This and that

“There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year-old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.” – John Rogers, Kung Fu Monkey

More along that line here.

NOTED. A death in Pakistan.

DEBT CEILINGS AND SPENDING CAPS discussed here. This column once again shows why WV Senator Joe Manchin is wrong on this one and is inviting the Ryan plan in by the back door.

THE POLITICS OF FOOD. Here's Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, taking on charges of foodie elitism.

GOAT ROPE ADVISORY LEVEL: ELEVATED