Ron, too late. I’m not sure whether it was the fascists or the socialists that stole the word “liberal” and turned it into something dirty, but I fear that it is lost to rational discourse forever. Which is a shame, because we are left bereft of a word that means what “liberal” used to mean in politics: favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform. “Libertarian” is as close as we have right now, I guess.

Doug, Ah, yes, your extended response to Scott’s silly overreaction. In which you “have concluded that political labels (as well as some clothing) tend to restrict critical thinking rather than inspire reasoned dialogue.”

Which conclusion, we must suppose, came at some point after you blamed “liberals” for getting in the way of criminal justice reforms, thereby (ahem) restricting critical thinking rather than inspiring reasoned dialogue.

I wonder if the word “liberal” will end up in the lexical trash heap of history.

Are you familiar with any occasion where Ch.59, TCCP has been utilized for sexual offenses?

I didn’t even know that 15.031 T.PC was on the list but forgot to look at when it was enacted.

I am sure there are occasions where the computers were never given back and retained in perpetuity as evidence in that kind of case, but I can’t remember ever going after any other property under Chap. 59.

I think Scott is right. The state won’t give up seeking incarceration, just because it got property in that kind of case.

Good subject