Carpundit

Schadenfreude - Bill Bennett Steps In It

He's not wrong, you know - lowering the African-American birth rate to zero would, in a matter of some years, lower national crime rates.  Dramatically, I think.  I understand Bennett was not advocating that plan, but merely making a point.  Not a wise way to do it, especially for an anti-abortion guy like him.  Hence, he really stepped in the muck.

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

It Seems Like An Accurate Test, Actually

You are a Social Liberal (65% permissive) and an... Economic Conservative (63% permissive) You are best described as a: Libertarian  Link: The Politics Test  on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

A GM Product That Isn't Half Bad

I spent some time yesterday in a Chevy Uplander minivan, and I found it to be much nicer than I expected it would be.  It is capacious and well-appointed.  The ceiling-rail mounted DVD system is excellent and well-executed.  There is no footwell for rear-seaters, which I found troubling over the course of two hours back there, but the seat itself was comfortable.  So it isn't half bad.  But that surely isn't enough to succeed these days.

Don't Miss This - NYT Reporter Freed

Judith Miller is out of jail, now that Scooter Libby has released her from her promise of confidentiality - a promise she went to jail to keep.  Love her or hate her, that reporter has principles.  Now could we see some indictments, please?  My chance of getting the tax code changes I want was shot to hell after Hurricane Katrina, so I don't care how hard anyone comes down on the Bushies.

UPDATE: Principles?  Maybe not.

My English Teacher Was Never That Hot

This teacher who had sex with a student is not required to register as a sex offender.  Nor should she be.  Where was she when I was in high school?  (That's an AP photo, via the Boston Herald.)

The Chief Justice of the United States

I am optimistic that this will be a good thing for the United States.  I wish him wisdom, and some luck.

Free Puerto Rico!

Can anyone explain why we want Puerto Rico?  Let's just give it back.  Let them have their independence, and watch how quickly the entire island descends into third world anarchy.

UPDATE: I heard there's an anti-America protest by the pro-Puerto Rican independence types planned for the JFK Federal Building in Boston today.  I hope it rains.

Higher Tolls a-Coming, Believe it Or Not

Yesterday, I let you know what I think of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority; today, John Daley points out what they think of us.  A toll hike.  What are the chances it will be followed by an across-the-board salary increase for Turnpike staff?

It's All Politics and Crime This Morning

I am a bit dismayed by the recent run of Republican bad luck.  Normally, the Administration's abject failure in its response to Hurricane Katrina, followed by Bill Frist's insider-trading scandal, followed by Tom DeLay's indictment, wouldn't phase me a bit.  I don't mind when bad things happen to bad people.  But this time is different.

You see, the Republicans have been on verge of actually getting something accomplished in Washington.  I was looking forward to a permanent renewal of the Patriot Act and to an elimination of the death tax.  If I have to suffer through the moralizing, economic incompetence of the religious right's puppets, I'd at least like to get a few advantages from it.  Like more money in my pocket.  And fewer terrorists.

By the way, Tom DeLay: when a vicious, lying, attack-dog politician (this means you) gets indicted for what he thinks is "political partisanship," he should just shut up and eat what he's been dishing out for years.  Stop whining.

By the way, Bill Frist: if you know most of what's inside your blind trust, it's really not blind.  At best, it's a nearsighted trust.  In which case, you can't hide behind it when you inside-deal.

David Dreier for Majority Leader

The Speaker of the House may recommend that Congressman David Dreier of California replace Moron-in-Chief Tom Delay as House Majority Leader.  If that happens, we may have our first gay Republican Majority Leader.

I always heard he was quite the ladies' man.  Maybe I misheard.