Semiquincentennial Reflections on Original Sin and Inevitability
[Note to readers: I am of course aware of the Trump administration's attack on Venezuela, capture of Maduro, and suggestions that further military operations could follow in order to occupy and "run" the country. DoL will include discussion of the legal and other issues raised thereby in short order. However, I wrote most of today's essay and accompanying Verdict column on Friday of last week, so it addresses different topics. I offer that as an explanation, not an apology. One of the unsettling aspects of our current reality is how one can barely focus on anything for more than a few hours because the president and his administration generate a new crisis and/or scandal at least daily. Think of today's essay as part of an effort to push back against this phenomenon.] ---------- During the last few weeks, I used my time off from teaching and blogging to work on a law-review-length paper, grade exams, visit with family, and do a bit more pleasure reading than more ...