Althouse: Why aren't there any black Senators?

Althouse: Why aren't there any black Senators?: "In the interest of increasing minority representation in the House and state legislatures, the act mandates the drawing of 'majority minority' districts.

On its own terms, this has worked very well. The size of the Congressional Black Caucus relative to the House is within a few percentage points of the black proportion of the population. Seats in state legislatures and the House frequently are stepping stones to statewide office. But because black politicians need not cultivate a transracial appeal to win office in the first place, they are at a disadvantage when they consider a statewide run."

WikiLeaks founder could be charged under Espionage Act

WikiLeaks founder could be charged under Espionage Act: "'How do you prove that a particular cable about secret negotiations with Russia was dangerous to national security? You have to disclose more classified information to explain to the jury the damage brought about by the disclosure,' he said."

LOL!

Instapundit » Blog Archive » ER, WHAT “GALLONS” ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE? Nissan Leaf snags 99 mpg rating on official EPA stick…: "What do you bet the program that prints those window stickers can only print two digits?"

Gore: On second thought, I was just pandering to the farm vote on ethanol « Hot Air

Gore: On second thought, I was just pandering to the farm vote on ethanol « Hot Air: "Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore said support for corn-based ethanol in the United States was “not a good policy”, weeks before tax credits are up for renewal. …

“It is not a good policy to have these massive subsidies for (U.S.) first generation ethanol,” said Gore, speaking at a green energy business conference in Athens sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank.

“First generation ethanol I think was a mistake. The energy conversion ratios are at best very small.[']"

I agree.

George F. Will - The T.S. of A takes control

George F. Will - The T.S. of A takes control: "Tyner: 'I don't understand how a sexual assault can be made a condition of my flying.'

TSA: 'This is not considered a sexual assault.'

Tyner: 'It would be if you weren't the government. . . .'

TSA: 'Upon buying your ticket, you gave up a lot of rights.'

Oh? John Locke, call your office."

Missing WFB

George F. Will - The T.S. of A takes control: "When Buckley was asked how he came up with topics for three columns a week, he jauntily replied that the world annoyed him that frequently."

Don’t Touch My Junk - Charles Krauthammer - National Review Online

Don’t Touch My Junk - Charles Krauthammer - National Review Online: "Don’t touch my junk is the anthem of the modern man, the Tea Party patriot, the late-life libertarian, the midterm-election voter. Don’t touch my junk, Obamacare — get out of my doctor’s examining room; I’m wearing a paper-thin gown slit down the back. Don’t touch my junk, Google — Street View is cool, but get off my street. Don’t touch my junk, you airport-security goon — my package belongs to no one but me, and do you really think I’m a Nigerian nut job preparing for my 72-virgin orgy by blowing my johnson to kingdom come?"

Sociology Professor on Mormonism

Here:

Of course, the sociology of Mormonism is separate from its truth claims, and though skepticism probably comes more naturally to me than belief, I nevertheless choose to believe. I savor what we have in common with other Christians—the Bible, resurrection, forgiveness of sins, gifts of the spirit, the example of our savior, the importance of moral living (though I certainly acknowledge that Mormons are not orthodox Christians)—and I love the doctrines of the Restoration (as we call it): that everyone who has ever lived has an equal opportunity for salvation, that sinners and unbelievers are not cast into hell forever, that God is not ultimately responsible for all the evil and suffering in the world, that marriages and families can last into eternity, that there is no end to knowledge and progress, and that God continues to speak to prophets today just as in biblical times. When I go to the temple, I marvel that I belong to a religion with such a sense of sacred ritual, and that it means so much to me. As I have studied and researched the Book of Mormon for scholarly, academic publications over the last few years, I find it more and more impressive. Though I respect the opinions of those who are attuned to its many historical improbabilities, it seems to me to be a revealed text, with roots in the ancient world. It may be hard to believe such things, but I do. They make sense to me, and as I have prayed, studied, served, and performed priesthood ordinances such as giving blessings and baptizing my children (another advantage of a lay ministry), I have had spiritual experiences that I interpret as the Holy Spirit bearing witness to me of the truths of Mormonism.

Balance the Budget

This is a pretty cool interactive way of seeing how our budget goes together. I managed to balance the budget without increasing taxes.

Here's my plan:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/13/weekinreview/deficits-graphic.html?choices=ryx7h000

Make your own here:

Budget Puzzle: You Fix the Budget - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com

Decision Points - Politics - msnbc.com

Decision Points - Politics - msnbc.com: "LAUER: Let's get to the picture that we may have seen more of you (laughter) in the last couple years of your Presidency than any other picture.� You're sitting in Air Force One, flying back toward Washington.� You fly right over New Orleans and you look out the window.
BUSH: Yes.� Huge mistake.
LAUER: Yeah, it made you look so out of touch.
BUSH: Detached and uncaring.� No question about it.� And--
LAUER: Whose fault was it?
BUSH: It's always my fault.� I should have touched down in Baton Rouge, met with the governor, and, you know, walked out and said, 'I hear you.'� I mean, 'We know.� We understand.� And we're gonna, you know, help the state and help the locals, governments with as much resources as needed.'� And-- and then got back on a flight up to Washington.� I did not do that and paid a price for it."

Decision Points - Politics - msnbc.com

Decision Points - Politics - msnbc.com: "LAUER: About a week after the storm hit NBC aired a telethon asking for help for the victims of KatrinAa.� We had celebrities coming in to ask for money.� And I remember it vividly 'cause I hosted it.� And at one part of the evening I introduced Kanye West.� Were you watching?
BUSH: Nope.
LAUER: You remember what he said?
BUSH: Yes, I do.� He called me a racist.
LAUER: Well, what he said, 'George Bush doesn't care about black people.'
BUSH: That's, “ he's a racist”.� And I didn't appreciate it then. �I don't appreciate it now.� It's one thing to say, you know, 'I don't appreciate the way he's-- handles his business.'� It's another thing to say, 'This man's a racist.'� I resent it.� It's not true, and it was one of the most disgusting moments in my Presidency."

Decision Points - Politics - msnbc.com

Decision Points - Politics - msnbc.com: "LAUER: If you knew then what you know now--
BUSH: That's right.
LAUER: --You would still go to war in Iraq?
BUSH: I-- first of all didn't have that luxury. You just don't have the luxury when you're President.� I will say definitely the world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power, as are 25 million people who now have a chance to live in freedom."