Politics and other nightmares

The Tomes of Northwest Indiana reports on what it calls "some of the seemingly wackier bills" among the 789 laws proposed "so far" in this session of the General Assembly:

Looks like conservatism is still dominant and the liberal camp is still shrinking:

Political ideology in the U.S. held steady in 2011, with 40% of Americans continuing to describe their views as conservative, 35% as moderate, and 21% as liberal. This marks the third straight year that conservatives have outnumbered moderates, after more than a decade in which moderates mainly tied or outnumbered conservatives.

Ho-hum, another $1.2 trillion:

In his final State of the Judiciary speech, retiring Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard makes an interesting point about the justice system and the economy:

He also said improvements in the state's legal system have helped courts become an aid — or at least not a hindrance — to Indiana's economic development.

Phil Marx points us to this bill introduced in the Indiana Senate, which would permit "an employer to consider tobacco use by job applicants in the hiring process." Indiana is one of about 30 states that have so-called "smokers' rights" laws (here is a roundup and critique), and this would amend and weaken our statute, by taking out all references to "prospective" employees. Here, for example:

Guess it wouldn't seem normal if we didn't have at least one of these every General Assembly session:

The Doomsday Clock keepers have moved the time ahead a minute to five minutes before midnight, the first time the clock has been reset since 2007:

There is no place the historical preservationists won't go! Or, if you're afraid of the idea of one-world government, hows about one-solar-system government?

But for archaeologists and historians worried that the next generation of people visiting the moon might carelessly obliterate the site of one of humanity's greatest accomplishments, these designations were important first steps toward raising awareness of the need to protect off-world artifacts.

OK, show of hands: Who didn't see this coming?

Changes to Indianapolis' alcohol laws will allow thousands of Super Bowl partiers to enjoy the game on the streets.

Words of wisdom in a Purdue Exponent student newspaper editorial:

It should not come as a shock that Republicans severely outweigh Democrats in the Indiana state house. Taking into consideration the 6:4 ratio in the house and the 37:13 ratio in the senate, Indiana Democrats are often simply along for the ride during quorums.