Justice Antonin Scalia recently made some remarks that seemed to indicate a less-than-concered attitude about privacy and its possible invasion:
Every single datum about my life is private? That's silly," Scalia [said]. . . .
Scalia said he was largely untroubled by such Internet tracking. "I don't find that particularly offensive," he said. "I don't find it a secret what I buy, unless it's shameful."
I know that if I were running the Republican Party, the editorial page of The Journal Gazette is the first place I'd go to for advice. So let's see what the editors have to say under the heading, "Specter's defection shows need for less GOP conservatism."
Specter was a Republican long known as an independent-minded moderate. He is pro-gun and pro-choice. Indeed, he is conservative on many issues
Republicans in a funk because of the defection of Arlen Specter should take heart from a lesson of history -- the last time either party had such a wide Senate margin was during the first two years of Jimmy Carter's term:
Some will be pleased and some horrified that the Supreme Court let stand the Federal Communications Commission's change of rules on bad language -- especially but not confined to the "f" word and the "s" word. Even if their use on radio or TV is fleeting and unanticipated, the FCC can still levy heavy fines not just on the program where the offense originated but on all affiliates that carry the offending program.
Washington Post and syndicated columnist Richard Cohen has an interesting take on torture and expresses a view that needs to be heard more often in the debate that too often focuses on utilitarianism -- let's not torture anybody, but let's not pretend that such restraint will somehow makes America safer:
In assessing President Obama's first 100 days, I think this writer strains mightily to make a distinction that doesn't really exist:
A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows that the new president is broadly popular and seems to have produced an upswing in national confidence -- but also reveals that a growing number of Americans describe him as "very liberal," which surely isn't what the White House wants.
And I thought Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard was a sensible Republican with good conservative instincts:
Recycling is one of Mayor Greg Ballard's top priorities, and he wants to give more homeowners an incentive to reduce waste and preserve resources, Ballard spokesman Robert Vane said.
One of his goals . . . is to get curbside recycling at a drastically reduced rate as a way to promote participation in the program," Vane said.
If you strongly favor a state law that would right some wrong you think still exists, and the legislative process results in a bill so watered down it's barely recognizable, do you, A) support it anyway on the theory that you'll take what you can get now and work for more later or, B) withdraw your support because a bad bill would be worse than no bill at all? The Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air takes the latter view, withdrawing its support for a statewide smoking ban:
Best visual of the bone-headed "photo op" staged in New York, from the Perfunction blog. At left is the photo op, at right the real thing on Sept. 11, 2001:
Today's quiz: How many people die in the United States each year from flu and flu-related causes? Answer later.
