STARR POWER II
Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Independent Counsel Ken Starr presented a clear, consistent, and compelling case that President Clinton is a serial perjurer who conspired to deceive both officers of the law and the public. Although Starr probably could not avoid appearing schoolmarmish, he comported himself well and even seemed relaxed during what must have been a trying, tiring day. In fact, the honest and forthcoming way in which he handled his questioners--including invective queries from Democrats--stands in stark contrast to the slippery deviousness of Clinton himself.

The unfortunate problem is that nobody seems to care anymore. Most Americans apparently think it's okay for Clinton to lie again and again and again.

This doesn't mean Republicans should tread in fear. An honorable defeat is better than refusing to fight, and we encourage the GOP to allow an impeachment vote before the full House. Go on the record against Clinton and his tactics; the rule of law demands it.

COLD SNAP
It's been a pretty hot year, and Vice President Al Gore has enjoyed it. Every month of 1998 has broken an all-time heat record, and Gore has made ritualistic statements about how global warming is to blame. Don't expect to hear from him in November, however. The October temperature results, released earlier this week by the National Climatic Data Center, came up short. And so Gore is keeping mum.