I went out last night to take pictures of the fireworks going off in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, it was raining earlier in the evening, and I think that discouraged some people from bringing out their fireworks. Several of the locations I usually hit were totally dead. To make matters worse, fog rolled in last night. That's a problem, because rather than hitting the … [Read more...] about Chicago Fireworks 2009
Independence Day, Then What?
So on July 4, 1776, the United States of America declared itself independent from the Kingdom of Great Britain. And then it was July 5, and there was work to be done. Britain was a superpower, but through war and diplomacy our small nation wrested sovereignty from the king's hands, and on September 3, 1783, the king's representatives acknowledged it in the Treaty of Paris. … [Read more...] about Independence Day, Then What?
Lori Drew Acquitted…For All the Right Reasons
The case against Lori Drew has been dismissed (more or less) by the federal judge who was hearing the case. This counts as very good news...but not exactly wonderful news. For those not following the case, Lori Drew used MySpace email to play a cruel trick on a teenage girl named Megan Meier, who killed herself. Prosecutors in Drew's home state of Missouri didn't prosecute her … [Read more...] about Lori Drew Acquitted…For All the Right Reasons
Is Free Preventive Care The Answer?
In response to my earlier post of a couple of thoughts on healthcare, a reader called "bunkerbuster" throws a few interesting questions my way: What's your view on demand for health care? The market model would have it increase to infinity if it becomes zero cost to the consumer. Generally, that is the rule, but I think "bunkerbuster" is right to be skeptical for three … [Read more...] about Is Free Preventive Care The Answer?
Scattershot 2009-06-29
Random shots around the web: Federal conspiracy charges coming in 5...4...3...2... Turns out many diagnoses of Shaken Baby Syndrome weren't actually caused by people shaking the baby. Lots of people may have gone for jail for mild accidents that took place days before the murder-by-shaking supposedly occurred. This sort of thing is why I'll never let animal-shelter employees … [Read more...] about Scattershot 2009-06-29