Bailouts. Everyone wants one. Banks want a bailout. Homeowners want a bailout. Car companies want a bailout. Dude jumping out of planes want a bailout, literally. Maybe some of them should get bailed out. Maybe some shouldn't. Obviously the debate rages. Though, hopefully we can help the dudes who've jumped from planes. But maybe we can all agree on ending the bailouts of Kagans. Specifically, those column writin', cold gettin' it wrong always, ignorant Kagans who pen columns for major newpapers and periodicals. Seriously, Kagans, grab a shovel or something. Because, gah.
The Saddest Music In The World: Most "alumni organizations" are set up to mine nostalgia for "good old days" in order to inspire people to open their wallets. The Bush alumni organization will mine desperation to erect a gossamer castle of historical revisionism. I think they really need to step it up, where titling their articles are concerned. We have, "Praise For President's Accomplishments: Analysis of President Bush's record in office," followed by "More Praise For President's Accomplishments: More analysis of President Bush's record in office," followed by "Praise Continues For President's Accomplishments." What's next? "President Bush's accomplishments: Now with 20% more nougat"?
Dactylic Wackameter: Well, yesterday, I suggested that Byron York's departure marked another step in the decline of the National Review. But that was before I read Michael Yon's incomprehensible tone poem to Afghanistan, and bushes, and alchemy, and how everything is melting. Obviously, NR will continue to be stupefyingly brilliant.
Dukakis Gets His Licks In: The former Presidential candidate talks to The Infrastructuralist about public works stimulation, and ends up putting some surprising swagger on display:
It was all about the competence of the people running the projects. If I may say, my guys were running the Harbor Cleanup and [former Gov. William] Weld's guys were running the Big Dig. The reason that the Harbor cleanup was under budget was because the folks running the show in 1989-90 when I was still governor were smart enough to know that you want get out the bid when the economy is down and contractors are hungry. So they bid low. Fine! We accepted their bids. Two or three years later the economy revives and they start piling in with change orders [requesting more money]. Doug McDonald, who at the time was the head of the water resources authority, just sat there and laughed at them. So we got our project on time, under budget. On the Big Dig the change orders must have numbered in the thousands. It's got everything to do with having people in place who are tough and smart. I had a guy a construction director at the MBTA who was one tough son-of-a-bitch. A career guy who'd been there and knew his stuff. The contractors were scared of him! Work came in on time, on budget, no foolin' around.
Rooney Kisses Obama's Blarney: Still wondering why the Pittsburgh Steelers owner gave President Obama a post-game shout out? Al Kamen thinks that the Emerald Isle Ambassadorship might be coming Rooney's way.
Daily Dose Of Delight: Hey, why not enjoy these new songs from Brooklyn's Bishop Allen, via Stereogum?