Matt Yglesias makes this analogy about the state of the F-22:
“Instead of finding a cost-effective solution to the problem of aging F-15s — like building new, somewhat upgraded F-15s — the Air Force decided to design an impractically expensive new air superiority fighter. Having done so, the country now can’t afford these planes in the […]

The latest column title from Gail Collins? Hillary, Functionally Illiterate Buckeye Girl. Unless Hillary Clinton comes out publicly and renounces the latest accusations, the entire Michigan Delegation to the DNC, if seated, must unite in opposition to her candidacy. (obviously entire post made in jest.)

The University of Michigan fires off a 21 page memo defending it’s spending practices for financial aid in response to a Senate inquiry about university endowments in general. I’m quite curious as to how this will play out on both sides.
University Talking Points:

We spend 20 percent of our endowment payout towards financial aid
We increase […]

Wired has parsed images from a presentation given by expert witness Philip Zimbardo about the Abu Ghraib scandal. These images are highly disturbing, with strong viewer discretion advised. I will just give the link here.

The Brookings Institution and the Center for Global Development released their Index of State Weakness in the Developing World on Tuesday. Somewhat surprisingly, Afghanistan gains the honor of being the second weakest state of the developing world. Of the five categories used to generate the index: economic, political, security, social welfare, and GNI per capita, […]

Well, not really. But following up a three game sweep of Villanova, the Michigan baseball team ties/almost pulls out the win against the Jose Reyes, David Wright, and the rest of the NY Mets. Go Blue!

Hillary Clinton blasts Barack Obama for his continued use of of a healthcare mailer.Ezra says “it’s really time he cut it out with these damn mailers;” Jon Cohn calls the tactics “disturbing.”
And while I agree with both of these guys, do we really need to leap to her defense every time she herself goes negative? […]

Fellow Independent writer Justin Schon in the UMich Dems Blog gives his solution to get us out of this economic crisis:

“My solution for this is pretty simple, although it is much easier said than done. First, with a withdrawal of troops from Iraq, work to help Pakistan stay calm as they transition power from one […]

Former Independent Editor Adam Doster gets some love from The Atlantic’s Andrew Sullivan.

Rose Vankatesan, formerly known as Ramesh, will be India’s first openly transgender TV celebrity. Her talk show “Ippadikku Rose” (“Yours, Rose”) premiered this month in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. She is said to be South India’s “local Oprah”—except more explicit and honest in discussing gender, and don’t expect Dr. Phil to […]