Comments on: Examining the insanity defense, MSNBC’s weekend sleaze, and suing OPEC

By: geesam47

geesam47 — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:54:00 +0000

Steve, you’re just noticing MSNBC? While other news stations report news, or issue bulletins, MSNBC displays prison sentences. Perhaps MSNBC is merely explaining its concept of the news.

By: opuntia

opuntia — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:43:06 +0000

I spent more than a decade in prison. I don’t see anything new on these types of shows or programs, although it may be useful to the ordinary citizen. Most of these felons are guilty, though some may actually be innocent or wrongfully convicted even if guilty. Sometimes a man may be sentenced to a lesser crime but should have been sentenced to a higher. These types of convictions could allow a man to be set free earlier to commit further crimes. But our criminal justice system is not perfect and is overburdened as is the prison system. Legalizing certain acts may lower the burdens upon the system but that does not mean our problems will go away. The National Prohibition Act was repealed in 1933 but today thousands are either injured or killed by inebriated individuals.

By: Eideard

Eideard — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:21:14 +0000

After a week of worrying in print what will be the best defense for Sgt. Bales – still waiting for ANY American newspaper to take the time to list the names of the dead.

Or do I misunderstand priorities in the United States?

By: BakoD

BakoD — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:14:42 +0000

OPEC is not the player on the world oil market it was in the 20th century. We have Russia, Black Sea, Alaska that have severely lessened their influence. The implication they have substantial impact (or even cohesion within their own cartel) is exaggerated. A disruption from them is no more than a disruption from any other source. Saudi alone has a greater impact. Pure lip service from politicians. OPEC certainly doesn’t set the price. That’s done by speculators on the spot market. There is not a professional or country in the industry who would not be happy with 90 or 100 a barrel.

By: rohail

rohail — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:54:59 +0000

Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.

By: LordOfTime

LordOfTime — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:02:22 +0000

MSNBC lost all credibility as a news organization when they hired Keith Oldermann.

By: ChevalierMalFet

ChevalierMalFet — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:52:23 +0000

In defense of “Lock-Up”, I am not an avid viewer but will catch a few minutes here and there. I think it’s value in terms of the intent of the show can split the line between prurient and fascinating, but I do think one value of the program is that it gives us a look at the prison system goliath we have built with a smattering of serious criminals surrounded by non-violent drug offenders, the latter who are undoubtedly toughened up, made more sophisticated and most likely due to their circumstances, easily tempted into the actual side of crime that hurts people upon their release.

In many ways, not sure how intentionally, Lock-Up really does bring that reality home in vivid ways for the viewer.

By: Dafydd

Dafydd — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:12:52 +0000

Wang was handed over to the Chinese by the consulate. The consulate said you can’t claim assylum at consulates.

I know an embassy is sovereign territory, but what about a consulate?

BTW re Sgt Bales ‘he just snapped’ won’t cut it. The man did not go beserk and start shooting randomly. If he did the dead would be his comrades. He deliberately snuck himself and his weapons out and pursued Afghans in order to kill them.

This looks more like revenge than anything. Far more interesting would be an investigation into Afghan reports of multiple soldiers being involved.