Monday Musings

Once again, the death penalty is on the front page with the impending execution of Clarence Ray Allen. Funny, but the same "activists" who were vocal about Tookie's execution are remarkably silent. But I digress. Allen is 76 and infirm, and some are arguing that it is cruel to execute a person in his state. Although I have my concerns about the death penalty, both on moral and economic grounds, this argument is just silly. He's old and infirm because our system allowed him to drag out endless appeals. It is akin to a parent murderer throwing himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan.

On a lighter note, the Times posed the question to many in LA about how they would improve our fair city. I really like Sandra Tsing Loh and got a kick out of her comment:
"L.A.'s most sought-after private schools (ones that teach such estimable values as peaceful conflict resolution, global citizenship and honoring diversity) now cost $15,000 to $20,000 a year. If just 35 L.A. private school kindergarteners braved the wilds of public kindergarten for one year, the saved tuition money could be used to support Access Books, a nonprofit that provides books to underfunded L.A.-area schools. Because this outside-the-box approach provides such a fresh twist onthe community service line in the Harvard application, I think this one-year "Outward Bound From Private School Kindergarten" program could be a win/win."