Posts by Mark Harris

Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First

  • Hard News: A Weird Day in the Hood,

    if the likely outcome is death, I think "kill" is a pretty valid word, and certainly preferable to euphemisms that allow us to diminish the reality.

    The point is that the Police do not shoot to kill - they shoot to incapacitate. The nature of the act is such that the probability of death is high. That's not a euphemism - it's a statement of probability. If police were shooting to kill, they'd take the headshot.

    Also they shoot at the torso because that's the bit easiest to hit, not because hitting it is likely to cause death through hydrostatic shock .

    Killing people (on our behalf) may, in certain circumstances, be justified, but it should never be euphemised.

    Going out to kill people on our behalf can never be justified, except for the Army in a war situation - that's precisely what they're for, after all.

    Intent is a very important part of culpability, as any law stdent who's got as far as mens rea can tell you. If we had cops who just wanted to go out and kill scumbags, I'd be very worried. I don't think we do.

    It's not hair-splitting or euphemistic to say that there was no intent to kill, even though death is a possible, or even likely outcome. I's accurate.

    I'm no big fan of the cops or police culture, but they're better than the alternative.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: A Weird Day in the Hood,

    If I was I/S, I'd stop and take stock of the fact that, as Gooner points out):

    Incredibly, he has an ally, former Red Squad leader and NZ First MP, Ross Meurant. Meurant has a reputation of talking stupidly first and then making it worse later.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: Reasons to be cheerful,

    Good article by Greenwald, but I am a little stunned to learn that Reynolds is actually a law professor.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Obamania, For Real,

    Hmm, not obvious, but I was agreeing with you, Craig.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Obamania, For Real,

    Yes, it's not putting a Senate seat on E-Bay or keeping a pile of unmarked bills behind the ice cream in the freezer. But really... not a good look.

    And therein lies the problem with the military-industrial complex, IMHO. He may very well be the best man for the job, precisely because of his experience.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: It's not OK to just make…,

    Sacha, somewhat like this, I expect:
    Evocative image. (SFW)

    Mwahahaha, Time goatse'd itself. How excellent!

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: It's not OK to just make…,

    /Clarke /Clark

    (I knew I shoulda checked...)

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: It's not OK to just make…,

    Giovanni
    I have it on good authority that several of the Clarke methods breach the Geneva Convention

    So, it's all good.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: It's not OK to just make…,

    Chris Matthews is a liberal??? Who knew?!

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Hard News: It's not OK to just make…,

    If I had basked in the Cohenesque glow I suspect you'd be hearing about it for quite some time (if only to justify the ticket price).

    What can I say, from a basking position? Sucks to be you, I guess ;-)

    (It was expensive, but worth every cent - currently listening to the man - Hallelujah, which is so far above Wainwright's version... and I liked that one. )

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

Last ←Newer Page 1 81 82 83 84 85 135 Older→ First