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Saturday Night News and Views: Open Thread

The New York Times has a really lengthy article on terminal sedation and end of life decisions. If there's a better way, I haven't read about it. Seems like a no-brainer.

Another interesting article: The Bail Sitters, about the security guards hired to guard the rich on bail -- think Bernie Madoff and Cameron Douglas. It asks whether the guards would rat out their ward given that's who's paying them. In Cameron Douglas's case, the answer was yes. As to the fact that only the rich can afford them, is that a reason to deny bail to those who can? [More...]

Bail is not designed to punish, but to secure one's appearance at future court proceedings and protect the public. In the case of a non-violent crime, as New York Judge Jed Rakoff wrote:

“It cannot be gainsaid that many kinds of bail conditions favor the rich,” he wrote, “and, conversely, that there are many defendants who are too poor to afford even the most modest of bail bonds or financial conditions of release. This is a serious flaw in our system. But it is not a reason to deny a constitutional right to someone who, for whatever reason, can provide reasonable assurances against flight.”

The BBC has a followup story to the virtual sheriffs program, where through a federal grant, people can sit at home watching border video cameras, and turn people in. A similar program was rejected in 2005, and then resurrected in 2006 and implemented in 2008. The BBC reports:

The controversial $4m (£2.5m) Texas Virtual Border Watch Programme invites civilians to log on to Blueservo.net. There they can monitor live feeds 24/7 from 21 hidden surveillance cameras placed at intervals along the border.

Supporters see the initiative as a step forward in US efforts to curb illegal immigration, drug smuggling and border violence. Critics say it is encouraging vigilantism and stoking anti-immigrant feeling.

What a colossal waste of money as well as promotion of vigilantism: More than 130,000 have enrolled to sit home watching live fee. Number of arrests to date: 21. The majority were for drugs.

The program is operated by the Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition (TBSC). You can watch the webcams here. If you have that much time on your hands to put to no good use, I suggest this instead.

Here's the latest on the young airplane bomber. The DOJ press release on the filing of charges is here. It's all about Yemen and testicles. What will they call him for short? The ball bustiing bomber? The testicle bomber? Who will give him the name that sticks?

This is an open Thread, all topics welcome.

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  • Display: Sort:
    Terminal sedation (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Radiowalla on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 09:23:35 PM EST
    is practiced by most hospices when the need is present.  It is compassion at its finest.

    As your  review your year-end charitable donations, please think about supporting your local community hospice.  

    Terminal sedation should be added (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by ding7777 on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 11:10:57 AM EST
    to living wills.

    Parent
    You know you're getting old (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by scribe on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 10:06:58 PM EST
    when an oldies program on the radio plays Ian Dury and the Blockheads.

    Shrinkage (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by ruffian on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 10:35:32 PM EST

    Yesterday's bomb failed because the detonator may have been too small or was not in "proper contact" with the explosive material...


    heh (none / 0) (#12)
    by andgarden on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 10:41:13 PM EST
    As I said in the other thread ... (none / 0) (#19)
    by Robot Porter on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 06:01:49 AM EST
    this story is a stand up comedian's dream.

    Parent
    I fear it will keep Jay Leno (none / 0) (#35)
    by ruffian on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 02:52:45 PM EST
    on the air another week. sigh.

    Parent
    That's truly ... (none / 0) (#38)
    by Robot Porter on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 06:55:06 PM EST
    terrifying.

    Parent
    There is something (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by JamesTX on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 11:46:22 PM EST
    odd about this underwear bomber, as well as that shoe bomb guy. Those Al Qaedas are supposed to be a rather sophisticated bunch. They supposedly turned airplanes into guided missiles and brought down two of the largest skyscrapers in the world, and knocked a big hole in the military headquarters of the most powerful country in the world. Such operations are technical and logistical acrobatics that were carried out with amazing skill and precision. One would think such complex plans would have been derailed at some juncture if these people were anything less than highly prepared and trained specialists, with unquestionably reliable technical skills. They seem unlikely to build bombs that are duds. The so-called bombing attempts which are being attributed to them nowadays seem like schoolyard pranks that were doomed to failure. It would seem they could build a bomb that would work if we are being told the truth. Somehow I don't think we are. I guess that is to be expected in a "time o' war". Any news as to when the war will be over so we can start getting real information?

    Either that or they are letting (none / 0) (#17)
    by nycstray on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 11:55:33 PM EST
    the not so competent ones have a go at it while they are busy with other things. Keeps the whole "terror" thing alive. Good for business all the way around . . .

    Or they just want to see us all fly naked ;)

    Parent

    They, they, they (none / 0) (#21)
    by gyrfalcon on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 09:05:06 AM EST
    What do you think "al Qaeda" is, a professional sports team or something?  Please.

    Parent
    In a hundred years (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 09:40:44 AM EST
    after all of us who lived through all this are finally dead, some new high school will attempt to be the Al Qaedas :)

    Parent
    At least since Truman, (none / 0) (#36)
    by jondee on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 02:56:40 PM EST
    the war is never completely over in this country.

    Parent
    States with Expanded Health Care Coverage (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by BackFromOhio on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 11:47:58 AM EST
    objecting to Congressional bill because the bill is seen as requiring such states to pay for expanding health care coverage in other states:  See NY Times article:



    It's time to face up to the upopular facts. (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by ChiTownDenny on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 01:24:17 PM EST
    Blue haired old ladies don't strap explosive material to their bodies.  Why do they need to remove their shoes?

    The day we stop searching... (none / 0) (#41)
    by kdog on Mon Dec 28, 2009 at 09:10:31 AM EST
    blue haired old ladies is the day some muslim whack-job brigade goes on a blue haired old lady recruiting binge...surely there are at least a handful who have had loved ones blown to bits by US bombs looking for vengeance.

    So if we gotta search at all, its gotta be random, otherwise its too predictable and easy to beat.

    Bomb-screen the luggage, walk through the metal detector and use impenetrable cock-pit doors and call it a day...thats what I say.  Enough with the shoes-off full body x-ray nonsense.

    I've long ago resigned myself to the fact a bomb could go off just about anywhere at anytime...ya get used to it, like you get used to the threat of coming down with terminal cancer...part of the deal of the gift of life and the world we have created for ourselves.  

    Parent

    My daughter pointed out the (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 08:24:38 PM EST
    airplane bomber probably doesn't want to end up with the 73 virgins but no means to collect his reward.

    That being sd.:  not a humorous situation IMO (perhaps because I was on a 3-hr. flight this morning).

    Tell your daughter (none / 0) (#7)
    by Radiowalla on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 09:59:53 PM EST
    that she is not the only one.

    Parent
    Perhaps they should call him (none / 0) (#2)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 08:35:16 PM EST
    the radical Muslim terrorist who couldn't blow up straight.

    This was reproted yesterday, 12/26 by ABC news (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 02:16:07 PM EST
    The plot to blow up an American passenger jet over Detroit was organized and launched by al Qaeda leaders in Yemen who apparently sewed bomb materials into the suspect's underwear before sending him on his mission, federal authorities tell ABC News.

    Link

    Did you miss it or do you not believe it?

    Parent

    Straight would be detonating (5.00 / 0) (#34)
    by jondee on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 02:26:27 PM EST
    in Crawford Texas.

    Parent
    Big college football news (none / 0) (#3)
    by domer5000 on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 09:00:03 PM EST
    Florida coach retiring due to health concerns


    How about just calling him (none / 0) (#5)
    by scribe on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 09:40:52 PM EST
    "knucklehead".

    While it's quite general, it's also useful in all permutations of company, won't set off the filters, and adequately describes this person without being too abusive.

    Here's a great healthcare story. (none / 0) (#6)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 09:55:59 PM EST
    please put your links in html format (none / 0) (#11)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 10:40:31 PM EST
    otherwise they skew the site and I have to delete them. thanks.

    Parent
    MOS interviews on local news (none / 0) (#9)
    by andgarden on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 10:08:30 PM EST
    Americans are demanding that we export our security theater to the rest of the world.

    how about "The Bollocks Bomber" (none / 0) (#13)
    by DFLer on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 11:01:57 PM EST
    using the meaning of both verb and noun

    Democrats Go After Generic Drugs (none / 0) (#14)
    by Dan the Man on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 11:23:00 PM EST
    Link

    "Generic drugmakers face several obstacles in the bill backed by Democrats"

    "The hurdles include extensive protections against generic versions of pricey biotech medicines, an incentive for Medicare recipients to use more brand-name drugs, and a possible end to payments from brandname makers to delay the launch of copy-cat medicines."

    Ah, the part that Big Pharma wrote (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Cream City on Sat Dec 26, 2009 at 11:29:03 PM EST
    as I begin to wonder whether our Dem leaders can even read.

    Parent
    Volunteer border monitors (none / 0) (#18)
    by NealB on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 02:44:57 AM EST
    Imagine there's no countries
    It isn't hard to do
    Nothing to kill or die for
    And no religion too
    Imagine all the people
    Living life in peace

    You may say that I'm a dreamer
    But I'm not the only one
    I hope someday you'll join us
    And the world will be as one


    Janet Napilitano says the system (none / 0) (#23)
    by oculus on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 10:43:25 AM EST
    worked re most recent airplane guy.  Which must mean system, despite banning sharp objects on plane, cannot detect them in security screening.  AP

    Does the system (none / 0) (#26)
    by jbindc on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 11:39:11 AM EST
    mean "Passengers, you're on your own to handle this?"

    Parent
    Apparently. (none / 0) (#27)
    by oculus on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 11:47:45 AM EST
    Ivana Trump was removed from a plane (none / 0) (#25)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 11:27:22 AM EST
    for getting angry over kids running up and down the aisles.

    Obviously, we can't trust the airlines to manage universal treatment of passengers. The stories we've been hearing lately have been about mothers being removed with their crying babies. Why should passengers have to deal with children running up and down the aisles?

    You need to learn how to do that properly (none / 0) (#30)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 11:54:10 AM EST
    BackfromOhio's link.

    I'd explain it, but my instructions always end up like my driving directions and they end up far too complicated for a simple task.

    Others here do a really good job of telling how.


    I can't seem to get the site's (none / 0) (#32)
    by BackFromOhio on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 01:56:21 PM EST
    link to work these days; used to have no problem... so any instructions you could provide would be helpful.

    Thanks

    Parent

    Okay, but I warn you, this could get confusing (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Dec 27, 2009 at 06:27:38 PM EST
    Copy the URL you want to link to.

    In comments, type a word or phrase. Highlight the word or phrase and click on the link button just to the right of the Underline button.

    You might get a line below your toolbar that says popups aren't allowed. Click on that line and allow popups (temporarily).

    Then, click on the link button again and paste your URL into the popup screen that appears.

    Hit OK and you've done it.


    Parent