the big rick's yamaka  —  OMG. when was the last time i had so many minutes to play with my blog? awesome.  —  so honey met rick warren last night.  well, she spoke to him on the phone beforehand, giving us insight into the man the media has made our latest “HE HATES YOU!” …

A Special Note Re: Third Way  —  This is Jennifer Palmieri, acting CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.  —  Most readers know that the views expressed on Matt's blog are his own and don't always reflect the views of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Life Without Bubbles  —  Whatever the new administration does, we're in for months, perhaps even a year, of economic hell.  After that, things should get better, as President Obama's stimulus plan — O.K., I'm told that the politically correct term is now “economic recovery plan” — begins to gain traction.

For Conservative Radio, It's a New Dawn, Too  —  Amid all the pressures on the radio industry, news-talk stations see an opportunity — and his name is Barack Obama.  —  After eight years of playing defense for President Bush, the conservatives who dominate talk radio are back on offense.

Popularity Isn't Everything  —  O.K., O.K. ...  you don't have to.  But consider this exchange with Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday”:  —  WALLACE: Did you really tell Senator Leahy, bleep yourself?  —  CHENEY: I did.  —  WALLACE: Any qualms, or second thoughts, or embarrassment?

Stampede for ‘Bush shoe’ creates 100 new jobs  —  Their deployment as a makeshift missile robbed President George Bush of his dignity and landed their owner in jail.  But the world's most notorious pair of shoes have yielded an unexpected bonanza for a Turkish shoemaker.

Iraqi Journalist Who Threw Shoes at Bush Was Tortured in Jail, His Brother Says  —  BAGHDAD — The television reporter who threw his shoes at President Bush was burned by a cigarette in the hours after his arrest on Dec. 14 and was beaten so badly by Iraqi security personnel that one of his teeth …

More Firms Cut Labor Costs Without Layoffs  —  Even as layoffs are reaching historic levels, some employers have found an alternative to slashing their work force.  They're nipping and tucking it instead.  —  A growing number of employers, hoping to avoid or limit layoffs …

Sully = Zero No on Prop 8 Donations?  —  Hey Andrew,  —  I was checking the SF Chronicle's search engine for donations to either side in the battle over Prop 8 and your name didn't turn up.  Your husband, Aaron Tone, also appears to have not donated to the campaign to defeat Prop 8.

Biden Reinforces the Point  —  Vice President Cheney had a little fun at his successor-to-be's expense today, telling Fox News Sunday that he didn't take Joe Biden's criticism of his tenure too seriously because Joe Biden doesn't know the Constitution from a hole in the ground.