On Thu, 18 Feb 1999, Doug Henwood wrote:
> >The contention that Americans "apparently want freedom" is embedded in
> >irony six feet thick. Consider, for instance, Alexander Cockburn's
> >comment (in the current NY Press, concerning Kenneth Starr & Co.) about
> >the rise of the "proscecutorial state" in the USA: "Judge Richard
> >Posner said in 1995 that the U.S. 'criminalizes more conduct than most,
> >many any, non-Islamic nations.'"
>
> That quote leapt out at me too. Posner is a harcore libertarian, right? But
> is what he says true? What does the U.S. criminalize that other countries
> don't?
Perhaps this is a distinction between fines and crimes? I.e., that we make prostitution a crime, whereas in Germany it's a matter of public health regulations? Then it might be plausible. But if by crime is meant all rules forbidding conduct, I'm willing to bet most well-run, humane European countries have us easily beat. You can get arrested in Germany for letting someone ride on your handlebars.
I have to say, I love reading Cockburn's column, but I don't trust him to get quotes right or not to exaggerate. I've been caught in embarrassing positions relying on him in the past.
Michael __________________________________________________________________________ Michael Pollak................New York City..............mpollak at panix.com