CHILDREN'S GAMES INCORRECT

"Traditional fairground amusements such as “grab a toy” and “penny fall” machines could be banned as part of the Government’s attempt to be seen as tough on gambling. Ministers have told the British gaming industry that they are considering outlawing the machines in areas where children have access when the Bill comes to a second reading on November 1. Such a move would effectively herald the death knell of the seaside and fairground amusement arcades.

However, ministers believe that the decision would help to head off opposition to “super-casinos” and appease church groups who say that family entertainment centres are “gateways to adult gambling”. Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, has already stated that children and gambling “do not mix” and has promised to listen carefully to further representations on the Bill which was published yesterday.

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TO THE MEDIA, ONLY POLITICALLY CORRECT VICTIMS COUNT

How many hate-crime anecdotes does it take before the mainstream media spot a trend? If the victims are politically correct, all it takes is one or two. One alleged name-calling. A few alleged acts of vandalism. A suspicious arson here or there. In an instant, an unsubstantiated attack against the right kind of ethnic, racial, religious or sexual minority becomes undisputed evidence of an epidemic of violence. A symbol of rising hate. A national crisis.

But what happens when the targets are the wrong kind of victim? When conservatives and Republicans are on the receiving end of discriminatory threats or harassment or worse? Hello, reporters? Do I hear pins dropping in the grievance corners of America's otherwise victim-friendly newsrooms?

For several weeks, the Internet has been buzzing with story after story of election-related mayhem aimed at Bush/Cheney supporters. Some have downplayed the incidents as mere pranks. Others claim that "both sides are doing it" equally. Yes, both Democratic and Republican signs have been torn. Yes, there has been juvenile behavior on both sides. But left-wing activists have escalated their attacks to a seemingly unprecedented level, from simple mischief to open-season malice.

And the supposedly objective reporters who are always so willing to connect the dots to expose the politics of hate are now whistling past the smashed windows, flaming signs and bullet holes.

In Madison, Wis., someone burned a swastika on a lawn decorated with Bush-Cheney signs. The vandals used grass killer to spray their hate (Bush-hating trumps environmentalism).

In Orlando, Fla., Democrats stormed the local Bush/Cheney headquarters, and the melee resulted in physical injuries to at least two GOP campaign workers. The liberal protesters justified their actions - including ramming the head of one worker into an office door - by blaming President Bush's "negative campaign." So, the 30-second ads made them do it. It's always someone else's fault.

In Knoxville, Tenn., someone shot into the Bush/Cheney headquarters. Shots were also fired into Bush/Cheney offices in Huntington, W. Va., and Florida.

The GOP office in Gallatin County, Mont., was vandalized twice in a week. GOP offices in the Seattle area, Spokane, Wash.; Canton, Ohio; Fairbanks, Alaska; and Edwardsville, Ill., have also been burglarized and/or vandalized.

On an Alaska-bound flight, a drunken Kerry supporter went ballistic after harassing a female Bush supporter and refusing to calm down at the request of flight attendants.

In Gainesville, Fla., police arrested a Democrat accused of punching the chairman of the Alachua County Republican executive committee in the face at town GOP headquarters. The accused, David McCally, also punched a life-sized cardboard cutout of President Bush. McCally is a college instructor whose specialty is behavioral sciences. According to the GOP chairman, Travis Horn, McCally hurled obscenities at him before the assault. "He proceeded to say how he had a Ph.D., and he was smarter than me. I'm a stupid Republican."

And that, no doubt, is the superior attitude held by reporters and anti-hate crime advocates and peace preachers and civility pleaders who refuse to acknowledge the totally unhinged tactics of Democrats Gone Wild. Liberals promise to do "whatever it takes" - "by any means necessary" - to win this election. If it were conservatives mouthing those slogans as shattered glass was flying and lawns were smoking, Karl Rove would be under federal investigation. Jimmy Carter would be requesting U.N. assistance. And the New York Times would be calling for a National Day of Reconciliation.

A single act of hate is a danger to the Republic, except when it's fomented by bug-eyed, rock-throwing, lighter-wielding Kerry/Edwards supporters just exercising their "free speech."

From Michelle Malkin