In 2009, when a Fairfax, Virginia police officer shot and killed an unarmed man, the police department refused to identify the officer who pulled the trigger. When reporter Michael Pope asked a few questions, Fairfax County Police Public Information Officer Mary Ann Jennings became obstinate: When asked why her department won't even release the name of the officer who shot … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Police Shootings
The Dangerous Fantasy of Attacking the Cops
Martin Luther King's holiday seems to be as good a day as any to talk about how we should respond to police barbarism. It's no secret that a lot of people with libertarian leanings aren't happy with the way the United States seems to be turning into a police state. As a reminder of the degree to which our cops have become militarized, check out the Cop or Soldier quiz at Radley … [Read more...] about The Dangerous Fantasy of Attacking the Cops
Blogroll Maintenance
It has been pointed out that my blogroll is deficient, so it's time for a few additions, corrections, and deletions. First of all, one of my regular daily stops is the Honest Courtesan, written by retired call girl (and Nobody's Business guest blogger) Maggie McNeill. She's a good writer with mad research skills, and her blog takes a frankly libertarian approach in … [Read more...] about Blogroll Maintenance
Speak Up For Sex Workers
Over on the Twitter, retired call-girl Maggie McNeill is urging some of us bloggers to join her campaign to make every Friday the Thirteenth a day to speak up for the rights sex workers. She think's it's especially important to get support from outside the sex work community: A number of advocates are working to respond to the lies, propaganda and misinformation wherever … [Read more...] about Speak Up For Sex Workers
Mount What?
Over at Ethics Alarms, Jack Marshall writes: Most of all, I do not understand the persistence of the myth that a college education can, does, or should qualify a graduate for good job, when it appears that a large percentage of students, if not a majority, leave the campus unable to write, think, or name the men on Mount Rushmore. Mount Rushmore? That's old media... Seriously, … [Read more...] about Mount What?