Pubdate: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA) Copyright: 2003 Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Contact: http://triblive.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460 THE THURSDAY WRAP Reefer madness: We're not "heads" by any stretch of the imagination. But this week's announcement by the Justice Department that it has charged 55 people nationwide with selling illegal drug paraphernalia strikes us as, well, silly. The federal probe had its origins in Pittsburgh. Yes, selling bongs and roach clips and reefer pipes is illegal. But last time we checked, the greatest threat to our nation right now - right after liberals pushing their socialist agenda - is terrorism. And if we are to win the war on terrorism, it'll take a little better prioritizing than this. Bloat is as bloat does: Harvard University really is a microcosm of the liberal government tax-and-spenders it's so famous for producing. After being tweaked by a group of alumni tired of continually being tapped for more and more money, the Ivy League school discovered that it could save more than $100 million annually by soliciting competitive bids for services. Imagine that! We can only wonder how long it takes for this newfound fiscal prudence to trickle down into Harvard grads so long taught that government is the be-all and end- all. The case for recusal: We've never thought much of Ed Rendell, be it as Philadelphia's mayor, chairman of the Democratic National Committee or, now, as Pennsylvania's governor. But we are gracious enough to commend his wife, Marjorie, for taking the lead in defusing a potentially sticky wicket. Mrs. Rendell, a judge who sits on the 3rd U.S. Court of Appeals, says she will automatically recuse herself in any cases involving the commonwealth. It's the upfront and right thing to do. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek