DEBATING TOPICS

We watched the You-Tube debates last night and our lasting impression was not one we expected to have going in. Hands down, the candidate who appeared most presidential was….Senator Joe Biden. He deserves a second look.

Our announced favourite, former Senator John Edwards did well, as did the expected top stars, Obama and Clinton. We think that Obama followed his briefing books a little too closely. Just how many times was he going to say he was the most experienced and able candidate to be President? Ditto for Senator Clinton when she was lobbed the softball about following in Bill’s footsteps. You are proud of your husband’s achievements as President. We get it.

Memo to both Clinton and Obama: time to come up with some different answers. Keep playing not to lose, and your not going to win.

The Universal Health Care issue was not really addressed. All of the candidates have stories ( as do we) of Americans dying because they were refused medical treatment. We think Senator Christopher Dodd deserves points for bravery for responding "yes" to the question of whether he would extend coverage to illegal workers in the US.

The bottom line is that we will eventually, somehow, get out of Iraq. Once that is done, the next US President faces several challenges- keeping tabs on Al Queda and Hezbelloah so as to make sure they do not strike the US. Dealing with US energy consumption and Global Warming (China is building so many coal fired power plants as to keep West Virginia Coal Miners in business for the next 100 years). Universal Health Care. Throw in problems like crumbling infrastructure and the probable outbreak of some flu-like health crisis somewhere in the world in the next decade, and it has never been more clear that we need a new generation of intelligent and dedicated political leaders. And we need them now.


DEATH PENALTY
The Herald reports that THIS JUDGE found Florida’s current method of execution unconstitutional.
How about a .22 in the back of the head? It’s quick, cheap and efficient. If you’re going to support the state killing its citizens as retribution and punishment, why all the claptrap about it being humane? Just do it and admit the barbarity of it all and move on to the next problem.

NEW SENTENCING PHASE
Speaking of execution, Stephen Ault who raped and strangled two young girls, is back for a new sentencing hearing in Broward. His original sentence was over turned when the judge excused a juror during voire dire who had voiced “general objections to the death penalty.”
The Herald article IS HERE

If you’re ever going to challenge our position on the death penalty, Stephen Ault is the case to do it.


SHARPSTEIN UPSET
The Federal Blog and the DBR has coverage of Richard Sharpstein's fight against the Feds in a Health Care case. The lead FBI agent called his clients to tell them Sharpstein had a conflict on the case. If you know Sharpie, he is a bit miffed. Mr. Markus can also be counted on the cover the Noriega proceedings.


2 LIVE CREW REDUX
Finally, there is a post on the Broward Blog about Judge Grossman's ruling over a decade ago on 2 Live Crew. There is a lengthy response by local attorney Jack Thompson. if you know of Mr. Thompson, you know he never passes on the opportunity to expound on his views of pornography in our culture.

Perhaps this is a good topic for debate here. It is fair to say that we would head into such a discussion opposed to censorship. However, with the rise of deadly violence among our children, Mr. Thompson's views have an important place in the discussion.

Have at it. Presidential politics; the death penalty; free speech. Topics for debate for those of us not lucky enough to be camping in the Badlands this summer.


See you in court.