Bad

We copy editors like to think of ourselves as guarantors of accuracy, protectors of the reader, guardians of the language, and other noble roles. But the plain fact is that our basic task is to keep people from making asses of themselves in public.  Now, of course, our numbers are much diminished, something like half of the nation's newspaper copy editors having lost their jobs in the past decade . (Of course, not all of them are selling their plasma today, many contriving to make a living as freelance editors.)

The Justice Department is accusing Standard & Poor's of defrauding investors with optimistic ratings of mortgage-backed securities and derivatives prior to the financial crisis. While investors are entitled to answers about those conflicts, compensation and reforms, Attorney General Eric Holder and President Barack Obama, by singling out S&P instead of other bond raters, appear to be engaging in political vengeance and put freedom of speech at risk. In 2011, S&P, Moody's and Fitch were accused by a Senate committee of giving overly rosy ratings on mortgage-backed securities in the years prior to the financial meltdown of 2008 and then contributing to the severity of the crisis by hastily downgrading hundreds of securities after the housing bubble burst.

Over the past 103 years, America's churches have built the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) into the nation's most successful youth group - which makes it remarkable that the BSA stands ready to let gays join Scouting, thus publicly renouncing the wishes of some of its oldest and dearest friends. A proposal to let the local organizations that run Scout units decide whether to accept homosexual boys and leaders - to be voted on by the BSA board of directors this week - is monumental not only for Scouting but for what it says about the state of gay rights in America.

The Ravens and 49ers will be the main attractions for today's Super Bowl. But many of us will also eagerly take in the clever, witty, emotional or otherwise notable commercials on what is the biggest advertising day of the year. And we can be sure that in between the on-field hits, our television screens will pummel us with commercials advertising unhealthy products. Two of the most prominent Super Bowl advertisers are Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and both will be well represented this year.

Tonight, "American Idol" arrived in Oklahoma City, the home of our very own Carrie Underwood. Surely after last night's show and being in a town that produced the likes of the country superstar, this town must be bustling with talent. Right? Not so much. Oh folks, it was a long night. First up: Karl, who sang the James Brown classic "I Feel Good" and threw in some classic James Brown moves. Voice? Mediocre. Ticket to Hollywood? Yes. Why? I haven't a clue and Karl would not be the only golden ticket recipient that left us speechless tonight.

Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold treated the county government as his personal fiefdom, and he acted as if those paid by the public were his servants. He ordered them to engage in activity to further his political career, to facilitate his liaisons and to take on the demeaning task of changing his urinary catheter bag. That makes him a terrible boss and a bad public servant. Judge Dennis Sweeney ruled Tuesday that it also makes him a criminal. His decision in this case sets an important and wise precedent in the state's vague public corruption law and offers the promise that Anne Arundel County can put this tawdry episode behind it. State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt brought an indictment against Mr. Leopold that accused him of ordering his executive protection detail to put up campaign signs for him, to compile dossiers on potential political opponents, to chauffeur him around the county as he ripped out his opponent's campaign signs, to drive him to midday assignations in a parking lot with another county employee, and to prevent that woman from crossing paths with his live-in girlfriend.

Thanks to Tim Wheeler for his article, "Turbines in the Wind" (Jan 28). The wind industry in Western Maryland is just the latest in the litany of industries despoiling their natural resources and landscapes. First, the timber industry denuded the forests, resulting in massive sedimentation of streams. Next came deep coal mines that even today require lime dosers to neutralize the acid drainage. Next, strip mining of coal from the surfaces of land, requiring revegetation that often dies from the acidic soil.

Circuit Judge Dennis M. Sweeney today found Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold guilty on two counts of misconduct for using his executive security detail for personal and political gain. Reports of his sexual escapades and urinary malfunctions have filled the public with disgust. I've attended every day of the trial. Most remarkable for me is the vague law on which the indictment against Mr. Leopold was based. Maryland's state prosecutor based his case on Mr. Leopold's general fiduciary responsibility to the public rather than the violation of clear, specific rules.

Unfortunately, a lot of military decisions are being made by people who have never served in combat or have had limited service ("Military ceiling lifted," Jan. 25). President Barack Obama never served in the military, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta served a brief two years in military intelligence. Not only will women in combat create all kinds of additional issues as far as personal privacy, but you are adding an undue burden to these units which is the last thing they need while in a front line situation.

Hannah sits, uncomfortably, for an interview for a freelance gig with a website called jazzhate.com. The blonde interviewer suggests she write about a threesome, or doing cocaine, and then points to a sign on the wall indicating where your comfort zone is (outside the circle), to which Hannah responds, "Uh huh. Okay. " The girls are having a yard sale (which in Brooklyn is more of a street sale) and Hannah asks Marnie where she could actually procure said cocaine. Answer: Laird, her weird junkie neighbor.