Outside the Beltway

Roger Ebert lays the smack down on the Atlas Shrugged film — but not for the reasons you’d think.

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s 67-year-old husband says he and the 94-year-old actress are seeking to have a child through a surrogate.

Another celebrity trial shines a light on our bizarre justice system.

Donald Trump is waiting to announce whether he’s running for president until after taping of “The Apprentice” concludes. Some thing NBC shouldn’t allow him to wait.

President Obama sees the golf course as the only place to escape the pressures of the job.

The Federal government is funding a Pakistan version of Sesame Street for $20 million.

Bristol Palin was paid $262,500 by Candies Foundation as an anti-teen pregnancy spokesman. That’s 7 times what they spent on teen pregnancy prevention.

Philip Greenspun wonders, “How did the New York Times manage to spend $40 million on its pay wall?”

With the Draft only 27 days away, multiple lawsuits pending, and the lockout only in force for a few weeks, the NFL announced that an agreement on a new CBA had been reached with players.

The iconic WKRP in Cincinnati is not being syndicated or available on DVD in its original format because it’s classic rock soundtrack is hamstrung by copyright laws and music licensing fees.

To honor the administration’s “no boots on the ground” statements, all covert U.S. personnel in Libya will work barefoot. – Jim Geraghty

Arnold Schwarzenegger has mastered the worlds of bodybuilding, show business, and politics. Next, he’s going to try his hand at being a Marvel superhero.

Politico’s Matt Wuerker illustrates the funding disparity between the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Customers at a Radio Shack in Montana have an opportunity to get a free gun if they switch to Dish Network.

Obama Captain America parody: I’m not punching you Gaddafi I’m having a limited humanitarian intervention with your face.

President Obama shouldn’t be criticized for picking his NCAA tourney brackets during wartime. But he shouldn’t get much credit, either.

The federal government has spent seven years and some six million dollars pursuing Barry Bonds. Why?

Canada is leading the operation in Libya but no one is leading Canada.

Humorous take on America’s wars.

Infographic on How to Have a Rational Discussion.

This letter from legendary music journalist Lester Bangs is making the rounds

If you believe Minnesota Vikings’ Running Back Adrian Peterson, the NFL is a modern-day plantation and he’s a slave.

Earth’s moon will seem bigger Saturday night than it has since 1993. It’ll still be the same size as usual, however.

Simplest possible NCAA Tournament bracket

Ru Paul for President 2012 bumper sticker

Players from the Los Angeles Clippers chipped in to pay for the surgery of assistant coach Kim Hughes back in 2004. It’s been a secret until now.

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried is the latest idiot celebrity to damage their career on Twitter.

President Obama is once again catching flak for his leisure activities.

Automated programs are getting very good at poker and are winning large sums on online gambling sites.

If the Republicans need their own Bill Clinton, how about Mark Sanford?

This video “Teachers Unions Explained” isn’t particularly fair but it’s nonetheless amusing.

No matter how the owners and players resolve their squabble, the fans are likely to get screwed.

A Welcome to Wisconsin sign with another sign saying “A Division of Koch Industries” is going around Twitter.

An offhand comment in my post “Obama Killed Cap’n Crunch” sparked inquiries about the fate of the General Mills line of cereals featuring monster characters.

Cap’n Crunch is going the way of Joe Camel.