From the bowels of Massachusetts, State Sen. Brian Lees, R-East Longmeadow, has proposed a new way to deal with those pinko anti-war hippies. Should his bill pass into law, unruly convicted protesters would pay a $50 (U.S.) fine, as well as the costs of the cop that arrests them and whatever court fees are spent on their prosecution.

Lees believes the law will need only be applied to "those who do not support our troops," who block traffic and create panic and confusion. "All the pro-war rallies have been held safely on town greens," explained Lees, "the way they should be."

While one key opponent has said Lees' idea is more in tune with the policies of "dictators like Fidel Castro," others think the idea might be worth a closer look. With Massachusetts adding itself to the growing list of cash-strapped states, some Senate Democrats think Lees might be onto a good way to make some quick money.

» Scott Saxon