Go check out Theo Spark’s offerings over at Last of the Few (An Englishman’s View).  The site has a variety of charms in its new incarnation, not so different from those of its old.

IowaHawk puts the significance and the fundamental rightness of the Iowa cowkisses into perspective, but there are some things that he, as an Iowan, is not allowed to say, that I, a Wisconsinite who for several years posed as an Iowan to infiltrate their strange society, can reveal without directly endangering my family.  Iowans developed the idea of the “cowkiss” originally as a kind of lark on which to send unsuspecting

Ernie:  Well, I guess if I look at it from that angle, I can see your point. Bert:  So, you think it’s Fred then? Ernie:  I’m still not sure.  Could be… Barney.

In Part 3 of this series, I argued that the Iowa caucuses will likely have no impact on the campaign for the Democratic nomination  (which is likely to be won by Sen. Hillary Clinton).  But I did not analyze the GOP race. At The American Prospect, Thomas F. Schaller argues that Iowa will also be meaningless for the Republicans.  However, in setting forth the case for Iowa being generally meaningless, Jay Cost

I believe the kids would sum up Rock’s analysis as follows: “Bros before Hos.”

In “The Big Picture(s),” I noted that the number of embedded reporters plunged from somewhere between 570 and 750 when the invasion of Iraq began in March 2003 to roughly 100 by late fall of that year (it would later drop to as few as nine).  The piece looked at some of the results of the rise of what journalists themselves call “hotel journalism” and “journalism by remote control.” Today, United Press International

The great Bill Whittle has a two-part essay on agility, the art of war, the surge, and….well, just read it.  Be sure to check out the trailer for Jake Rademacher’s film “Brothers At War.” Thanks to Claire at Sondra’s.

Baldilocks emails with news: I found out that even my old friends who love me and read my offerings faithfully didn’t know that I was blogging again so consider this notice. The main reason I want you to read again is to keep what’s going on in Kenya at least in the back of your minds.  Not just because my father and other family members are there but because the African

America’s Dairyland wants you to know it’s not just full of cheeseheads—and it’s taking the mission seriously. So?  Illinois is full of twats.  OMG.  Check out these selfish oafs. 

NYC, Rodeo Bar, New Year’s 2008 So, Mary and I found people willing to take Brendan hereabouts, dropped Aidan with Ed and Meredith in Berkeley Heights, NJ, whose son Parker also suffers from COS, dropped Mairead at old friends in Easton, PA and drove to Wayne, NJ, where Mike had found us lodging with old friends.  Joe and Cheryl have a great place with vintage . . . well, just