The Delhi Union of Journalists has issued a public statement asking “newspapers and TV channels to stay away from reports smacking jingoism and war mongering,” according to published accounts.

Let us strive to be part of the solution through balanced coverage rather than fester fresh scars of fanning hatred not against terrorists but between two neighbouring countries. Let South Asia be saved to live in Non Alignment and Peace rather than fall prey to machinations to suit the arms bazaar and forces of belligerence which are there on both sides.

The statement apparently came from the group’s Ethics Committee.

Could SPJ warn it’s members against “jingoism and war mongering” during periods of crisis? How about the Newspaper Guild? I really don’t know.

Meanwhile, I see that the American Institute of CPAs has initiated an ethics investigation of Bernie Madoff’s accountant.

And court decisions in Rhode Island and Nevada have limited the reach of their state ethics commissions in cases involving legislators, according to CityEthics.org.

Speaking of ethics, here’s an idea that hasn’t been talked about here, to my knowledge: Name badges for lobbyists at the Legislature.

Thirteen states require lobbyists to wear badges. They are: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and South Dakota. Badges usually are issued by the state ethics commission, secretary of state, election commission or another state agency. In Mississippi, badges are provided by a private designated vendor.

In four states, badges are available, but not required: Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia. If a lobbyist chooses to wear a badge in Mississippi, it must contain a photo of the lobbyist. At least five other states require badges to include the photo of the lobbyist: Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Illinois and Idaho encourage lobbyists to a badge, but it is not required. In Pennsylvania, wearing a badge allows lobbyists to bypass capitol security screening. In New Hampshire, lobbyists are required to wear a badge, but they must produce their own. In North Dakota, the secretary of state issues an official badge, but lobbyists may make a “reasonable reproduction” of the badge.

It would make it easier to spot lobbyists at work, especially for those who don’t work the halls every day and know all the players by sight.

I’m glad to report that we survived Christmas, although several glasses of wine at a friend’s brunch in Kaaawa required a bit of a nap before continuing with the day’s partying.

But our celebrations paled in comparison to the excitement generated among our felines by the opening of a package containing several wonderful little canvas bags of catnip and a bag of loose catnip from the Vermont Country Store, courtesy of Meda’s sister. It spawned hours of musical chairs–along with occasional growls and claws–as cats jockeyed for position either with the first catnip bag that put into circulation or the box and packing paper it was delivered in. Both were extremely popular.

In this picture, Leo is impatiently waiting while Silverman licks and slobbers on the catnip bag. After passing through several sets of paws, the catnip was a soggy mess. And yet the cats kept coming, as did the photos.

So please click on the picture for a look at a big batch of photos of cats brains on catnip.