activist judges?

The Supreme Court announced today that federal laws governing marijuana trump state laws. The court’s not saying that it agrees with the federal law, necessarily, only that Congress really does have jurisdiction. As always, that jurisdiction stems from the “Commerce Clause”, which says that Congress has the power to regular interstate commerce. Whether or not this really counts as interstate commerce, well…who knows.

these shows are works of fiction

So now Tom DeLay has his panties in a twist over an episode of Law & Order in which the police are searching for someone in a Tom DeLay t-shirt.

My favorite quote from Dick Wolf: “Up until today, it was my impression that all of our viewers understood that these shows are works of fiction as is stated in each episode.”

CNN.com – DeLay angered by ‘Law & Order’ mention – May 27, 2005

santorum

I don’t know enough about the Democratic candidates for US Senate to have picked a favorite (I figure I have some time, since the election isn’t until 2006), but it’s clear to me that Santorum needs to go. Here’s one synopsis of why:

Daily Kos :: Definitive Rick Santorum Diary: Your Talking Points

My personal dislike for Santorum is all based on things that I can’t find links for, but you might be able to find your own reasons for disliking him right on his own website. He is, I guess, a pretty typical Bushite, complete with talk about the culture of life, activist judges, and how liberals encourage pedophilia and man on dog action. The normal stuff.

Bob Casey’s the candidate who currently appears in the best position to defeat Santorum. Here’s a list of other announced and potential candidates, some of whom might be more palatable.

I’m pretty much of the “anybody but Santorum” mindset.

freedom on the march

The UN has released its third annual Arab Human Development Report. According to the New York Times, the report says that Arabs don’t have very much freedom. I would say that while this is an issue that needs attention, it does not come as a surprise.

More interestingly, the article notes that our lovely president tried to suppress the report because it suggests that “the United States and Israel have also played a part in suppressing Arab freedom.”

Don’t like that someone’s saying you’re restricting freedom? Restrict their ability to say it. Seems to me like that’s a classic and time-honored strategy.