The law and the jungle

There's a bill awaiting the govenor's signature in Michigan that would make that state a true "shall issue" state for concealed weapons permits. (It's already supposed to be, but county gun boards, which the bill eliminates, can be tougher than the state). The bill is controversial for more than the usual "guns are evil" reasons:

Too bad. At least one Indiana city is plunging into the "somebody might sue us, so nobody is allowed to have fun" movement:

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As anyone who has grown up around snow knows, part of the fun of sledding is the risk of soaring off a jump or careening around a tree.

When I exercise my rights, how does that violate your civil liberties?

The most cited reason for the rise in poularity of body cameras for police is that they would create visual records so we don't have to guess what really happens during police-civilian encounters. A generally unarticulated corollary to that assumption is that the cameras will modify police behavior. Now there's a study seeming to show just that:

This is one of the most appalling anti-gun ads you're ever likely to see:

I've been railing against red-light cameras for years, and I haven't seen any evidence to convince me the things add anything beneficial to the human condition, including the latest:

So, I guess it's possible to be pretty and ugly at the same time:

Police arrested a former Miss Indiana for public intoxication and disorderly conduct Wednesday.

Terrin Thomas reeked of alcohol when she drunkenly tried to find her boyfriend's apartment early Wednesday, police said. Miss Indiana 2013 allegedly banged on doors and screamed, "let me in" for half an hour, enraging sleeping neighbors.

Juxtaposition of the day:

First up, "Dems push to revive failed gun control legislation"

Giving back free stuff -- somehow, I don't think it will beome a trend:

NEW ALBANY, Ind. - A southern Indiana police chief plans to return four Humvee vehicles his department received as military surplus this year from the Department of Defense.

New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey says the vehicles were acquired by his predecessor as chief and that he's found they don't fit the department's needs.

I know there have been a lot of  "The Eric Garner case is/is not about race" stories, but I think this piece, arguing that it is "worse than racism" is important