Buzzkill.
Month: August 2009
Right-Wing Rage
In America, Crazy Is a Preexisting Condition So the birthers, the anti-tax tea-partiers, the town hall hecklers — these are “either” the genuine grass roots or evil conspirators staging scenes for YouTube? The quiver on the lips of the man pushing the wheelchair, the crazed risk of carrying a pistol around a president — too heartfelt to be an act.…
Just Say Yes
The Washington Post has an op-ed written by me, Peter Moskos, and Stanford “Neill” Franklin. It’s Time to Legalize Drug Drug manufacturing and distribution is too dangerous to remain in the hands of unregulated criminals. Drug distribution needs to be the combined responsibility of doctors, the government, and a legal and regulated free market. This simple step would quickly eliminate…
Washington Post Op-Ed
Stanford “Neill” Franklin and I have an op-ed scheduled to run in Monday’s Washington Post. Needless to say, details will follow. Major Franklinwas the commanding officer at the Baltimore police academy when I graduated in 2000. Who would have thought, nine years later, we’d be writing newspaper pieces together? I don’t think we ever even spoke to each other back…
Prison Labor
In Mexico, on the road between Merida and Campeche, you pass a large prison (filled with people from Mexico City, they say). Lining the highway are a dozen or so stores selling hammocks and other labor-intensive hand-crafted good. They’re made by prisoners. Why don’t we have this?
Good Guys 4 — Bad Guys 0
New York City store owner and would be robbery victim shoots all 4 bad guys, killing two. The Daily Newshas the best coverage: The furious employee who had been pistol-whipped ran out of the store and leaned over the mortally wounded Footmon, cursing at him, witnesses said. The worker went back into the store and dragged Morgan’s body onto the…
High School Reunion
I’m off to Chicago for my 20th high-school reunion. Should be fun!
Shameless Self-Promotion
Still haven’t bought my book? It ain’t like my blog pays the rent. Actually my book doesn’t either, but I still want it to sell. The paperback edition of Cop in the Hood is out and in stock! Better yet, ask your local bookstore (and have them stock it). At only $11.43 (from Amazon.com), even the cheapest of bastards can…
Really the last word on Gates. Really
In comments, Jack left a great link to this piece by Ruth Wisse, another Harvard professor. It is her “letter” to Skip Gates. Bold and very well written. Dear Skip, My first thought on hearing of your arrest was for your welfare, so I was relieved to learn that the case against you had been dropped and you were off…
Angels In Blue: The Virtues of Foot Patrol
An article of mine, “Angels in Blue: The Virtues of Foot Patrol,” is being published in The American Interestmagazine. They’ve given me permission to spread the article around. But you have to buy the magazine to read all the other articles (seems only fair). The article is adopted from a new chapter in the paperback edition of my book, Cop…