Outside the Beltway

Can we fix the VA at what government pays?

Bill Watterson, the man who drew the legendary “Calvin and Hobbes” strip, was back. And now he’s gone again.

The editorial board of the nation’s newspaper of record laments a quarter century-old trend.

An oldie but goodie from PhD comics is making the rounds.

A rather impressive recovery from a career that was mostly dead in 2007.

Two experts debate the topic, demonstrating how little we really know.

The advice “Do what you love. Love what you do” is not without pitfalls.

Dr. Alexandros Petersen, a scholar of Eurasian energy and a former colleague at the Atlantic Council, was killed in a bomb blast in Kabul.

Several conservative groups have jumped on the bandwagon of what appears to be a controversial Mississippi politician.

Keeping 166 detainees in Gitmo costs taxpayers $454 million.

The AHA is calling for a six-year embargo of history dissertations.

When Glen Coffee abruptly retired from a promising NFL career, most wondered what he was up to. Now we know.

Leslie Cohen Berlowitz, president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is under fire for academic fraud.

NYU’s Geoffrey Miller has done a groundbreaking study connecting obesity, and particularly the consumption of simple carbohydrates, with failure to complete doctoral dissertations.

General Petreaus is now Dr. Petraeus and will be teaching a 1-1 load a the City University of New York.

Alex Madrigal reports that “71% of Facebook Users Engage in ‘Self-Censorship.'” That strikes me as low.

Calls for more American kids to pursue STEM careers ignores the hiring realities.

Tim Kane continues his campaign against the US military’s antiquated personnel system.

A rich child is 45 percent more likely to earn a four-year college degree than a poor one.

The title of most impressive Heisman winner of all time goes to Pete Dawkins, who won the award in 1958.

Want to teach political science for a living? Go to one of a handful of top schools or don’t bother.

The scandal that led to P4’s downfall has many layers, none of them flattering to the most famous American general of his generation.

Sometimes, real life catches up with those who think their online life is secret.

Albert Mannes shaved his head when he started to go bald. Now, he has done research showing it was a wise decision.

Dan Nexon often gets asked by prospective candidates how they might improve their chances at getting into a PhD program in political science.

Does talent spawn growth? Or does growth attract talent?

Ted Nugent, whose music I really liked when I was in junior high school, said something vile and crazy.

OTB’s comment section as a microcosm of the American political landscape.

The old have most of the money and power in our society, a trend that is accelerating.

What walking around knowledge about our political system is necessary to be an informed citizen?

The takeover of academic IR study by the stats geeks is complete.

David C. Levy argues college professors at teaching universities are overpaid because they don’t put in enough hours.

Cal Thomas made a tasteless joke at Rachel Maddow’s expense. He describes the lesson in civility he learned.

The popular notion that the United States military is monolithically Republican is mistaken.

Andrew Exum notes that most analysts who call for military intervention fail to specify the particulars.

A Selection Of Speaker Gingrich’s Thoughts Over The Years

The Establishment opposition to the current frontrunner has little to do with his policy ideas.

I’ll be liveblogging tonight’s Republican national security debate over at RealClearWorld along with a solid team of foreign policy analyst

George Will’s disdain for Mitt Romney pales in comparison of his disgust at Newt Gingrich.

So, how did we get to the point where a fat, condescending, serial adulterer who left office in disgrace twelve years ago is the latest challenger for the conservative mantle?

Michael Ellsberg argues that “Trying to Learn Clear Writing in College is Like Trying to Learn Sobriety in a Bar.”

It’s the 5% versus the 1% moreso than the 99% against the 1%.

American has real economic and social problems. But the solution in on Capitol Hill, not Wall Street.

It’s time to start being concerned about Europe.

A consultant for would-be academics, says she wouldn’t have a job if professors would do theirs.

House Energy and Commerce Committee “is investigating Planned Parenthood’s federal funding, requesting lots of docs.”

Support for interracial marriage is now almost universal across America.