A short list of those whose voices might exit public discourse without tears from me (and two surprises I'd like to stick around).

The RNC is going back to its. . . roots?

Among all the encomia to North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms' "strong, principled conservatism," while Republicans across the nation laud his tough leadership and contribution to their cause, let's not forget what the man was.

If you are writing for a quality publication with a history of writing about ideas and keeping things on a higher plane these there are probably lines you would not cross.On the other hand, when you write for the National Review, there simply are no lines, it is all one big vacuous sphere of stupid.Therefore, if you want to talk about the 60's and a Democrat why not toss out the

From the Wake Me When It's Over Dept: Yet another married Republican politician has been outed due to his relationship with a rent boy. Howie has the details, if you care. I'm going to save us all some time and effort and urge you kids to insert your own foot-tapping, Village People, and wet-suit jokes here. Although, I think a word to the Republican party from Conservative apostate John Cole might be in

The difference between the far right wing and the far left wing:  the far right will do anything -- anything -- so long as the ends justifies the means.  The far left folks have ethical boundaries that they try very hard not to cross:  things like attacking other people\'s minor children is bad form, let alone harassing a family that includes a child with severe brain damage from an auto accident.  Those ethical lines?  Non-existent for today\'s wingnut wurlitzer: Conservatives have

Via the New York Post, we learn that the architect of several famous boy bands, Lou Pearlman, has allegedly taken something more than a professional interest in the talent he's, er, mentored, over the years. He's currently in federal custody on other charges related to a ponzi scheme, wherein he scammed more than one thousand investors of more than $315 million.

Remember how the Senate Republicans had threatened that they might hold all sorts of gaudy dirt-dishing ethics hearings designed to shame Larry Craig into bailing so that they could have Idaho's Republican governor pick his replacement? Turns out that, as I'd expected, these aren't exactly a sure thing: Facing untimely resignations, an unpopular war and a troubling 2008 election landscape, Senate Republicans didn't need another headache this week.

I just love watching Barney Frank take Patrick McHenry (R-Hostel for Strapping Young Republican Lads) to school on what is and what is not a parliamentary inquiry. This is a man who enjoys his work on the Speaker's dais entirely too much for his own good. What a wonderful Congressman he is.This is the kind of Friend of Dorothy America needs in our People's House.

The site of Officer Dave Karsnia's takedown of GOP Senator Larry E. Craig (R-ID) is inundated with tourists snapping photos on their cell phones. The restroom in the Lindbergh terminal at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport where Sen. Larry Craig was arrested in June has become a stop for travelers flying through, the Idaho Statesman reports. A Minneapolis couple flying to Guatemala took the opportunity to see the infamous restroom.