Brickbat: Fingered

The North Carolina Court of Appeals says a state trooper did not act illegally when he stopped a motorist for giving him the bird. Writing for the majority Judge Chris Dillon said the trooper had reason to believe the motorist had committed the crime of disorderly conduct, saying it is illegal to make gestures intended to provoke a violent response. A week after that opinion was delivered the court followed up with a new order that, without explanation, withdrew the opinion.