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Privatizing Civil Commitment Unwise
(05/16/2012) The Washington Times recently reported that Virginia is considering privatizing its only facility housing individuals civilly committed for sexual offenses. Discussion of privatizing state functions and facilities often comes from a desire to cut costs, particularly in tough economic times. But is privatizing a facility intended to rehabilitate sex offenders a good idea? read more »
President Takes Us One Step Closer to Marriage Equality
(05/09/2012) President Obama’s announcement today that he supports same sex marriage is causing a media sensation. Yet, most of us have felt that, in his heart, he supported marriage equality all along. read more »
ACLU and Delegate Marshall Emblematic of NDAA Opposition
(05/02/2012) The ACLU of Virginia and Del. Bob Marshall may be on opposite sides on most issues. But we both know when we’re on the same side, and when we are we have no qualms about working with each other to accomplish our mutual goal. It’s simply a matter of a wise politician working with a wise advocacy group. read more »
The Scent of Racial Bias
(04/25/2012) Police in the City of Chesapeake have come up with a novel technique for tracking down marijuana users. They drive around town in patrol cars, turn on their intake fans, and sniff for the scent of someone smoking weed in a nearby car. Police claim they are not only able to determine when someone is illegally inhaling, but also the precise moving vehicle from whence the inhalables are emerging. Once they know that, they stop and search the offending car and its passengers. read more »
We Can’t Wait for Fair Pay
(04/17/2012) Today is Equal Pay Day, which marks how far into 2012 women, on average, must work to be paid what men were paid in just 2011. Nearly 50 years after the Equal Pay Act, women still make only 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. read more »
At CNU, Bad PR Made Worse
(04/12/2012) Some Christopher Newport University employees need a primer in civics, specifically on free speech and censorship. In case you haven’t heard about the most recent incident, last week unnamed “junior staff members” ordered the removal of copies of The Captain’s Log from distribution stands along prospective students’ campus tour routes. read more »
Light a Candle in Florida and Curse the Darkness in Virginia
(04/05/2012) The ongoing investigation into the killing of African-American teenager Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida, has not only raised questions -- yet again -- about racial discrimination in our criminal justice system, but it also calls attention to the issue of police transparency. read more »
Walking While Black Isn’t a Crime
(03/22/2012) When it comes to race relations, I cannot deny that America has come very far since the 1950s. Thanks to Civil Rights-era legislation and litigation, we’ve seen huge advances towards equal access to public accommodations, equal education opportunities, fair housing, interracial marriage, and the right to vote. However, recent events in Virginia and Florida show us that there’s still much farther to travel on our path towards racial equality and inclusion. read more »
Time to Fix Assembly Restrictions at the State Capitol
(03/15/2012) The Virginia State Capitol is three blocks from our office in downtown Richmond. If you don’t know it, you ought to pay a visit. You’ll be struck by Jefferson’s perfectly classical dome, especially the way it shimmers in the sun on a winter’s day. In those moments, it seems to convey exactly what Jefferson intended—a rock solid base that exudes stability holding up an arc that hovers loftily in the sky, like the ideals on which our nation was built. read more »
Shoulder Surfing Employers Should Stop Spying
(03/09/2012) With the rise of social media and the increased sharing of our lives on the internet, prospective employees are being warned to be careful about what information they make public when posting photos and comments on the web. As a result, many people are adjusting their privacy settings, closing some online accounts, and de-tagging themselves from certain potentially incriminating photos and comments. But such simple measures to keep one’s digital life private may not be enough these days, as employers have begun to employ “shoulder surfing” to learn about applicants’ personal lives. read more »
