The future of higher ed?

As I an others have predicted, the online university will ultimately replace most brick and mortar institutions. Consistent with other trends, the quality of education for most students will decline.

Suspect Tasered 28 times and dies. Taser Trigger Amnesia?

The Constable stated he tasered the suspect 8 times. The weapons shows 28 times. If an officer Tasers a suspect 8 times and it doesn't stop or subdue the suspect, isn't it time to move to another tactic? These multiple tasering cases (more than 3 "rides") resulting in death are becoming a pattern. What is the problem here? Taser trigger amnesia brought on by stress? P.S. Sorry for the drought of posts. Went out of town for Spring Break and am now grading grad course essay exams. Thanks to all those who posted recently.

Good article on Campus Concealed Carry

Too many state college and university Presidents are left-wing authoritarians--disparaging due process, First Amendment and Second Amendment rights. See the FIRE website for gobs of First Amendment examples. It probably wouldn't help, but perhaps, like many other public officials, they should taken an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. Opposition to licensed concealed carry on state higher-ed campuses is the latest manifestation. Even though rational, balanced consideration of the policy issues provides no ammunition for opponents, too many are focusing on the policy issues, without considering the civil liberties issues. Decisions affecting civil liberties should be made by politically accountable officials, not bureaucrats! The latest idiotic gambit by the Prezzes is covered in the linked article.

BATF snafu becoming scandal?

Latest on the snafu that is growing into a scandal.

New BATF snafu

Your government at work. Excerpt from recent article from "The Hill." “In a setback for the ATF, recent reports indicate that a program designed to fight gun traffickers may have backfired. Operation Fast and Furious put firearms into the hands of known smugglers in order to track them to cartel leaders, according to numerous reports. Hundreds of those firearms have gone missing, the reports indicate, and several have been linked indirectly to the murder of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry, who was killed in a December firefight in Arizona.” I agree that there needs to be hearings and some valid research on this topic. BATF's recent tracking study was a joke.

Recent 2nd Amend. decision

No rights are absolute and the Second Amendment is not absolute. In a generally sensible Second Amendment decision, the 3rd Circuit held that the Second Amendment does not give convicted felons a right to possess firearms and ammunition. This defendant had 7 pistols, five rifles, three shotguns and relevant ammo. I generally agree with the decision, except that, as in Texas law, I would make an exception for the defendant’s home. However, I would limit that exception for felons to some limit on the number and type of weapons as the right involves defensive use of firearms in the home.

New Study on Tasers

Although Tasers are much criticized and many are advocating that police not be permitted to use Tasers, this study suggests that Taser use results in fewer injuries to both suspects and police.

Deputy U.S. Marshal killed

Let's never forget those who died trying to serve us.

Short review of last week's S.Ct. Cases

Good short article on last week's Supreme Court opinions including the military funeral protest case (Snyder v. Phelps). Note that Scalia lets the Constitution triumph over conservative ideology in the Bryant case. The Justices need to make this a habit. I would strongly recommend this website for those who want to follow the Supreme Court closely. It's generally non-partisan.

Latest on the Danziger Bridge incident prosecution of NOPD officers

Latest news on the criminal prosecution of police officers in my favorite PD. Stay tuned!

Victory for First Amendment

As I predicted earlier in this blog, the wackos won. Don't think of it as a defendant's victory in the obnoxious, offensive,funeral protest case as a victory for those wackos. Think of it as a victory for First Amendment values and the rule of law. Sometimes application of legal principles can result in a decision that rubs us the wrong way. The rule of law requires that even the wackos get First Amendment protection.