Combat Effective

The posture of a free man

CombatRob — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:56:35 +0000

Good article on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that strip searches of inmates are consitutional. Two zingers in the piece; first, the statement that the case may have been decided on the premise that it’s too disruptive to the criminal justice system to rule any other way. Second, the question at the end, “Is this the posture of a free man?” (relative to airport security.)

Read the whole thing. For me, if you are being incarcerated it seems likely you should expect to be searched…for the safety of the officer and other inmates. Airport security is a stretch, though.

Laptop decrypted without defendant’s help

CombatRob — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:55:23 +0000

Well that effectively ends the Constitutional argument as it pertains to this case.

Books you should have before the Zombie hordes swarm the planet

CombatRob — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 15:42:53 +0000

Courtesy of io9.com.

Christie to Buffett: Just write a check

CombatRob — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:21:15 +0000

Yep. For all his talk, if Mr Buffet really cared about the deficit or tax rate, he could just cut a check. Buffett is largely regarded as a prophet of finance; don’t buy the hype. Many of his moves make money by virtue of the money he already has.

Santorum too conservative to beat President Obama?

CombatRob — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:20:49 +0000

In a word, yes. The article highlights what I believe to be his critical flaw (in terms of electability; he can believe whatever he wants, but he won’t win). That flaw is the independent vote; independents are typically fiscally conservative but socially liberal. He will not pull in any socially liberal voters.

Court rules defendant must provide laptop password…

CombatRob — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:57:15 +0000

I’m no lawyer (though I hope to be some day), but I agree with the Instapundit. The ruling that the defendant must provide the password to her laptop is wrong. It seems to me she’s being compelled to provide evidence against herself, a violation of the fifth amendment.

Shift military retirement to 401K payout?

CombatRob — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 04:33:11 +0000

Terrible, horrible, no good idea. How many people would stay 20 years for an $80,000 dollar payout that has to be invested into a 401K, etc., and/or isn’t collectible until retirement age? How many people would go to war for this multiple times over a 20 year period? I fear the answer is not a lot.

Disclaimer: I am biased, being just a couple of years from drawing said 20 year retirement. However, I believe that bias gives me insight into the problem, too, unlike the author of this article or others who propose this change.

TSA agent steals iPads…

CombatRob — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:38:12 +0000

…notable just to write: don’t trust the TSA with your iPads and sure as heck don’t check the things.

Second and third order effects…

CombatRob — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:53:34 +0000

The accident off the Italian coast is manifesting second and third order effects that will impact the area for several years.

Small victory for the public in foreclosure mess?

CombatRob — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:04:35 +0000

Maybe. As Taibbi writes, it’ll depend on the actual wording of the settlement. I’m less optimistic than he is about it. I’m also curious where the money from said settlement would go? To the people who were affected by this perjury? Or to the State, for their use (ostensibly) in preventing and/or perusing offenders?