It’s sort of a Georgia tradition for me to blog from hospital rooms, so here I am visiting an in-law who is, fortunately, about to be released.

Here are some midday news/views treats from the cafeteria:

* At College Guide, Robert Kelchen offers a big picture look at this year’s various college rankings.

* At the Prospect, Robert Kuttner speculates that a Scottish independence vote could set off secession fever elsewhere in Europe and beyond.

* Campaign finance constitutional amendment kept temporarily alive in Senate, but only due to GOP tactical ploy to eat up Senate floor time.

* As Obama prepares for big speech on the IS challenge, ABC/WaPo poll shows more hawkish public and less support for administration’s foreign policy.

* Darrell Issa tops latest list of wealthiest members of Congress.

And in non-political news:

* TechCrunch liveblogging iPhone 6 release.

As we break for lunch, here’s Otis with “Try a Little Tenderness,” recorded in 1967.

YouTube video

Our ideas can save democracy... But we need your help! Donate Now!

Ed Kilgore is a political columnist for New York and managing editor at the Democratic Strategist website. He was a contributing writer at the Washington Monthly from January 2012 until November 2015, and was the principal contributor to the Political Animal blog.