George Will: The administration contends that even delaying ratification will reduce Russia’s helpfulness regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons program. This suggests, strangely, that Russia has been significantly helpful. And it assumes, implausibly, that Russia’s interest in preventing neighboring Iran from having nuclear weapons is less than its interest in modifying the strategic arms balance with an America that is no longer a strategic adversary. […] The administration says ratification is urgent

For the second time, a federal judge (Dem appointed) has ruled that the prospect of potential future commerce is actively engaging in a type of commerce presently, such that this activity of inactivity falls under the purview of the Commerce Clause, and makes a mandate requiring you to purchase insurance perfectly in keeping with the intent of the founders and framers. It says so, in fact, right there in the

Today at 8:30 AM MT. Live stream available here.

AP: In a reversal, the Obama administration said Wednesday it will not pursue offshore drilling off the East Coast of the U.S. and the eastern Gulf of Mexico. A senior administration official told The Associated Press that because of the BP oil spill, the Interior Department will not propose any new oil drilling in waters off the East Coast for at least the next seven years. President Barack Obama’s earlier

Jeff has dealt with the “economic sabotage” attacks of Democrat mouthpieces like Steve Benen or Paul Krugman earlier. Today we find a novel codification (pdf) of that particular Democrat ‘strategic’ sally, with an hyperbolic advance in its argument, declaimed in the headline “Beyond ‘Sabotage’ — The central issue about the growing political extremism of the Republican Party is that it’s undermining fundamental American standards of ethical political conduct and behavior.

Or, you know — not. But why let a little truth ruin such a catchy little bumpersticker refrain? After all, if progressives can’t get together at rallies and shout dubious rhyming slogans with impunity, the terrorists will have already won… (thanks to JHo)

Okay. But I’ll believe it when I see it. Go on. Surprise us. (h/t sdferr)

Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner: The Obama administration is sending in high-ranking mediators in hopes of ending its stalemate with congressional Republicans over extending the Bush-era tax cuts. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew will meet with four lawmakers — two each from the House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats — with the aim of striking a deal on how to extend tax cuts

So asks Alex Joffe at PJM. To which the answer is simple: so long as it’s uttered in a designated free speech zone, there shouldn’t be a problem. Free speech zones are intellectually sacrosanct. It’s everywhere else that the Jews control. Ahem.

Harsanyi: You could argue that Congress has a responsibility to deal with impending issues — unemployment benefits extensions or tax hikes, for instance. But should “repudiated” officials be involved in making long-lasting decisions for all of us? Remember that the Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 when a lame-duck Congress relied on post- 9/11 jitters to create the largest government bureaucracy in American history. A lame-duck Congress impeached