Nate Silver dismisses the partisan split:
…partisan identification is at least somewhat fluid. The Republicans, in particular, have lost quite a bit of support over the past several years; those persons who continue to identify as Republicans are a hardened — and very conservative — lot. Just 24 percent of voters identified as Republican when Pew conducted this survey in March, which is roughly as low as that total has ever gotten.
It's now very clear just what happened in Pittsburgh when Mark Poplawski killed three policemen. He was acting out of far right conspiracy theories, and was armed with an AK-47:
On March 13, according to the site, Mr. Poplawski wrote a lengthy post predicting economic collapse, engineered by a Jewish conspiracy. "The federal government, mainstream media, and banking system in these United States are strongly under the influence of — if not completely controlled by — Zionist interest," the post declares. "An economic collapse of the financial system is inevitable, bringing with it some degree of civil unrest if not outright balkanization of the continental US, civil/revolutionary/racial war . . . This collapse is likely engineered by the elite Jewish powers that be in order to make for a power and asset grab."
The only person responsible for these murders is Poplawski. But it's a reminder that whipping up paranoia can lead to unintended consequences, especially as gun sales go through the roof in the wake of Obama's election. When someone like Michele Bachmann talks about the Obama administration forcing people into re-education camps, or forcing a global currency on the US, and other insanities, she needs to know the tinder box she is busy throwing matches into.
Justin Fox 
A reader writes:
What recession? My wife and I, both in our mid-30's, are doing better financially than ever before.
Three years ago we lived a comfortable "yuppie" life in DC in a neighborhood we loved (Logan Circle area). I work in communications/media, my wife in NGO work. We owned a souped up Honda we only drove on the weekends for fun; an expensive gym membership at Sports Club LA in DC; and we both had frequent international travel for work and ample money for eating out.
We rented, despite the constant drumbeat from friends and family who said renting was "throwing away" money. All the places we liked in DC to buy were too expensive at the time. I did not bother with 401K, as I was unconvinced it was such a great deal everyone was making it out to be. We lived good, but also kept stashing away money in savings account. Three years ago I wiggled my way into being re-located by my company to the largest city in Latin America to open an office. Wife and I jumped at the chance, even though it was a huge risk personally and professionally. My company sent me with little resources, so by necessity, I set up a very cost effective operation. I had no other choice.
Three years later, and my wife and I are still based in same city abroad and are doing better financially than any other time in our lives. We have zero credit card debt. I have job security, because the cost effective operation I set up here is now the "model" my company is using for other international offices as they look to ways to cut costs, as most companies now days. Meanwhile, my two cousins back in the USA who were urging me to buy a home for so many years, have foreclosed on their homes. One declared bankruptcy. All my friends over the years who said I was stupid and throwing money away by not taking part in any 401k plans, have seen their 401k's value crash.
A lot of our situation has been luck, and a little bit skill. I do feel for everyone back in the USA that are suffering now. I do not know what to make of our case. It is what it is. I do not take it for granted. But 40 years from now, when we are sitting around with friends who talk about how bad things were back in 2008 and 2009, we won't have much to add to the conversation. So far.
Simon Johnson addresses the specter of inflation:
…we don’t accept the premise that the Fed’s actions today cannot cause inflation quite soon…Excessive inflation is a typical outcome in oligarchic situations when a weak (or pliant) government is unable to force the most powerful to take their losses – high inflation is, in many ways, an inefficient and regressive tax but it’s also often a transfer from poor to rich.
The second installment of the ICRC report on ghost detainees in the Bush-Cheney "dark side" will be published tonight. Stay tuned.
Ilan Goldenberg chastises Politico:
Politico has a headline about a Rasmussen poll that shows that 57% of voters back a military response to North Korea. I wonder if the answer would have been a little bit different if the question had been asked like this: "Do you support getting entangled in a potential third land war in Asia that would likely dwarf Afghanistan or Iraq?" Somehow I don't think 57% of voters would have supported that option.
FP piles on.
Look what the cat dragged in:
Scott Horton covers the man who was almost head of the CIA:
Brennan is a protege of former CIA director George Tenet and although he expressed some reservations about waterboarding, he was a defender of other Tenet-era torture programs. Now ensconced as a senior counterterrorism advisor, he has become the principle advocate of the “don’t look back” mantra with respect to the misdeeds of the Bush years. And in this, Brennan’s principal concern is the protection of Brennan and Tenet–but in the process he has emerged as Dick Cheney’s clear champion.
A reader writes:
In regards to the conversation you have been having about the laws regarding marijuana, I have something to say. I’m a soldier and a two time veteran of the Iraq war, now I’m currently a reservist. Once a month, after drill is done, I pack a bowl and go to town. To all those who say pot is an evil drug, put that in your pipe and… well, smoke it.
Another writes:
I'm a children's author. Much of my professional time (and income) comes from visiting schools and giving presentations.
I'm not much of a pot smoker but I'll happily take a puff of a joint if it's passed around a party. But now we're in a post-Phelp universe: some joker takes a photo of me taking a hit and puts it on the web ("Newbury Medalist smoking up") and I'll never be invited to a grammar school again. I never faced paranoia as a side effect of marijuana, but when a joint comes out at a party now, I take a good look around.
Meanwhile, of course, I've lost count of the number of times I've been photographed with a drink in my hand – usually at a book gathering where everyone, including the publishing executives who would cut me loose the moment my reputation got smoky, is getting sloshed.
Another:
I am a public school teacher who recreationally and responsibily smokes pot. I once remarked to another teacher friend of mine, whilst passing him the bong, how I found it interesting that in all my years of teaching I’d never been drug tested. His response, “if they drug tested all the teachers, there wouldn’t be enough people left to fill the schools!”
Another:
My wife and I live in an upper middle class suburb of New York City. I'm a writer, and work in marketing, my wife works with the developmentally disabled and teaches school. We have two cars, a mortgage, a 401k, pay our taxes, volunteer at our daughter's school and in the community. We celebrate Christmas, Halloween and Easter. We fly an American flag from our porch.
We both smoke pot occasionally, about as much as we drink wine. It's easy to buy. We go in on purchases with other friends, who are also professionals. Practically everyone I know either smokes pot or doesn't care if others do. Possession of small amounts of pot has thankfully been decriminalized in New York state, but owning a pipe or bong will get you a year in jail and a fine, and growing a small amount of pot is a felony. So we're careful when we smoke. I'm confident the laws will gradually change, but resent hiding my usage. Pot smokers coming out is the smartest weapon I've seen in the legalization battle.
The Dish 