The internet right now is filled with confused bits of news about the terrorist attacks in Paris. I don't really have anything to say about the attacks themselves beyond the futile observation that killing innocent people is evil. But we've seen these kinds of events before, and there are a few things I like to keep in mind:Many of the early reports are going to turn out … [Read more...] about A Few Brief Meta-Observations About the Paris Attacks
Free (Brewing of) Beer
Everybody seems to be making fun of Salon these days, and I think I'm beginning to understand why. Case in point: Marcy Wheeler's post about the recent GOP debates, responding to some of Rick Santorum's claims about insurance market consolidation under Obamacare: Santorum claimed to be a lot less worried about consolidation in the watery beer market because, “There’s no town … [Read more...] about Free (Brewing of) Beer
Kate Burkholder Is an Authoritarian Bitch
Kate Burkholder is an authoritarian bitch. Kate Burkholder is also a fictional character. This is a problem for me.I enjoy police procedural mysteries -- the crime scene, the forensics, the autopsy, interrogations, politics, history, secrets -- but all these years of blogging about libertarian issues and the criminal justice system have made it hard to maintain the willing … [Read more...] about Kate Burkholder Is an Authoritarian Bitch
A Truth Not So True
When I watched the trailer for the movie Truth, I had no idea what it was about, so I was surprised to discover that someone had made a movie about the Killian documents, the journalism scandal that effectively ended the careers of news anchor Dan Rather and news producer Mary Mapes. I thought it was great that someone had made a whole movie about what happens when journalists … [Read more...] about A Truth Not So True
Jennifer Connell Is Not Really a Monster For Suing Her 8-Year Old Nephew
Folks on the internet have been a bit outraged at a woman who sued her 8-year nephew: Jennifer Connell claims the boy, Sean Tarala of Westport, acted unreasonable when he leaped into her arms, causing her to fall on the ground and break her wrist four years ago. This week Connell is asking a six-member Superior Court jury to find the boy liable for his actions.She is … [Read more...] about Jennifer Connell Is Not Really a Monster For Suing Her 8-Year Old Nephew