Sarah Palin's a Brainiac  —  Exclusive: Former Ms. Magazine Editor-in-Chief: Palin's a Brainiac  —  The former editor in chief of Ms. magazine (and a Democrat) on what she learned on a campaign plane with the would-be VP.  —  It's difficult not to froth when one reads …

T'Aint “Elitist” to Be Anti-Palin  —  I HATE TO pull rank here.  But it seems I am almost the only Republican still standing who can criticize Sarah Palin without being accused by my fellow conservatives of suffering from an “elite education. ”  —  Peggy Noonan, David Brooks, Christopher Buckley …

Farewell, Dean  —  My friend and colleague Dean Barnett died today, and the world is a much poorer place for it.  As anyone who listened to him on my radio show or read his work at Soxblog, here or at the Weekly Standard knows, and as everyone who had the great, great pleasure of knowing Dean will attest …

List of L.A. Times departures *  —  As per my usual practice, I'll list staff departures from the Los Angeles Times who put out the word that they're leaving or whose exit I'm able to confirm.  They include buyouts, resignations and layoffs — in many cases I don't know the exact circumstances.