Hans von Spakovsky cannot be confirmed to the FEC. - By Dahlia Lithwick - Slate Magazine

What I'm more alarmed about is that I haven't seen anything about this anywhere. Maybe it's because I've been away, but this seems like a place for some Senator to take a stand. It would be a good and easy place to score some cheap political points while actually bringing some accountability to government. Just a thought.

The search for the ultimate snoring remedy. - By Chip Brantley - Slate Magazine

Very useful article for us suffering spouses. The final solution is brilliant, cheap and effective. Will try to get the half to try this soon!

Thomas Boswell - Yard Work Needed - washingtonpost.com

I've been away doing the DC thing. Anyhoo, yesterday's game might have been the worst loss Washington could have suffered. They just collapsed and choked at home to a (bad) division rival. The only thing good about losing to the Giants is that we can go back to New Jersey and try to kick them in the pants up there this year.

The last drive was emblematic of Washington this year. It will be close, but not close enough. I did appreciate that Gibbs did what he said he was going to do even though it came up short. Power running is a decent way to lose.

The defense was excellent in finally getting some turnovers. Not enough 3rd Down stops, but what are you going to do? Hopefully we'll be able to beat Detroit in a couple of weeks and get things back to where they need to be.

Back-to-School Buying Helps Retailers - New York Times

"As the nation's retailers reported solid sales results Thursday, winners crossed all sections of the industry and included Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp., Pacific Sunwear of California and Saks Inc."

Since when do back-to-school shoppers go to Saks? Laziness on the part of the media.