Clemens and Enron

Here in the greater Houston area, the airwaves are abuzz with the latest updates on the he said/he said Roger Clemens saga. Many columnists feel that the trainer (McNamee) is telling the truth, because if he is caught lying he will be subject to perjury charges. This blog post from the Houston Chronicle's Enron trial blog addresses truth telling and plea bargains. Food for thought:

http://blogs.chron.com/legalcommentary/archives/2006/02/do_people_reall.html
By the way, did you see where George Mitchell is withholding documents from the AP?

Do as I say....

State Rep. Harold Dutton represents 3rd Ward, a historically Black neighborhood that contains Texas Southern University. TSU has had a LOT of financial trouble through the years. So has Mr. Dutton:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5371263.html

Now that's entertainment.

Meanwhile the Mitchell steroid report has been issued. Thank goodness! I'm glad the whole steroid era is over and we can get on with our lives. I think the real winners in this episode are:
1. The children, who all athletes and politicians seem to represent
2. the Lawyers, who represent the politicians and the athletes and collect fees.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5375472.html

Love thy neighbor...

A local man shot and killed 2 people who broke into his neighbor's home. He called 911 and told the operator he was going to shoot the robbers. A plain clothes policeman was in the area, but he did not identify himself and witnessed the shooting.

Now everyone in Houston is upset about this incident. Some folks are mad that the neighbor may face murder charges, others are mad because he may not face murder charges. I just have a few thoughts/questions:

1. If you can shoot people who break into neighbor's homes, how far away is someone's house to call them a neighbor?
2. Would people get upset if the neighbor missed and hit an innocent bystander?
3. Why do local minority activists rally around criminals shot by white people, but not criminals/innocent people shot by minorities?

I'm in favor of a full investigation by a state or federal internal affairs office (the municipality n question has a poor history regarding police work in general). If the neighbor broke the law, he should have his day in court. In general, we shouldn't shoot people unless our lives are in jeopardy. The risk of hitting an innocent bystander increase when untrained persons are shooting at moving targets when they are nervous or in an excited state.

Heroic medical personnel not indicted

http://blog.kir.com/archives/2007/07/good_news_for_d_2.asp#comments

I can't write about this case rationally. I can't believe anyone would prosecute a case like this unless they had very clear evidence a physician or other hospital employee was murdering patients. After 4 days, if the staff had any ability to think at all, it's a miracle. Instead of being heroes, the hospital staff (but not the administrators?!?!?!) are paraded around like criminals. Shameful.