Today’s edition of quick hits.<\/p>\n
* That ridiculous O.J. Simpson project we’ve all been hearing about? It’s been scrapped<\/a>. As the AP reported, News Corp. says it has canceled publication of the book and television special “If I Did It.” Rupert Murdoch reportedly decided that the project was “ill-considered.”<\/p>\n * The Bush gang intervened to make sure that outgoing Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) not become the next chairman of the Republican National Committee, but don’t worry, they have big plans<\/a> in mind for the failed Senate candidate. According to Bob Novak, the Bush gang is urging Steele to forgo a job in government and instead try broadcasting. “Bush political strategists have told Steele a high-ranking post in the administration’s last two years would curb his independence and cramp his style. Instead, they advised, he could be ‘a black Rush Limbaugh.'”<\/p>\n * I’m not sure why, but people sure are having a tough time coming to terms with Tom Schaller’s thesis<\/a> about Democrats and the South.<\/p>\n * It’s a few days old, but this take<\/a> from CBS’s Dick Meyer on House Republican “weirdos” was highly entertaining. Unfortunately, as always seems to be the case, Meyer refrained from telling the public about the problem until after the damage had already been done.<\/p>\n * Bye-bye to Bush’s warrantless eavesdropping program? Perhaps<\/a>. At a minimum, the administration is going to have to answer a few pesky questions from a co-equal branch of government.<\/p>\n * The Bush administration prefers the phrase “low food security” to “hunger.” Seriously<\/a>.<\/p>\n * A few House races remain unresolved<\/a>. As soon as they’re decided, we’ll know who won the Carpetbagger predictions contest<\/a>. * I was very sorry to hear that some leading conservatives are prepared to throw my adopted home state out of the Union<\/a> altogether.<\/p>\n * Fox News’ ratings continue to slide. Badly<\/a>.<\/p>\n * Speaking of Fox News, I know Bill O’Reilly’s audience tends to be much older than the average talk show, but this<\/a> is just silly. You can almost hear him saying, “Kids these days with their new-fangled machines….” Seriously, when someone starts lashing out at iPods as contributing to a “staggeringly negative effect” on the country, they’ve reached Official Crank status.<\/p>\n * Tom Noe, sentenced to 18 years<\/a> behind bars.<\/p>\n * No Child Left Behind is still leaving plenty of children behind<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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\n* Congrats to the Houston janitors, who seem to have scored a big win<\/a> today.<\/p>\n