From a reader:

Jonah,
Not sure if you caught last night’s BSG, but something on the show bugged me from a federalism point of view. The president has her undies in a bundle over what law to try Gaius Baltar under. Caprican? Sagitarrian? I have a hard time buying that the 12 Colonies could have a strong colonial military, president, beauracracy (roslin was 43rd in line of succession), etc, without having some sort of Colonial statute against treason, or say a Colonial law system.
Of course, maybe I should just ‘lighten up, francis’ and enjoy the damned show.