A Clinton campaign spokesman said Thursday that the campaign won't support any proposal that gives Clinton less that the delegates she earned winning the primary.

That's progress if you ask me.  Anything that drags this thing on is OK by me although the increasingly racial undertones being advanced by Clinton and Obama staffers do put me off more than a little bit.  But at least that puts to rest the notion that Democrats are beyond race.

Now... the materializing out of nowhere... did you take your blood pressure medicine this morning?  The Ivory Tower reports that the Michigan Senate yesterday beat the House to the draw and passed a statewide ban on smoking in the workplace that includes bars, restaurants and casinos.

So long freedom.  It was nice knowing you.

Nine Republicans joined 16 Democrats to pass the bill, 25-12. It returns to the House, where it could face more opposition to a smoking ban in Detroit's casinos, even though all five Detroit senators voted for the bill...

"This is a historic opportunity to concur with the Senate and become the 34th state to protect the public's health and stimulate the economy," said Rep. Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale, a leading proponent of a full-scale ban. "The Senate took a momentous step today, and I congratulate their leadership."

I humbly submit that if at any time Representative Andy Meisner praises one's actions or legislation one has officially lost one's way.

And I understand that in our system of government and with this legislative process there's no way I'm going to agree with every elected official on every vote.  We can sit around and dissect and digest and discuss individual bills until the cows come home and we'll never run out of topics for debate but this discussion seems particularly fundamental.

The Senate yesterday approved the most sweeping restriction on personal behavior and freedom in years.  Because smoking represents a health risk.  Of course, there are a lot of risky behaviors out there that jeopardize the health of others.  

Isn't it only a matter of time before they reach into our cars?  Our homes?  Our bedrooms?

Might as well go all the way and make smoking illegal altogether.  Second hand smoke can kill.  That's how they justify this FREEDOM-killing garbage.  Outlaw cigarettes.  But don't stop there...

People drink and drive all the time and fatalities occur.  Every day.  Better outlaw drinking.  It's a health risk to others.  

Of course, I don't smoke and I don't drink but that doesn't mean I'm not a danger to those around me.  While the Senate's at it, why not outlaw driving?  There are dozens of traffic fatalities every single day.  People die who weren't even at fault in the crashes.  Health risk.  Safety risk.  Risk to the general welfare.  

STDs are dangerous too.  And lots of people have them.  Better outlaw sex.  It's a health risk.  People could get sick.  No sex anywhere.  Especially gay sex.  Studies consistently show that gay sex is especially risky and much more likely to result in the spread of a variety of diseases.  Outlaw it.

I know, I know... I'm overreacting.  Or am I?  Check out the way Senator Nancy Cassis closes her press release proudly announcing her support of this liberty killing nonsense.

"Since I first took the oath of office as a Novi city councilmember promising to uphold the health, safety and general welfare of our residents, and through my career today in the Senate, I have supported wearing helmets for motorcyclists, wearing seatbelts, and ensuring children are in safety car seats and booster seats.

"I doubt today will be the last attempt to uphold the health, safetyand general welfare of our citizens."

It's almost like she's telling us she's not done yet.  'Click it or ticket.  Wear your helmet.  Go buy that new booster seat.  Don't you DARE spark up in here.  And I'm just getting warmed up!'

I expect this sort of things from the Democrats but the Republicans should know better.  Then again, they're just looking out for our best interests since, clearly, we're too retarded to do it ourselves.  Looking at it in that light, here's a special "thank you" to every Democrat but Jim Barcia and Republican Senators Patty Birkholz, Cameron Brown, Nancy Cassis, Tom George, Ron Jelinek, Roger Kahn, Michelle McManus, John Pappageorge and Bruce Patterson.  

Thanks for protecting us from... us.  You guys obviously know better.  You're smarter.  You're cooler.  You're better looking.  Without you we just wouldn't be able to make it.  People would die.  The American Experiment would grind to a halt.  Heck, society itself would probably cease to exist.  Besides, liberty is so passé.  You guys are the best and the brightest.  Keep up the great work.  And if you want to mandate walking helmets or impose a lifetime quarantine on anyone who ever coughs or sniffles to protect the general public from catching a nasty cold you've got my full, unflinching support.