Among the many things to be thankful for last week we counted a Thanksgiving Eve column by Lloyd Grove, and its coverage of an appearance by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. During an interview held by Norm Pearlstine, Scalia mocked schoolchildren (Whining “The Constitution is a living document” while rolling his eyes), taunted media elites (”You can dish it out, but you can’t take it.”) and defended the court’s decision to hear Bush v. Gore using what Al Kamen today called the “appearance-of-ridiculousness standard”:

What did you expect us to do? Turn the case down because it wasn’t important enough? Or give the Florida Supreme Court another couple of weeks in which the United States could look ridiculous?

Sure, why let Florida have all the fun? MORE »

You know what makes total sense? If, as the subject of an investigation into smearing administration critics, you go out and smear the investigator. Because that doesn’t make you seem like a vindictive little fuck or anything. And yet the Daily News reports that the White House has launched a “not-so-subtle campaign” against leak investigation special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald: “He’s a vile, detestable, moralistic person with no heart and no conscience who believes he’s been tapped by God to do very important things.” Of course they’re right. He acts like he wants to democratize the Middle East or something. MORE »

The New York Daily News is reporting that people who can afford door-to-door car service were given advance warning not to ride the subway last week. (Meanwhile, the Post has scooped that all Jews were mysteriously told to stay home from work today… Developing.) MORE »

Yesterday, Radar “reported” and today the NY Daily News picks up the cotton-candy strands of a rumor involving Karl Rove and a “comely lobbyist.” We’re unfamiliar with this whole “journalism” thing, but if this is how it’s done, we’re lowering our standards immediately.
Apparently, the two are “close friends” and she “often appears at Rove’s side at parties.” Also, he got her a cushy gig somewhere. Clearly, they’re fucking. And, wait, couldn’t you also observe that Rove is “close friends” with Bush? And often appears at his side at parties? Oh, and talk about getting someone a cushy gig! By these criteria, not only is Bush having an affair with Rove, but Washington is basically one big messy wet fragrant orgy. We’re never leaving the house again. MORE »