First Blog

With the arrest of a man for quadruple homicides in Washington DC this week, having been found first by his DNA signature leading to a name,and then tracking his cell phone traffic*, we are confronted with the issue of whether all citizens should have on file a DNA record.  One's DNA signature is absolutely unique. Of course, when there is an issue, there is a controversy.  Should we or shouldn't we have such records?  The one group claims individual rights while the other claims the greater good.  Samo, samo. In this note we argue in favor of DNA typing.  Here are some reasons. a. Clearly when a perp leaves DNA floating about, he/she becomes more easily identifiable.  Just as in the early days of finger printing.  Now no self-respecting perp leaves those about anymore.  b. Having a DNA signature will allow medical researchers in the decades ahead to make dramatic correlations between the DNA and various diseases and other medical conditions.  This could lead to remarkab

Many people know how to handle kindness, love, and charity. For they know how to give these. Other people know how to handle hate, vengeance, and retribution, for the same reason. Love is a curious commodity.  Note the word "commodity.".  It implies capacity, intensity, quality, constancy, and longevity.  Humans vary, and so do their expressions and meanings of love. More importantly is their capacity for love.  Remarkably, many have diminished capacity for love, but unlimited capacity for hate, a mirrored expression of feelings. Soccer is the only sport I know of where the fans regularly sing in chorus.  The songs are filled with joy and enthusiasm. It must be inspiring to the home team.  In soccer, with relegation* the norm, the excitement of games for teams near the bottom are every bit as high as games between the top contenders.  However, it is relatively easy to see large differences in the quality of the play.  *The bottom three teams are relegated

The Police.   There is a strong movement toward which all police officers must wear body cameras.   The claim is that not only will such cameras deter abuse and other conflagrations of the law, but will document the officer’s daily activities.   The camera will create a log of all activities of this officer, and this is becomes a part of the officer’s permanent file.    A few consequences on the pro side include Documentation of abusive actions of the officer.  Clarification of charges made by the officer or by the perpetrator. A strict adherence by the officer to written procedures. These sound like a welcome relief to the critics.   And for about 1% of all police officers, it means that the tendency to abuse must be curtailed.   This sounds good.   However, there is a con side to this. 1.        As mentioned above, the officer’s permanent file containing all encounters will reveal all mistakes made, and there will be these.   2.        The camera will make the o