Wes Phillips

"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."

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.

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.

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.

Pascal Wyse sure loves musical innuendo.

Bagheera calculates a trajectory.

For now, at least. First, a nice summation from The">http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/features/article2316883.ece"><… Independent. Then, follow the external link to Denis Dutton's conclusion that Barrington-Coupe's "I did it for love" defense just doesn't wash. His conclusion: "Based of a reading of her letters to critics and her radio interviews, it is my considered opinion that Joyce Hatto, in addition of being a lively, chirpy, witty, bright and positive person, was also a pathological liar."