Politics and other nightmares

So, you think Sen. Richard Lugar has become too much of a Washington insider, has strayed too far from conservative principles, is far too fond of government solutions, has become a comfortable part of the ruling elite? You think someone from the right should mount a serious challenge against him in the 2012 primary? Well, you bad, bad person, you despicable political animal, you detestable voter.

Steve Chapman of Reason magazine on why motorcycle helmets do not constitute a "public health issue," which is the argument being used by the National Transportation Safety Board in urging Congress to make them mandatory:

Will we get to the point where just leaving the house means we are giving our implied consent to be stopped and searched anywhere, any time?

Janet Napolitano hinted this week that the body scanners and "enhanced" pat-downs that have caused a ruckus at airports across the country could be coming to a train station, port or subway near you.

Rats. I was ready to declare another victory for the Vast Rightwing Conspiracy's efforts to drive the country crazy with All Things Palin, but my fellow wingnuts fell down on the job:

Before "Dancing with the Stars" crowned Jennifer Grey its champion Tuesday night, there was all kinds of discussion about how the ABC competition series could lose its credibility if Bristol Palin won.

Is Mike Pence being coy beyond the point where being coy makes sense?

Pence has been mentioned as a possible 2012 GOP presidential candidate and as an Indiana gubernatorial candidate. He said he is mulling over the possibilities.

"We've been humbled by the encouragement we have had around the state and the country to seek higher office," he said.

Now that Fort Wayne has joined the "accommodating bicycles" trend, could ugly disputes be in our future?

No day is so bleak that it can't be enlivened with a little cheering news:

I don't have high expectations for Obama. I cannot recall a president who generated so much excitement as a candidate but who turned out to be such a political dud as chief executive. Nor do his actions since the election inspire confidence that he will be reborn as a fighter.

A depressing thought:

Speaking to a crowd at the annual convention of the Federalist Society, an influential organization of conservative and libertarian lawyers, McConnell is among friends. They are happy to hear him declare, "Americans want less government, less spending and less debt."

Then the senator tells them what his party is going to do to bring the runaway federal budget under control. "We will vote to freeze and cut discretionary spending," he vows.

Is this an enhanced patdown, or are you just happy to see me? Charles Krauthammer has an inspired (and uncharacteristcally vulgar) rant about Americans rebelling against the TSA's new secutiry measures: