Politics and other nightmares

I don't have much sympathy for Secretary of State Charlie White's excuse for his voting-irregularity problem -- that his complicated personal life made him "practically homeless" for a year and thus confused about where he should vote.  That's in the same league as "the dog ate my homework" and "I never would have misbehaved if I'd been sober," not something the state's chief election officer should be saying.

I'd love to believe this, but I have my doubts:

Libertarianism has been touted as the wave of America's political future for many years, generally with more enthusiasm than evidence. But there are some tangible signs that Americans' attitudes are in fact moving in that direction.

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Liberal Washington Post columnist (but I repeat myself) E.J. Dionne Jr. picks on Indiana -- and all the states that followed our example by instituting voter ID laws:

The South Bend Tribune has one of those dreary stories not just defending and apologizing for those graffiti vandals who claim to be pursuing something noble but actually arguing for their nobility:

Despite the fact that, technically, he is defacing public property, he does not seem concerned about getting caught. His brushstrokes are quick but calm, and, when finished, he steps back to wipe his hands and admire his work.

An Indianapolis Star editorial correctly pinpoints a flaw in state law, but glosses over an even bigger problem:

Indiana's law, which allows authorities to seize money, cars and other property from arrested persons whether or not they wind up convicted or even charged, invites the abridgement of civil liberties because the assets fund the drug war.

It's an interesting question -- how big can you get and still successfully relate to the little guy?

INDIANAPOLIS — The day before he launched his campaign for governor, Rep. Mike Pence discussed what he said will be a strong grass-roots campaign.

What he wouldn't talk about were estimates he might raise close to $25 million in his bid to hold the governor's office for Republicans next year.

All right, everybody out of the pool except the straight, healthy people!

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- An employee at a public swimming pool in eastern Kentucky was suspended for a week without pay after telling two disabled gay men to leave, city of Hazard officials said Saturday.

For the "Robbing Peter to pay Paul does not butter Leo's bread" file:

Federal officials said Thursday that Indiana will be rewarded for having fewer errors in its food stamp program a year after the state was fined for making too many mistakes, including underpaying some food stamp recipients and overpaying others.

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Has sanity visited the U.S. Senate?

Senate Republicans joined Democrats on Thursday in an overwhelming vote to end an important tax break for the ethanol industry, the first of many niche tax breaks GOP lawmakers are looking to close.