In today's pages: Servitude, salmonella, marijuana

Columnist Jonah Goldberg wonders if asking for national service is more like asking for national servitude:

Perhaps thanks to the JFK cult, which sees the refrain "Ask not what your country can do for you ..." as an all-purpose writ for social meddling, even the idealistic hipster crowd is on board. Devotees of Rolling Stone and MTV, who normally preen like cats in a pool of sunshine over their alleged libertarianism when the issue is sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, see nothing wrong, and everything right, with involuntary servitude -- as long as we just call it "voluntary."

Author Andrew D. Blechman notices that fast-growing old folks home legally discriminate by age. And Edward N. Luttwak and Marian L. Tupy say that if the G-8 wants to help Africa, it should cut off aid to dysfunctional states.

The editorial board also urges the G-8 to keep helping Africa, despite rising food and oil prices. The board also says the U.S. food industry should be asking tough questions in the wake of the tomato scare, and looks at a new Dutch law banning smoking:

Of course, marijuana is illegal, even in the Netherlands, but the country's policy of "geodegen" calls for turning a blind eye to its own law. In fact, the special cannabis cafes are licensed to sell small amounts for consumption on the premises, where it is understood that customers will not be arrested or even questioned by police. Unless, that is, they mix it with tobacco. The Dutch prefer to blend their marijuana with tobacco for a smoother smoke. And now that is illegal.

We're confused too.

On the letters page, readers discuss a potential Israeli attack on Iran. See why L.A.'s Jerry Freedman says, "President Bush seems to have more of a sense of history and human rights than the editorial board of The Times."

*Cartoon by Scott Stantis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette