Tag Archives: law

Sean Bean, King Arthur, and Twelve Other Angry Men

Posted on July 7, 2025 by smellincoffee

Over the weekend I listened to two audiobooks: Sean Bean reading King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, an edition collected by Benedict Flynn; and an ensemble cast performing the original teleplay of Twelve Angry Men, the classic … Continue reading →

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Lawless Republic

Posted on July 11, 2024 by smellincoffee

Oh, the times! Oh, the morals! Marcus Tullius Cicero began his legal practice and subsequent political career in tempestuous times: the Roman Republic was actively failing, critically hit during the civil wars between Marius and Sulla, attempting to salvage itself … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Doctorow duo on digital rights activism

Posted on June 2, 2022 by smellincoffee

I recently read two short titles by Cory Doctorow, a SF author and internet freedom activist. For  at least the last twenty years, Cory Doctorow has been thinking about the future of intellectual property, copyright, and the open internet. He … Continue reading →

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COVID Reviews #6 Cleaning Up with gangsters, Navajo, politicians, and so many Germans

Posted on October 20, 2020 by smellincoffee

Back in September and early October when I was under quarantine, I didn’t have computer access, so I couldn’t take many notes or write reviews when things were fresh on my mind. I tried to post comments intermittently, but some … Continue reading →

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Go Directly to Jail

Posted on August 27, 2020 by smellincoffee

Go Directly to Jail: The Criminalization of Almost Everything © 2004 ed. Gene Healy 194 pages What good are laws so numerous they cannot be known, or so opaque they cannot be understood?  James Madison knew enough to ask that … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , | 3 Comments

9 Presidents Who Screwed Up America

Posted on February 19, 2018 by smellincoffee

9 Presidents Who Screwed Up America and 4 Who Tried to Save Her©  2016 Brion McClanahan354 pages It is my dearest hope that by the time Donald Trump leaves the West Wing, the office of the presidency will have been … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Lessons from a Lemonade Stand

Posted on January 7, 2018 by smellincoffee

 Lessons from a Lemonade Stand: An Unconventional Guide to Government© 2017 Connor Boyack145 pages Who knew  lemonade was a gateway drug to anarchism?   Beginning with the true story of several girls who were bullied and fined by their local Officer … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Medical tricorders, dirty old men, and controlling the internet

Posted on July 3, 2017 by smellincoffee

Before we head further into July, here are a few ‘missed’ reviews.. First up, The Patient Will See You Now. This book was part of the “Rebuilding Towards the Future” series, in which I read books about ways that ideas … Continue reading →

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I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did

Posted on June 16, 2017 by smellincoffee

I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy© 2013 Lori Andrews272 pages Think about what you put on facebook. If you’re like most people,  there is something in your photos, comments, … Continue reading →

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You Have the Right to Remain Innocent

Posted on December 23, 2016 by smellincoffee

You Have the Right to Remain Innocent © 2016 James Duane 152 pages “One of the Fifth amendment’s basic functions is to protect innocent men who otherwise might be ensnared by ambiguous circumstances.” (Ohio v. Reiner) “People are inherently honest, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments