Time for another link roundup. This one will be longer than usual since I am catching up on my reading. I am also going to use a new format with three sections: Mainstream media, Blogs, and Satire/Humor.

Mainstream Media

• The NY Observer has an excellent report on the continuing chaos at CBS News caused by Rathergate.
• The New York Daily News reports that insurgents in Iraq may be running low on money.
• Brendan Miniter of OpinionJournal says there is no reason 2006 has to be an off year for Republicans.
• Jonah Goldberg has an interesting article on the differences between left-wing and right-wing bloggers. Michael Barone has a similar article on blogosphere politics. The last paragraph sums it up nicely:
  

  So what hath the blogosphere wrought? The left blogosphere has moved the Democrats off to the left, and the right blogosphere has undermined the credibility of the Republicans’ adversaries in Old Media. Both changes help Bush and the Republicans.

• Peggy Noonan gives 7 reasons why blogging is a public service, then concludes with some predictions.
• Rich Lowry has some questions for the AARP. Here are a few of my favorites:
  • Your group’s advocacy suggests that reform puts at risk the benefits of current Social Security recipients, even though cutting those benefits is off the table. Are you routinely so dishonest, or is this a special case?
  • In 1950, 16 workers supported each retiree. By 2040, there will only be two workers per retiree. Does it occur to you that that is very bad news for workers? Or is your ultimate ambition to have each retiree supported by his own individual worker? Perhaps this worker can be made to fan his designated retiree with a palm frond and deliver him fruity drinks poolside?
  • Your group has suggested that investing in the stock market is much too complicated and risky for anyone attempting to build assets for retirement. Do all your officials therefore eschew investing their own money in the market? If so, what is their preferred investment vehicle (and please don’t say stuffing cash under a mattress)?
  • During the past 70 years, Americans’ familiarity and comfort with capital markets has steadily increased. Do you realize that it’s not 1932 anymore?
  • Wouldn’t it be more efficient for AARP members to cut out the middleman and send their checks directly to the Democratic National Committee instead?
• Thomas Lipscomb brings us up to date on John Kerry’s Cambodia adventures.

Blogs

• Captain’s Quarters says Howard Dean will cost Democrats more elections. On a related note, John Hawkins at Right Wing News looks back at some of Howard Dean’s quotes.
• Opinion Times helps debunk some “evidence” of global warming.
• Speaking of debunking, Patrick Hynes does a number on Harry Reid’s new Social Security calculator.
• The Llama Butchers have a funny take on the Navy’s new submarine, the USS Jimmy Carter.
• Joe Gandelman at The Moderate Voice telles the AARP to run for cover.
• Pardon My English discusses Scott Ritter’s new job as a writer for Al-Jazeera’s English web site. Why am I not surprised.

Satire/Humor

• Andy Borowitz reports that President Bush has promised to bring the troops home . . . through Iran.
• Scrappleface has disturbing news about the weaponry on the USS Jimmy Carter.

Archived in: Democrats, Global Warming, Howard Dean, Humor/Satire, Iran, Iraq, Jimmy Carter, John Kerry, Link Roundup, Oregon, Republicans, Social Security