Josie Roberts buys a WASR-10.
She really doesn't like the fact that she can.
"Six days after Watts was murdered, four days after I applied for a driver’s license, one hour after entering the store and five minutes after a criminal record check, I legally owned a semiautomatic AK-47-style rifle," she writes.
Horrors!
Josie, I can buy gasoline, fertilizer and box cutters in a lot less time. [And, yeah, I'm aware of the disputes about OKC and 9-11.]
You can't ban everything that's potentially dangerous, Josie.
Except for balconies. Ban them.
[Thanks to SayUncle for the tip on this story.]
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Mother Sues Cops For Failing to Protect Kids
"[I]t would establish restraining orders as de facto Constitutional entitlements, the enforcement of which are guaranteed by procedural due process; and, second, it would hold state police federally liable for actions they did not take rather than for their bad acts."
As tragic as this story is, the cure is worse than the disease. Innocent victims could be denied fundamental rights without due process--based solely on the say-so of a spiteful accuser. RO's are routinely issued in divorces, even though a spouse may be the most gentle soul in the world.
Society does not have the resources to provide everyone a 24/7 bodyguard, and imagine the totalitarian outcome if it tried. The truth is, we're each of us ultimately responsible for our own defense. That's the way it's always been. To deny that is to deny reality.
This proposal makes about as much sense as balcony control.
As tragic as this story is, the cure is worse than the disease. Innocent victims could be denied fundamental rights without due process--based solely on the say-so of a spiteful accuser. RO's are routinely issued in divorces, even though a spouse may be the most gentle soul in the world.
Society does not have the resources to provide everyone a 24/7 bodyguard, and imagine the totalitarian outcome if it tried. The truth is, we're each of us ultimately responsible for our own defense. That's the way it's always been. To deny that is to deny reality.
This proposal makes about as much sense as balcony control.
NYU Imposes Balcony Control
"In an effort to prevent suicides, New York University will restrict access to balconies in two dormitories, Carlyle Court and Coral Towers, which together house more than 1,000 students."
Let me guess: background checks, one balcony a month, registration and licensing, "smart" balconies...
Gosh, this living in a physical universe with cause and effect certainly poses some dilemmas. And this business of people making wrong choices has got to stop! But we should certainly be thankful the solons of higher education are, at least, addressing the balcony loophole.
[Note: if not registered with the NY Times, try BugMeNot.]
Let me guess: background checks, one balcony a month, registration and licensing, "smart" balconies...
Gosh, this living in a physical universe with cause and effect certainly poses some dilemmas. And this business of people making wrong choices has got to stop! But we should certainly be thankful the solons of higher education are, at least, addressing the balcony loophole.
[Note: if not registered with the NY Times, try BugMeNot.]
Godzilla vs The Bradys
Oh, the humanity!
You can visit assorted disasters on the deserving recipient of your choice thanks to the fine folks at NetDisasters.com.
You can visit assorted disasters on the deserving recipient of your choice thanks to the fine folks at NetDisasters.com.
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