Below The Beltway

Apparently, there is a new “payola” scandal making its way through the popular music business. Internal memos from several major record labels revealed compensation — whether in the form of outright cash payments to trips and tickets to ball games — from record labels to radio stations and DJs in exchange for promoting the newest […]

Something tells me, though, that if the word “Catholic” in the headline to this story were to be replaced with the name of virtually any other religious or ethnic group, the protests would’ve already started.
I’m not going to call it anti-Catholic bigotry, but some have and I can’t say the conclusion is absurd.
Update: Link to […]

David Broder, who I normally disagree with, has an excellent article in today’s Washington Post about the sad state of history education in America’s schools. Here’s just one indicator:
Charles Smith, the executive director of the NAEP governing board, spelled out what that means. In 2001, the last time the American history test was given, 57 […]

Ann Althouse has found a lot of electronic junk lying around the house.
Am I the only one who can totally relate to this ?

Billboard is out with a list of the “hottest” summer songs.
Conspicuously missing from the list is the best summer song ever written, the definitive version of that song can be found here.

Another Presidential Trivia Puzzle at The Volokh Conspiracy

It looks like the answer to this question may be yes.
Oh well, there’s still the race for the NL Wild Card.

The New York Times has an article about good wines that sell for $ 10 or less a bottle. (registration required to view article)
Conspicuous in its absence is my favorite $ 9.99 wine —- Red Diamond — which excels at both its Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

E-mail is for older people, teens say in survey
E-mail is for grown-ups and U.S. teenagers now prefer instant messaging to communicate with each other online, according to a survey released Wednesday.
Internet users from 12 to 17 years old say e-mail is best for talking to parents or institutions, but they are more likely to […]

According to Stephen Moore in today’s Wall Street Journal, Virginia Governor Mark Warner is emerging as the anti-Hillary candidate in the early fight for the 2008 Democratic nomination.
Those cheering our esteemed Governor on should read this, twice:
When he ran for governor, Mr. Warner pledged repeatedly that he would not raise taxes. When Republicans taunted him […]