Outside the Beltway

After an avalanche of negative commentary, the Governors of New York and New Jersey have modified their policy regarding quarantining people returning from west Africa.

The first person to be quarantined under the new policy announced by New York and New Jersey is raising concerns about the way she was treated, and whether the policy is even the right idea.

A surprise move from Governors Christie and Cuomo that sounds like a good idea but may not be as effective, or legal, as it sounds.

A new outbreak, or hopefully just an isolated case.

As usual, politicians and pundits are helping to create a climate of fear and concern about Ebola that is not justified by the facts.

The numbers don’t lie.

Trending on Twitter this morning is a collection of infographics compiled by Ezra Klein under the heading “22 maps and charts that will surprise you.”

Some words from the past, apparently uttered mere hours before the world changed forever.

The trial of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife opened yesterday, and it sounded more like a soap opera than a legal proceeding.

Another incident involving a Malaysia Airlines 777, but this one could be far more serious.

Jose Antonio Vargas was brought to the U.S. at the age of 12 and never left. Now, some are suggesting he should be deported as soon as possible.

The first episode of “Seinfeld” aired 25 years ago yesterday.

The justice system works, there’s no need to scrap it.

Mike Bloomberg’s absurd soda ban is, thankfully, dead.

A New York Federal Judge has ruled that unvaccinated children can be forced to stay home during outbreaks.

Incumbency is a powerful advantage.

Justice delayed, but justice nonetheless.

Ahmed Abu Kattalah, the alleged ringleader of the September 2012 attack in Benghazi, has been arrested.

Apparently, things were tougher in Chappaqua, New York and on D.C.’s Embassy Row than we ever imagined.

Pseudoscience and hysteria have damaged public health.

According to the New York City Public Schools, this girl is fat.

Committing a crime is bad enough, committing a stupid crime in the dumbest way possible is orders of magnitude bad.

Toll plazas coming to an Interstate near you?

Fifth Amendment? They don’t need no Fifth Amendment, apparently.

The president went there.

If something is going to be done about an out of control National Security State, it’ll be because the American people demand it.

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman is reportedly dead of a drug overdose at the age of 46.

Another Federal District Court ruling on the Constitutionality of the NSA’s data mining program, this time more favorable to the NSA.

The Sunbelt continues to dominate.

The danger of saying stupid things online apparently has not sunk in with some people.

When it comes to thinks like Mike Bloomberg’s large-sized soda ban, most Americans prefer to just say no.

Wall Street Journal was looking hard for a story.

The most important leader to come out of Africa in the 20th Century, and perhaps in all of history, has died.

A third term for any of these guys? Don’t count on it.

Another government mandate that doesn’t address a real problem.

The FDA is declaring war on trans fats. That’s a bad idea on many levels.

Daylight Savings Time ends early on Sunday. Perhaps it should never return.

Under 21 in New York City? No more smokes for you!