A few months ago, I was a juror on a criminal case where a guy was accused of attacking a cop. The cop was the only witness to the attack, and the defendant said he didn't do it. We the jury thought the defendant's story had too many problems, so we disregarded it and then convicted him based on the cop's more-credible testimony. I bring this up again because Scott at Simple … [Read more...] about An Especially Tricky Case to Prosecute
Welcome to the Club, Steven
According to an AP wire story, China isn't happy with Steven Spielberg: Hollywood director Steven Spielberg's decision to quit the Beijing Olympics over the Darfur crisis is drawing condemnation by China's state-controlled media and a groundswell of criticism from the Chinese public. ... In newspaper commentaries and lively Internet forums, they have expressed outrage, scorn … [Read more...] about Welcome to the Club, Steven
Time For a New Car
Ever since we bought our last car in 1998, my wife and I have been thinking that our next car should be an SUV of some kind. Our 1997 Camry feels roomy inside, but that's because of good ergonomics. If you try to fit in something not shaped like a human, like a bunch of Banker's Boxes or a set of shelves from the Container Store, you quickly realize that the back seat has an … [Read more...] about Time For a New Car
Aliens or Romance?
Today's online Chicago Tribune has a blurb that reads: Aliens or romance? John Kass wants to know what you think is the Best Valentine's Day Date Movie. John, if you choose your woman wisely, aliens are romance. Update: My wife just called me from the road. She wants to know the name of the spaceship from Alien. She knows the one in Aliens is the Sulaco, but she's blanked on … [Read more...] about Aliens or Romance?
On Warrantless Wiretapping
[This is a little late by now, but I thought I'd put it out there anyway.]A few days ago, the Wall Street Journal had an editorial about the wiretapping bill in the Senate. Let's sample a few choice phrases:The Senate takes up wiretapping of foreign terrorists this week, and the stakes couldn't be higher.Remember that "the stakes couldn't be higher" when we get to the more … [Read more...] about On Warrantless Wiretapping