The Smirking Chimp: The money spent for laws in campaign contributions, issue advertising, lobbying, ear marks, and bribes have provided an unequaled return on investment for some U.S. and international corporations. But their value for the U.S. public turns out to be negative, and the greater the price, the more severely negative.

thump and whip: Ever heard of the “Atlantic triangular trade?” Me neither, but the Texas education board has decided it sounds better than "slave trade."

Seeing the Forest: "Statism" and the Ayn Rand Cult. GOP pols will have to decide whether they're jumping on or off the Rand-Wagon

Rumproast: Blogosphere demands as-yet-nonexistent super-science fix for Gulf oil disaster

The Reid Report: Six degrees of George 'Rentboy' Rekers: Jeb Bush edition

Grasping Reality with Both Hands: Links...