The argument over automobile mileage standards did not proceed smoothly here. I am of the opinion that most of those in the government trying to set arbitrary standards are totally ignorant about the technology and costs involved, and that such attempts to force results do more harm than good. Those arguing with me are convinced that the only thing keeping us from 100 mile-per-gallon SUVs are the greed, stubborness, and general cussedness of the moustache-twirling corporations. The extremists--nobody on this board thank God--firmly believe that auto companies are suppressing cars that run on water.

Well, here's a local example of dumbass government micromanagement, which might be more relevant to those of us familiar with books and how they are produced and distributed.

Here in California, many of our schools are open campuses of many disconnected buildings. Children move outdoors between classes. Lockers outside are unusually vulnerable to damages and abuse from the thugs who currently have more rights in our public education system than the rest of the students. Back in Minnesota, everything was inside one big locked building.

So, lots of schools simply avoid lockers, and kids carry huge backpacks around.

The government solution?

A limit on how much a book can weigh.

This is so screamingly stupid that even the liberal Mercury News recognizes it.

It would be funnier if we were not crushed under hundreds of similar arbitrary rules pulled out of the asses of lawyers who know little or nothing about anything except politics, but who currently run the show.