The statements and actions of the Westboro Baptist Church are precisely the sort of offensive, unpopular, marginal viewpoint that the First Amendment was designed from Day One to protect.

What are we to make of the news that career State Department staffers are refusing to go to Iraq?

Obesity has now reached the point where serious engineering consequences are required.

It's a far better thing, as well as much easier, for government to act to prevent a disaster, or at least to warn residents loudly and clearly of the potential consequences of their foolish choices.

Why such a difference between the handling of the California fires, vs Katrina in New Orleans?

In recent years, the dream of home ownership has gotten farther and farther out of reach, as house prices have escalated. According to a recent study, the primary cause is excessive zoning laws - that is, government over-regulation.

How can you take action in a rational way if you won't even take the time to understand the issue you're incensed about?

Inspecting IDs is a waste of time and money, but it's ideal from the bureaucratic point of view because it doesn't solve the problem.

Virtually everyone who is anyone in American politics and media has roundly condemned any thought that Iran's President Ahmadinejad should be allowed to desecrate Ground Zero with his noisome presence. They are making a mistake.

This year's episode of Civility Strikes Back relates to the baggy-pants half-moon.