Looks like I called the Yates case wrong. The jury probably wasn't allowed to read the sympathetic Newsweek article that had swayed me, but they got to hear lots and lots of evidence that I didn't. They also seemed to be pretty certain of their verdict, judging from their short deliberation time. It's very hard to be excused from such an evil act here in Texas. Just being crazy isn't enough. Some may think that's a little harsh, but it is our law. It actually used to be slightly more lenient before a nut-job from Lubbock tried to kill Reagan. Now you really have to be plum out of your mind to get off with an insanity defense, which is as it should be. After all, most sociopaths and evil-doers are missing some key gears upstairs.
I think this piece by Dahlia Lithwick is excellent in its analysis of how differently mothers who kill are treated from fathers who kill. In our society, children are too often seen as the pure property of the mother, so that she is the only victim if she kills them. A human being cannot justly be considered another's possession, to dispose of as she wishes. Andrea Yates is a sad sick soul, but given the evidence, her jury chose not deny the victimhood of those five little kids.
Forbes reports on the shortages of critical vaccines that have resulted from government price cuts to drug companies.
Well, folks, last week was a little crazy. My fabulous sister-in-law was in town over the weekend and we had a great time taking her all over Central Texas, including a pilgrimage to the the Alamo and that other historic landmark across the street-- the Menger Bar. Am still wading through the subtle details of health care tax policy and attempting to imagine what life might be like were I ever to finish the really large paper. I miss blogging everyday, and hopefully will be able to resume the frenetic pace in a month or so.