I was driving home from dinner with the parents when suddenly it hit me: I don't know how many planets there are! The IAU met to decide on it a few months ago, but the rule they settled on was not the rule everybody thought they'd settle on. I can't remember what they decided, so I have no clue how many planets there are. I think that means I get to make up my own rules. … [Read more...] about A Personal Astronomical Crisis
Thanks For…Reason Magazine
I can't remember the first time I picked up Reason magazine. It was probably in the mid 1990's. I was going through a phase where I was looking for magazines about the important issues of the day. I was reading Time or Newsweek regularly—I can't remember which. Somebody had told me that that the two best magazines for learning about the big issues were Atlantic and … [Read more...] about Thanks For…Reason Magazine
Naked Came the Prosecutor
In a bizarre story, the folks at the Volokh Conspiracy ask: If a prosecutor walks around naked in his office late at night and there's nobody there to see him, is it still indecent exposure? (Full disclosure: Not to put any ugly pictures in people's heads, but I'm often naked while writing this blog. Just thought I should come clean.) … [Read more...] about Naked Came the Prosecutor
Atlanta Police Kill 92-Year-Old Woman
But not before she wounded three of them: Three Atlanta police officers were shot and wounded and an elderly woman killed at a house in northwest Atlanta Tuesday night. The woman, identified by relatives as 92-year old Kathryn Johnson, opened fire on the officers from the narcotics division at a house at 933 Neal Street, according to officials. Authorities say they received a … [Read more...] about Atlanta Police Kill 92-Year-Old Woman
A Moment of Despair Over the War on Drugs
In response to a previous post, I got this comment: I've discovered that the issue which transcends all political boundaries better than any other issue is the comprehension that the War on Drugs is a failure. Consider this organization: Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. It’s comprised of cops, judges, prosecutors and others in the criminal justice system, as well as … [Read more...] about A Moment of Despair Over the War on Drugs