I thought were jokes:

Sarah Palin resigns because she doesn't want to serve out a lame duckdom.  Seriously?  For one thing, who but she would have known for sure that it was lame duckdom and not a run up to a run for a second term?   She baffles me.  She's either crazy, or crazy like a fox.  But what does that make all the people who think she's the second coming of Ronald Reagan?  (links) 

D.C. councilman Marion Barry is sort of like a gift that keeps on giving.  The septagenarian has been arrested again.  The charge this time?  Stalking an ex-girlfriend.  Only the police say the ex flagged them down while the ex says no such thing (WaPo).

I wish were a joke:

New York State Senate still gridlocked.  The only thing that even sort of makes sense?  The New York senatorial elephants are trying to get in to make changes so that the minority party isn't quite so squelched (NYT).  I had an ohhhh, that's what's going on moment while reading that.

Other people might wish were a joke"

Al Franken is getting sworn in today as Minnesota's junior senator (UST).

Maybe something is actually going to happen in the New York State Senate?  Thomas DiNapoli, the state comptroller has said basically, "no work?  No pay."  With a bit of nudging from the governor (go, Paterson!).  Also, no travel vouchers.  His office is sitting on some 250 travel vouchers that total $560,000.  $560,000!  And don't worry (if you were), they'll get their money when they, you know, actually work.  At least they are all on the same page about something.  They're going to sue for their money (NYT).  Personally, with the way they're behaving?  I wouldn't be all that troubled if they lost a paycheck or two.  In all seriousness, why should you be paid if you haven't done the work?

Speaking of state senators, Stephen posted a Colbert Report video about a Missouri state senator, Cynthia Davis.  She apparently So, I guess she's never seen the reports about how some children get their only meal of the day at school?  Or are the lunches going to be merit based?  Get an A.  Get lunch.  Get a B.  Get bupkus?  She's lovely, no?

You know, I actually like all the dancers that are left.  I think they were all good last night.  I think that Caitlin and Jason are probably in the bottom three because they don't seem to have the necessary fan base, and I have a feeling that maybe enough people might react like Mary did to their routine,with a collective wha-? 

I thought Kayla and Kapono were great in their contemporary routine.  They just had really great lines and movement.  I don't know that it was Sonja's best work yet, but it was really good. 

Janine and Philip were fine and I'm sure they'll be fine because if their fanbase can keep them out of the bottom three after the tango?  I somehow think that hip hop is not going to do them in.  I think this one left me a little underwhelmed.  I think it was the chain.  It was a little distracting. 

I thought both ballroom pieces, the cha cha and quickstep were good.  Of course I know even less about ballroom than I do the others, but they seemed to be danced well, I didn't notice any glaring errors (would have to be glaring or with horrible feet or something for me to notice).  Plus, they were entertaining.  I hope Karla and Vitolio don't suffer for the switch up, however, since they have both been in the bottom three twice?  I don't know that either of them have enough of a following not to land there again. 

I really like Randi and Evan, but last night's performance?  It was good.  I liked the routine.  More than I've liked any of Tyce's, I think, but...I don't know.  Something was missing.  I don't think they'll be in trouble, but I think they kind of deserve to be (not that I want either one of them to go home).

As for Melissa and Ade?  The inner little girl in me, who still oohs and aahs over every little thing, squeed through the whole thing.  It was beautiful.  It makes me hope that there is always a ballerina in the top 20 so that this can happen again.