Posts by Diane Dimond
Don’t Let the Media Make Up Your Mind on State of the Union.
Following President Trump’s first State of the Union I was left shaking my head at some journalist’s analysis of what was said. Especially troublesome from my crime and justice perch were reporter’s conclusions tying Trump’s mention of deadly MS-13 gang activity to all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. The Huffington Post’s coverage of the issue…
Read MoreThe Forgotten #MeToo and #Time’sUp Victims
In all the #MeToo talk about sexual harassment, assault and rape it dawns on me that one category of victim remains undiscussed, almost taboo to talk about: the victims of childhood incest. Meet Elizabeth Spalter. Buoyed by today’s open conversation about sexual crimes Elizabeth wants the world to know her story.
Read MoreWhy Suspects May “All Look Alike” to an Eyewitness
How fair are criminal trials in America? How confident should we be that prosecutors have the right perpetrator and how much weight should be put on eyewitness identification of suspects? A growing number of states are now instructing their courts to encourage jurors to ask themselves these very questions. Many studies have exposed the frailties…
Read MoreMr. Session’s Doomed War on Pot
So, the federal government is going to crack down on pot, is it? Really? How exactly is that going to work? There are, what, more than 30 states that have either decriminalized it in some way, legalized medicinal marijuana (with a doctor’s recommendation) or out-and-out agreed to make it legal for recreational use?* I’m thinking…
Read MoreFighting the Opioid Epidemic From a Behind a Computer
Anyone remember when President Donald Trump declared America’s escalating epidemic of opioid addiction was “a national health emergency” that was ripping families apart? The announcement last October may have gotten lost given sheer amount of Trump news, but that declaration allowed the government to designate federal funds to fight the deadliest drug crisis this country…
Read MoreKeeping Guns Away From the Most Dangerous
Hooray! America has just set a new record. Want to guess what it is? Record breaking high school math scores, you say? Nope. Maybe a record number of workers pulling themselves out of poverty or a banner year for a decline in infectious diseases? No and no.
Read MoreSaying Goodbye to 2017, With High Hopes For 2018
Terror attacks on American soil, mass murders in church, widespread serial sexual assaults, unwarranted police shootings, continued gang activity in major cities, nationwide political schisms – news headlines during 2017 were both frightening and disheartening. So, will 2018 be any better? The truth? It depends on us. All of us.
Read MoreToys That Can Spy
Beware the holiday gifts that can spy on you. Sound like an overly dire warning, you say? Well, in this ever-more-internet-connected world it might surprise you how many of those wish list gifts come with a tantalizing lure for criminals.
Read MoreSanctuary City Policies Can Put Us All At Risk
Laws are a necessary evil in civilized society. You obey the laws and the government will do its best to protect you and yours. But what happens when there’s a conflict between a state and a federal law? That is the situation across America today. So far six states: California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon…
Read MoreSo, Where’s That Wall?
It has been nearly a year since Donald J. Trump assumed the office of the presidency of the United States. So, where’s that wall he promised voters?
Read More