Some news sites cracking down on over-the-top comments • Obama suggests sense of powerlessness in confronting the world’s evils • Scary people downtown • An angry young man, and divine intervention

Topics in this post: Rat empathy ● Secret weapon ● Marriage a “luxury good?” ● Hero of cancer research

Dan Rodricks complained that a recent Baltimore City ordinance on panhandling failed to address “the underlying issues.” He has failed to address them either; so, I thought I would. Here are those I personally see: CHECKLIST ✓ TREATMENT ON DEMAND. Drug and alcohol treatment needs to be available on demand. This doesn’t affect me personally, but does affect panhandling — and prostitution, petty theft, shoplifting, smash-and-grabs, larcenies, and in fact all crime of any type.

City considers crackdown on panhandling Baltimore has another fit of panhandler anxiety For years, I had the mantra: “Most panhandlers aren’t homeless, and most homeless people don’t panhandle.” Now I have many acquaintances who do one or the other. Given recent instability in my support system, I myself may soon become one who does both. My experience is much informed by what I’ve seen at the McDonald’s I frequent at Baltimore and Light Streets, where some people seem to pan