MikeW brings attention to the insanity of Italy.

Italian government officials have accused the country’s top seismologist of manslaughter,

Fine.  But what about the error in judgement of his employer and bosses?  They’re also manslaughterers.  Also, of course, everyone in government who has any say in environmental policy, up to the Prime Minister (or whatever Italy’s chief executive is, it’s too trivial to look up).

Oh, six others are also on trial.  But why doesn’t Mother Nature stand accused?  She’s the one who actually did it.

And the3.1415….sorry, thepi linked to a Reason article on instituting flogging.  This criminologist makes exactly the argument I’ve been making for years:

Given the choice between five years and ten lashes, wouldn’t you choose the lash? What does that say about prison? And if flogging were so bad, where’s the harm in offering it as a choice?

And he exquisitely skewers Cali:

So California now says they’re not going to release prisoners who are a danger to society. But if they’re not a danger to society, why are they behind bars in the first place?

 Of course, unlike me Mr. Moskos isn’t volunteering for the first whipping.  OTOH, he’s not angling for a cut of the savings either.  Quit giving it away, mister!

Thanks to MikeW and thepi.