“Social conservatives are in a fine lather over a Colorado law signed by Governor Bill Ritter on May 29 that extends anti-discrimination protections to sexual minorities in matters of business and public accommodations. On its face, the law is the latest effort by our socially conscious lawmakers to force us all to be nice to each other under penalties of fines and imprisonment — specifically, $300 or one year in jail per violation. It’s all just a bit too much like that old joke about the Soviet Union, in which the commissars express concern about the dreary, bleak attitudes of their subjects: ‘Everybody must be happy! Anybody not happy by noon tomorrow will be shot!’” (07/23/08)