Outside the Beltway

A new study seems to show that student evaluations of teachers are something other than a popularity contest.

Inspired by the reaction to the Julian Assange case, a feminist writer proposes dangerous changes to American rape laws.

Is the West’s string of luck about to end?

Have credit cards and ATMs eliminated the value of large currency zones?

Here’s the trailer for Marvel Studios’ “Thor.”

Columbia political science professor David Epstein has been charged with a 3-year incestuous relationship with his adult daughter.

Bernie Sanders took to the floor of the Senate yesterday to rail against President Obama’s tax cut deal. It was history in the making, but it’s not clear that it actually accomplished anything.

If the Soviets had put Jews into gas chambers, it would have been a pity.

Peter Orszag, President Obama’s first budget director, is headed to Citigroup and a multimillion dollar salary.

Joe Ratzinger, the future pope, lobbied hard against Turkey’s membership in the EU.

Humorist David Sedaris says that he can get $500 a night in his tip jar “for candy” but the same people would probably give a beggar outside 75 cents.

There’s been much talk recently about treason charges in the Wikileaks case, an most of it has been entirely wrong.

Republicans were largely silent during the Bush Administration as spending went out of control. Will they do that again?

Several smart center-left commentators argue that President Obama is not triangulating. At least one argues there’s no such thing.

Statue of Liberty goes through airport scanner.

Why not just give poor people money rather than start up big charities?

The Senate has constructed the legislation to correspond to the Obama-McConnell deal, sweeteners and all.

Opt out of Tynt’s clipboard hijacking.

“If you can’t afford to hire a bartender, you shouldn’t be having a party.” That’s the mantra of New York hipsters.

Democrats can’t stop using the F-word when talking about President Obama.

Krauthammer thinks Obama tricked the GOP into agreeing to Stimulus II.

Republicans have blocked a bill that would have helped rescue workers who became sick helping others at Ground Zero.

Americans who think our politics couldn’t get more polarized need only look across the Pond, where our European cousins have been routinely dealing with rioting in the streets over measures to rein in unsustainable social programs.

Does that degree you get at the end of your four years of college really mean anything anymore, and is it worth the money you paid for it?

Will you age slower if you exercise, eat well? A study conducted by German researchers says Yes. But maybe it just seems like you’re aging slower?

Gerard Van der Leun passes on a professorial rant entitled “Why You Got A ‘C'” that’s likely to be amusing primarily to those who have taught undergraduates.