Patients Are Not Consumers  —  Earlier this week, The Times reported on Congressional backlash against the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a key part of efforts to rein in health care costs.  This backlash was predictable; it is also profoundly irresponsible, as I'll explain in a minute.

Huckabee, Trump, Romney Set Pace for 2012 GOP Field  —  Trump leads among liberal and moderate Republicans  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Donald Trump debuts in a first-place tie in Gallup's latest update of Republicans' preferences for the party's 2012 presidential nomination among potential contenders.

The Anniversary  —  And so the year rolls around yet again to Krauthammer Day, the day on which we all celebrate Charles Krauthammer's confident assertion eight years ago that: … Or nearly all of us celebrate it anyway.  Charles Krauthammer himself seems to prefer to mark the occasion …

Nation's Mood at Lowest Level in Two Years, Poll Shows  —  Americans are more pessimistic about the nation's economic outlook and overall direction than they have been at any time since President Obama's first two months in office, when the country was still officially ensnared in the Great Recession …

Collins is first GOP senator to oppose Ryan budget proposal  —  Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine.) said Friday that she will not support the 2012 budget passed by the House last week.  —  “I don't happen to support Congressman Ryan's plan but at least he had the courage to put forth a plan …

Earth Day Ends Obama's 53,300 Gallon Trip  —  President Obama declared today's 41st annual Earth Day proof of America's ecological and conservation spirit—then completed a three-day campaign-style trip logging 10,666 miles on Air Force One, eating up some 53,300 gallons at a cost of about $180,000.

Earth Day co-founder killed, composted girlfriend  —  Ira Einhorn preached against Vietnam War and violence, but had dark side  —  Below:  —  Ira Einhorn was on stage hosting the first Earth Day event at the Fairmount Park in Philadelphia on April 22, 1970.

The New York Times' Disappearing Birther Scoop  —  It was perhaps the most talked-about paragraph in the political press yesterday.  And then just like that, it was gone.  —  From the New York Times article that appeared on the newspaper's website Thursday morning, came this passage [emphasis added]:

The Electoral Implications of Ensign's Resignation  —  Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada is expected to appoint Dean Heller, currently the Republican incumbent in the state's Second Congressional District, to replace Senator John Ensign, who is resigning.  —  Mr. Heller was already expected …

9/11 Responders To Be Warned They Will Be Screened By FBI's Terrorism Watch List (EXCLUSIVE) … WASHINGTON — A provision in the new 9/11 health bill may be adding insult to injury for people who fell sick after their service in the aftermath of the 2001 Al Qaeda attacks, The Huffington Post has learned.

Obama makes ‘birther’ joke at fundraiser  —  President Obama on Thursday lightened up talk of high gas prices and the budget deficit on his West Coast swing with a joke about those who question his citizenship.  —  “A lot of you got involved when the prospect of electing Barack Hussein Obama to the Oval Office was slim.

EXCLUSIVE: MEL GIBSON FINALLY TALKS  —  EXCLUSIVE: On May 6th, Mel Gibson's much-delayed comeback picture, The Beaver, will open in limited release.  It's directed by his longtime friend and co-star Jodie Foster.  The movie has already garnered reviews praising Gibson's performance as …

GOP Rep. Patrick Meehan Faces Constituent Anger After Breaking Campaign Promise To Not Privatize Medicare  —  CNN reports this morning that freshman GOP Rep. Patrick Meehan (PA) faced a “tough crowd” back home after voting for Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) budget proposal that would effectively end Medicare …

More than half of Democrats believed Bush knew  —  I've been looking for a good analogue to the willingness of Republicans to believe, or say they believe, that Obama was born abroad, and one relevant number is the share of Democrats willing to believe, as they say, that “Bush knew.”

Creed or Chaos  —  You can feel a jolt of energy surge through the audience of “The Book of Mormon” about a quarter of the way into the show's first musical number.  It's a jolt of joy, gratitude and laughter — a confirmation that this Broadway production is going to live up to its rave reviews.

Allen West: It's Fair To Call Obama A ‘Low Level Socialist Agitator’ Because He Called Paul Ryan An ‘Accountant’  —  Bomb throwing tea party Rep. Allen West (R-FL) appeared on Fox News host Greta Van Susteren's show last night to defend his latest attack against President Obama …

Deadly Drone Strike by U.S. May Fuel Anger in Pakistan  —  ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — An American drone attack killed 23 people in North Waziristan on Friday, Pakistani military officials said, in a strike against militants that appeared to signify unyielding pressure by the United States …

Bright, Careful and Sadistic: Profiling Long Island's Mystery Serial Killer  —  He is most likely a white male in his mid-20s to mid-40s.  He is married or has a girlfriend.  He is well educated and well spoken.  He is financially secure, has a job and owns an expensive car or truck.

Trig Trutherism: The definitive debunker  —  Trig Trutherism, the surprisingly resilient conspiracy theory that Sarah Palin is not actually the mother of 3-year-old Trig Palin, is experiencing a boomlet thanks to a new academic paper that endorses the concept.

Birtherism: Where it all began  —  Just when it appeared that public interest was fading, celebrity developer Donald Trump has revived the theory that President Barack Obama was born overseas and helped expose the depth to which the notion has taken root—a New York Times poll Thursday found that a plurality of Republicans believe it.

The Truth About the Debt Ceiling and Default  —  As we have been approaching the $14.3 trillion statutory limit to federal borrowing, I and many of my colleagues have insisted on real spending reforms now as part of any agreement to allow still more government borrowing.

Penitent CNN Anchor Confesses ‘Eco-Sins’ for Earth Day  —  In a bizarre wrap-up to the 2 p.m. EDT hour of CNN “Newsroom” Thursday, anchor T.J. Holmes confessed his “eco-sins” to the audience.  Commemorating the eve of “Earth Day,” Holmes admitted to his “green” faults which included driving …