Richard Nixon

Lots of items this morning

INITIATIVE SPONSOR TO GAYS: 'JUST SHUT UP': One of the two Oregon legislators sponsoring a ballot initiative that would allows employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation shares "my advice to the gay community". That advice? "Shut up, just don't talk about it." He nows says that he was sharing advice he used at his own business, which produces hazelnuts.

RIGHT TO WORK EQUALS NIXON: An interesting Huffington Post item recalls then Vice President Nixon's backing of ballot initiatives to establish "right to work" laws, overturning "closed shop" rules that required workers to join unions as a condition of employment. A battle is brewing now in Colorado over a similar measure. (Click read more to see more items)

BUT YOU CAN STILL GET A GOOD STEAK THERE: Kansas City votes April 8 on a local ballot initiative that will strengthen its relatively weak anti-smoking law. The city council there is trying to beat the initiative by adding its own tweaks to the law.