By Selwyn Duke

I do have a nose for double standards, so my eyebrows were raised when I read about poor Paul Rein, the 76-year-old deputy who was recently murdered in Florida.  While transporting a prisoner, the criminal was able to take Rein’s gun from him and shoot him with it.  This has sparked a conversation about how old is too old to wear a badge.  Here’s my question: Why do we never apply the same scrutiny to women?

If we’re going to actually care if a given group measures up to standards — if it’s more than just pretense — then we should be consistent.  After all, I’ve heard about more than one situation in which criminals managed to seize female officers’ weapons, and in one particular instance that I remember it led to the death of a fellow law enforcement officer. 

They’re asking if older men have the physical capacity to do the job, well . . . .  You can finish the sentence.

Oh, and for those of you who don’t know, because of an agenda-driven interpretation of certain legislation, police departments in the 1970s were compelled to dumb-down physical standards in order to make it easier for women to pass muster.  So much for meritocracy.

Then, there is a must read commentary piece about the link between Nazis and Islamists.  It’s written by Paul Belien, a writer who is usually right on the money.  Don’t let this article pass you by.

Next, the situation in Pakistan has really deteriorated, and President Gen. Pervez Musharraf  has declared a state of emergency and arrested thousands of political opponents.  I know I’m in the minority when I say that Musharraf may be telling the truth when he states that his actions are necessary in order to combat Islamist terrorism.  I don’t think Musharraf is a villain; the only thing I doubt is that he’s mean enough to quell unrest in a brutal land.

Anyway, with Pakistan’s possession of nuclear weapons, it’s imperative that the government not fall into the hands of the Taliban.  Islamists already control the northwestern border region, and although there are many impediments to their nationwide ascendancy, the prospect does have to give one pause for thought.  Are you listening, Ron Paul?

Lastly, if you would like to further appreciate the fruits of multiculturalism, note that Belgium has been without a government for 152 days now.  You see, the Flemish and Walloons are jockeying for power in this bilingual nation, creating a stalemate.  I don’t expect secession anytime soon, but we should understand what happens when you can’t decide if it’s going to be "press one" for French or Flemish.  As for us, we periodically have the opportunity to pull levers for sanity or stupidity.  And we’ve been choosing the latter for too long now, which is why we have to press buttons.