It seems like only yesterday the Federal debt reached $8 trillion (Oct. 18, 2005). For those of you counting, we are about to pass another dubious milestone and reach the unheard amount of $9 trillion. Adding another trillion in record time prompted the Economist to dryly remark, "At least it hasn't hit a zillion yet."

Law enforcement officers sometimes misbehave in ways that violate individual rights and call for severe sanctions. But a ruling Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court is a reminder that it's unwise to make a federal case out of every misstep by the police. Dec. 19, 2001, was a bad day for Max Rettele and Judy Sadler. They were in bed-- and not wearing pajamas -- in their Lancaster, Calif., home early that morning when L.A. County sheriff's deputies arrived with drawn guns and a search warrant. The deputies ordered the couple to get out of bed and show their hands, and at first wouldn't allow them to cover their nakedness.

A fine day

Dear editor,

Dear editor,

Dear editor,