Krauthammer, crystallizing several years worth of postings here into a single column: Liberalism under siege is an ugly sight indeed. Just yesterday it was all hope and change and returning power to the people. But the people have proved so disappointing. Their recalcitrance has, in only 19 months, turned the predicted 40-year liberal ascendancy (James Carville) into a full retreat. Ah, the people, the little people, the small-town people, the

Evidently “academic freedom” — and the freedom of choice that comes with it — is the new “fascism” in Israel. Well, if you’re a “progressive”, that is. Because after all, nothing screams “fascism” to the left more so than your refusal to let them set every single term of your existence. Up is down. Black is white. Rizzoli is Isles. (h/t sdferr)

Waitress: “For the last time, sir, yes, we have an entire pot of clam chowder in the kitchen — and no, that doesn’t mean we ‘owe it to the people’ to give you a bowl for free.” Yelverton: … Yelverton: … Yelverton: “LIBEL!”* **** update: Yelverton: “I HAVE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO YOUR FUCKING SOUP! NOW FETCH ME A BOWL, HATER!” **** Listen: William Yelverton tried commenting here under

Oleg Atbashian: The term “professional left” denotes a growing industry that specializes in converting other people’s money into an ideological product, while making a good living out of it in the process. It would seem that Robert Gibbs broke the first rule of the professional left, which is (of course): you do not talk about the professional left. The second rule? See the first rule. Now that Gibbs has recklessly

Pension reform for a bankrupt state? Ha. We’ll just take the bailouts, instead, thanks. Your tax dollars at work. For us. Suckers. **** update: somewhat related.

Yesterday, Middle Tennessee State professor of guitar and guitar-related activities (cf., “Intro to strumming”; “Advanced techniques in re-stringing”; “Tiny Tim: The semiotics of Tulip Tiptoeing as a critique of corporatism and running dog capitalism”) William Yelverton was so eager to find an example of how the bigotry of the hateful rightwingers — who evidently make up roughly 70% of the US electorate — was physically asserting itself as an offshoot

It occurs to me that, having had LASIK surgery to correct my distance vision, I’m likely a much better shot now. — Which I mention just in passing. Would-be looters.

Or just, you know, a good judge of character: Michael Kinsley asks, “Is there any reason to oppose the mosque that isn’t bigoted, or demagogic, or unconstitutional?” Why yes, Michael, there is: because the Imam who pretends he’ll help us all heal is himself bigoted and demagogic — and because I’m fairly sure that Sharia law wouldn’t pass constitutional muster outside of, say, the 9th Circuit. Tell me, Michael. You

Heading out in just a few minutes to have someone I’ve never met slice into my eyeballs with a hand-held laser. And I’m paying him for the privilege. Ain’t America great!

Top of the Ticket: But before leaving for his ninth presidential vacation, 10 days at a […] secluded estate on Martha’s Vineyard, Obama devoted four minutes in the White House driveway to a special statement on the latest disappointing jobs numbers. […] No questions allowed because the president didn’t want to explain why despite the administration’s announced Recovery Summer Program, the jobs numbers have started going backward again after 19