Kill This Bill

Much like bills named for dead children, there’s a very high likelihood that any bill with “protecting children” and/or “pornographers” in the title is a) a very bad idea, b) a very stupid idea, c) of dubious Constitutionality, or, as here, d) all of the above.

Functional Apathy’s Opposite

Steven Metz muses, “Scholars argue that too much political mobilization can make democracies dysfunction. Is that where the US is today?”

U.S. Government Sells Chrysler Stake, Losses Higher Than Reported

On paper, the U.S. lost $1.3 billion on the Chrysler bankruptcy, but the true cost is far higher than that.

Pennsylvania Family Court Orders Father To Delete Blog Critical Of Ex-Wife

Does a family court have the authority to tell a parent to delete a blog critical of his ex-wife?

Should Your Salary Be Public Knowledge?

Daniel Indiviglio makes “The Case for Making Wages Public: Better Pay, Better Workers.”

NASA Dawn Returns Images Of Vesta Or, The Space Program Is Not Dead

Reports of the death of the space program are greatly exaggerated.

With President Obama’s Backing, Senate Takes Up Repeal Of DOMA

It won’t go anywhere this year, but after 15 years someone is finally trying to repeal a bad law.

Will Michele Bachmann’s Migraines Become A Campaign Headache?

Speculation about Michele Bachmann’s health continues.

Wall Street Journal: The House GOP’s Balanced Budget Amendment Is A Bad Idea

One of the GOP’s staunchest media allies isn’t too impressed with their Balanced Budget Amendment.

The Debate on Taxes Requires Honesty

We need to have a serious debate on taxes and spending. And it would be nice if the debate was honest.

Michele Bachmann’s “Stress-Related” “Incapacitating” Headaches Are Fair Game

A Presidential candidate’s medical condition is entirely relevant to their fitness for office.

Balanced Budget Nonsense (Part II)

Let’s look at the actual proposal.

Star Of “Sister Wives” To Challenge Constitutionality Of Utah’s Anti-Polygamy Law

The star of a controversial reality show about polygamy is suing to have Utah’s law that makes his living arrangement illegal struck down.

A Home Is A Lousy Investment (Unless You Need A Place to Live)

Two economists look at a 30 year investment in a home versus putting the same money in the stock market.

Should We Be More Like China?

I’m continually shocked when demonstrably bright and accomplished people fall in love with authoritarian states.

Film School Bubble

More people are chasing careers in film than there are careers in film. And not just in front of the camera.

Liberals Want Justice Ginsburg To Resign Before 2012 Elections?

A few liberal law professors say Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should resign now so President Obama can pick her successor.

Secret CIA Interrogation Facility in Eastern Europe?

Danger Room’s Spencer Ackerman reports on an alleged secret CIA interrogation facility somewhere in the former Soviet Union.

Appeals Court Strikes Down Michigan Law Barring Use Of Race In College Admissions

A Federal Appeals Court struck down an Amendment to the Michigan Constitution today as unconstitutional.

Supreme Court: Government Cannot Ban Violent Video Games For Children

The Supreme Court struck down a ban on the sale of violent video games to children, a victory for the First Amendment and parental authority.

DVRs Biggest Power Drain in House?

If someone had given me ten guesses as to the biggest electricity hog in my house, I’d have never guessed it: The set-top box that houses my DirecTV signal and DVR.

Should Jon Huntsman Be Considered A Contender?

On paper, Jon Huntsman looks like a great General Election candidate. The problem is it seems impossible for him to win the GOP nomination.

Texas Unconstitutionally Attempts To Nullify Federal Law On Incandescent Light Bulbs

How many Texas politicians does it take to screw in a non-communist light bulb?

CA Controller to Withhold Pay of Legislators over Budget

CA’s budget battles continue.

Post-Debate, Romney Is Clear GOP Frontrunner, Bachmann Surging

The race for the GOP nomination is taking shape.

Bankruptcy Court Declares DOMA Unconstitutional

A very provocative decision on same-sex marriage from an unlikely source.

Democrats Turning on Weiner

Never popular with his colleagues, Anthony Weiner may now be the least liked Member.

Austan Goolsbee Stepping Down

Austan Goolsbee is resigning as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors to return to the University of Chicago.

Law School Grad Sues Alma Mater Because She Isn’t Working

One law school grad seems to think the solution to her employment problems is to sue her law school.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Nuthin’ Yahoo Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

California Must Release 40,000 Prisoners

Prisons can be so overcrowded as to constitute cruel and inhuman punishment.

A Nations of Immigrants with a Dumb Immigration Policy

Canada is much friendlier than the United States with regard to immigration.

Gallup Poll Finds Majority Support For Same-Sex Marriage

We’ve reached a turning point in the debate over same-sex marriage.