[This is a followup to Cash For Kidneys, Part 1.] One of the things that would bother me about donating a kidney is that I'm using it. Granted, living with one kidney isn't much of a hazard. You really only need one to do the job, and having a spare isn't all that useful since kidney diseases usually attack both of them at once. Still, I'd be more willing to donate a kidney … [Read more...] about Cash For Kidneys, Part 2
Cash For Kidneys, Part 1
Virginia Postrel, who recently donated a kidney to a friend, has an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times about the disincentives of becoming a donor: My parents were appalled. My doctor told me, "You know you can change your mind." Many people couldn't understand why I didn't at least wait until my friend had been on dialysis for a while. This pervasive attitude not only … [Read more...] about Cash For Kidneys, Part 1
Police Shootings that Make You Go Hmmmm…
Radley Balko has been researching police shootings of innocent citizens during SWAT-style drug raids. It's surprising how often this happens and how little press it receives. Recently, Balko was researching a raid back in March that scared the hell out an elderly couple when he came across a letter to the editor from a man whose neice had been killed during a drug raid. … [Read more...] about Police Shootings that Make You Go Hmmmm…
On the Unlikelihood of a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
A friend of mine was concerned a few days ago that the anti-gay-marriage amendment might actually pass, which would cause her some personal heartache. I told her I thought it was just a stunt, and not worth worrying about. Other people seem to think so too. For example, the D.C. Examiner supports a ban on same-sex marriage, but thinks trying to pass an amendment is a waste … [Read more...] about On the Unlikelihood of a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
You Be the Principal!
You're the principal of a high school on graduation day. Students are supposed to arrive at 5pm for the 6pm ceremony, and the rules say nobody will be admitted after 5:55. The senior class vice president shows up late and is turned away by the guards at the door. Somehow, she manages to get inside anyway to catch the end of the ceremony, although her parents are still stuck … [Read more...] about You Be the Principal!