The attorney general nominee declined to call water-boarding torture, as Democrats on Senate panel had hoped and instead adopted a middle ground of an issue that has become central to his nomination. The nominee, Michael Mukasey, said coercive interrogation methods, including a form of simulated drowning, were "over the line" and "repugnant." Still, he declined to say if he thought so-called water-boarding ws a form of torture that would be illegal in all cases.

Does this sound like politics? You betcha! As one member of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Bident (D-Del) said that Mukasey did not go far enough in condeming torture and that he would vote against the nomination.

And then there was Senator Clinton (D-NY) who is running hard for the nomination of her party for President, said she was "troubled" by Mukasey’s "continued unwillingness to clearly state his views on torture and unchecked executive power." This from someone who seems unwilling or unable to every ‘clearly state her views on anything.’

Millions of uninsured drivers in California could have their license plates yanked or their cars immobilized as part of a crackdown being considered by Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

Poizner is huddling with his political advisors and consulting potential allies about putting an initiative on the November 2008 ballot. The measure would give law enforcement broad new powers to go after those who flout the law by driving without insurance.

The Department of Insurance is unsure exactly how many of California’s 23.2 million licensed drivers don’t buy insurance. Estimates range from a low of 3.2 million to a high of 5.7 million. At least 1.4 million of the uninsured drivers are in Los Angeles County, according to the department.

The issue of what to do about uninsured drivers has divided lawmakers and voters for years.

"There’s no reason that anyone who can afford a car or gas can’t buy insurance if they are good drivers," said Johnson, noting that Poizner has been expanding a state program that provides basic coverage in Los Angeles and most other counties for as little as $350 a year.

Advocates of the low-cost program and the possible initiative contend that it’s unfair that law-abiding motorists end up paying higher premiums because of damage done by uninsured drivers. Opponents counter that the measure would disproportionately affect poor people and make it even harder for them to get and keep jobs.