Short Fuse

Details: To protect and serve self-interest
Wrongheaded off-duty police protesters, including one who drove the wrong way down a Woburn street yesterday, are not gaining any traction with the public. An estimated $7 million is wasted each year because of paid police details for minor road work that doesn't require their presence. The Patrick administration had the gumption to use civilian flaggers instead on some state highway projects, so in recent days angry officers have taken to picketing work sites. The protesters did manage to disrupt the Mass. Highway project in Woburn for a while, but the work resumed thanks to the intervention of Woburn Police Chief Philip Mahoney. Civilian flaggers send a clear signal that government waste cannot be tolerated.

Television: Call it 'The O'Bnoxious Factor'
Watching cantankerous commentator Bill O'Reilly complain about media misbehavior always makes us wonder: Was O'Reilly born without a self-awareness gene? Last week's interview with US Representative Barney Frank about his role in the financial crisis was an appalling spectacle. O'Reilly has every right to ask Frank tough questions. But rather than letting Frank actually respond, O'Reilly quickly devolved into a braying, crude, out-of-control bully, repeatedly interrupting his guest and then labeling the congressman a "coward." If O'Reilly had a shred of integrity, he'd bestow his next "pinhead" designation on the intemperate host of "The O'Reilly Factor."

Term limits: If Bloomberg returned to his roots
New Yorkers are now learning the downside of term limits. Popular Gotham Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to run again, but can't because of the city's two-term limit. So he's asking the City Council to change the voter-approved law to allow three terms. If that doesn't work out, here's a thought: Bloomberg, who was born at St. Elizabeth's hospital, lived as a tot in Allston and Brookline, and grew up in Medford, might consider a run for mayor of Boston. Mayor Menino, who's expected to seek a fifth term, needs the competition - and the Hub could benefit from Bloomberg's new ideas.