This is William F. Buckley engaged in friendly banter with Edgar Smith on his show Firing Line in 1971. Smith had been convicted of abducting and murdering a 15 year old girl in 1957 - and sentenced to death. Buckley was impressed with Smith's writing ability and became persuaded he was innocent. He supported him financially, and worked to have him freed. He succeeded in this, and then immediately had him on his television show.

A few years later, Smith abducted a woman in San Diego at knife point, forced her into his car, and then stabbed her in the chest. She managed to get free from him, but Smith went back to jail, where he only died in 2017 on the taxpayer's dime. Had be been executed back in New Jersey, this woman would never have met Smith.

We hear a lot from the Innocence Project about people being let out of jail on technicalities who may be innocent - and might not be. But we don't hear enough about the cases where people intervene to get guilty people released, who then go on and victimize others. A little more balance would be good.

He who makes half a revolution digs his own grave.

This spot is a must-see on your fall color tour! About 8 miles from Marquette, the old 510 bridge on the Dead River is a beautiful stop!