about Truth in Capital Punishment
Metra: No Fourth Amendment for You!
Chicago will be hosting the NATO summit meeting this month, and it's turning into a typical display of government arrogance. For a recent example, the Metra commuter rail system has announced that they will be stopping service on the line that runs through the summit location: Metra plans to operate regular service on 10 of its 11 lines. For the Metra Electric Line, most … [Read more...] about Metra: No Fourth Amendment for You!
Everybody Does It – Part 1: Cultural Norms
A few weeks ago at the Ethics Alarms blog, Jack Marshall published his list of 24 ways people justify unethical behavior. He starts the list with an old rationalization that is the basis for several others: 1. The Golden Rationalization, or "Everybody does it" This rationalization has been used to excuse ethical misconduct since the beginning of civilization. It is based on … [Read more...] about Everybody Does It – Part 1: Cultural Norms
Welcome to the New Century, Mr. President
Welcome to the new century, Mr. President, thank you for joining us. "I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together; when I think about those soldiers or … [Read more...] about Welcome to the New Century, Mr. President
Shifted by Colin D. Jones – Review
Whenever I get tired of checking the bestseller lists on my Kindle book reader for new novels to read -- the top of the list has been owned by Hunger Games and Lisbeth Salander ever since I got the thing -- I like to try out a few of the cheap e-books. It's a bit like checking out experimental theater productions: Most of them turn out to not be very good, but sometimes they're … [Read more...] about Shifted by Colin D. Jones – Review