WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE CANAVERAL –  Space Shuttle Atlantis was launched today, the last launching in America's space shuttle program.  The first was in 1981.  When Atlantic returns, the only way for Americans to get into space will be aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.  Incredible, isn't it?  We beat them to the moon, now we have to hitch a ride at an exorbitant rate.  (The old reds have learned that when you have a monopoly, you can charge anything.)  Maybe there's a rational reason for this, and we do have space travel planned for the distant future, but where will the inspiration be for young kids who want to be astronauts?  I guess those dreams don't can't anymore in Barack Obama's America.

A PERRY ERROR? –  A Mexican was executed in Texas yesterday for the unspeakable rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl.  The White House, State Department and others, including former President George W. Bush, asked for a stay, because there were some possible errors made in the handling of the case.  The Supreme Court rejected that argument, 5-4.  Texas Governor Rick Perry could still have granted a stay, but refused.   Did Perry make a mistake?  I think he did.  He will probably jump into the presidential race, and hardly has to prove his conservative credentials.  But the question is whether he can rise above local politics.  By granting a brief stay so that all questions could be answered, he would have shown himself the statesman, not the local prosecutor.  Execution is the most profound act a state can perform, and even we law-and-order types should approach it with awe.  Perry, who must appeal to independents to win a national election, missed a chance to show some size.

ABOLISH JURIES? –  I've never heard such questioning of the jury system as I've heard in the last few days, since the Casey Anthony verdict.  People recall the farcical O.J. Simpson verdict, and just a few days ago a similar farce played out in New York.  Some legal wags on TV have even ridiculed jurors themselves.  One defined a jury as 12 people too stupid to get out of jury duty.  I still believe in the jury system, but modern tactics employed by slick lawyers – including a former presidential candidate named John Edwards – may be overwhelming the best intentions of that system.  We need some improvement in the selection and qualifications of jurors, the the interpretation of scientific "evidence," and in reassuring the public that the system actually functions.

FUTURE LEADERS FOR AMERICA – One of the most valuable uses of our presidential nomination process is identifying future presidents.  It's not usually listed as a purpose of the process, but it is.  Consider:  John F. Kennedy was spotted as a future president in 1956, when he allowed his name to be entered at the Democratic convention as a candidate for vice president.  He lost to Estes Kefauver, but made an impression.  Ronald Reagan ran in the primaries in 1976 against incumbent President Gerald Ford.  Reagan lost, but his future became apparent.  Barack Obama made his first national impression at the Democrats' 2004 nomination, in a keynote address.  Many felt they were looking at a future president, and, regrettably, they were.  So watch the process carefully.  Watch Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan.  And watch the maneuverings of Marco Rubio of Florida.  They are making their names.  We'll hear from them.

July 8, 2011