U.S. District Court Magistrate Michael Merz is so worried about spin that it's making us dizzy.

On Monday he confirmed his order to seal a study on whether Cincinnati police target African-American motorists for a disproportionate number of traffic stops. Merz said the study should remain closed off from public view for 45 days to allow parties to the collaborative agreement between the city, police and community leaders time to study it. The collaborative settled a racial profiling lawsuit against the city.

"The purpose of the delay is to allow the parties to study the report... and to be able to react to 'spin,' selective quotation, and misinterpretation by others when the report is made public," Merz wrote in his decision.

That "spin" the judge is referring to is what happens when issues get tossed into the mix of the campaign for Cincinnati City Council. The judge apparently is afraid that the voters might not be able to see through the steam that will rise from a debate over this issue. The findings of the report by experts from the University of Cincinnati are likely to be controversial. The report almost certainly will be the subject of campaign rhetoric from candidates who either support or reject the findings. So be it. It is up to the voters to decide how much weight to give such arguments. Merz' patronizing protectionism is insulting and a disservice to the entire community.

Monday's decision affirms what Merz said two weeks ago when the report was first submitted. His initial ruling was challenged by the city and The Enquirer, which argued that the public has a right to know what the report said.

The latest ruling will be appealed to U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott. We urge her to make the report public, while the public still has time to evaluate it before the election.