Wes Phillips

Cartoonist Doug Marlette has made me laugh until milk shot out my nose. He has also made me squirm when he has pilloried my hobbyhorses. I've always figured that political humor was at its best when it made you laugh at stuff you believed in—anybody can raise a chuckle over something you're already contemptuous of.

"Last fall, Condé Nast Traveler aviation correspondent Barbara S. Peterson applied to work as a Transportation Security Administration screener. Her mission: to investigate reports that despite a five-year, $20 billion overhaul of the passenger screening system, checkpoint personnel are failing at the job. Being hired was only her first surprise. Peterson's two months at the airport revealed how this overtaxed but dedicated workforce copes with equipment shortages, budget cuts, and record numbers of (not very pleasant) passengers. Here is an unprecedented look at the reality of America's last line of defense."

I've linked to Locust Street before, but this is one of its best posts ever: a moving account of Buddy Holly's last days, with MP3s of some unreleased home recordings.

Pascal Wyse sure loves musical innuendo.

The Guardian has some further thoughts on "meh." All of which simply points out that Heideashttp://heideas.blogspot.com/2005/03/beyond-embiggens-and-cromulent.html…; was right when she said that the Simpsons are all about linguistics.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet hits one out of the park in this 1966 performance. The fabulous Eugene Wright looks completely out of place as the only band member without eye-wear.

Steve Jones on the "paradox of enrichment."