Politics and other nightmares

The student newspaper of my alma mater says union protesters in Indiana and other states are to be commended for their "peaceful protests" against "what they believe to be an injustice," but, really, something "should have been done about it in November."

The Indianapolis Star reports on how the pressure on Mitch Daniels to take a stand on illegal immigration is growing, from both sides:

“We would absolutely love to hear what he says about this bill. It's one of our top priorities in the tea party movement,” said Monica Boyer, a leader of Kosciusko Silent No More. “It will show courage. It will show strength. Silence is never good on an issue like that.”

Even when it comes to honoring presidents, we've resorted to praising everybody instead of trying to single out the really great ones. So, we forget George Washington and celebrate President's Day, the nation's "most nondescript holiday" and another one of Richard Nixon's terrible ideas:

My fellow libertarians, here's a spending cut that seems petty and counterproductive even to me:

Jurors in some Lake County cases won't get free lunches while serving because budget cuts have forced judges to halt a practice of using public money to feed them.

The changes affect Lake Superior Civil Division Courts but not jurors serving in the better-funded Lake Circuit and Lake Criminal Courts.

Disheartening development on the "Tame that federal budget by targeting every program but ours" front.  The U.S. House this week voted to kill $450 million in funding for the F136, an "aleternaate engine" for the new Joint Strike Fighter. This does not please the Terre Haute Tribune-Star, which notes the 200 high-paying jobs that would not be added at the local General Electric susidiary:

Man, Chris Christie just keeps sounding better and better, doesn't he?

And in a shot at politicians of all stripes, including some 2012 GOP potential contenders, he faulted the refrain supporting “American exceptionalism” that has cropped up in the political dialogue.

“I love when people talk about American exceptionalism,” he said. “But American exceptionalism has to include the courage to do the right thing. “

It isn't just in Indiana that teachers unions are fighting off challenges from the governor and legislators. It's happening in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Nevada, Florida.

The Indiana Senate locks and loads:

Indianapolis — If some lawmakers have their way pretty soon you'll be able to carry a gun just about everywhere in Indiana.

Dispatch from the Affordable Care front:

From Politico, one possible problem for Mitch Daniels if he seeks the GOP presidential nomination:

A tough, Arizona-style anti-immigration bill in the Indiana state Legislature has put Gov. Mitch Daniels — who is mum on whether he backs it — on a collision course with tea party activists who see it as a big priority and could have national implications for the Indiana governor in a GOP presidential primary.