A fathead writes:

"What about crimes against, you know, citizens? A bold act of deep political cynicism from freshman President [sic] George W. Bush, who has signed legislation making crimes against children -- "be they psychological, sexual or physical"--a federal issue. I'm sympathetic to the argument for federalizing everything--divide the country into 10 numbered sectors and be done with it! Life would be much simpler and law school (where complicated federal/state issues went right over my head) would be a year shorter. But if fighting crime is supposed to be a local issue then surely ordinary crime against children is part of what should be a local issue. If state and local police departments need federal money to fight crime then give them federal money to fight crime, not only to fight crime against children ... P.S: Let's see: Crimes against ethnic minorities and gays are possible federal hate crimes. Crimes against women are promoted as federal civil rights cases. Sometimes it seems as if the only local crimes left will be 'crimes against those who don't belong to a powerful political constituency or vulnerable group with tearjerk appeal.' Actually that sounds like a highly vulnerable group. Someone should introduce a federal bill to protect me... I mean, them. ..."