Word: opinionating
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Hinckley's are not the only delusions put on trial in Caplan's book; with him go much of the present Administration's legal thinking and some of that widespread and misinformed public opinion. Caplan's treatment of the insanity defense aims at discouraging us from seeing the defense as one or all of the following: an overused and therefore dangerous "legal loophole" (the words are, ironically, Richard M. Nixon's): a play-trial toy of the rich (the usual tabloid lore), or, thirdly, a legal contradiction (the view of behaviorists, who see free will as an illusion and absolve...
...complaint that the defense is the handmaiden to moneyed justice, Caplan cites the 1972 Brawner decision. The opinion established the standard which holds that a person is not responsible for a crime if, as a result of mental disease, he or she lacks the capacity to "appreciate" the wrongfulness of his or her conduct. But the case also made light of a "well guarded secret." According to the opinion, the majority of responsibility cases concern indigents, not affluent defendants with easy access to legal and psychiatric assistance...
...opinion this is a nonissue. There was absolutely no harassment involved here," he said...
...CRAZED "Chicken Little" mentality caused the furor over the MiG episode, then we have much to fear as a nation, because American political leaders from across the spectrum shared in the concern (as duly noted in the majority opinion). In fact, though, no such irrational fear of the unknown is indicated by this bipartisan condemnation of any outside attempt to arm Nicaragua beyond its legitimate needs. If MiGs are delivered to Nicaragua, then it will merely highlight and confirm the long-standing desire of the Sandinistas to possess far more military power than they could possibly need for their...
...Sandinista are smart enough to know that no conceivable they might amass could possibly defeat a U.S. invasion. And the majority opinion is correct in saying that the Reagan Administration knows that direct invasion will not achieve Central American freedom and stability along the lines desired by the original leaders of the Nicaraguan Revolution. Such as invasion would actually play into the hands of the Sandinistas by galvanizing support. The Sandinistas are fully aware of the constraints-from Congress, public opinion, and other nations-placed on Reagan, and they can safely dismiss the possibility of a general landing...