If you didn’t see South Park last night, my commiserations. Watching a cartoon Mel Gibson in his tighty-whiteys jumping onto his own sado-masochism machine was one of the more sublime sights of the year. Yes, he is clearly bonkers. And yes, Stone and Parker are geniuses.
EMAIL OF THE DAY I: “You DO know why you don’t drive! If people could see you riding your bike on the sidewalk around D.C., they’d know too. You lean over the handlebar with such a menacing look (Get out of the way — or else!) and people almost run out into the street — just so loved ones will think they were killed by a crazy motorist rather than by a crazed cyclist. I, myself, have rushed out of your path but luck has been with me. You seem to be a fine — also brilliant — fellow. I love your blog. So this thing about not driving is another of your gifts to the world. Otherwise you’d be fine and brilliant and a MASS KILLER.” Busted. More feedback on the Letters Page.
ANOTHER BAD ARGUMENT: Against civil marriage rights for gay couples. Noam Scheiber crunches the numbers on social security survivor benefits.
EMAIL OF THE DAY II: “Great response to Shelby Steele. A related historical note: in the mid 19th century, one of the leading arguments of the abolitionists was that slavery was immoral because it denied the freedom to marry. Indeed, marriage was seen as such a fundamental human right that the denial of marriage to the slaves inspired the highest moral outrage. During Reconstruction, one of the primary missions of the federal agency charged with aiding newly freed slaves was to encourage them to marry. Marriage was seen as the quintessential way to take up the rights and responsibilities of a free citizen. Nancy Cott, in her book “Public Vows,” provides some fascinating insight into the history of marriage as an American institution.”
The Dish 