Sunday Roundup

This week, Norway's peace was shattered by homegrown terror; the Murdochs dodged inquiries -- and a pie -- in Parliament; and Michele Bachmann's migraines gave her campaign a splitting headache. In Washington, the "Grand Bargain" on the debt ceiling fell apart, leading President Obama to lament being "left at the altar" and John Boehner to blame the failure on "different visions for our country." But, in truth, neither side is addressing the simple mathematical reality that we will never be able to reduce the deficit unless we prioritize growth. Trying to eliminate our debt by spending cuts that will reduce consumer demand and tax revenues, and prolong the recession, is like deciding to remove the gas tank from a stalled car and hope for the best instead of restarting it with jumper cables. Elsewhere, today is the first day gays can marry in New York so, unlike the "left at the altar" president, same-sex couples will finally be able to tie the knot. Congratulations, newlyweds!