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Monthly Archives: April 2014

Never give the 99.9% an even break

I rarely pay attention to the emails I receive at work from organizations like the ABA and the National Law Journal, but this one caught my eye. For anyone not somewhat experienced in litigation this issue might seem esoteric, but for me this attempt to game the rules of discovery is emblematic of the ongoing […]

More red states/blue states

These state by state comparisons are fascinating in part because they are in the main, not at all surprising, yet every once in a while there are some interesting anomalies. Take this map published by the Economist, (via Hullabaloo), showing those states with and without a death penalty (also imparting some information about the frequency […]

GOP to Nation: Harry Reid is picking on us

It's been a while since I've had a “good news” post, so I'm paying a debt here. It truly does look like a bit of panic is setting in amongst the Republicans with regard to their prospects of taking over the U.S. Senate. I don't think I've written about the upcoming election before, so I […]

A Day for the rational

The godless of Rhode Island have won a small victory: Rhode Island’s governor has declared May 1 a “Day of Reason” to [recognize the state’s nonbelievers. The Humanists of Rhode Island and the Secular Coalition for Rhode Island requested the proclamation, which the Friendly Atheist blog said is virtually identical to others signed by the […]

There are taxes, and then there are taxes

David Atkins points out that the effective tax rate in the U.S. is the third lowest in the developed world. He is taking issue with the right wingers who are constantly bemoaning our high taxes, and, in that sense, his rebuttal is spot on. But in a larger sense, I think the jury is still […]

Easter Sermon, giving the ghost his due

This is Easter weekend, and it seems fitting that I should abandon politics and turn my hand to religion. Regular readers know that I have an advanced degree in theology, having studied religion for eight years at Our Lady of Sorrows Grammar School (not making that up) on aptly named Grace Street (not making that […]

Happy Good Friday

Where does the time go? It seems like only a year since last Good Friday. I am a firm believer in tradition, so this year, like every year, I pause to consider the meaning of the day, and pass on some words of wisdom from some boys from England. And despite what some might conclude […]

THe Free Market at Work

I believe this is what the economist call rent seeking behavior: Oklahoma residents who produce their own energy through solar panels or small wind turbines on their property will now be charged an additional fee, the result of a new bill passed by the state legislature and expected to be signed into law by Gov. […]

Why would anyone think businessmen make good politicians

Down in Georgia the Republicans are having an intraparty hate fest. One candidate, a fellow named David Perdue, showed the world how little good a college education can do by attacking his opponent for not having a college education. In Georgia of all places, home of the dumb. But the purpose of this post is […]

That will be One billion Hail Marys and Two Billion Our Fathers

Pope Francis has asked for forgiveness: Pope Francis said Friday he took personal responsibility for the ‘‘evil’’ of priests who raped and molested children, asking forgiveness from victims and saying the church must be even bolder in its efforts to protect the young. It was the first time a pope has taken personal responsibility for […]