Category Archives: justice

All Posts, justice, race

DO WE WANT POLICE BODY CAMERAS?

Now is the time to think carefully about whether to record police interactions with the public and who would have access to recordings.  The reasons to record seem clear.  Some allegations of serious, even criminal, misconduct on the part of both police and citizens have been clarified by video evidence.  Law enforcement is impaired by mistrust of police.  If cameras reduce the mistrust, then police can be more effective.  The presence of cameras might motivate more respectful behavior by both citizens and police – leading to fewer confrontations.  All of those would be good outcomes.

On the other hand, some people may be reluctant to even talk with police if the conversation is recorded.  Would people have informal conversations with officers about neighborhood gangs and drug dealers if they knew that they were being recorded?

The idea of recordings seems good, but unanswered questions abound. Continue reading DO WE WANT POLICE BODY CAMERAS? →

All Posts, justice, race

Why Is Walter Scott Dead?

Despite the fact that Americans are protected by our constitution from overly aggressive law enforcement, there continue to be tragic occasions when officers shoot first and ask questions later.  Another such story is unfolding in South Carolina. Continue reading Why Is Walter Scott Dead? →

All Posts, justice, race

Do press and police practices contribute to racial distrust?

I’ve begun to wonder if American press and law enforcement practices contribute to racial distrust.

Law enforcement example: 

Twelve year old Tamir Rice reportedly pointed a weapon (later identified as an airsoft toy pistol) at a police officer who quickly shot the youngster.  Eric Garner argued with police about whether he had been selling untaxed cigarettes and was physically restrained, face down on the ground.  He died as a result of the methods used by police.  Both Rice and Garner were black. Continue reading Do press and police practices contribute to racial distrust? →

All Posts, justice, race

Building Trust Across Racial Lines

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The first step in solving a problem is to admit that it exists. Despite our experiences with racial tension and conflict, many Americans deny the existence of a problem. Some acknowledge difficulties then point a blaming finger toward others, as if problems could be solved by “fixing” law enforcement or black culture (whatever that stereotype means). My own conclusions are that we have genuine national and local problems; and until we address fundamental needs for trust and communication other initiatives are unlikely to work. Continue reading Building Trust Across Racial Lines →

All Posts, economy, justice, poverty, race, taxes

An Economy Divided Against Itself

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On June 16, 1858 a  little-known candidate for the Illinois Senate spoke these words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.”  Abraham Lincoln was defeated in that election.

Twenty-first Century America is a house divided.  Like Lincoln, we should expect that our nation will cease to be divided, not that it will fall.  Like the America of 1858, we must choose our destiny.  We may become a commonwealth where everyone has opportunity to develop her or his full potential; benefitting financially and socially from personal efforts. Or we may become a winner-take-all nation where the wealthy grant only subsistence to those who labor. Continue reading An Economy Divided Against Itself →

All Posts, justice, religion

THANKSGIVING FOR A SECULAR NATION

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I am thankful to live in a  free, secular nation where there are few limitations on my right to live as I choose.  That liberty was thoughtfully created by the framers of our constitution and protected  by every generation of Americans. Continue reading THANKSGIVING FOR A SECULAR NATION →

All Posts, economy, justice, north carolina, poverty

Legislators like Tillis betrayed military families and the poor

Thom Tillis and other red-state legislators made it easy for big banks and financial companies to prey on the poor with interest rates as high as 36%. The legislators accepted large contributions from financial industry representatives, and it appears that  Tillis got more than any other legislator in the nation.   Ignoring the advice of military leaders, these lawmakers sold out low income families trying to  climb into the middle class. Click here for specifics.  It’s wrong for elected leaders to help big companies take advantage of the poor.  Kudos to the NY Times for their research and follow-up.

All Posts, health, justice, north carolina, public education

Does Underage Drinking Fuel Campus Assaults?

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I got you in trouble in high school; but college, now that was a ball.  You had some of the best times you’ll never remember with me – Alcohol.”  (Brad Paisley)

The song masks pain and humiliation behind humor.  Many college students arrive with established alcohol habits and binge drinking is popular recreation. Some parents allow pre-college teenagers to have alcohol at parties.   Are they protecting their children by letting them learn to drink responsibly under supervision or are they increasing the chances that the children will become alcoholics?  In some states that is legal and in others parents could face both criminal and civil penalties.  Excessive drinking among teens is associated with academic failure, violence,  and financial problems. Continue reading Does Underage Drinking Fuel Campus Assaults? →

All Posts, budget, islam, justice, religion, taxes, war

AN ALTERNATIVE ISIS STRATEGY

There must be better ways to relate to Middle Eastern Muslims than the ones we have chosen. Three fallacious assumptions have formed the basis for many mistakes: “The enemies of my enemies are my friends.” “The friends of my enemies are my enemies.” “Those who are not for us are against us.” Here are two examples of where that logic took us. Continue reading AN ALTERNATIVE ISIS STRATEGY →

All Posts, deficit, justice, taxes, war

IS NO NUKES ALWAYS GOOD NEWS?

January 11, 1994 BRUSSELS — “President Clinton on Monday announced agreement with Ukraine and Russia to dismantle Ukraine’s entire nuclear arsenal, hailing the long-sought accord as “a hopeful and historic breakthrough that enhances the security of all three participants.” – The Los Angeles Times.

From the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had inherited 176 intercontinental missiles aimed mostly at the US and over 1200 nuclear warheads about 600 of which were loaded on bombers. The US and Russia promised security to Ukraine if they would give up their nuclear weapons. The US provided assistance for turning the weapons into fuel for nuclear power plants. Russia agreed to provide fuel rods for Ukraine’s nuclear plants. The world no longer feared Ukraine’s nukes being stolen or sold to the highest black market bidder. Russia no longer had a nuclear armed neighbor. Continue reading IS NO NUKES ALWAYS GOOD NEWS? →