CABLE CAR CONTROVERSY: Previously I reported on San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's accusation of theft on the part of city cable car operators. The clincher: Newsom declared that the thieves were "well intentioned." This struck me as the very heart of contemporary liberalism: moral judgments must be qualified, except when corporate or military crimes are alleged. Wait, it gets better. Criticized for his comments by the cable car union, Newsom repeated his allegation but continued to soften the fabric of his critique: "My job is to try to build back morale here, their self-esteem." Let's get this straight. The mayor has evidence of public theft, and rather than seek appropriate sanctions (example: fire drivers who steal, pursue indictments if appropriate), Newsom is concerned about the (alleged) thieves' hurt feelings. Ah, the work of the nanny state is never done.