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Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 11:41:32
O.J. throws a Hail Mary pass
What is more interesting to me is that in this same article, it says that the Nevada Supreme Court has not heard oral arguments in 8 years. Some courts in other states hear oral arguments in every single case, or at least every case in which one party asks for arguments. I think here in Arkansas, they got tired of listening ot me because after I did my first 3 or 4, my next 15 requests were denied. ( mainly because there wasn't much interesting to hear in those cases.)
In any event, O.J. will most likely spend his next few years where he belongs, with other violent felons.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 12:27:57
Gene Lyons On Salon.com
As a news junkie, I read the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette everyday, but also usually go online to the New York Times, the Huffington Post, and of course check the Drudgereport. Another favorite is Salon.com, which emails me daily. I've noticed that they have run two articles lately by one of my favorite Arkansas columnists, Gene Lyons. Today he is discussing Sarah Palin.The Law Is An Ass"
As Charles Dickens wrote, sometimes “the law is an ass—a idiot." Child support policy is a funny thing. Obviously most people think that a parents should support a child. But what about when that child is later determined not to be biologically related to the parent? According to Arkansas law, and probably most other states, a prior child support order cannot be voided even when a parent is excluded by DNA as the child's father. Meaning, a father can owe thousands of dollars or more for a child that is not his and there is nothing he can do about it. In this case discussed on CNN, a man was imprisoned a year for past due support even though he was not the father. To make it worse, this man was apparently indigent and couldn't pay even if he wanted to. Here is a case where a little discretion, mercy, and justice go a long way. Although he might owe the money, that doesn't mean the criminal justice system should be used against him. I would hope this wouldn't happen here in Arkansas.Don't Be A Hater
As I write this, the Senate is considering the defense appropriation bill. Senator Leahy has attached as an a "Hate Crime Bill" authorizing expanded prosecution of crimes that involve targeting of minority groups. ( S. 1390).
I just have a fundamental problem with hate crime legislation. I don't mind the part that gives local law enforcement extra money to help investigate and prosecute these crimes. Instead, I take issue with how I imagine how a hate crime will be prosecuted. I might be wrong, but if a KKK member attacks a member of a minority group - and is subsequently charged with a hate crime - there would have to be evidence that the act was indeed motivate by "hate." What would this evidence be ? I can't see it being anything except what a person says, writes, or expresses. Of course, as to the KKK this could be speeches where they discuss the inferiority of various races. I think if we make part of the proof of the crime evidence of racist hatred - it would be much harder to guarantee a fair trial.
In any event, there is a second reason to oppose this bill in its current form. President Obama has said he would veto any defense bill that includes an additional 7 warplanes that he does not think are necessary. It will be ironic if our first black president vetos the a bill that includes hate crime legislation - but that is the cost of adding unnecessary amendments to the defense bill obviously.
I'll be asking Senator Lincoln and Senator Pryor to vote no to SB 1390.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 18:04:28
That Minority Judge
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Kim Hendren just can't seem to help putting his foot in his mouth. Either that, or he is just a bigot. He called the Honorable Brian Miller, a federal district judge, "that new minority judge." I wasn't aware we had minority or majority judges. Is this the best the Republicans can come up with ? http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aid=116011.54928.128140
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