Syndicated Columns
Here’s to New Year Filled With Civility and Less Crime
Professor P. M. Forni, 67, died earlier this month in Towson, Maryland. He was born in Bologna, Italy and became a proud U.S. citizen and educator. I didn’t know the man personally, but I am sad to hear that he is gone. Forni was one of the last clarion voices to advocate for civility among…
Read MoreFamilies, Kids and a Flawed Law
This column is dedicated to issues of crime and justice. But this time of year, it seems out of place to talk about murders, wrongful convictions, child abuse, the scourge of drugs and all the other topics I usually opine about in this space. Because this is the pre-Christmas season, I’d like this column to…
Read MoreMass Murder Compensation Compliments of Uncle Sam
The Department of Justice has announced it’s sending the last installment – nearly $17 million of a total $20 million – to aid survivors of last October’s deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The toll from that sniper attack was 58 dead and some 600 physically injured* after a lone gunman took up a…
Read MoreDo Migrants Really Commit More Crimes?
We hear so much these days about the migrant caravan straining to cross into the U.S. Media reports focus on the immigrants’ desire for a better life, the desperation that led hundreds of them to throw rocks and storm the border at Tijuana and the tear gas that forced them back into Mexico. And we…
Read MoreMore Presidential Pardons for People, Please
Hey, if Peas and Carrots can get a presidential pardon how about the thousands of Americans waiting in line for similar consideration? We recently saw the traditional – some might call it corny and meaningless – spectacle of the President pretending to pardon rotund turkeys to insure they don’t wind up on someone’s Thanksgiving table.…
Read MoreThe First Step in the Fight for Criminal Justice Reform
So, did you hear? Democrats and Republicans in Washington have promised to cooperate in finding solutions for the country’s lingering problems! After the mid-term elections they promised they would try really, really hard to work together. Color me skeptical. But there is one legislative area where there does seem to be honest bipartisan collaboration: criminal…
Read MoreRecord Voter Turnout – But We Can Do Even Better
Phew. The midterm elections are over! You voted, right? Yes? Great. For those who did not join the record-breaking throngs that either cast an early ballot or turned out on election day – you missed out. Voting is one of America’s greatest civil rights and it, gloriously, brings us all together – old, young, people…
Read MoreEqual Justice #ForAll
Consider the fates of two prominent Americans, comedian Louis C.K. and former President Bill Clinton. Both have been accused of serious sexual misconduct. But unlike the comedian, whose recent tiptoe back into show business has been met with howls of protest, Mr. Clinton continues to enjoy public adulation. In this #MeToo era of enlightenment how…
Read MoreDOJ to Voters: Beware the Propaganda
You’ve probably seen a spunky witness or lawyer on a TV court drama spout out an unacceptable line and the judge cautions the jury to, “disregard the testimony you just heard.” This effort has been likened to trying to put toothpaste back in the tube. After all, you can’t unhear a comment, right? But it…
Read MoreBreaking the Blue Wall of Silence
For the first time in nearly 50 years a Chicago police officer has been convicted of murder after shooting to death a civilian while on duty. It took a while, but officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery, one count for each of the 16 bullets…
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