Matthew Yglesias notes that vouchers might be bad for private schools.

Lost in all of this debate has been the fact that the federal commitment to public education is a commitment to the children, not the parents. It varies from state to state, but there is at least some oversight of private schools by state accreditation agencies. Children are legally required to go to school and legally required to have some minimum state-defined level of education.

With increased state/local money will come increased oversight, at least in some states. Religious institutions in particular should be concerned about the government looking over their shoulder.

TAPPED wonders where propagandist crack investigative reporter Jeff Gerth is...

Just noticed Adam Felber, who does Wait Wait Don't Tell Me on NPR, has a blog. Worth a peek.

Josh Marshall on Buddy Cianci. I agree.

And, let me add that the guy is hilarious! I saw him give a talk after he was jilted by his girlfriend (and quite a few other times). Better than any comedy show.

Polygon has a persuasive piece about John Dingell, and why he should and will lose his primary challenge.

Comments seem to be dead for some reason...maybe they'll return. Feel free to email me with your insults!

I read through the entire new article over at MWO and I can't find a single thing about a blowjob. I wonder what they're so excited about?

Rackjite's back, at least briefly, after a long pause.

Apparently some chemicals in beer make sperm a bit wimpy. That'll teach you macho beer drinkers to pick on us pansy wine-drinkers.*


*for the record, I drink beer too. And gin. And whatever else is available.

(via Max):

When economists attack!

I haven't read Stiglitz's book, but to even try and refute one of the apparent central claims - that the IMF has conflicts of interest which might influence its policies in favor of creditors instead of debtors is ridiculous.. This doesn't imply corruption (necessarily), it is actually just a big "duh."

Scoobie Davis fleshes out a point that I fully believe - that the Republican Party is essentially run by the Religious Right. I don't think every member is a true believer, but actively or passively they support the agenda.

It's the fags' fault!

I knew it, homophobe that I am!

Kristof violates the Anthrax Omerta.

Robert Plant Voice:... does anyone remember Anthrax?

The name of Mr. Z has been printed elsewhere, in case anyone is curious.

I think it is time to acknowledge the obvious. The Tubesteak Messiah hath turneth its back on us because we hath turned our backs on it.


Maybe the Rapture really is coming.

Paul Krugman violates Omerta.

Silly Paul. It isn't as if this is a $30K land deal gone bad, or a blowjob, or something really serious.

Anyone notice that when Al Gore doesn't speak publicly the press attacks him for laying low and when he does speak publicly they attack him for campaigning?

Me too.

Two commercial jets have collided over Germany. A Boeing 757 and a Tupolev 154, which holds about 160 people.

Oh the horror!

Tom Tomorrow says this:


Rorschach test


When you read this, is your first thought, my god, those poor people--or is your first thought, the lefties are sure going to whine about this!


If the latter--well, you presumably have mirrors in your house. No need for me to editorialize.



I think this speaks also to that other issue - I v. P. One can believe that Israel has a right to take appropriate security measures, that all measures taken thus far have been necessary and just, that mistakes of course sometimes happen and civilians are killed, and still shed a tear or two when innocent people are killed. Or at least not condemn those who do.

The lone member of the Republican Congressional Black Caucus has announced his retirement.