Scott Greenfield is complaining about people who propose simplistic solutions to the ills that infest the criminal justice system. This time it's the Economist, and their solution is the ever-popular one of eliminating the problems of plea bargaining by eliminating plea bargaining. Scott's not happy with that for the usual reason criminal defense lawyers aren't happy with … [Read more...] about What If We Eliminated Plea Bargaining?
Greg Laden Illustrates the Case For a Carbon Tax
Science blogger Greg Laden is having trouble figuring out whether or not to install a solar electric power system in his home. I want to put a solar panel on my roof so that I am releasing less greenhouse gas into the environment. But then I hear that manufacturing solar panels causes the release of greenhouse gasses, so I have to subtract that from the good I think I’m doing. … [Read more...] about Greg Laden Illustrates the Case For a Carbon Tax
A Monstrous New Constitution
Someone at @Popehat (no idea which one) pointed out that Andrew Burstein at Salon is calling for a new constitutional convention. I'm generally against the idea, because although I can think of a few things I'd like to change, I'd be worried that we'd lose way too many freedoms if we rewrote the Constitution in this fearful day and age. Burstein's article is an excellent … [Read more...] about A Monstrous New Constitution
The Wrong Terminator
So there's another Terminator film in the works, scheduled for next summer. I want it to be awesome, but I'm not expecting much. From what I gather, the impetus to make the film was that the company that made the last one went belly up and somebody ended up with the rights and figured they'd better do something with them, and Arnold's available again, so what the hell, let's … [Read more...] about The Wrong Terminator
Two Cheers for the Secret Service [Updated]
Am I the only one who thought the U.S. Secret Service did a pretty good job of handling the guy who jumped the fence and ran for the front door?I'm especially appalled at the suggestion that snipers should have shot him after he jumped the fence. It's reported that the only weapon on him was a small folding knife, so if the White House door had been locked, he would have … [Read more...] about Two Cheers for the Secret Service [Updated]