Based on his research, Herbert Gintis, a self-described former Marxist economist at the University of Massachusetts and co-director of the MacArthur Foundation’s Norms and Preferences Network team, believes “‘Market societies give rise to more egalitarianism and movements toward democracy, civil liberties, and civil rights.’” In fact, Gintis argues, “‘Market societies and democratic societies are practically co-extensive.’” For the particulars, check out Ronald Bailey’s Reason piece, “Do Markets Make People More

“Chimpanzee waste could shed light on the origins and spread of HIV,” Nature reports. “Delving into droppings has given AIDS researchers a surprise. Far fewer chimpanzees than they had suspected have SIVcpz, the animal virus most like HIV.” “The technique could shed much-needed light on the origins and evolution of the viruses that cause AIDS. ‘It’s a non-invasive means to study the wild relative of HIV in its natural environment,’

Pssst. Wanna see a Fat Guy beatin’ on an Illuminated Donkey for pickin’ on some fat cats? Go on, look. It ain’t as dirty as it sounds…

From the department of If it weren’t so true, it’d be a whole lot funnier: Uncle Melon’s “Top Ten Cars for

NRO’s Jonah Goldberg reminds us that, in addition to the Supreme Court’s responsibility to rule on issues of constitutionality, the Senate and the House likewise share the mandate to

[Elizabeth Wurtzel responds: “Treacher’s a funny word, too, if you think about it. Like ‘Marvin’ or ‘fractious.’ ….Or ‘hoodwinked.’ “…Say, you gonna’ finish that soft pretzel…? Lizzy likes salty dough…”]

The return of AP is reporting. Expect the predictable trotting out for the international press of this “martyr’s” proud and stoic mother, followed by a funeral procession for the “heroine” through the streets of the “occupied territory” (once the bulk of her pieces can be scraped together and boxed up, that is).

Sgt. Stryker comments on civil service employees demanding a pay raise commensurate with the proposed military pay hike: It amazes me that these are the same people who take weeks to process a friggin form and whose glacial movement ought to be a tourist attraction. Scientists should be taking core samples of their offices for clues into climate change. But sound off that pay alarm, and they spring into action

In today’s “Impromptus” column, NRO’s Jay Nordlinger critiques this New Republic cartoon (follow the link and scroll down) — as well as the cartoonist himself, Tom Toles: Okay, here

Never let it be said that protein wisdom’s forgotten its