Category: The Daily Wrap

Today on the Dish we rounded up reaction to Britain's historic election and likely hung parliament. Cameron courted Clegg, voters were clear on Cameron's mandate, Patrick Dunleavy looked ahead, Simon Tisdall scrutinized coalitions, and Hertzberg backed proportional representation. Drunk-voting update here.

Analysis of the new jobs report here, here, and here. Coverage of the Greek crisis here, Iraq updates here and here, and a dispatch from the Gitmo trial here.  Palin take-downs here, here, and here.

In assorted coverage, Steve Chapman made the case against surveillance cameras, Steinglass circled back to death panels, Nick Carr commented on the Internet's timesuck, Beth Fulton showed us the mania of television, and Orr reviewed Iron Man 2.  Von and more readers sounded off on the puppycide video, more still on the race/intelligence debate, and another contributed to the Cannabis Closet. A dog beatboxed for us, hipsters threw water-filled condoms at each other, and we watched a hathos-filled sword slaughter.

Andrew was on Colbert last night if you missed it. Readers berated his beard choice. But his beagle loves him regardless.

(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Thursday on the Dish, Massie provided a reading guide to Election Day, Nate Silver sketched out scenarios, Cameron sounded confident, and Andrew made a final push for the Tories. We tracked the exit polling here, here, here, here, here, and here. First results here and the latest here.

The Lib-Dems looked in trouble, a Lib-Lab coalition seemed doubtful, Julian Glover figured Brown was toast, Cameron and Brown kept their seats, James Forsyth sized up the spin, Bagehot assessed the high turnout, and Nick Robinson griped about all the problems at the polls. Henry Farrell worried about a Tory collapse, Tunku Varadarajan blundered, a reader sent a view from Ireland, Paul Mitchell glanced at hung parliaments around Europe, and Andrew wondered about the uncertain outcome.

Drunk-voting coverage here, here, and here. More antics here.

Wednesday on the Dish we rounded up commentary on the eve of the election. The Tories continued to surge, Johann Hari harangued Cameron, the WSJ illustrated Labour's big-government record, Chris Bertram endorsed the party out of class sympathy,  Larison distinguished the British left from the American left, Bernstein kept up talk over electoral reform, and Chris Brooke prepped us for a hung parliament.

In terror talk, Goldblog sized up the perception of the Times Square bomber, Andrew marveled at the madness of McCain and Lieberman, David Brooks gave props to the president's poise, and Steve Coll talked sense. We also learned that a Muslim immigrant had alerted authorities about the bomb.

Palin antics here. More scrutiny of the Arizona law revisions here and here. Even the Phoenix Suns sounded off. DC passed a medical marijuana bill. A horrific video from the drug war here. A forerunner of reparative therapy unloaded some gay baggage. Anna Lappé countered Robert Paarlberg on organic farming in Africa, Tom Laskawy tore into superweeds, and readers contributed to the race debate.

A letter from Nashville here. Epistemic closure watch here. Hewitt award here and creepy ad here. Bear-blogging here and here. Conan expletives here, tea with Tyson here, and kick-ass couch forts here.

Rancho Santa Margarita, California, 9.11 am

Tuesday on the Dish we compiled the day's commentary on the looming British election. Labour made their final ad pitch, one of their MP candidates knocked Brown, Nate Silver looked at the Tories' nightmare scenario, Michael White taught us a thing about hung parliaments, reader input here, and Wife In The North grew tired of the race. Also, a poor bloke got locked up for merely speaking his mind.

Times Square terrorism updates here and here. McCain sunk even lower, Thiessen itched to torture the bomber suspect, and John Bolton got trigger happy with Iran again. The torture trial in Britain moved forward, the Iraqi government continued to teeter, and a gay soldier wrote to the president. Oil spill coverage here, here, and here. Andrew broached the morality of fossil fuels while Cheney popped over to see his pal, King Abdullah. We also highlighted the other big disaster happening down south.

In immigration coverage, Gerson chastised conservative pundits who rallied around the Arizona law, bloggers critiqued the new revisions, and Max Fisher compared the immigration concerns of Brits and Americans. Thoreau and Dish readers tackled the new Bell Curve controversy, Jon Rauch examined how "family values" play out in red vs. blue states, Robert Paarlberg dismissed organic farming as a solution in Africa, and Andrew thought Beyond the Valley of the Dolls was super gay. Malkin award here. Cool ad here and creepy one here.

Monday on the Dish we compiled extensive commentary from the fourth-to-last day of the British election. Latest electoral projections here. Cameron considered full equality for gays, the Corner chimed in on Cameron, and some British Muslims supported the Tories. Niall Ferguson assessed the UK's finances.

Times Square bomb commentary here, here, and here. We also rounded up perspectives on the politics of the oil spill. Andrew chewed over Mearsheimer's latest take on Israel/Palestine (and addressed Goldblog's take), checked in on the Vatican sex scandal, and compared the GOP's anti-gay posture to its attitude toward Latinos. Reader reaction to Mearsheimer here. More Palin lies here.

Bill Maher stood up for South Park and free speech, TNC challenged Frum over profiling, and a Harvard Law student resurrected the Bell Curve debates. Yglesias award here, Malkin here, and more ugly rhetoric here. Creepy ad here.

— C.B.

Today on the Dish, things continued to look grim for Labour, Andrew diagnosed the deep disconnect with their base, Cameron tried to seal the deal with a social contract, Tories took a stand on Afghanistan, Johann Hari compared Cameron to Bush, the Guardian endorsed Clegg, a reader took Andrew to task for his partisanship, Nate Silver sketched out the Lib-Dem dilemma, and Clegg had a bit of a laugh. Comprehensive election round-up here.

In immigration coverage, Andrew touted the gay provision in Reid’s proposal, Butters cautioned against swift border security, a congressman got ugly, Frum defended Arizona’s law, Fallows compared it to France, Chapman looked into its enforcement, McArdle and Welch sounded off, others bashed the idea of a border wall, and Schaller followed up on demographics.

Oil spill coverage here and here. Get your Palin fix here and here. Andrew hailed progress on the auto industry while Megan begged to differ. MSM bashing here and here. In other assorted coverage, Max Fisher surveyed the reaction to letting women serve on subs, Barlett said the VAT is ten years away, Louise Levathes looked at some cool new technology, Jonah Weiner praised South Park, A.C. Grayling and a reader philosophized on brains, and another pointed to a history of sensory deprivation.

Caption fun here, Gaga in the military here, and our daily profanity here.

Thursday on the Dish, Andrew live-blogged the last election debate. Both he and the viewers gave it to Cameron. Reax here. We also rounded up the fallout over Bigot-gate, Cameron sniped Brown, a reader took a shot at Gillian Duffy, another dissented over Andrew’s take on US vs British immigration, the Economist editorialized against Lib-Dem, and Andrew took a long look to the post-election environment. More Scottish profanity here and here.

In immigration coverage, Cowen combed through the Democrats’ new reform plan, Bill Clinton made the case that immigrants will cut the deficit, Duncan Hunter got pwned for wanting to deport American kids, Shikha Dalmia called out right-wing hypocrisy over capitalism, and readers responded to the immigration debate at length. Another agreed with Andrew about the Tea Party’s cultural crux, William Frey illustrated its demographic loss to young immigrants, and Andrew mulled over that struggle. Friedersdorf put forth his immigration plan, Leviticus came to the illegals’ defense, and Limbaugh pulled a Hewitt. You should vote for this kid if you can.

“Will she or won’t she run?” continued here, here, and here. Meanwhile, reporters continued to chicken out.

In other coverage, Ackerman relayed news that a Gitmo torturer may testify, the defendant neglected to show, Larison and Reihan assessed the Crist apostasy, Hank Cardello put forth a plan to cut America’s fat, and Edward Tenner delved into the dead chimp studies. Our South Park bleg didn’t get any major revelations, computer geeks gushed about their first loves, the Dish stalked Goldblog in the woods, and anti-fart blankets tried to save your marriage. This window and this MHB were particularly lovely.

Monkton, Vermont, 9.30 am

Wednesday on the Dish we homed in on Gordon Brown’s historic gaffe. Video here. The media jumped into action, Labour officials spun, the old widow reacted in shock, Alastair Campbell sounded off, his fictional doppelganger raged, Andrew Rawnsley saw a long pattern in Brown’s behavior, and the polls continued to look bad for his party. A big round-up of commentary here.

In immigration coverage, the Mexican ambassador warned his citizens to avoid Arizona, Sarah Palin spread a pernicious lie about the law, a congressional candidate called for implanting chips, Byron York didn’t see the problem with ID checks, Reynolds pandered and waffled, Andrew called out the hypocrisy of the tea-partiers, and Kos foresaw a huge backlash against the GOP among Hispanics in the state. And we rounded up commentary on the right.

As the stability of Iraq continued to slip, Bernstein worried about the media coverage and Musings On Iraq examined the country’s crime problem. Daniel Altman checked in on Haiti and Ezra Klein did so on HCR. Financial reform coverage here and here. In assorted coverage, Scott Morgan suggested revisions to DC’s pot law, Dreher talked epistemology, and Bartlett took stock of conservative dissenters.

Fly old guy here, crazy ballin’ here, naked-ish models here, preview of summer blockbusters here, and creepy ad here.

Tuesday on the Dish we rounded up commentary on the British election, Cameron reclaimed the online mantle from Clegg, and Massie and Silver nerded out to proportional representation. Economic indicators here and its political spin here. Media antics here, Twitter gaffe here, and a dose of pop culture here.

In Palin watch, DiA countered Josh Green over her presidential chances, Josh pushed back, and the Dish tallied yet another odd lie (though the perjury rumor was likely false). In immigration coverage, James Doty called the law unconstitutional, Kevin Johnson came up with a simpler solution, and an Arizonan posed an even simpler solution. Readers dissented over Andrew’s take on racism, Tim Wise backed his view, and a tea-partier flipped his shit.

In random commentary, Yglesias worried about the pace of financial reform, Gideon Rachman drew comparisons between the Northern Irish and Israeli peace processes, Steven Berlin Johnson spelled out the power of Twitter, TNC begged to differ with Henry Louis Gates over racial blame, John Gray targeted atheism, Drum didn’t, and Andrew tackled the “right-wing media-industrial complex.” State of conservatism round-up here.

Adoption discussion here, creepy ad here, and mesmerizing art exhibit here. A reader passed along the Muhammed episode from Chinese YouTube and another shared an emotional story of letting her dog go.

Forward Operating Base Todd, Murghab District, Badghis Province, Afghanistan, 12 pm

Monday on the Dish, Andrew assessed the sustained surge of Nick Clegg, polling continued to look precarious for Labour, Cameron played up civil liberties, the gay vote swung to the Lib-Dems, Massie considered a Lib-Tory deal, Martin Ivens impressed Andrew with his analysis, and a reader explored the need for electoral reform. Round-up of commentary here.

Andrew took a long look at a profile of Palin and her newfound fortune. Reader response here and here. Andrew also checked in on the difficult situation in Iraq. On the immigration front in Arizona, Fallows contrasted the situation with China’s and we put together a comprehensive look.

In other commentary, Reihan was pessimistic on the economy, Chait tried to understand the GOP on financial reform, Drum did the same, Daniel Engber criticized the military over its approach to fat, Farhad Manjoo sized up Facebook’s plan for WWW domination, and Dan Ariely explored the roots of hypocrisy. Frum interjected in the Manzi-Levin spat, Manzi shot back at McCarthy, and Ambinder picked apart Gingrich.

Andrew mused about the spiritual component of playing and shared some footage of his beagles and husband at play. The Simpsons stood with South Park, Thoreau struggled with his caffeine addiction, and R.L.G. at Democracy In America did the same with polling on Israel. Yglesias award here and cool ad here.

— C.B.

Today on the Dish we watched Viacom continue to scrub away any semblance of Muhammed from South Park. Bloggers rallied around Matt and Trey here, here, here, and here. A reader dissented.

In response to Brooks' column, Andrew composed a thorough defense of conservatism and Obama. Reader feedback here. Johann Hari assessed the latest British debate, Charles Moore relayed Clegg's success, Christopher Montgomery sized up Cameron's central mistake, and Jonathan Freedland saw Brown fall by the wayside. Comprehensive round-up of commentary here.

Sarah Palin lied again, Ambinder reported the latest on DADT, and Freddie Deboer and Jonathan Bernstein sounded off on the Levin-Manzi spat. More discussion on DC statehood here and here, and clone discussion here and here.

Thursday on the Dish, Andrew live-blogged the second debate of the British election. Reax here. Insta-polling here and pre-debate primer here. Prior to the debate, the Tory tabloids trashed Clegg, Twitter rallied around Nick, Lord Mandelson sucked up to him, and Andrew assessed it all. Overall update here.

Andrew cheered on South Park and gave the finger to Viacom over the Muhammad episodes. Matt and Trey clarified the situation.

Matt Steinglass, Daniel Indiviglio, Ezra Klein, and Jon Chait covered financial reform. The Dish started a debate over DC statehood, a reader sounded off on athlete brains, another dissented over Andrew's dissing of Texas, and our clone discussion continued. A Philly politician outed a candidate as straight, Levin called Manzi as zealot, Douthat wanted to laugh it off, and Kottke highlighted a fascinating profile of human endurance. A cool ad here and a final batch of remixes here.

Delorean – Stay Close (HD) from Weird Days on Vimeo.

Wednesday on the Dish we took a comprehensive look at the British election. The Lib-Dems continued to surge, Cameron's message continued to flounder, the Tories threw some red meat to their base, and Nile Gardiner conveyed Clegg's critical views of Israel. Carnival-like antics here, here, and here.

Julian Sanchez chastised the White House over the Kagan rumors while Andrew addressed the growing campaign against the sexuality of Butters Lindsey Graham. Andrew also called out Mitch McConnell's big lie over financial reform. China followed the US in ending its HIV travel ban. Volcano updates here and here. 

Sullivan kept on Palin, a reader got his back, Anne Kornblut revealed new info involving Trig, and Allahpundit was still high on the idea of Sarah backing pot.

In assorted coverage, Derek Thompson studied the numbers on unemployment insurance and part-time employment, Aaron David Miller deemed the dreams of an American brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace a dogma, TNC turned his attention to the tea-partiers and race, Howard French examined Chinese imperialism in Africa, Carl Zimmer poked at the brains of athletes, and Bryan Caplan prayed for a clone.

Epistemic closure updates from Manzi and Larison. More on women in the workplace here. John Meroney featured fascinating new footage of James Dean and The Gipper, Chris Orr commented, and Gawker dug into Mickey's past. Awesomely-bad book covers here and cool ad here.

Pont-à-Mousson, France, 3.57 pm

Tuesday on the Dish, the president got heckled for the delay on DADT. Over in the UK, polling continued to plague the Tories and we continued to shine a spotlight on Clegg here, here, and here. Andrew elucidated more on class warfare and Douthat worried about the implications of the election on the American right. In Vatican watch, a whistleblower priest recanted and sex scandals continued to spread across the globe.

In various other coverage, David Freed profiled the guy wrongly pegged as the anthrax killer, Drezner doubted Obama's soft power, Laura Rozen examined the Gates memo on Iran, Ambinder figured subsidies might stem obesity, Manzi took on K-thug over climate change, Jeffrey Rosen and Barry Friedman pointed out the true activist judges, Eric Barker studied virgins, Andrew checked in on the success of the surge, and readers revolted over his post on Epicurus.

Islamists had a hissy fit over South Park (not) showing Muhammed, and a reader followed up. Info on the Eyjafjallajökull's economic impact here and here. Hot lava action here. Big Palin update here and a dose of David Foster Wallace here. Readers sent in a flurry of rap and rock remixes, a diver romped with an octopus, and an ibex scratched his butt.

In honor of 4/20, Reason made the case for legalization, a working mom came out of the cannabis closet, Marie Myung-Ok Lee talked about treating her autistic son, Lebowski tried to get his carpet back using a paper clip, and we played a classic toker song. Also, I thought this window resembled some nugs.

Monday on the Dish, Andrew continued to seize upon new improprieties within the Catholic hierarchy. He also turned the klieg lights on John Paul II and featured a scene from Benedict's visit to Malta. Commentary from Hertzberg and Savage.

In election coverage, polls put Labour in third, Clegg continued to glow in the media, and an eccentric candidate challenged Cameron. Dominic Lawson explained the class factor, we heard from a disgruntled Tory, and a reader in Scotland dissented.

While the world liked us more and more, Americans hated on Americans. Eyjafjallajökull coverage here. Get your Palin fix here, here, and here. Greenwald and Balko tag-teamed the administration over whistle blowers, Ryan Avent concentrated on financial reform, and Drum pushed back against Andrew's swipe at "well-meaning liberals." And we spotlighted a depressing story of gay persecution.

In assorted commentary, Juan Cole talked terrorist HR, Adam Serwer pushed for inmate suffrage, Scott Adams sized up sex addiction, and Alex Tabarrok illustrated how freakishly fat we've become. The latest Dish coverage of circumcision here. Malkin award here, Hewitt here, and Moore here. Cool ad here and cool face here.

— C.B.

Today on the Dish, Andrew voiced measured praise for the president’s new policy on hospital visitation. A reader dissented. Sullivan also elucidated his view on the Tea Party movement. The day after the first debate, Nick Clegg surged into the spotlighted and Massie put Cameron in third place. NPR updated us on priest sexuality.

Musings On Iraq kept tabs on the violence there, Yglesias added his perspective to Ambinder’s obesity piece, and we checked in on the situation of Icelandic strippers. Continetti offered some good advice to the GOP, a reader piled on Thiessen, and the Dish capped off the discussion on “epistemic closure” among conservatives. TNC continued his slavery thread.

A reader illuminated a long history of Jesus phallus in art, another sent in another rock remix, and a homeschool mom shared her relationship with pot. Beard blogging here. Yglesias award here, Malkin here, and Hewitt here. Hathos here and creepy ad here. And this kid is so effing awesome.

Nantucket, Massachusetts, 1 pm

Thursday on the Dish we were all over the first debate of the British election. Andrew live-blogged the event and summed up his reaction. Reax here and here. We also highlighted the Tories’ approach to marriage.

Bloggers discussed the intellectual state of conservatism (we spotted another depressing sign) and Friedersdorf went another round with Thiessen. Andrew reasserted his fear of a Palin nomination while Brooks and Dickerson wanted everyone to focus their attention elsewhere. A Christian singer came out.

In other coverage, Niraj Chokshi told us about people are killing their TVs, McWhorter talked cussing, and Milbank got pareened. More women confessed their love of weed and Bolivia took it up a notch. Ta-Nehisi examined the horrors of slavery.

Beard blogging here. Crowdsourced art here, speed art here, and phallic Jesus art here. Urinating dildos here and porn for the blind here. Hewitt nod here, FNC hijinks here, and a frightening face of the day here. Also, we explained how we’re trying to improve the Dish a bit.

Wednesday on the Dish, Hitchens kept up his campaign to arrest Benedict, theocon Mark Stricherz turned on the pontiff, and Austen Ivereigh discussed pedophilia and homosexuality. In election coverage, we checked in on the polls, Renard Sexton accused Cameron of failing to unite the Tories, and Wife In The North vouched for Cameron and Brown to discuss their deceased kids.

Ambinder’s Atlantic cover story addressed American obesity. Ezra chimed in. Ambers also updated us on detainee policy. Torture defender Steve Kappes quit the CIA, Friedersdorf fisked Thiessen’s response to Jane Mayer, and Jonathan Bernstein preferred to pardon Bush. Andrew highlighted the disconnect between Congress and Jewish-Americans on Israel.

In other coverage, Brian Doherty profiled the pot capital of the US, Evgeny Morozov and Clay Shirky talked Twitter and Iran, Nick Baumann and Freddie DeBoer discussed Colbert’s WikiLeak interview, and Janelle Weaver reported on kids who can’t see race. Joe Carter complained of a bias towards covering white, politicized evangelicals.

Gabe and Max taught you a little something about filing taxes. More gendered cannabis commentary here and canine coverage here. RNC hathos here and Yglesias nod here. Another rock remix here, a cool app here, and kick-ass kangaroos here.

Tuesday on the Dish, Jason Berry continued to expose the evil of Marcial Maciel just as we caught wind of another case out of San Antonio. A reader dissented over Andrew’s approach to the scandal, Julian Sanchez jumped in the debate, and a female blogger explained why now is the best time to be Catholic. Meanwhile, the Internet continued to lampoon the Church.

In election coverage, the Tories released their own manifesto. Massie scrutinized its approach to civil liberties and Drum demurred over its view of referendums. The Conservatives targeted Brown’s supposed smugness and Paul Waugh figured Cameron will win by default.

In other news, Palin raked in $12 million, Medvedev flattered Obama, and Massa got creepier. Colbert grilled the co-founder of WikiLeaks, Larison tackled Jackson Diehl over the “snubbing” meme, and a new book in Israel targeted the settlers. Kristol approved of Elena Kagan, Andrew Bacevich compared Al-Qaeda to the mob, and Andrew articulated his South Park doctrine. More Kyrgyz commentary here.

Colin Dayan confronted canine profiling, readers sounded off on women getting high, and others recommended some smooth remixes. Hewitt Award here and Malkin here. Cool ad here. 

Monday on the Dish we collected fallout over the pontiff’s latest scandal. Andrew confronted the laicization canard and tweaked Ross over his semi-defense of Benedict. Richard Dawkins clarified his calling for the pope’s arrest in the UK and Dietrich Bonhoeffer contemplated the Church’s decline. More cases were bubbling beneath the surface in Canada, church authorities tried to block reform in Connecticut, the deputy pope blamed the gays, and the Internet kept up its mockery of the priesthood.

In election coverage, Gordon Brown presented his party’s manifesto and put out a handful of ads. A British blogger in the north reported on the BNP. In Palin coverage, Exum wonders why she <3 Karzai, Scott Brown seemed to want nothing to do with her, and Tina Fey reprised her role. Sara Rubin tackled Bristol’s new abstinence ad.

Lawrence Wilkerson drilled into the deepest and darkest corruption of Cheney. Greenwald eulogized the nomination of Dawn Johnsen, Kinsley talked conservatism and the Court, Bernstein discussed the politics of debt, and Lisa Hymas pushed birth control to curb global warming. Commentary on the economy here and here. Readers from Quebec sounded off on the veil controversy. Huckabee garnered a Malkin and Ron Paul got an Yglesias. 

— C.B.

Today on the Dish, in response to Obama's incremental progress, Gingrich threatened another shutdown and Palin went nuttier. McCarthy denounced Petraeus, Confederate Yankee got kookier, and even Ellen was called un-American. Bloggers discussed the state of conservatism, Andrew Stuttaford took a principled stand on taxes, Sullivan pondered a revival of isolationism on the right, and Rauch elevated Frum.

Andrew circled back to the new abuse out of Canada. Thea Lim and Sheema Khan assailed Quebec's move against veils, Greece teetered on the brink, Justice John Paul Stevens made it official, and scientists discovered something new.

More on Catholic meditation here and Biblical celibacy here. Hugh Jackman was set to emulate Butters, Al Bundy got down, and we found an awesome caption here.

Arivruaich, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, 9.42 am

Thursday on the Dish, Andrew laid out the vast Vatican corruption centered on Maciel while First Things sniped from the sidelines. More abuse cases surfaced in Memphis and Canada. Readers contributed more Episcopal stories and Catholic stories. Hans Küng cast a critical eye on celibacy and a reader doubted Christ's celibacy.

Across the Pond, Johann Hari sized up Cameron's relationship with the gays, Gideon Rachman explored the chasm between Conservative and Republicans, Massie sounded off, Cameron won Michael Caine's support, Brown pledged five more years, and a reader questioned Andrew's support of the Tories.

Kyrgyz commentary here and here. David Brooks and Gail Collins talked parenting, Richard Thaler defended soft paternalism, and Andrew endorsed meditation. Moore Award here, drunk history lesson here, and creepy ad here.

Wednesday on the Dish we rounded up several early reports of the Kyrgyzstan uprising and started to cover the British election. Andrew and others discussed the "success" of the Iraq surge, USA Today mirrored the Dish on settlements, Israel continued to alienate Turkey, and WaPo defended Karzai.

Bob McDonnell jumped the Confederate shark. Continetti began to come around on Palin, McWhorter deciphered Sarah-speak, and Bartlett and Andrew highlighted the disconnect between the party of Palin and the party of Reagan.

More personal accounts of abuse here, here, and here. Jonathan Zimmerman countered the anti-Catholic canard, Gerson kept his head in the sand, and Donohue rambled on. Episcopal contrast here and Presbyterian here. Heaven-blogging here and evil-blogging here.

Tuesday on the Dish we kept with the WikiLeaks controversy. Reax here. More Greenwald coverage here. Readers dissented with Andrew and offered their expert opinions here and here.

In Vatican coverage, reports of alleged abuse continued to flood in while readers continued to share their own experiences. Dreher and Andrew debated the bureaucracy of the Church, Mary Gordon defended her Catholicism, and NRO ended its silence by praising JPII.

Looking abroad, the Brown government announced the election and Massie disagreed with Andrew over Obama's Toryism. Iran rumbled with reformist activity, Avigdor Lieberman heightened his rhetoric, and TNC tackled Gettleman over his African war analysis.

In Palin talk, Andrew countered David Carr over her "authenticity," a reader backed him up, and Allahpundit proposed that she support pot.  Readers revolted over Doctorow's view of the iPad, challenged the "childless = green" argument, and discussed fast-food labeling. More CNN scrutiny here and a cannabis update here. Malkin here, End Of Gay Culture here, and guys with felines here.

POTUS got game.

On April 6, 2010 in Herat, Afghanistan, Afizeh, 40, bears the scars from burns she inflicted on herself ten years ago. The issue of female self immolation is increasing in prevalence in the region close to the border with Iran, as tensions rise between the traditional subordinate role of women and the increased awareness of women's rights in the wider world. By Majid Saeedi/Getty Images.

Monday on the Dish, Andrew reacted to the latest "gossip" defense from the Vatican and addressed the fundamental question of the scandal in his Sunday column. A UN judge said that the pontiff can be charged. Yet another report of abuse here, more personal accounts of abuse here, here, and here, and a historical account here. Meanwhile, more silence from NRO.

Across the Pond, the Tories regained their footing. Kevin Sullivan marveled at the calm between Iraq and Iran, Scott Horton tried to stomach Karzai, and Jeffrey Gettleman explained why much of Africa never stops fighting. The Dish highlighted some unsettling footage of collateral damage in Iraq and an ex-military reader expressed outrage.

In pot coverage, Chris Good checked in on the legalization campaign in Cali, Friedersdorf talked taxes, and Pew found growing support nationwide. On the new iPad, Nick Carr saw a bright future while Cory Doctorow wanted to take it apart. Chait and Bartlett discussed the counterfactual of a Clinton presidency, Fallows scrutinized White House reporting, and Andrew offered a short journalism lesson. Rove watch here, Thiessen watch here, and Moore Award here. Cool ad here and cool app here.

— C.B.

Today on the Dish, Andrew widened his scrutiny of the pontiff to new cases of abuse, as well as highlighted a spike in claims among Austrians. Benedict's personal preacher somehow compared the media inquiry to anti-Semitism. A reader dug up countless other cases from centuries past, another disagreed with Andrew about the nature of the abuse, and a female reader shared her own personal story. Jill Greenberg sent us a stunning image, Tim Russo condemned the Closet, and Michaelf Wolff eulogized the Church.

On the domestic front, Avent assessed the latest job numbers, Andrew hearted Barack, Sprung Obasmed everywhere, and Tumulty shared Romney's love for Teddy. Michele Bachmann undermined the GOP, a tea-partier railed against the RNC, Greenwald pwned White House reporters, and one reporter admitted as much. George Packer check in on Burma, a gay Oklahoman died mysteriously, and an MS patient was incarcerated for pot.

Erickson got a Malkin for CNN, Jay Rosen suggested reforms for the network, and Sady Doyle dissented over an ad. Creepy one here. Kick-ass compilation here, creative MHB here, clever song here, and hilarious sketch here.

Andrew explained the reason for this long post and how weekend blogging is going to change.

Butte, Montana, 10.18 am

Thursday on the Dish, Andrew tackled the Vatican at length – scrutinizing its latest attack on the NYT, explaining why reports of abuse popped up in the '60s and '70s. and analyzing why so many of the abusers appear to be gay. A reader shared a revealing experience with Ratzinger, another offered her expert opinion on girl abuse, and another put forth more evidence of a dark ancient past. Also, E.D. Kain returned fire, the John Jay authors sided with Andrew, and the Vatican invoked legal immunity.

As Palin escalated her TV career, her favorables plummeted. Reader commentary on "Drill, Barack, Drill" here and here. Related Yglesias Award here and Moore here. Unrelated Hewitts here and here and Malkins here, here, and basically here. Cool ad here. April Fools coverage here, here, and here. Awesome MHB here.

Wednesday on the Dish we watched Obama adopt "Drill Baby, Drill!" Follow-up here. In Vatican coverage, Andrew dug up previous praise for Ratzinger but took him to task for his failings. Hitch was a bit harsher. A Kentucky lawsuit took aim at the Church, June Thomas brought up the abused girls, an Italian bishop spewed some bigotry, and Bill Donohue followed suit.

Palin backed Bibi, tried to hide Willow, peeved her "guests," and got some competition in the reality-show arena.

In other coverage, Suzy Khimm noted some strides in ending DADT, Friedersdorf sounded off on gender pay, readers pounced on the "misogynist asshole," and PZ Myers challenged Andrew on Christianity. More Romney commentary here and here. Animal-suicide blogging turned into parasite blogging. Marcotte got a Moore Award. And a real-life Cartman crashed Chatroulette.

(Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

Tuesday in Vatican watch, Douthat deflected the outcry of Archbishop Dolan, Paul Moses countered George Weigel, Andrew differed with Father Brundage, victims activist David Clohessy called for disclosure, Tom McNichol compared the crisis to Watergate, a reader raised a double standard for prison rape, and another asserted that abuse has gone undetected for centuries.

In other coverage, Obama hugged Romney tight, Friedersdorf instructed us not to donate to the RNC, Erickson faced the music on CNN, Ravitch graded the president, David Corn revisited Bush's war rhetoric, and Larison danced on the grave of the UK special relationship. Brooks and Andrew heralded marriage, Bella DePaulo differed, Kate Pickert killed the buzz over preexisting conditions, and TNC talked video games.

Readers continued the feminist threats on stripping and salary. Another alerted us to April 19. Tax-blogging here, here, and here. Beard-blogging here and here. Blog-blogging here. Winnie the Poof met Alien, Obama looked at awesome things, and LBJ said "bunghole." Adorable animals here, badass ones here, and suicidal ones here.

Get your civic asset forfeiture fix here.

Monday on the Dish we kept up our coverage of the Vatican crisis. The big news was the Legionaries of Christ condemning its founder, Marcial Maciel, for his long history of abuse. Theocons such as George Weigel continued to defend the Church and cast blame on the media – a strategy not unlike Palin's. Meanwhile, David Link got to the crux of the crisis.

In Dennis Ross coverage, Andrew defended Rozen's post against Goldblog, Steinglass countered Andrew, and Exum added two cents. Mario Loyola ventured that Israel has no real desire for a two-state solution, Andrew pointed out a potential UN veto on settlements, and a reader dissented over Andrew's analysis.

In other coverage, Musings In Iraq assessed the elections, Andrew reacted to the Christian militia story, Podhoretz and Hinderaker fawned over Palin, Kristol invoked the blowback argument, and Murdoch readied the paywall. Jill Lepore discussed the futility of marriage counseling, Ricky Martin came out, Iceland banned strippers, and readers responded to the gender wage gap.

More AEI-gate here. A fascinating photo series here, fart blogging here, and more animal-suicide blogging here. Weekend coverage here.

— C.B.

We tracked coverage of the Chile earthquake here and here. Andrew is mostly offline for the week, but before signing off, he replied to Chait's latest response, countered Clive Crook on the clarity of torture, commented on British evangelicals, took stock of HCR in his weekly column, and criticized the Atlantic redesign (more scrutiny from bloggers and readers here, here, and here).

The Dish welcomes two new guest bloggers this week: political scientist Jonathan Bernstein and Atlantic globetrotter Graeme Wood. Jonathan discussed misunderstandings over public trust in government, pondered the implications of a third-party run by Crist, critiqued the NYT's explanation of the House's HCR strategy, evaluated the state of the filibuster, and wondered who in America has moral authority.

Graeme sounded the alarm over a wheat fungus, called out Sting for accepting millions from an Uzbek dictator, updated us on the Dubai assassinations, directed us to a dramatic tale out of Russia, noted the latest nuttiness from Qadhafi, chewed the cud over qat, and highlighted the horribleness of Haiti.

In assorted coverage, Reihan slammed Crist over his fiscal character, Menachem Kaiser went looking for small condoms, Nicholas Sautin theorized over amateur war footage, Ryan Sager studied the effects of vacation, Patrick pointed to a blind painter, and I featured a revolutionary archeological find.

— C.B.

Over the weekend the White House and Senator Grassley joined the growing chorus of voices against the Uganda bill – though a brave Uganda lesbian beat them to it. Annise Parker, who is gay, became mayor of Houston – the nation's 4th largest city.

In home news, Andrew took a much deserved break from the blog; he'll be off for a week. Andrew Sprung introduced himself to the Dish and Conor Friedersdorf returned to guest-blogging. Patrick exposed the men behind the Dish curtain, which disillusioned many readers. Sprung rounded up commentary on the Afghan timeline and corralled coverage of the burning Khamenei photo. Friedersdorf, along with John McWhorter, addressed the Tiger Woods scandal. Conor also discussed a discussion by Hitchens and Wright over terrorist blowback. And Patrick shared his thoughts about the President.

In prurient postings, Jonathan Littell won the worst sex writing award, Christina Davidson talked to a prostitute, and Reebok leered at a lady. In Sunday musings, Julian Sanchez and Dish readers philosophized over free will while William Deresiewicz and some readers mulled over the meaning of friendship. We wrapped up our week-long discussion of the Greatest Generation here, here, and here.

— C.B.

In advance of the historic healthcare vote on Saturday, the GOP made a spectacle on the House floor. In the aftermath, we observed the only Republican to vote for the bill and the many Democrats who opposed it. Regarding the other major story of the week, Fort Hood, Hasan indeed appeared to have been driven by religious fundamentalism. Goldblog called out much of the media over its double standard toward Islamic-based violence and Christian-based violence. A reader dissented.

In Palin news, we got a glimpse of her Wisconsin pro-life speech from an undercover Jonathan Martin and a Mudflats informant. The leaked details triggered Andrew to revisit the Trig pregnancy. A reader sounded off on Palin's need for secrecy.

Elie Wiesel condemned the anti-Semitism displayed at the recent Tea Party, which in turn sparked more anti-Semitism in the blogosphere. A reader was aghast. Meanwhile, the details surrounding Sparkman's death got murkier.

Digging through the Dish archives, Andrew pulled out some posts showing his consistency in criticizing the anti-war left on Iraq (as he does now with the Tea-Party right), consistency in scrutinizing the spending of the Bush administration (which most of the right did not), and consistency with which he judged the parameters of the Iraq invasion and occupation.

In Catholic coverage, a reader put forth a unique interpretation of Benedict on gays, Church officials got schooled by Hitch and Fry in a televised debate, K-Lo offered a similarly weak defense, and readers questioned why Andrew still remains a Catholic.

Readers continued the conversation on children and gay couples here and here, and the conversation on children and soldiers here and here.

— C.B.

In his Sunday column, Andrew assessed Obama's first eight months of foreign policy. The neoconservative panic continued, but some principled conservatives were willing to cut the president some slack. And a few readers dialed back Andrew's optimism over Iran.

In other news, Bill Clinton finally recanted over marriage equality, more gruesome details emerged from Kentucky, and Glenn Beck continued to make a fool of himself.  We also took a look at the ethics of photo-cropping Cheney, the laws of Photoshopping beauty, and the meaning of mate plugging.

The Dish also wrapped up the week-long debate over theodicy; read the last entries here, here, and here.

Finally, we featured footage of a near-death experience, a gay dude in a cage, an even gayer dude on a racist rant, a guide for buttery meat, and a recipe for apple pie.

— C.B.