Bottom Lines Columnist Jim Kershner’s Take On The News

But they’ll never enforce it

The Senate voted to allow each state to set its own speed limit. Washington will probably remain at 65 mph. Montana will go to 185 mph.

I’m a champion of states’ rights

It all comes down to a question of states’ rights. I am an ardent supporter of states’ rights, although I never realized it until this speed limit issue came up.

Or maybe two other words, North and Dakota

To those who think the speed limits shouldn’t be raised, I say only one word: Wyoming.

The scenery is awe-inspiring

Anybody who thinks 65 is plenty fast enough has never driven from Rawlins to Laramie.

Something to read while stuck in traffic

Speaking of cars, I’m sure glad that the Department of Transportation is doing something to fix Spokane’s traffic mess. They’re putting up huge electronic signs that will flash the words: “Traffic is a mess.”

The Senate, notorious filibuster-doctors

The Senate killed the nomination of Dr. Henry W. Foster for surgeon general. It used the filibuster, the Senate version of an abortion.

You can’t do that in a non-profit

The former president of United Way of America was sentenced to seven years in prison for diverting $1.2 million of United Way money to pay for his fling with a teen-age girlfriend. The message is clear: You can’t do this sort of thing in a charity. You can only do it in corporate America.

Tough week for world leaders

The Duma has provoked Boris Yeltsin to issue an angry ultimatum. The House of Commons has provoked John Major to thrown down the gauntlet. Meanwhile, the Congress has provoked Bill Clinton to say, “Hello? Over here? Somebody want to look at my budget?”

, DataTimes MEMO: Jim Kershner’s Bottom Lines appears Mondays on the Opinion page.