And, Here's Your Tax Cuts...

via All Spin Zone

U.S. Infrastructure Deteriorating, Report Finds

"If we treated our own homes like we treat our infrastructure, we'd all live in shacks," said ASCE president William Henry.

Donald Plusquellic, Democratic mayor of Akron, Ohio, and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, blamed a lack of political will over many years compounded by the policy of tax cuts pursued by President Bush (news - web sites).

"I don't know of a single tax cut that's replaced a bridge. When that bridge fails killing people, nobody's going to care whether those people were Republicans or Democrats," he said.

That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free

TrueSlant: Hire Rachel Maddow to fix Meet the Press.

The Zoo: A Question to Ask, with an interesting comment thread

Mad Kane: Bystander President

Kickstarter: A 'geekoid novel for smart people' seeks funding

Hot Chicks With Douchebags: I hope this is the most difficult decision I have to make today. Who is douchebag of the week (exceptin' Jon Kyl)?

Zaius Nation: Zaius sings a time-honored tribute to Max Baucus.

Sunshine Empire: It's about payback.

Just an Earthbound Misfit: No, our children is not learning.

Fried Green Al-Qaedas: Horton Catches the Flu

And finally, Max Baucus, if that song by Zaius touched a nerve, you might take a lesson from Dirk Benedict.

Mike returns tomorrow; send tips to finnsagain AT aol DOT com

A Poetic Justice pays tribute to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones...

Mock, Paper, Scissors: Reason for running.

Beggars can be Choosers: Trust me, this is nuthin' compared to what Biden has up his sleeve, my friend.

Hot Chicks with Douchebags***: Is Michael Phelps a Douche? (and OMG there's a book?!?) ***Note: this site is not about the GOP presumptive nominee, his spouse or lobbyist "acquaintances."

Guest hosted by Blue Gal, who has posted an actual photo of David Plouffe. Geez, before Mr. Plouffe came along, I thought Nigerian royals in need of urgent banking help sent a lot of email...

Happy Easter, and Happy Second Blogiversary to our second favorite guilty pleasure, Hot Chicks with Douchebags. (click the image for a bigger picture of the, um, ego.) Open Thread below.

Continuing with my recognition of the intrepid bloggers who filled in so ably while I was away...
Politics in the Zeros: Money for nothin', chicks for free

Lance Mannion: If Democrats think that Hussein and Muslim and madrassa and black are dirty words, just think what fun the Republicans are going to have with them.

Shakesville: Liss has some reading recommendations.

The Largest Minority: The Palestinians are still under occupation, so throwing $7 billion at the corrupt Fatah government won't change anything.

Over at Steve Audio's place, we're reminded it's not just the week before Christmas.

Media Bloodhound: Big news for democracy aint big news at the Paper of Record.

The redoubtable Blue Gal--the blogosphere's answer to Chone Figgins--shares about her breakfast with Santa and 71 Kindergarten kids.

Sunday Funnies will never be the same since I read "The Family Circus: Why Jeffy is 'Bag" at my favorite guilty blog pleasure, Hot Chicks with Douchebags. Generally speaking, author DB1 concentrates on couples who obviously met at the gym, but in this post he turns philosophe with great aplomb.

Mid-day open thread below. What else is good on the blogs today?

Dear me. A bridge player had the audacity to hold up a sign that said "We did not vote for Bush." Instantly, she's a traitor! And I thought playing the traitor card was only a God-given right to the wingnuts in radio and blogoland. I guess not! Beware all ye merry Americans in all professions throughout the land. The 24%ers are everywhere!

In the genteel world of bridge, disputes are usually handled quietly and rarely involve issues of national policy. But in a fight reminiscent of the brouhaha over an anti-Bush statement by Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks in 2003, a team of women who represented the United States at the world bridge championships in Shanghai last month is facing sanctions, including a yearlong ban from competition, for a spur-of-the-moment protest.

At issue is a crudely lettered sign, scribbled on the back of a menu, that was held up at an awards dinner and read, “We did not vote for Bush.” By e-mail, angry bridge players have accused the women of “treason” and “sedition.”

Pam's House Blend: 'Homosexual agenda'= Nazi agenda. Anyone confused about what constitues fascism should take this this quiz.

Tristram Shandy: Why are the warfloggers so upset? G-Dub outlined the program in 2001.

Carbon Paper: A letter conservative newspapers refused to print

Liberal Country Fan: Reba pulls a Bill O'Reilly while trying to explain her beef with the Chicks

Lawyers, Guns and Money: Alito v Civil rights: A foreshadowing

The Sideshow: Avedon Carol has an excellent roundup every day...as does the 'all-roundup-all-the-time' Progressive Blog Digest.

"Not Ready to Make Nice." Give a listen, it's a great tune. I know the talking heads have been focusing on them as if their career is over.

UPDATE: Atrios:

"Just a reminder of the climate we lived in. The Dixie Chicks "controversy" was caused by this comment made at a London concert: "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas."

That was it. That was all it took. We were all Dixie Chicked then."

I was playing music at the time and not blogging yet so when I heard about the uproar they caused-It made me think of Fahrenheit 451.