-Patterico

I agree with that, to an extent, though I would add the caveat “if they had a good relationship with their parents”.

I have more respect for my father than I can put into words. Accordingly, our political beliefs are largely concordant. However, I think that the rule works both ways (i.e. a child who hates his father grows to hate the things his father stands for politically).

Obviously, I think that there are exceptions to this rule: I would hate to automatically imply bad blood between parents and children solely on the basis of divergent political opinion… but, for the most part, I think the theory makes sense. From what you’ve said in past posts, your own strong relationship with your father would certainly support this theory.

For what it’s worth, Patterico, I do differ with my family on several issues: I am “pro-life” (though the implication that the proponents of abortion are necessarily “anti-life”), and I am conflicted about “gay rights” in the sense that gay individuals have the same rights as anyone else (at least in America, where the fuss is the loudest). Gay people have civil unions, which (correct me if I’m wrong) afford them the same opportunities, legally and financially, as “marriage”. It seems to me as though an insistence upon what amounts to a change in title is petulant, designed to throw dirt in the faces of the political opposition, and nothing more.

My question is this:

What do you love about America?

What is it, on a day when a scumbag is acquitted like that Jai-speaker, that keeps you coming back? Do you suspect there is a breaking point/ratio of such defeats to wins? Or are you so convicted that you are precisely at the place where you can do the most good with your life that you could lose all your cases and keep on keepin’ on?

Other than your family responsibilities, what do you see as your purpose?

Macro questions and perhaps not appropriate to this forum. Thanks again for your respect and your attention.

To think that God is not part of this equation… it’s impossible for me to accept. But it’s also important to respect those with differing opinions.

Now of course I don’t still have the same opinion as I did then: I’m not saying that I believe that all conservatives are inauthentic and are snobs. And I’m no longer a card-carrying member of the hippy-hood.

I have a theory that most people adopt the political beliefs of their parents. It’s not true of everyone — see the example of left-leaning commenter steve, for example, who compares my beliefs to those of his dad — but I don’t suppose I’m immune.

Still, I have seriously held at times beliefs that many would consider left-leaning and that divert from my parents’ beliefs. I am for gay rights where they were not. I was at one time pro-choice; now I am conflicted.

My beliefs don’t come from a particular event, but from reading about, thinking about, and discussing various issues.

I would like to know the “thing” or “source” you believe you rely upon when you have your moment(s) of doubt about the profession and job you have chosen. I’m talking about the times when the foundations of the system, as you understand it, are swept from beneath you – the times when you question the very purpose (outside of your family) of your existence.

When you have gone through such moments, is there some consistent thing or understanding that pulled you through? What was it?

I’m not entirely sure I know what you’re asking, but I’ll give it a shot.

I’m not religious in any conventional sense. I don’t believe in life after death, or the gods endorsed by the major religions. There seems to be some intelligence behind the universe, but it’s hard to classify. Is it alive? I can’t say. Whatever it might be, it doesn’t give me much solace. Most people would probably think of me as an agnostic.

But I’m not sure if that’s what you meant. You asked about my job, and something about whether I question the reason for my existence when it turns out badly.

I don’t. There are many aspects to my life besides my identity as a prosecutor. I am a blogger. I am a family man, a reader, a music lover. I like traveling and learning new languages.

I questioned the importance of my job after 9/11. I realized that in a great career I might vindicate the killing of a few dozen people, if that. What is that compared to the murder of 3000 people, and the need to prevent something worse?

The feeling passed, to some degree. What I do is important. But I’ve known the feeling.

I have also had terrible frustrations is my job. In L.A., witnesses are constantly intimidated. They fight coming to court out of fear. They change their testimony out of fear. It’s very frustrating. But it doesn’t cause me to question my existence. It just makes me want to be better, to rise to these challenges more effectively.

I don’t know if I’ve answered your question.

Incidentally – I have a Toyota Tundra, ada and Chrisoph. I like them too.

From your perspective of having to prosecute the cases investigated by police officers, what is it that sets the best investigators apart from those that are just really good?

You didn’t ask, but let me start with what separates good ones from bad ones. It’s smarts and a willingness to work hard. Period. The good investigator gets things done without your having to ask. The bad one doesn’t do them even when you ask.

It makes a huge difference.

The very best have a way with people. They get confessions out of defendants because they know how to talk to them. (Incidentally, the best tactic is not to yell, but to convince the suspect that you understand why he did wha he did. A good investigator can plausibly tell a rapist and murderer of a little girl that it makes sense for him to have sodomized her. Then he leaves the room and hits the wall in frustration that such people exist. They can persuade witnesses to come to court — or if they won’t, persuade people to say where they are. They just have a knack for figuring out how to get people to cooperate.

What is it that police officers do (or don’t do) that makes a trial most difficult to win? (If you can answer that without calling out someone you will have to work with again!)

See above.

Also, a cop with attitude will always hurt your case. A cop who thinks getting more evidence isn’t important will hurt your case. A cop who leaves important things out of the report will hurt your case.

Again, see above.

The question about books merits a post of its own.

I pay about $40 per month for hosting fees, and I’m so glad to be rid of Hosting Matters, I can’t even tell you.

I have no idea why ads have fallen off so precipitously. I think my prices are in line with other sites. But ever since BlogAds changed their format, I have received very few ads. I note that when I go to try to choose my blog from the Conservative Blogads network, I can’t even find it. This is a source of frustration, but I don’t do this for the money, so I haven’t spent much time trying to figure out what the problem is.

Aside from one very generous ($200) donation a few months back, I rarely get donations. I probably average less than $50 per year. My PayPal button is not very prominent.

In short, I used to cover my expenses and then some. Nowadays, not so much.

I have never received money for a radio appearance. When I published two pieces in the L.A. Times, I received $400 per piece. I gave the money to my sister, who at the time was not well off.

I’m headed out and may not have a chance to get to these questions, but there are some good ones. Stay tuned over the next couple of days. I will get to them, I promise.

The one about books is probably worth a post.