The old pattern of Arab government has failed to make its people free, safe, or rich, and does not deserve to survive. High-performing Chinese students find their files stolen by corrupt officials, making work impossible. Testimony of a murdered human-rights campaigner in Chechnya. Instapaper for the commute: Attempting
Global poll says Obama's election restored the U.S.'s image to levels unseen since the Clinton years. U.S. troops in Afghanistan eager to see more Afghan forces--they're cheap, know the terrain, and are respected by locals. Most Americans don't like
New steamy sex tapes released of Berlusconi with a prostitute. Op: Investigating the C.I.A. assassination program should include asking why it didn't work. On average, master's degrees in education bear no relation to how well teachers teach. Backyard chickens beaten out by urban beekeeping
Obama tries to explain health care reform to the people, relies on D.C. jargon. Good Times dinner-conversation primer on health care reform. Republicans' favorite consulting firm to cite in health care chats is owned by UnitedHealth Group. Video of John Yoo, author of the Bush torture memos,
Primer on "birther" politics, both a fringe movement and something greater. Analysis of the Game's attacks on Jay-Z as a study of hegemony and American power. Instapaper for the commute: Bombing is the best way to reinforce the Iranian government's power. Also great
Analysis of Holder's plans for interrogation investigation and how the White House will react. The government has a database for almost everything, including vending machine injuries. How [Obama] handles [health care] over the next several weeks could shape the rest of his presidency. Somalia's radical Islamists
In the months following my performance on Big Top Talent, my relationship with Annie changed hues...I really was more of an Annie colleague. When life hands Hodgman coconuts, he makes solid-state analog shortwave radios. Seven roles John Hodgman would dominate. Using artistic license to enhance the aesthetics of
A not-so-tender--but fitting--remembrance of Frank McCourt. For some literary greats, a correlation between sobriety and bad writing (or not writing at all). Former Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur chronicles her bout with swine flu. Twitter: nothing more than a refashioning of 1st-century Roman
Bosnia and Kosovo are still dependent, unviable states; unlike in Iraq, Europe lacks an exit strategy. The best known of all single combats was David versus Goliath. Tom Wolfe on the ultimate failure of the U.S.-Soviet space race. Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins urge renewed efforts for a
Cities such as Ann Arbor and Buffalo struggle to regulate backyard chicken-rearing. Debunking the idea of the tipping point, which may have too few real-world applications to be considered credible social theory. What to read if you're imprisoned (with actual reading suggestions from Iranian Ministry of
