A proposal to ban spanking was given an official time out, as the California lawmaker behind the plan says she just doesn't have the votes to get the bill passed. Still, Sally Lieber hasn't given up. She wants to ban throwing, kicking, burning, cutting, shaking or choking a minor -- essentially making more illegal things that already are. Sounds like Lieber got spanked. But good.

Her spanking proposal caught fire last month, landing in newspaper pages and on television throughout the country. "Saturday Night Live" even did a skit, featuring a nanny whose book, "I Will Beat Yo Ass," offers the best in parental guidance.

It appears that after Lieber heard from cops, DAs and judges -- who wondered how on earth they'd enforce a no-spanking law -- she backed down. Her new proposal would increase penalties for doing things that are already illegal -- a nice attempt, but I liked her first idea better.