Interrogation Overreaction: Stuart Taylor at National Journal asks, "Does Congress really want to make it unlawful for the CIA to threaten to slap Osama bin Laden (if he is captured) in the face?" (Hat tip: How Appealing)

Executions numbered 42 this year, down 11 from last year mostly because of the Baze v. Rees injection litigation, reports Robert Barnes in the Washington Post. New death sentences are also down for various reasons, one of which is simply the decline in the number of murders, according to "a prominent death penalty proponent."

New Jersey: "Marilyn Flax, whose husband was abducted and murdered in 1989, vowed to work against Corzine and the lawmakers who voted last week to abolish the death penalty. 'I will make sure my voice is used and they are not re-elected,' she said" in this AP article byTom Hester.