Snippets from the news.

The New York Times reports on a controversy that is brewing in some areas. Some people wish to hang their laundry up to dry, instead of using a dryer. Often they do this because they are convinced it will "help save the planet." No matter. As I see it, it's their laundry and their house, so it's their business.

Some of the states are passing legislation that says people may hang laundry outside, regardless of what local regulations say. The Times reports: "Opponents say the laws lifting bans erode local property rights and undermine the autonomy of private communities." So, if people are allowed to control what other people do on their own property that is supporting property rights while not being allowed to control what other people do with their property is erodes property rights? And the New York Times reported that as if it made sense.

Most of the time when I lived outside the U.S. I didn't have a dryer. I really don't see clothesline as a threat to anyone.

You have blood on your hands.

Hundreds of family members showed up at St. Paul's Cathedral, in London, to attend a memorial service for British soldiers who died in Iraq. The none-too-popular Tony Blair, who sent these young men off to war, had the audacity to show up. Mr. Blair has said that he went to war because he felt God wanted him to do it. Shortly after leaving office Blair converted to Catholicism, apparently it was the Catholic deity that wanted young men killed.

At a reception after the service Blair was running around glad-handing those in attendance. He attempted to shake hands with Peter Brierley, who was there to mourn his son. Brierley was shocked to be approached by Blair with his outstretched hand. He told the former politician: "I'm not shaking your hand, you've got blood on it."

Blair looked surprised and his security detail quickly shunted him out of the area. Good for Brierley, I'm not sure I would have been that restrained.