Hammer Mill Days

Okay, so ... where is that script again? Not written yet? Jesus. That useless scriptwriter. Why the hell do we use him, anyway? I should just do it myself. What's that? Oh ... I am the scriptwriter this month? Right. Never mind. Well, if you're wondering where this month's episode of THIS IS BIG GREEN is, um ... apparently, I haven't written it yet. Actually, in point of fact, I haven't finished writing it yet. Why? Funny story, actually. We've been a little busy this past month, what with the arrival of Spring and the advent of extreme weather, out of control vulcanism, and occasional lapses in gravity. No, wait ... that's what's happening on my favorite sci-fi show. I meant to say, with the discovery of a new element and the isolation of the Higgs ... Ooops, that's what's happening in the physics research lab. What's really keeping me from that script is ... well ... You know what happens, right? You have something to do, and two month...

Cleveland's police department has been issued a lengthy set of restrictions by the Justice Department in response to a pattern of systemic abuses and unconstitutional practices, according to the 110-page DOJ report. We know about some of the most egregious recent racially charged cases, such as the massive police chase after and killing of a black couple whose car backfired (which recently ended in acquittal of one officer), the killing of Tanisha Anderson, as well as the Tamir Rice case - one of the most heinous examples of police brutality in recent memory. Cleveland's mayor has signed on to sweeping changes for the department, which may be a step in the right direction. This is, however, an issue that isn't going to be solved through police reform. Yes, dialing back police tactics is a necessary component, but it is just one element in a far more complex picture. Black Americans have been treated like shit since emancipation (prior to that as well, of course). Black li...