Scripps Howard News Service

Dear Babe: Years ago, before the kids used up all of my hard-earned money, I attended quite a few small baseball card shows in Orange County, Calif. One of the things hanging on my 15-year-old's bedroom wall is a picture of the 1988 U.S. Olympic baseball team. It is signed by every player. I think most of them went on to play in (Major League Baseball). The three most notable players on that team are Jim Abbott, Andy Benes and Robin Ventura. Some of the other players are Charles Nagy, Tino Martinez, Tom Goodwin, Ben McDonald, Ed Sprague and Mickey Morandini. It is approximately 28 inches-by-22 inches.

Quietly -- very quietly, because you're not supposed to notice it -- House Republican leaders are beginning to talk about bringing back earmarks.

Back when he was in high school, Mitt Romney joined with others in what sounds like a pretty nasty bullying episode, and that's too bad and I hate it. I wish he were perfect from the day he was born, with absolutely no regrettable adolescent moments. The rest of us had none, right?

Here is something I wish even more: that Obama's henchmen would stop their bullying of American citizens today and that major media would rid themselves of partiality and learn what is and is not important.

WASHINGTON -- Without taking sides on the issue of gay marriage, it isn't difficult to see why some of the critics of President Barack Obama's "evolution" in favor of same-sex unions believe his decision was more a matter of political expediency than of actual conviction.

The skepticism, or cynicism if you prefer, has been increasing with the sudden surge in monetary support following his announcement. Contributions to the Obama campaign from those backing the policy have been at a high level since, including one report that the president's election treasury took in more than $1 million within a few hours after he told ABC's Robin Roberts that he had come to the inescapable conclusion that it was the thing to do.

The late William F. Buckley, the intelligent and witty voice of conservatism before talk-show primitives took over the microphone and the movement with it, famously described a conservative as "someone who stands athwart history, yelling 'Stop ... . ' "

There's only one slight problem with that: History does not stop. While it is impeded and diverted sometimes, mostly it just goes marching forward, trampling any "stop!" shouters standing in the way.

Today I stop to consider why conservatives behave as they do. Last week I looked at liberals, who are apt to be silly and unsure of what they stand for -- beyond a general desire to have the government do something nice.

Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin may not have done every single thing right in his 16 months in office, but he did one thing right, powerfully right. He stood up to public employee unions turning many states and localities into places with little chance for good days ahead, and for that reason he is facing a recall election. It is also for that reason he should win.

This tipping-point contest comes up June 5 and pits him against the Democratic mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett. It's huge for this nation because it will announce one of two things: