Outside the Beltway

Some stories worth noting but not at great length.

California’s legislature has moved to block localities from imposing taxes on soda and other sugary drinks.

If you’re under 21 in Hawaii, you’re still technically an adult but you can’t buy tobacco.

The Food & Drug Administration’s new regulations requiring calorie and other information on menus in restaurants and elsewhere won’t work, could limit consumer choice, and may not be Constitutional.

A supposed conservative calls for massive increases in taxes on alcohol.

According to the New York City Public Schools, this girl is fat.

The Sunbelt continues to dominate.

When it comes to thinks like Mike Bloomberg’s large-sized soda ban, most Americans prefer to just say no.

The FDA is declaring war on trans fats. That’s a bad idea on many levels.

Another legal setback for Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s crusade to regulate what New York City residents can eat and drink.

Michael Bloomberg wants New Yorkers to take the stairs. The bastard.

The Boston Marathon bombing attacks are leading some politicians to make wildly absurd statements.

Sometimes, we just ought to accept the fact that people have disagreements when it comes to hot-button social issues.

Another local official wants to join the War On Big Soda.

New York City’s Mayor wants to control the size of soft drinks.

Once again, a government entity thinks the average person is too dumb to take care of themselves.

The Leaf Us Alone Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

The Hoover Institution’s Henry I. Miller, MD takes to National Review to take on the subject of “Gardasil and the GOP.”

The latest push for laws against bullying is another example of the Nanny State rum amok.

How did we survive without all the molly-codding kids today get?

They’re from the government, and they’re here to take that tasty snack out of your hands.

Virginia will petition the Supreme Court to bypass the normal appellate process and hear the appeal of its lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act early.

The First Base Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

The tragic shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others in Arizona has started another debate about political rhetoric. It’s a stupid debate, and it’s utterly pointless.

The National Football League’s decision to postpone last night’s Eagles-Vikings game due to weather is receiving a lot of criticism, but they made the right choice.

Is Sarah Palin really against child nutrition? Or just taking cheap shots at Michelle Obama?

A woman in California has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s because she is apparently unable to resist her child’s incessant demands for a Happy Meal.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wants to install devices in cars to disable cell phones.

They might not be able to fix the economy or the healthcare system or agree on an efficient tax policy but Congress has managed to reach accord on one of the most serious problems facing America: loud television commercials.

Bryan Caplan argues that the fact so many kids in the developing world don’t go to school proves that education isn’t very valuable.

Career fields dominated by women tend to pay less than those dominated by men. But gender discrimination isn’t the main reason.

German government payments compensating hunters for lost income due to radioactive boar have quadrupled since 2007.

San Francisco’s ban on sugary drinks is the latest example of nanny state reductio creep.