the Scott Stein

CNN reports: Comedian [Al] Franken considering Senate run.

He consulted with "Democratic lawmakers" in Minnesota. Franken mentioned one "pitfall" that they noted: "It's unknown how people will respond to a comedian running for the Senate. I need to figure out a way to let people know I'm extremely serious about Minnesotans and their lives."

Not that I'm a Minnesotan, but I'm wary of any politician who's extremely serious about my life. He doesn't even know me. Let him worry about his own.

When it comes to government intrusion and civil liberties, Radley Balko predicts 2007 will be just more of what we saw in 2006. Funny? Depressing? Nothing new?

I keep saying it, but it keeps being true: It's getting harder and harder to write satire. Today's hyperbole is tomorrow's news. Or, yesterday's news, even.