Bricks and Bats

NBC's Mark Murray explains why the difference in abortion language the Senate and House health care bills is so thin that you couldn't fit a piece of paper between the two. Naturally, Michigan "Democrat" Bart Stupid begs to differ. It's become obvious that Stupak and his henchman want to kill health care reform and are looking for a way to do it that won't make them party outcasts. They've seized upon a position that is anathema to most in the party and hope to make a clean getaway by claiming that their stance is a matter of principle. Bart, Joe Lieberman has already poisoned that well for you...

Riding on the City of New Orleans...

Heard on the Edd Schultz Show: A caller said that if bankers had to return their bonuses (not that any of them have), trial lawyers should have to return their fees, arguing that making $5 million for a month's work was ridiculous. Hmm. Here's the thing: A trial lawyer getting a $5M fee won the case and got $10M for the client. Unlike a banking exec, the hypothetical lawyer did not fail dismally, help crater the international economy, and get paid a seven-figure bonus in bargain. Plus, the case big enough and easy enough for a lawyer to make $5 million in a month hasn't yet happened and likely never will happen: Any case with the potential for that kind of judgment takes years of preparation, argument, and appeal. I'm not losing any sleep over the tribulations of litigators, but how about at least paying some passing attention to reality?...

Chief Justice John Roberts has a thin skin. I'm so upset for him..

Quote of the Day: "I could see the care everyone was taking not to overstate the case or exaggerate the danger" from Iraq. --Karl Rove, in All in Good Fun, his new book about himself (aka Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight. What a noble guy.)...

Eric Massa: All in Good Fun II...

Pope Benedict: All in Good Fun III at the German choir where "severe beatings were normal."...