Outside the Beltway

Humorist David Sedaris says that he can get $500 a night in his tip jar “for candy” but the same people would probably give a beggar outside 75 cents.

There’s been much talk recently about treason charges in the Wikileaks case, an most of it has been entirely wrong.

Republicans were largely silent during the Bush Administration as spending went out of control. Will they do that again?

Several smart center-left commentators argue that President Obama is not triangulating. At least one argues there’s no such thing.

Statue of Liberty goes through airport scanner.

Why not just give poor people money rather than start up big charities?

The Senate has constructed the legislation to correspond to the Obama-McConnell deal, sweeteners and all.

Opt out of Tynt’s clipboard hijacking.

“If you can’t afford to hire a bartender, you shouldn’t be having a party.” That’s the mantra of New York hipsters.

Democrats can’t stop using the F-word when talking about President Obama.

Krauthammer thinks Obama tricked the GOP into agreeing to Stimulus II.

Republicans have blocked a bill that would have helped rescue workers who became sick helping others at Ground Zero.

Americans who think our politics couldn’t get more polarized need only look across the Pond, where our European cousins have been routinely dealing with rioting in the streets over measures to rein in unsustainable social programs.

Does that degree you get at the end of your four years of college really mean anything anymore, and is it worth the money you paid for it?

Will you age slower if you exercise, eat well? A study conducted by German researchers says Yes. But maybe it just seems like you’re aging slower?

Gerard Van der Leun passes on a professorial rant entitled “Why You Got A ‘C'” that’s likely to be amusing primarily to those who have taught undergraduates.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he isn’t running for President, but he’s sure acting like a guy who’s at least thinking about it.

Given that Batman has quasi-official sanction from the Gotham Police, aren’t his tactics illegal?

Senate Democrats cancel vote on DREAM Act, meaning the immigration measure is likely dead for the year.

Internal memos reveal that Fox News spins the news in ways that favor conservative Republicans. Is that really news?

The pending compromise between the two parties on taxes and other policies underscores the fact that enhanced minority power (in this case, the filibuster power) helps contribute to fiscal irresponsibility.

As things stand right now, the dynamics don’t look good for President Obama in 2012

Just weeks after voting for a broad ban on earmarks, Republicans are looking for ways to get money to their districts without calling it an “earmark.”

Gustavus Adolphus College librarian Barbara Fister explains why she loves getting rid of books.

Don Surber imagines this edition of “Hardball.”

The Julian Assange case makes Sweden look like a country that’s governed by congenital idiots and populated with nothing but crazy sluts and lawyers.

Did Obama’s tax cut deal demolish the Republican charge that he’s a radical? Not hardly.

Tonight’s topics: The tax cut deal, Obama’s primary challengers, and whether politicians should care about the unemployed.