New at Reason
Radley Balko looks at innocent people accused of rape who got off a lot less easy than the Duke lacrosse team.
Comments to "New at Reason":
Bill Anderson | May 7, 2007, 1:25pm | #
Once again, Radley Balko strikes a blow for what is right. I have been a fan for a while and as one who has written for Reason in the past, I am glad to see that the magazine has not wavered on this vital issue.In the end, we are speaking of matters of the heart. No matter how many "safeguards" we might set up, if prosecutors and police are determined, they will go around them. The issue ultimately is one of integrity and the desire to do what is right, and all too often such qualities do not add to being elected.
Thank you once again for this insightful article.
NoStar | May 7, 2007, 1:26pm | #
Tell Truth,That was a great impersonation.
Who was it, joe or Dan T. or Juanita?
But is "Tell Truth" PC code for "ignorant hillbilly fuck who hopes the other klansmen don't catch him wanking to black porn," or for "irritating troll who can't contribute meaningfully to any conversation?"
The larger the justice system is the harder it is to do justice in any one case. The problem is that we have too many laws, too many criminals and too many cases to make sure that each case gets treated fairly. The sollution to that is figure out which laws are important to us and which laws are less important. If we could eliminate laws, like say the drug laws, we would have few criminal cases and be less likly to make a mistake in each individual case. The first step is to understand that you cannot do justice for an infinite number of criminal cases. The justice system has its limits.
Jake Boone | May 7, 2007, 1:56pm | #
Looks like somebody got up on the wrong side of the bridge this morning.highnumber | May 7, 2007, 1:56pm | #
"Tell truth" obviously isn't joe.It's not Juanita's style.
It's too "fly off the handle, hot-headed" for Dan T.
I think it's Jesse Walker's nemesis, Gun Widow, one of our least interesting and least civil trolls.
(For the record, joe is not a troll, usually. Sometimes, though, he's gets cranky.)
Pro Libertate | May 7, 2007, 1:58pm | #
I don't why he bothers, now that the Urkobold is running free at Hit & Run. No troll could possibly exceed his ire and zealous wit.GILMORE | May 7, 2007, 2:12pm | #
Ditto to Bill Anderson's comment above. Good job Radley on keeping your eye on the ball and going deeper into a subject than other writers normally do. Your focus on real-world issues is refreshing in the context of the constant stream of non-event rhetorical BS that makes up most 'political' reporting. This is good journalism and you are a real asset to this paper.de stijl | May 7, 2007, 2:28pm | #
In case you want to do anything about it, here's the link to the Innocence Project.R.Totale | May 7, 2007, 2:59pm | #
Tell Truth,I find your ideas intriguing and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
Jake Boone | May 7, 2007, 3:00pm | #
So, who's up for a review of libel law?Seriously, "Tell Truth," you've crossed the line here. Cut it out.
thoreau | May 7, 2007, 3:03pm | #
We'll worry about the geography thing later. Right now I'm more curious about how he concludes that I'm a Catholic priest.Jennifer | May 7, 2007, 3:05pm | #
Thoreau, as a New Englander I'm far more concerned by the accusation that you live in my vicinity yet haven't come to visit me even once.Bastard.
Butters... is that you?
c'mon Butters.
destijl - good link to Innocence Prj! thanks!
c'mon Butters.
destijl - good link to Innocence Prj! thanks!
Pedophile cocksucker? I thought you said Thoreau was a cocksuckee.
Jake Boone | May 7, 2007, 3:15pm | #
Really? Okay, then, hands up anyone who knows one or more of the following (no need for details, just indicate whether or not you know):Jennifer's real name
Her occupation
Her city or state
joe's full name
His occupation
His city or state
thoreau's full name
His occupation
His city or state
It's safe to say that things ain't real anonymous 'round these parts.
Jake - pretty easy:
1)
Franklin Morris Friedlaender of Mendham, NJ
Occupation: financial planner
2)
Michael John Chilton of Upper Derby, PA
Occupation: Orthodontist
3)
Roger Maynard King of NYC
Occupation: Body shop foreman at Porsche dealership
1)
Franklin Morris Friedlaender of Mendham, NJ
Occupation: financial planner
2)
Michael John Chilton of Upper Derby, PA
Occupation: Orthodontist
3)
Roger Maynard King of NYC
Occupation: Body shop foreman at Porsche dealership
ktc2 | May 7, 2007, 3:25pm | #
The fact that any human being could consider sending an innocent to jail "a badge of honor" is . . .I'm speechless. Surely they are not human beings.
I remember the good old days when members ignored trolls and they resorted to typing in all caps to get noticed.
I also remembered that the Middle-East's golden age came about because of its advances in science, mathematics (aljabre turned into algebra) and other higher callings. Which is why today it's funny they say they will return to the golden age then turn around and commit honor killings and other inanities.
And naturally it's America's fault, not sharia law holding back islamic modernization and innovation. It's also the fault of that one guy that made a cartoon.
I also remembered that the Middle-East's golden age came about because of its advances in science, mathematics (aljabre turned into algebra) and other higher callings. Which is why today it's funny they say they will return to the golden age then turn around and commit honor killings and other inanities.
And naturally it's America's fault, not sharia law holding back islamic modernization and innovation. It's also the fault of that one guy that made a cartoon.
Radley Balko | May 7, 2007, 3:28pm | #
Tell Truth's IP address has been banned, and his comments deleted.I don't do this often.
But there was nothing remotely appropriate about his comments in this thread.
Jake Boone | May 7, 2007, 3:28pm | #
Dammit, Moose! You weren't supposed to expose them - just raise your hand... err... hoof.Jennifer | May 7, 2007, 3:29pm | #
Of course, with the troll comments gone people will think I called Thoreau a pedophile cocksucker.Damn.
R.Totale | May 7, 2007, 3:32pm | #
Of course, with the troll comments gone people will think I called Thoreau a pedophile cocksucker.You were going to get around to it anyway, Jennifer.
thoreau | May 7, 2007, 3:34pm | #
It will be interesting to see if any commenters stop showing up now that the IP has been banned.highnumber | May 7, 2007, 3:38pm | #
Nuts! I guess I missed TT going really overboard. He was a minor and thoreau came on to him? That's what I'm inferring. Totally unexpected.[imagines a regular running out of someone else's office at work]
"This isn't my office. Sorry, Samir. It's a case of the Mondays."
"This isn't my office. Sorry, Samir. It's a case of the Mondays."
Pro Libertate | May 7, 2007, 3:40pm | #
Jennifer, I've been reading through this thread, and I can't figure out why you're insulting thoreau so.VM,
Ha, ha. But everyone knows that joe is David Hasselhoff.
lunchstealer | May 7, 2007, 3:41pm | #
You can't get rid of me that easily, Thoreau!Jennifer | May 7, 2007, 3:46pm | #
You were going to get around to it anyway, Jennifer.Yes, but not until I was good and ready, dammit.
Hey, now, we all I know I'm not Hasselhoff.
I'm Joe Boyle. Picture here.
http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/canadianhistory/josephboyle/josephboyle.html
I'm Joe Boyle. Picture here.
http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/canadianhistory/josephboyle/josephboyle.html
Tell Truth's IP address has been banned, and his comments deleted.
Damnit! Now I don't know what the fuss was all about.
Damnit! Now I don't know what the fuss was all about.
Pro Libertate | May 7, 2007, 3:59pm | #
joe,I'd always thought that you were Peter Boyle, but he's dead and you're, um, not.
highnumber | May 7, 2007, 4:11pm | #
I thought joe was joe mama.
or
Some sort of a fish boil.
Just goes to show what ya don't know!
Stevo Darkly | May 7, 2007, 4:19pm | #
I'm sorry I missed Tell Truth. It sounded like his might have been kind of entertaining, in a libelous moonbat kind of way.Jesse Walker | May 7, 2007, 4:22pm | #
It will be interesting to see if any commenters stop showing up now that the IP has been banned.No need for any suspense. At various times, "Tell Truth" posted as "Albionite," "Lichtenberg," "Quibbler," "mllh," "Cain's Ability," and "Passim."
Pro Libertate | May 7, 2007, 4:25pm | #
Stevo,His words were harsh, yet they enlightened many. Truly, it is a sad day for racist, trollish discourse. The Urkobold will not be pleased with this unwarranted act of censorship.
Lichtenberg? I remember him. He's the "clear mountain" that VM was dealing with.
R.Totale | May 7, 2007, 4:25pm | #
Lichtenberg
hmmm, I thought Lichtenberg was a rather sane poster. Perhaps he is off his meds.
Other Matt | May 7, 2007, 4:44pm | #
Damnit! Now I don't know what the fuss was all about.
Ditto here too
Is 12 a big number? How many people has Dallas County jailed who could be freed by DNA evidence?
12 false convictions out of 10 000 convictions is not so bad. Out of 100 convictions it looks a lot worse.
12 false convictions out of 10 000 convictions is not so bad. Out of 100 convictions it looks a lot worse.
Jesse Walker | May 7, 2007, 4:47pm | #
hmmm, I thought Lichtenberg was a rather sane poster.Not to be confused with Fyodor, whose real name is Dave Lichtenberg.
High#:
that could be out of the Gallery of Regrettable Food by Lileks, hier
Herr Boyle:
obviously, from zat veb site, ve must be kardiovascularly related...
that could be out of the Gallery of Regrettable Food by Lileks, hier
Herr Boyle:
obviously, from zat veb site, ve must be kardiovascularly related...
Pro Libertate | May 7, 2007, 5:02pm | #
VM,Don't be fooled. Boyle is an Irish name, so any Viking heart or hearts within this, ahem, gentleman were extracted from some dead Dane. Or were diluted forms resulting from some Saxon violence, rapine, and mayhem long ago.
Thomas Paine's Goiter | May 7, 2007, 5:10pm | #
The fact that any human being could consider sending an innocent to jail "a badge of honor" is . . .It's possibly the most sickening thing I've ever read.
Pro Libertate | May 7, 2007, 5:12pm | #
TPG,It's the kind of gallow's humor that rings true. After all, if you're good enough to convict an innocent guy, you're one hell of a prosecutor.
Move over, I think I'm getting ill, too.
Timmy | May 7, 2007, 5:33pm | #
"I remember the good old days when members ignored trolls and they resorted to typing in all caps to get noticed."I remember the good old days when "Troll" wasn't plastered on anyone providing a non-reason-conformist perspective.
Urkobold® | May 7, 2007, 5:38pm | #
TIMMMMMYYYYYYY!WRONG THREAD! THIS WAS A TROLL.
Urkobold SHOULD KNOW.
SAVE IT FOR WHEN joe GETS CALLED A TROLL.
IN THE MEANTIME, YOUR PUNISHMENT:
WAIT IN LINE AT THE DRIVERS' LICENSE FACILITY FOR Urkobold.
GILMORE | May 7, 2007, 8:51pm | #
I for one am an advocate of totally open thread-borders, and no limit to the range of vulgarity or bad-isms tolerated as free speech.Let the trolls come into the daylight, says i, where they can be slain in plain view by General Consensus, who leads our crack Snark Libertoid Commando Brigades into battle.
Mad Max | May 8, 2007, 12:43am | #
You can still get banned from H&R?Wish I'd seen the comments the guy posted. No, not really.
Tommy_Grand | May 8, 2007, 2:31am | #
Great article. No doubt.Balko, you could, at least, give us a brief synopsis of this Tell Truth's offending comments. Are this person's remarks to be deleted from other threads as well? If so, it will sure screw up the archives.
You know, from time to time I have read a number of remarks on H&R that I thought really went beyond the limits of decency or even civil discourse - hell, I've made some of them - but I always figured that it came with the territory. I realize that this blog belongs to the proprietors and that it is theirs to do with as they see fit, but....damn it, since the age of fourteen I have had a really, really hard time abiding someone deciding for me what I can or cannot see, hear, read, or know - I don't like limits placed on my mind. And by golly, I'm sure having a difficult time now. About all you've really done is to make me curious about what this person said. You make me want to go see what he or she said on other threads under other pseudonyms.
You know, from time to time I have read a number of remarks on H&R that I thought really went beyond the limits of decency or even civil discourse - hell, I've made some of them - but I always figured that it came with the territory. I realize that this blog belongs to the proprietors and that it is theirs to do with as they see fit, but....damn it, since the age of fourteen I have had a really, really hard time abiding someone deciding for me what I can or cannot see, hear, read, or know - I don't like limits placed on my mind. And by golly, I'm sure having a difficult time now. About all you've really done is to make me curious about what this person said. You make me want to go see what he or she said on other threads under other pseudonyms.
highnumber | May 8, 2007, 9:55am | #
jw,It wasn't that TT comments were indecent. They were inappropriate, unfounded personal attacks. You didn't really miss anything interesting. It was like seeing a toddler throw a tantrum. Had that tone continued and TT had behaved similarly on other threads, civil discourse would have become very difficult.
That's how I feel about the matter. I can't speak for Balko and Reason.
Pro Libertate | May 8, 2007, 9:56am | #
But the Urkobold loved him, because He opposes civil discourse.Thanks, highnumber. I did a site search for some of the other names that he has posted under and apparently all his comments have been deleted from H&R; sure messes up the sense of other people's comments.
Say, you don't suppose he had anything to do with that virus/trojan I kept picking up here in this morning's early hours, do you?
Say, you don't suppose he had anything to do with that virus/trojan I kept picking up here in this morning's early hours, do you?