I’m still in Atlanta at St. Joseph’s Hospital (my father is still in critical condition, but is showing some improvement) and finally took action to blog on something other than my wife’s borrowed Air laptop or an old HP model with all kinds of issues. I picked up a Google Chromebook for a song and am very, very happy with it so far.
Here are some midday news/views treats:
* Democrat Mark Herring certified as winner of VA AG contest by 165 votes; Republican Mark Obenshain hasn’t requested recount yet, but likely will.
* Scott Walker defends his state’s LGBT laws (an anti-discrimination provision, but no marriage rights) as representing a “healthy balance.” Wonder how long his staff worked on that formulation?
* Sarah Kliff offers an immensely useful primer on how to deal with family arguments over Obamacare during Thanksgiving.
* TNR’s Julia Ioffe examines the rapid devolution of the Heritage Foundation from think tank to right-wing agitation center.
* Greg Sargent isn’t putting much stock in it, but he dutifully reports scattered House GOP claims that immigration reform’s not dead.
And in non-political news:
* “Outlaw” country singer Wayne Mills killed in barroom shooting.
As we break for lunch, let’s pour (or light up) another one from Muddy Waters: “Champagne and Reefer.”
