The following is an excerpt from OpinionJournal.com’s “Best of the Web” written by the editor, James Taranto.
Obama Won’t Criticize Bush–Now That Would Be News
“Bush Says He Won’t Criticize Obama”–headline, Washington Times, Feb. 27
It’s Always in the Last Place You Look
- “Rare Siberian Tiger Found in Farmer’s Woodpile”–headline, FoxNews.com, March 1
- “Rare Buddhist Flower Found Under Nun’s Washing Machine”–headline, Daily Telegraph (London), March 1
When Licenses Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Get Licensed
“In South Carolina, any group that plans to overthrow the government must register its activities,” the Associated Press reports from Columbia, the capital. But some state lawmakers want to repeal the licensing law:
Sen. Larry Martin said Monday the 1951 McCarthy-era statute that’s meant to deter “Reds” is one more thing making South Carolina look bad.
The “subversive activities registration act” says any group that advocates controlling or overthrowing the federal government–or any other government in the U.S.–must pay $5 to file with the state, or face up to a $25,000 fine and 10 years in prison.
A state official said no one had registered until February. Now about 10 have filed, apparently in jest.
Talk about mixed-up priorities. Wouldn’t it make sense to repeal licensing requirements for law-abiding citizens first?
For more “Best of the Web” click here and look for the “Best of the Web Today” link in the middle column below “Today’s Columnists.
