Lettermania

I've been watching the New York Times, whose reporting on David Letterman's sex scandal has bordered on the vicious, for a followup article documenting his affairs with subordinates. So far, nothing. While you can bet that the paper has tried to develop one, it may be having trouble persuading Letterman's apparently loyal and even affectionate employees to trash him.

Now Randy Cohen, a former Letterman writer who blogs on ethics for the Times, steps up to the plate with an article about whether Letterman gave his girlfriends special favors, such as putting them on TV. Cohen also makes this critical point:

[I]t is noteworthy that over 25 years, we know of no former girlfriend who has taken legal action against this very wealthy, very public figure.

Two Peoples, One Blood?

An Israeli entrepreneur and history enthusiast argues that 90% of Palestinians are descended from Jews.

"Come Home, America" Watch, Day 22

The shoe phone may be on the other foot. The Obama administration is accused of overlooking intelligence reports from Afghanistan that would militate against its likely change in Afghanistan policy:

Some U.S. intelligence and military officials expressed deep frustration with what they see as the administration's single-minded focus on al Qaida's threat to the U.S., saying it's not discussing publicly other, more serious consequences of a U.S. failure in Afghanistan as identified in some assessments.

Yorba Linda Sky

2:45 p.m.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

We Collect From The Select

It's all clear to me now. Reads Revelation 7:4:

Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

For those who tend to take Revelation as a series of end-time predictions, the idea of that small a group of select usually amounts to something of a riddle. The State of California's budget crisis reveals that while a select few may or may not be treading the golden streets of heaven, they're definitely paving the roads in the Golden State. State finance official H. D. Palmer, appearing on Patt Morrison's KPCC-FM program this afternoon, revealed that 50% of the state's revenue comes in with the top 144,000 returns. The next you meet a rich person, better say thanks.

Comedy And Theodicy

The Coen brothers envision a modern-day Midwestern Job.

Hat tip to Mike Cheever

The Post's Statement Is Now Inoperative

The Washington Post editorializes that the Nobel Peace Prize should've been awarded to Neda Agha-Soltan, who died in Iran while protesting the allegedly stolen election. Problem is that posthumous Nobels aren't allowed.

"Come Home America" Watch, Day 21

Speaking in London, the Secretary of State busts President Karzi's chops and makes a distinction that seems to confirm reports last week that the U.S. has probably decided that its long-term goal is not to be at war against the Taliban:

She said America's goal in Afghanistan was still to defeat al-Qaeda.

But the current US review of the conflict was "leading to some welcome clarity" on the best tactics, she said.

We Know This: They Heard A Reading From Job

The Obamas went to St. John's Episcopal Church today (in Washington, D.C., that is).

Ascending Mt. Zion With A Mouse

A panoramic view of Jerusalem taken from the Mount of Olives. Click on the image for more detail. Go here to see the real McCoy.