Pre-trip Roundup

Since I won't be posting for the rest of today or tomorrow, here's a round-up to keep you busy in my absence.

A few days ago, there was some form of Israeli/Syrian skirmish over Syrian airspace, where an Israeli military plane was fired upon. Both sides, however, are keeping uncharacteristically mum about the circumstances surrounding the event. Daniel Levy's hypotheses are worth your time.

Both of these posts by Zuzu at KPMT are good in their own right, but I particularly found interesting her argument on how making someone into a "role model" often entails an assertion of ownership over them; as in, they have an "obligation" to behave in precisely the way you expect of them.

Bitch Ph.D hits the spot on the Latino voting demographic.

Apparently, someone hung a noose outside a Black student center at the University of Maryland.

What if we calculated total UFOs in America like we do total IED's in Iraq?

Michelle Cottle is deliberating over a new parenting method.

The Fix has the run-down on the now-open Nebraska Senate race. If Bob Kerrey jumps in, it has a good chance of being a Democratic pickup.

Amy Zegart is guest-blogging at the VC on 9/11 intelligence failures.

I have to admit, among all its sins (real and imagined), I never thought to blame Israel for global warming.

See y'all on the flip side!