America's Ruling Class — And the Perils of Revolution  —  As over-leveraged investment houses began to fail in September 2008, the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties, of major corporations, and opinion leaders stretching from the National Review magazine (and the Wall Street Journal) …

State Department warns employees about new website highlighting Top Secret facilities  —  The State Department is bracing for a potentially explosive new feature on the Washington Post website that would publish the names and locations of agencies and firms conducting Top Secret work on behalf …

A conservative dismisses right-wing Black Panther ‘fantasies’  —  A scholar whom President George W. Bush appointed vice chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Abigail Thernstrom has a reputation as a tough conservative critic of affirmative action and politically correct positions on race.

Senator Vitter suggests Rachel Maddow only looked like a woman “a long time ago”  —  UPDATE, 5:16 p.m.: Vitter has now written a note of apology to Maddow.  —  Original post:  —  Oh, what fun!  —  On a right wing radio station this morning, Senator David Vitter appeared to suggest …

A Final Thought  —  Here is former head and current spokesperson for the Tea Party Express Mark Williams satirically responding to the NAACP: … Williams has since taken the original down and posted a half-hearted justification.  Mark Williams is the same man who has denounced Barack Obama as …

THE PROBLEM WITH SHORT MEMORIES.... Given all the public confusion, it's sometimes surprising President Obama's approval rating isn't lower.  Take this tidbit from the latest Pew Research report. … I guess the frequent Republican complaints about “bailouts” led much of the public …

GOP whacks Berwick appointment, healthcare law in weekly address  —  Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) used the GOP's weekly address to bash President Barack Obama's recess appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick to run Medicare and Medicaid, alleging it “flies in the face” of administration pledges of transparency.

Obey: White House Suggested Cutting Food Stamps to Pay for Education Program  —  This entire interview with Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wis.), the head of the House Appropriations Committee and a powerful veteran member of Congress, who is retiring this year, is worth a read.  But one passage is particularly striking.

On Mel Gibson, “Conservative” — By: Jonah Goldberg  —  For starters, I think it's all unseemly.  I don't think this is the kind of thing that should be spilled out for the public no matter who it is.  I think Gibson is clearly troubled and despite his well-documented paranoia, there are many long knives out with his name on them.

What Went Wrong: The Rahm Factor  —  A fascinating and depressing interview with David Obey: … But remember, the Cossacks work for the czar.

The incredible obviousness of the Democrats' political fortunes  —  The topic du jour appears to be the Obama paradox.  How, some writers are asking, can the Democrats be both passing a lot of legislation and be headed for a defeat at the polls?  —  But there's no contradiction.  No paradox.

Aaron Sorkin to direct John Edwards film  —  ‘Social Network’ scribe to adapt ‘The Politician’  —  Aaron Sorkin — best known for creating “The West Wing” — will make his feature directorial debut with a John Edwards biopic.  —  Sorkin's adapting and producing Andrew Young's “The Politician …

McCain challenges Obama in new TV ad  —  Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu defends McCain in a new TV ad.  —  Washington (CNN) - Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, the former GOP presidential hopeful running for re-election debuted a new TV ad Friday, but instead of targeting his opponents he focused directly …

Boehner: No more new Federal regulations!  —  UPDATE, 2:50 p.m.: DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen responds: … Original post:  —  A day after calling for repeal of the new financial regulatory reform bill, John Boehner is going even further: He's calling for a moratorium on all new Federal regulations — in the name of job creation.

About That Financial Reform ‘Victory’  —  Dodd-Frank may backfire on Democrats.  —  “President Obama Signs Historic Stimulus Bill”—Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 17, 2009  —  “Obama Signs Historic Health Care Legislation”—NPR, March 23, 2010  —  “Senate Poised to Pass Historic Financial Reform”—McClatchy, July 12, 1010

Mexican drug cartels' newest weapon: Cold War-era grenades made in U.S.  —  MEXICO CITY — Grenades made in the United States and sent to Central America during the Cold War have resurfaced as terrifying new weapons in almost weekly attacks by Mexican drug cartels.

Austerity drive will hand billions to private sector  —  Outsourcing firms are preparing for bonanza of contracts to provide everything from binmen to back office bureaucrats  —  A government efficiency drive aimed at slashing spending in town halls and boosting productivity in the health service …

To Protest Hiring of Nonunion Help, Union Hires Nonunion Pickets  —  Jobless Recruits Get Minimum Wage ‘To March Around and Sound Off’  —  WASHINGTON—Billy Raye, a 51-year-old unemployed bike courier, is looking for work.  —  Fortunately for him, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council …

Only Republicans like Sarah Palin  —  Okay, that headline is an exaggeration, but not by much.  —  The new Gallup poll shows a striking disconnect in public opinion about Sarah Palin: While her favorability ratings are significantly higher among Republicans than all the other 2012 GOP hopefuls …