I was channel surfing C-Span about an hour ago, and there was some event involving the Alliance for Full Acceptance, a gay advocacy group out of Chareston, S.C., apparently. Anyway, Howard Dean, erstwhile presidential candidate, allowed as to how he opposed federal tort limitation legislation, preferring to let it be handled on a state-by-state basis. He said that, regaring malpractice premiums, some states had a bigger problem than other states, so it didn't make sense to establish a federal mandate. He said there were"significant" problems regarding attorneys, drug companies and others.

He also said that, regarding gun control, he advocated keeping current laws in effect, but that he did not support federal legislation, again seeking to defer to the states on gun control legislation. I've got to say that I have never seen the purpose for gun control legislation. It's not the legitimately-purchased guns that are the problem; it's the below-the-radar screen illegal variety, wielded by bad guys, that cause the problem. Legislation in this area is much like First Amendment legislation -- like school pray-- ah, "moment of silence" type bills: there is a perception that something is being done, without anything actually being accomplished.

I tried to get a link to the C-Span video, but it doesn't work for me, so what's the point? I am amused in that the search result page does refer to an appearance by the Vice-President: "Also, Vice President Dick". Subtle editorializing by C-Span? Those pranksters!