I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down.

I really need for somebody, anybody, to tell me how this is not racial bigotry.

I really need that.

The issue is not the suggestion of aborting all black babies. It is that his modest proposal makes a "known" connection between blacks and criminality. Period.

Bill Bennet demonstrates the casual bigotry that knows black people are prone to criminal behavior. It is the backbone of "law and order" conservatism, and always has been; the sure knowledge that given the opportunity, Negroes will prey on innocent people. Innocent white people.

So, Bennett's words have become, for me, a sort of litmus test. I wish I could just walk up to them all and ask one question: "Do you agree with Bill Bennett?"

The answers would no doubt be quite illuminating.