And Another Thing …

California Gov. Gray Davis is now receiving advice from Bill Clinton on how to survive the recall mess. The former president is said to be telling the unexciting Mr. Davis to use the tactics Mr. Clinton used to survive impeachment, raising the question of whether a square can triangulate.

President Bush announced this week that he wanted the states to take more control of environmental regulations in the country. Northeastern states should accept the challenge and begin by banning the air pollution coming from Midwestern coal-fired power plants. That ought to take care of it.

With all the challenges Maine faces, the good people of Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay must be certain that their prolonged fight over where golf carts may go on the island is provoking chuckles everywhere else. But the rest of Maine should be sympathetic. This is a serious – hee-hee – issue over community traditions – haw – and the ability of residents to access – snort – the entire island and nothing to laugh about. Seriously.

As was widely reported, a 1998 English proficiency law may cost a Massachusetts superintendent his job. Having failed the test three times, Lawrence, Mass., schools chief Wilfredo T. Laboy reportedly was in danger of losing his job. Recent support for him from state officials has only made public reaction less forgiving. Students in the district no doubt are smirking at the superintendent’s predicament – at least those able to read the newspaper.

Performance vs. size: Gov. John Baldacci’s new Harley-Davidson motorcycle reportedly is smaller than the one owned by former Gov. Angus King. On the other hand, so is his budget shortfall.