The state of North Carolina executed Kenneth Lee Boyd early this morning, the nation’s 1,000th execution since capital punishment resumed in 1976. I’m not morally opposed to executing a murderer. But application concerns make me conclude that the death penalty isn’t worth it.
For example, death penalty defendants are disproportionately poor and minority (though if you are a rich minority, like O.J. Simpson, you can get away with murder). Whether there is a death penalty case also depends on how aggressive the district attorney is (thus, similar crimes occurring in different parts of the same state may have different punishments). There is also the horrifying possibility of executing an innocent person. And not that money should be a big driver on this, but the legal costs of capital cases often are more than the cost of life in prison. Executions also seem to have little deterrent effect on future crimes.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
One indictment against the owner of one Wichita adult store on a single count of promoting obscenity this week was the best a monthlong grand jury investigation of seven stores could manage. As our editorial today notes, that’s not exactly what Operation SouthWind’s petition drive was aiming for, but it’s part of a pattern of measures aimed at targeting sexually oriented businesses and pornography locally and in Topeka with criminal charges and with new zoning and taxation. It’s also the latest illustration of how difficult it is for people to decide what constitutes obscenity according to “contemporary community standards.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
One possible explanation for Plamegate, as noted by The Washington Post: The job as director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, who “provides overall direction to the executive branch ethics program,” has been vacant since December 2003. The job of special assistant to the director is open, too. Sadly, this does not account for the ethics deficits over at the legislative branch.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
The Transportation Security Administration finally wised up and plans to stop worrying about miniature scissors, nail clippers and other small sharp objects. Instead, inspectors will spend more time conducting random searches and looking for bombs. Brilliant!
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Here’s one more reason to add to the many given in our Wednesday editorial as to why nations need to address climate change. A new scientific report indicates that the ocean currents that transport heat around the globe are weakening.
The slowdown has long been predicted as an eventual result of global warming, but scientists did not expect it to happen so soon.
“The result is alarming,” wrote Detlef Quadfasel, a climate expert at the University of Munich.
That’s why nations need to act now rather than later.
Posted by Melissa Cooley
The following spoofs headlines come from borowitzreport.com:
BUSH SETS TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF CINDY SHEEHAN; Anti-war Mom’s Protest Could Be Over Next Week, President Says
KIM JONG IL ACQUIRES DEADLY MACY’S BALLOON; Latest Weapon in Madman’s Arsenal
IN RUN-UP TO WAR, BUSH CONSIDERED BOMBING NPR; British PM Blair Talked Him Down, New Report Says
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Waste Connections still plans to open a landfill in Harper County next year, having received its state permit. But opponents aren’t giving up their fight. A citizens group and a Harper County resident filed a notice in federal court last week of their intent to sue, The Hutchinson News reported. They and Sumner County have another pending lawsuit in Shawnee County District Court. No wonder our trash bills are so high.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
