The Obama administration intends to try terror suspects in civilian courts. Yesterday Sen. Jim Webb said: “I have never disputed the constitutional authority of the president to convene Article III courts in cases of international terrorism. However, I remain very concerned about the wisdom of doing so. Those who have committed acts of international terrorism are enemy combatants, just as certainly as the Japanese pilots who killed thousands of Americans at Pearl Harbor. It will be disruptive, costly, and potentially counterproductive to try them as criminals in our civilian courts.

Sen. Jim Webb’s trip to Southeast Asia has provoked controversy and produced results. Human rights advocates did not want him to meet with Myanmar’s military rulers—because, they argued, a high-profile session would legitimize their tyranny. Webb met with them, and secured the release of John Yettaw, whose bizarre swim to Aung San Suu Kyi’s residence resulted not only in his arrest but in increased trouble for her.

WEEK’S END According to weather reports, tomorrow’s scorcher could set an all-time high—which means Carytown’s Watermelon Festival could set a record for consumption not only of the event’s signature edible but of certain potent potables.  Although the departure will not provoke the debate, or the silly recriminations, that occurred when the R-Braves fled, fans will miss the Commonwealth Cup polo match destined to leave Goochland for Fauquier. The contest raised money for the Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services, and during its run of 23 years wove itself into the local fabric.

During his 2006 campaign, Jim Webb stressed issues important to veterans. A Marine himself, he understands the challenges confronting the troops who fight America’s wars. Many of the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have experienced several deployments and have made multiple tours. From Iwo Jima to Normandy, all war is hell. The war against jihadism has peculiarities. The front-line soldiers follow in the footsteps not only of Chesty Puller but of James Madison. They simultaneously battle an armed enemy operating in the shadows and attempt to create governing institutions and restore civil societies in places battered by dictatorship and sectarian intolerance.

The ideal place for government involvement in sports is on the sidelines. The ideal rarely is met. Politicians use public funds to build stadiums. Government officials woo professional franchise owners with tax breaks and other subsidies. Without government involvement, Major League Baseball probably would not have been inspired to improve its testing for the use of steroids.

Washington lobbyist Vicki Iseman has withdrawn her $27 million lawsuit against The New York Times filed Dec. 30 in federal court in Richmond. The suit alleged that the newspaper damaged her reputation by falsely implying she had an illicit romantic relationship with Sen. John McCain. The news article ran almost a year ago, when McCain was the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

A host of Richmond politicians are getting on board with Richmond-born state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds in his bid for the governor’s office.

After years of being a dispassionate student, Jordan Yoder had what he calls an epiphany in the middle of his 11th-grade year at Douglas Freeman High School.