Outside the Beltway

The Senate passed an immigration reform bill today, but it’s not going to go anywhere.

The Senate’s rejection of the Manchin/Toomey background checks bill isn’t particularly outraging the general public, according to a new poll.

The days of tax-free online shopping are coming to an end.

Southerners lie about their weight–but not as much as those lyin’ Yankees.

Georgia is in a border dispute with a neighboring state, but it’s not the Georgia you’re thinking of.

The Ravens quarterback cashed in after winning the Super Bowl. Now it’s Maryland’s turn.

A potentially significant ruling on Separation Of Powers.

David Gregory committed a technical violation of DC’s gun law to make a point on a national news show. Conservative gun control opponents are angry.

The Blues began a century ago yesterday, with the release of WC Handy’s “Memphis Blues.”

New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy was experiencing post-concussion syndrome but hid it from the team for days.

There’s been a bit of buzz of late about the fact that people in several states have filed petitions to secede from the Union. There shouldn’t be.

“Growing up in California, it was illegal for Asians to marry whites. How times have changed. I married a white DUDE.”

A legal setback for the Texas Voter ID law, but not much of a political setback for Voter ID laws in general.

Paul Ryan pointed to a shuttered GM plant in his hometown as proof of Obama’s failed policies. The truth will make your head hurt.

Entirely unsurprisingly, the shooting at the Family Research Center’s office in Washington, D.C. is already being politicized.

The novelist, playwright, and social critic Gore Vidal has died, aged 86.

Andrew Hacker argues that, while quantitative skills are “critical for informed citizenship and personal finance,” making kids master algebra to graduate high school has disastrous consequences.

The cover of Patrick Wensink’s novel Broken Piano for President bore a striking resemblence to the label of a certain quality Tennessee sour mash whiskey. So, Jack Daniel’s’ lawyer sent him a nice note.

Another study shows that voter ID laws negatively affect a lot of Americans.

As gas prices fall, the politics of fuel prices are changing.

How dominant is the Southeastern Conference? It’s won more titles in the big sports since 2005 than all other conferences combined.

The Pull My Finger Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

A spate of bad economic news foretells a shift in the campaign for President.

Jeb Bush is the latest Republican to eschew GOP tax orthodoxy.

Ilya Shapiro asks, “If luxury stadiums were hugely profitable, why would the savvy businessmen who own the teams let the politicians in on the windfall?”

Yesterday, Cory Booker committed the rookie mistake of saying what was on his mind.

Further thoughts on Ron Paul’s game plan, assuming he has one.

Pat Summitt’s predecessor stepped down as head coach to work on her doctorate.

Pat Summitt, arguably the greatest women’s basketball coach of all time, is stepping down to deal with Alzheimer’s .

David C. Levy argues college professors at teaching universities are overpaid because they don’t put in enough hours.

The race will go on after Super Tuesday, but the outcome seems ineviable