I used to think that the most ridiculous, least defensible institution in Our Democracy is the Electoral College, which is antiquated, confusing, and anti-democratic. But I’ve come around to the idea that the Senate is a damn sight worse. Richard Posner (whom I rarely agree with) has a good basic rundown of the reasons why the so-called World’s Greatest Deliberative Body, in a word, sucks.

Al Franken officially earned his seat in the U.S. Senate last week, winning by slightly over 300 votes out of 2.9 million cast in Minnesota. Franken’s campaign hinged on a dedication to healthcare reform, and with 60 Senate seats now belonging to Democrats, the time seems ripe to make that happen.

The IG Report says that Yoo’s OLC opinion authorizing the warrantless wiretap program doesn’t account for the 15-day exemption period in FISA that reflects Congressional intent to have FISA apply even in times of war. What the IG Report doesn’t say–but is clear from the timeline–is that the Bush Administration used that 15-day period!

In his weekly radio address, the President provided a broad defense of several domestic policies and addressed the criticisms this week that his economic stimulus was not working, or working fast/well enough.

“After the November 2004 Presidential election I was deeply disturbed that America had put the Bush Administration back in office. I began to feel a call to enter the public debate on spirituality and morals more explicitly as a Preacher of Liberal Religion.”

Marcy Wheeler

Marcy Wheeler is on KTLK at 7pm ET talking with Johnny Wendell about CIA/Panetta/Bush and surveillance. I’m sure she’ll do some trash talking before it’s all over, too.

Livestream here.

Ryan Grim’s new book, This Is Your Country on Drugs: The Secret History of Getting High in America, is a smart and sophisticated telling of the complex interaction between two opposed forces: Americans trying to alter their moods and mental states with chemicals and Americans trying to stop them.

It is a book that tries, and largely succeeds, in making sense of the apparently senseless mix of prohibition, regulation, and permissiveness

There will be savings in a public option, but they won’t come at the expense of providers.

Not only was Ceci Connolly slotted to “host” the Pay2Play dinner, but she was also asked for contact info for invitees.

Let’s show the 8 Members of Congress who have taken the pledge that we support them, that we are there for them, and that we will remember that they took a courageous stand to insist that health care for all Americans should be a basic human right.

Please give $8 for 8 to Health Care Heroes.