Justice is served       It was judgment week for a number of defendants caught up in the Operation Bid Rig scandal last week, as one by one, a half-dozen disgraced government officials showed up at a federal courthouse to find out how much of their futures would be spent behind bars. The answers in many cases were surpri... More ... Coda In prison, 22 months is no easy walk in the park GREG BEAN       So, our old friend John Merla, the corrupt former mayor of Keyport, was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison last week. And just in time for Halloween, too. If you're a Keyportian, you couldn't ask for a better addition to your Fright Night goodie bag. Much better than a toothbrush, or even a... More ... Red State/Blue State Who gets a $1.5 million party for their birthday? DAVE SIMPSON & GREG BEAN       This week we are starting a new occasional feature, a political discussion between Red State conservative Dave Simpson - a former reporter, editor, publisher and columnist - and Greg Bean, More ... Are We There Yet? He's home in body, but not in spirit LORI CLINCH       Vernon, our eldest son, came home from college this past weekend. Sadly enough, Vernon is not much for phone calls or any other form of familial communications. Simply put, the kid doesn't call his mother. More ...