• Racism Week started with a bang as George Allen decided there aren’t enough good derogatory terms for brown skinned people and blurted out “Macaca,” in reference to an opponent’s campaign staffer. We spent some time trying to figure out what the fuck that even meant, but as usual it’s Wonkette readers who have the final say.

• They don’t have to invent new racist words in Florida, as congressional candidate Tramm Hudson demonstrates with his “blacks don’t know how to swim” story.
• In the business world, unlike politics, giving an interview where you claim, “Jews, Arabs, and Koreans” rip off black shoppers will actually get you canned.
• Only a few more months of Katherine Harris’s antics are left, so get it while you can.
• Duke Cunningham has fallen far. So far, in fact, that he’s begun taking criminal pointers from The Big Lebowski.
• Even at the top, journalism is about selfless sacrifice in the name of news.
• Local basketball hero Lonny Baxter “practices shooting” in DC, ends up in the slammer.
• Yes, Fidel Castro is still alive, and he’s as fashionable as ever.
• Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad started blogging this week. So far, posts are what you’d expect. “Death to Israel” and “When is Vista really coming out?” kind of stuff.

So Kitty Kelley’s dishy tell-all with Duke Cunningham’s wife in The New Republic is something. First, The New Republic? What, Commentary wasn’t buying? Yeah, when we think gossip, we think “pedantic, robotically contrarian Israel apologists.” Second, Duke Cunningham’s a jackass, but we hesitate before lending too much credence to the machinations of his bitter, somewhat crazy might-soon-be-ex-wife (like a character in a Jane Austen novel, she calls him “Mr. Cunningham”. Also like a character in a Jane Austen novel, she steals bread from restaurants.). Come on, didn’t you see My Super Ex-Girlfriend? Jilted ladies can Start. A. Ruckus.

Yeah, we didn’t see it either.

Still, it’s a pretty funny and fascinating read. Nancy portrays the Duke-stir as an arrogant, homophobic egomaniac, a cross between The Great Santini and Ron Popeil: MORE »

In a New Republic story to be posted later today, Mrs. “Disgraced Former Congressman” Duke Cunningham kicks off the dirty laundy-airing (LITERALLY HAR HAR) and distancing. TPM Muckraker sez: MORE »

• British police arrested 21 people in connection with a plot to smuggle liquid explosives onto airliners traveling between London and the US. Americans may no longer bring liquids or gels onto planes. If traveling, expect delays. [NYT, WP, WP]

• Joe Lieberman’s independent run for reelection may or may not help other Democratic races in the state of Connecticut. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders (in a “rare show of unity”) embraced Ned Lamont. [NYT, [WP]
• “David A. Burtt II, director of the Counterintelligence Field Activity, the Defense Department’s newest intelligence agency whose contracts based on congressional earmarks are under investigation by the Pentagon and federal prosecutors, told his staff yesterday that he and his deputy director will resign at the end of the month.” [WP]
• Condoleezza Rice’s attempts at solving the current Israeli/Lebanese conflict are hindered by her need to please different and warring ideological sides of the Bush administration’s foreign policy team. [NYT]
• A membo by Democratic members of the House Intelligence Committee could cause the Duke Cunningham corruption case to widen further. [LAT]

• Wolf Blitzer closes his eyes, counts to three, and wishes that when he opens them all the dead Palestinians will be gone. [HuffPo]

• Small Pennsylvania town increases illegality of illegal immigrants, sick birds. [AP]
• Sign Katherine Harris’s online get well card! Then feign shock when her robot voice won’t stop calling you for campaign donations. [Elect Harris]
• Capitol Historical Society to host reception for “departing” members of Congress, most honorees to arrive by paddy wagon. [Copley News Service]
• Young America’s Foundation staffed by assholes really into IM. [Campus Progress]
• Soon to be the most compressive source for photos of politicians eating babies in the world! [Flickr]

• Heard on the Hill: Patrick Kennedy’s court-ordered treatment includes mandatory weekly urine tests and AA meetings. He’s also considering writing a book about addiction with his sponsor, Representative Jim Ramstad. [Roll Call]
• Under the Dome: The U.S. Capitol Historical Society is going to honor Duke Cunningham, Tom DeLay, others for “hard work, service, time and the sacrifices made in upholding the office with which they were entrusted.” [The Hill]
• Reliable Source: Fat Joe spoke yesterday to the Campus Progress National Student Conference, called women “bitches and hos.” Also, “intelligent, beautiful.” … Al Gore got an Entertainment Weekly cover. [WP]
• Lowdown: Nancy Reagan, like the nation, is still sad that Ronald’s dead. [NYDN]
• Page Six: “Fashion mogul Perry Wolfman” is hosting a fundraiser at his Fire Island mansion for gay marriage opponents Chuck Schumer and Barbara Boxer. [NYP]

Ken Silverstein, over at Harper’s, has two pieces that, while complex, provide just that note of salaciousness necessary to keep the public (read: our) interest in the ongoing Cunningham/Wilkes/Lewis and William Jefferson cases. Join the exclusive poker party, after the jump.

MORE »

Three notable pieces were published this weekend on the painfully slow-moving hookers ‘n’ Congressmen ‘n’ spooks scandal.

• Newsweek’s Brent Wilkes profile

• Ken Silverstein’s “Nine Fingers” Basset story
• The San Diego Union-Tribune’s poker party report

While they are all rich with color (a Nine Fingers “prank letter” filled with sexually explicit talk was intercepted by the KGB, who then tried to blackmail him), they are also all short on hookers (with Newsweek not mentioning them at all). Closer looks, after the jump.

MORE »

After a terribly exciting coupla days, there was almost nothing today. Seriously, pick up the ball, entire rest of the press. Thank god for Ken Silverstein, our new favorite reporter, who’s just delivered his latest installment — Brant “Nine Fingers” Basset (the noted Dick Tracy villain) is moving into a central role, which we’re happy to hear. We thought he had a lot of potential when we first heard the name, and we’re happy to see him recognize it. MORE »

KEN SILVERSTEIN IS OUR FAVORITE JOURNALIST EVER MORE »

Newsweek: MORE »