Honestly, after the last decade, I would be happy never to hear the risible rantings of Gaffney again, but I include him here, in what has become our weekly review of pachyderm poo, because it is, I think, instructive to recall the level of thinking (for lack of a better word) that went into formulating Republican policy during the Bush years, and still backstops the GOP today.

So, Republicans, how’s that whole minority-outreach, big-tent-party thing coming along, then? I’m sure this will be a big help.

I thought we fired you.

Tim Geithner is now instructing publicly traded companies to hide data about their financial health.

Gawker has a really bitchy piece of tripe up castigating Caroline Kennedy for expressing some interest in becoming Ambassador to the Vatican. Has she somehow forfeited all right to some kind of public role in the service of her country? I think not. Ms. Kennedy? You go girl!

Reuters reports this afternoon: “President Barack Obama said on Friday the recession-hit U.S. economy was showing ‘glimmers of hope’ despite remaining under strain and promised further steps in coming weeks to tackle the financial crisis…”

Sarah Posner isn’t impressed with Lisa Miller’s claim that Obama is working to create a “ceasefire in the culture war,” but sees him pandering to religious centrists and refusing to stand up for a righteous cause. My only question is “why is anyone surprised by this?”

Yesterday, there was inaccurate reporting on Congressional review of laws passed by the DC Council. (Even Ezra Klein got it wrong, which is rare!) It’s an easily misunderstood process and very few people have a full understanding of it. I’ve attempted to simplify the process and apply it to the circumstances which prompted the inaccurate reporting.

Chrysler’s creditors are making fantastic claims about what they can get for Chrysler in bankruptcy. I wonder if that’s a tell about how much they’ve gambled on Chrysler’s failure?

Perry then promptly led those assembled in a rousing rendition of “Dixie.”