The New York Times standards editor Craig Whitney recently saw something strange and terrible while out "on the road," as they say: "bumper stickers." These are like tiny billboards, affixed to automobiles, that feature sayings, jokes, or even brief political arguments. They're on display for everyone to see! And, according to a memo he sent out, they're inappropriate for Times staffers.

On a recent road trip, I found numerous funny, bittersweet, or just bitter or idiotic political bumper stickers a welcome distraction from $4.50 gas, but also thought I should remind everybody who has anything to do with creating or displaying news content why they shouldn't display their own political views, on cars or elsewhere, in this campaign season or afterward.

But that's not all! The freedom of Times staffers to express themselves is not only being trod upon on the streets, but also on the information superhighway! Whitney sent another memo today on the subject of political expression:

Fellow newsroom hands:

I should have also mentioned avoiding some other potential political entanglements: Web sites, personal blogs, YouTube, Facebook, slogans and so on in e-mails and instant messaging systems. When Facebook asks what your political preferences are, don't answer, and don't say anything in a blog, video, radio or television program or any other medium that you couldn't say in the paper or on our Website — about politics or anything else.

Sigh. Looks like Virginia Heffernan will have to quit the "Official Petition for Colored Facebook Profiles" group.

(Actually, if anyone can find real examples of Times staffers with inappropriate Facebook group memberships, you know where to send the proof.)