Let’s start by granting the point that it was at best awkward to seem to defend someone who apparently derives sexual pleasure from at least fantasizing about killing women and then eating them. With that out of the way, Gilberto Valle was just convicted of plotting to do that or arguably just talking about it. (Details of the story here.) Read More
I don’t know who knows this but I found out yesterday that the famed Pope chimney (where we see the white or black smoke) is actually specially installed for the purposes of the conclave rather than being like the regular all-the-time chimney of the fireplace in the Sistine Chapel.
Immediately after Democrats won the 2012 election last November the biggest story in politics became, What will Republicans do next?
Then despite the fact that the campaign was fixed around fiscal and economic policy issues — and more broadly the question of how the government should allocate resources for middle class taxpayers and senior citizens — It became apparent pretty quickly that Republicans believed they could regroup without revisiting the consensus on the right that the relationship between citizens and the government needs a radical overhaul. Read More
“Concerned Minnesotan father and husband” Mike Frey testifies against gay marriage before Minnesota state house, takes it upon himself to explain that gay marriage can lead to “ejaculation inside of a colon.”
After the jump … Read More
NAACP president reportedly has extremely awkward moment with solicitor general.
I mentioned in this earlier post that I now support marijuana legalization. I’m not sure I’m the person anyone looks to on this issue. But I thought I’d share some of why I changed my mind — in part because it has something to do with gay marriage. Read More
Elizabeth Warren slams Republicans for filibustering Consumer Protection Agency Chief.
It doesn’t change my take on the legalization question. But TPM Reader RG has what I think is the best counter-argument …
I teach a graduate-level class in drug use epidemiology, and we spend a lot of time talking about alcohol and tobacco as well as illicit drug use. We have one lecture that covers marijuana policy, and I close with a slide picturing “Joe Camel” and the question “Do we really want to hand control over to these guys”?