Two stories today on Senate discussions about health care reform suggest that the Senate may not yet be focused on defining the essential components of a public health plan option. They need to publically define the goals, so we can hold them accountable.

While I don’t think it’s the sole fault of the Bushies, but CPB has become overly cautious about pissing off those in power. I was an infrequent guest on a PBS show a couple of years ago, until a rather oily old conservative bird who didn’t much like me called and threatened to have their funding cut if they had me on again, and that was the end of that. It has resulted in a commitment to “he said-she said” journalism that is insufficiently firewalled from political pressure and reinforces many of the problems of traditional media.

The rule of law needs your calls this morning. Brian Buetler reports that Dawn Johnsen has finally moved to DC, which is a very good signal that something’s cooking. She’s not the sort to uproot her family precipitously based on what I know about her, so I’m taking it as a very good sign. What would be better? Leadership signals and some real action.

Smell fishy to you?

For Richard Cohen, it’s always something.

President Obama took the “O” out oh Høpe. It’s time for us to put it back.

Governor Sanford goes walkabout . . . again, it seems.

Seventy-seven Members of Congress, writing to President Barack Obama, have asked that he direct the Defense Department to stop implementation and execution of orders under Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell while Congress begins efforts to actually repeal the law underlying the policy. The Palm Center agrees that the President has this power and can move unilaterally.

The CIA appears to have gotten its upper limit for sleep deprivation from the number any human had been recorded to stay awake.

Based on a true story, The Stoning of Soraya M. paints with horrifying clarity how women are disposable chattel in certain societies. Soraya’s husband wishes to divorce to her, she refuses, so he and the local mullah hatch a plot to accuse her of adultery. In the aftermath of the accusation, Soraya’s brutal murder by stoning, and the conspiracy surrounding it, the truth is revealed.

It is painfully coincidental to be discussing this moving feature within days of the shooting of Neda in Tehran, a young woman who was watching demonstrations next her father when a Basiji militiaman shot her through the heart.