Syndicated Columns
With Summer Swelter, Prison Inmates Have Nowhere to Go
I received an unusual letter from Arizona recently. It was written by an inmate held at the Lewis prison complex in Buckeye, Arizona and signed by 39 other prisoners. Their complaint? That life inside the Buckley unit there is like living in hell. This summer’s record breaking heat there has them “baking in their cells,”…
Read MoreSummertime Turns Cars in to Death Traps
Why does this keep happening? Surely, people know by now how dangerous it is to leave a child in the car in the summer time! It is deadly dangerous yet it keeps happening year after year. It makes my heart hurt. Consider this my annual reminder to never – ever – leave a child alone…
Read MoreO.J. Simpson Must Think We’re Stupid
I’ve covered all things O.J. Simpson since 1995. Here’s my forecast on his future ~ Allow me to go out on a limb here to predict O.J. Simpson has not had his last tango with law enforcement. Yes, he recently got a Nevada parole board to approve his release from prison on or…
Read MoreEnd the Statute of Limitations on Sex Crimes Against Children
Former Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, cut a pitiful figure this week as he left a federal prison in Minnesota and his wheelchair stuck on a bump in the sidewalk. His wife, fumbling at his side trying to manage his aluminum walker and other items wasn’t immediately able to help him over the hurdle.…
Read MoreHit the High Seas on Vacation But Be Careful
Summer time. Vacation Time. But no time to let your guard down. Traditionally, crime goes up during warmer weather with property crimes and aggravated assaults on the rise. In some locations murder rates increase too. When temperatures get hotter there are more windows left open, more sweaty and irritated people seeking relief outside and more…
Read MoreThe Psychopath or Sociopath Next Door
Upon passing two people in the street the other day I heard one say, “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He’s a psychopath or a sociopath – or both!” I’m no expert but from what I’ve learned studying crime and personality disorders I don’t think one person can have both of those qualities. So,…
Read MoreFrequent Payouts on Complaints Against Police Compound ‘Ferguson Effect’
The parents of Michael Brown, who was killed by Ferguson (Mo.) police Officer Darren Wilson in 2014, have just gotten a financial windfall. The city’s insurance company has agreed to pay them $1.5 million to settle their wrongful death lawsuit against the city, the former police chief and Wilson. In other words, Ferguson folded, probably…
Read MoreBorn in the USA Means Automatic Citizenship – But Is That Smart?
A reader from New Hampshire wrote to ask, “Why, just because you are born here, are you an American citizen? I know the history of this law but it is out of date and just encourages more illegal immigration.” Well, I cannot argue with that. The reader, who goes by the handle Rocheleau, expressed displeasure…
Read MoreAmerica’s Child Brides
Sherry Johnson gave birth when she was 10 years old. When she turned 11, her parents, members of a conservative Pentecostal church, decided she should marry the 20-year-old man who had raped her. Their reasoning? Marriage would deflect a criminal case and help protect the reputation of the church. Amazingly, a clerk in Pinellas County,…
Read MoreGuns + Kids = Potential Tragedy
Summertime is upon us, the season when out-of-school kids are frequently left alone in the house. Here’s a question for all parents and grandparents out there: Do you have guns in your home? According to a new report from the Children’s National Hospital, 20,000 American children — yes, 20,000 — will be rushed to the…
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