NORWAY – No dramatic developments.  One researcher at a human-rights group claims he's traced the alleged killer's e-mail address to a pseudonym at a neo-Nazi website in Sweden.  I was also struck by a report saying that, up to yesterday, the most heavily fortified building in Oslo was the US Embassy, a fact that, the story said, produced eye rolling among Norwegians, who thought the security excessive.  Perhaps the eye rolling will now stop, and the adolescent mentality that accompanied it will stop as well. 

ANOTHER BUSH? – Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has raised eyebrows by saying he doesn't "anticipate" a run for the presidency in 2012.  It wasn't exactly the Sherman oath.  Bush also said he's learned never to say never.  Bush is a very attractive guy, with a fine record as governor.  But most observers see him for 2016, when some of the anger directed toward his ex-president brother dies down.  I think that's probably good common political sense.  But, you never know when the itch strikes a politician.  If Jeb sees an opening for 2012, I wouldn't be shocked to see him "reassess" his position.

FIVE-DOLLAR GAS? – Oil experts suggest the possibility that gasoline prices, rising again, could possibly top five dollars a gallon during 2011 if the US Government defaults, if there's unrest in another oil-producing nation in the Mideast, or if emerging markets in Asia and Latin America start to use even more oil, driving the price upward.  Five-dollar gas could be disastrous for the American economy, driving down consumer spending for other items, and possibly driving up unemployment.  It could also have a profound political effect on President Obama, assuming Republicans, who work hard to lose elections, can come up with a coherent, convincing plan to lower prices if they win next year.

AGAIN, SAN FRANCISCO – A legislative proposal in San Francisco would make felons and ex-convicts a protected class, along with the currently listed protectees, which include blacks, preganant women, and people with all kinds of problems.   Under the proposal, employers and landlords would not be permitted to ask applicants if they have a criminal past.  Makes perfect sense if you think like the San Francisco left.  After all, why would a day-care center have to know if an applicant is a convicted child molester or sex offender?  We must rise above these simple prejudices, darlings.

July 23, 2011