AFF's Doublethink

The clock strikes midnight and our cigars are still lit. “Put those out, they’re illegal now!” shouts a man from across the room. He’s only joking, but his voice is tinged with gallows humor. From now on, complaints could bring in fines of $500 per day and the menacingly vague threat of “further administrative action” for any bar that racks up multiple violations. The nanny state is coming to Oregon.

A few years ago, no one would have predicted a site like www.SaveOurStarbucks.com. Created by entrepreneur Paul Konrardy after the financially troubled coffee chain announced in July that it would be closing 600 American stores, the site gives loyal customers a place to sign petitions urging the corporation to take their beloved shops off the [...]