Absolute Power

Presidents get the praise or blame for everything that happens on their watch, but, as Barack Obama has learned, the things the commander-in-chief can actually command are limited in number, thanks to James Madison and Newt Gingrich. Madison and his brilliant colleagues who invented the American system of government disagreed about many things, but they fervently agreed about one big thing: The coercive power of government needed to be held in check. They accomplished this by spreading the power around between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.

With the Triple Crown season making the break last Saturday, some 370 local folks had a little help getting into the horseracing frame of mind that night, courtesy of the Jemicy School. About the time the ponies left the gate in the Kentucky Derby, the school, which works with dyslexic students, was kicking off its "Triple Crown Auction" at the Baltimore Convention Center. Wendi Meisel, who co-chaired the party with fellow Jemicy parent Locke Harvey, says the committee went all out with its theme.

WASHINGTON -- If Hollywood is a window into the American soul, what does it say that in one of the most popular TV shows, "The X-Files," the bad guy is the U.S. government?Or consider that in this summer's "Conspiracy Theory," not only has Mel Gibson been brainwashed by the CIA but he also figures out NASA is about to assassinate the president. With the Space Shuttle, no less.Even in "Men in Black," secret government agents Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith "neutralize" hapless Americans who stumble upon space aliens.

WASHINGTON -- Memo to the Clintons: Enough already! Will the most publicized, not to say boorish, White House departure of a first family since Dick and Pat Nixon got aboard a helicopter on the South Lawn and flew into exile, ever end? The latest disclosure that Hillary Clinton's brother, Hugh Rodham, copped about $400,000 for helping a convicted cocaine dealer and a convicted peddler of fraudulent medicines get a pardon from his illustrious brother-in-law threatens to keep this particular non-musical comedy running as long as "Cats."

NORMALLY, no investigation of a presidential pardon makes sense. But the three proceeding against President Clinton's last-minute pardons of Marc Rich and Pincus Green are in order. The presidential pardon is a grave responsibility. Presidents have relied by choice -- not law -- on a pardon office in the Justice Department for advice. Before leaving office, President Clinton granted no more pardons and commutations than his predecessors, but did act without Justice Department advice on quite a few. None was as controversial as President Nixon's clemency for Jimmy Hoffa, President Ford's pardon of President Nixon or President George H. W. Bush's pardon of former Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger.

He was the high school football star from small-town South Carolina who joined the Army and learned to repair tanks. He became a strapping soldier whose crisply pressed uniform reflected ambition and a no-nonsense attitude -- traits he parlayed into a job as a drill sergeant.Now, 12 years into a military career that has included assignments in Germany, Korea and Somalia, Sgt. Delmar G. Simpson is the human ground zero of the unfolding Army sexual misconduct scandal. He faces a chilling array of charges, including nine alleged rapes of three women and counts of sodomy, assault, threats and fraternization.

COMING SOON TO a neighborhood near you are Clint Eastwood, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Albert Finney and Maggie Smith. They are among the stars of two major movies to be filmed in Baltimore."

Baltimore police reported the arrests of three men Saturday and the seizure of bootleg movie videotapes and counterfeit brand-name merchandise.Agent Ragina L. Cooper, a city police spokeswoman, said the arrests resulted from an investigation into distribution and sales of bootleg videos in cooperation with the Motion Picture Association.Police had received information on a shipment coming to Baltimore, including the description of the vehicle -- a 1997 GMC Jimmy truck -- and its driver. The vehicle was stopped in the 5900 block of Frankford Ave.Seized were 250 bootleg videotapes, including such current releases as "Copland," "Spawn," "Absolute Power" and "Men in Black," and counterfeit clothing, accessories and watches.

Whether Gov. Parris N. Glendening has vision is a matter of opinion. But there's no doubt that he has a great view.The Governor's Box at Camden Yards sits on the exclusive club level of Oriole Park, just a little to the first-base side of home plate, with a panorama of the city skyline. Its sightlines ensure that occupants will miss little of the action on the field -- unless they're distracted by the television, the phone or a suite attendant bringing a glass of chardonnay.For some, an invitation to watch a game there is a much-appreciated ego stroke.