From Harper's, the intelligence factory: Petra Bartosiewicz on how America makes its enemies disappear. The spending wars: How did military spending become sacrosanct? From Dissent, Michael Signer on the neoconservative pere et fils. James Carroll on the five characteristics that make Dick Cheney the Quintessential American. Howard Fineman on how Ron Paul can save the GOP. Christopher Hitchens on how Sarah Palin's brand of populism is dangerous and deceptive. The poll heard round the world: Could a Tea Party candidate actually win an election? How Ayn Rand would have hated the Tea Partiers. The Existential Martin Eisenstadt: Harding Institute senior fellow and GOP attack dog fights Liberal media claims that he’s not real (and more). Can’t stand a member of Congress and desperately want him or her out of office? There’s a blog for that. From Doublethink, open source democracy: Are bloggers the new government watchdog?; and Jacob Raskin on the rise of the muckraking Right: How conservative bloggers are scooping The New York Times. Washington Times, RIP: The paper’s demise will place a new importance on the conservative blogosphere. Is Politico really "new media"? Just because it’s online doesn’t mean it’s not old-fashioned. Robert Niles on two things the government can do to help journalism. And then came Obama: Snopes’ 25 hottest urban legends gets remarkably political. How can the American electorate be post-racial when even the shading of skin affects decision-making? Jim Sleeper on how time and odds are not on the side of the republic Obama swore to preserve, protect, and defend.
