JAMES TARANTO’S Best of the Web is back from hiatus.

PROPUBLICA responds to Dave Kopel’s criticisms.

UPDATE: Kopel responds to the response.

THE EYECLOPS BIONICAM, which was getting a lot of pre-Christmas buzz, is now marked down sixty bucks to $19.99. For that price, I ordered one myself. I’m kind of jealous of what kids today get, but I console myself with the immortal words: “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.”

Though for me, some people might say a more apt motto is: “You can’t always be young, but you can always be immature.”

UPDATE: Julie Cork emails:

Hi Glenn,

I noticed your post about the Eyeclops. I got one for Christmas this year, and while it’s lots of fun the focusing requires plenty of patience and a steady hand. Also, I’ve found that an extra light source is very helpful. On the remote chance you’re interested, I’ve been posting Eyeclops photos on my blog (juliecork.wordpress.com) this past week.

I hope you enjoy yours!

Well, I have a steady hand, anyway.

A WEIRD FIREARMS POLICY from the Nassau County District Attorney. Looking at the website, I see a “cash for guns” program.

TAXPROF: “Texas A&M faculty are protesting plans to give $2,500 – $10,000 bonuses to the Top 15% of faculty solely on the basis of student evaluations.”

FROM ED DRISCOLL, a camcorder buyer’s guide.

“WE DON’T EVEN BOTHER RAISING OUR HANDS ANY MORE:” Obama’s scripted news conferences.

I GUESS I PICKED A GOOD YEAR TO SKIP THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, as some people are saying it’s not what it used to be. But it could be worse: “Moving from gadget lust to lust gadgets, times are really grim for CE’s sister industry—porn. The Las Vegas Review Journal reports that the number of vendors dropped by 18 percent at the Adult Entertainment Expo (once part of CES and now running concurrently).” Hard times for gadgets and porn? What’s the world coming to?

RICK MORAN: Jack Bauer in a post-Bush world.

THIS LOOKS COOL: Kind of like an HD version of the Flip Video camera, only from Sony, and still under 200 bucks. The proliferation of these cheap cameras can only be a good thing for the blogosphere.

ENSURING SOCIAL PROGRESS by refusing to reproduce. Insert your own sarcastic comment here. (Via David Thompson). More from Cassy Fiano.

WHICH, AS I RECALL, WAS KIND OF A CHILLY YEAR: Sea Ice Ends Year at Same Level as 1979.

JAY ROSEN on Why the Internet Weakens the Authority of the Press.

FREE FINANCIAL ADVICE from Suze Orman.

BLACKBERRY PAIN strikes early.

PORKBUSTERS UPDATE: RELABELING EARMARKS to get around Obama’s no-earmarks rule. “They may not be called earmarks, but lawmakers are looking to write legislative formulas into the package to ensure that their districts share in the wealth and won’t simply be at the mercy of Washington’s bureaucracy or the nation’s governors. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) is leading the effort, personally lobbying Obama, top Obama adviser David Axelrod and committee chairmen on the issue last week. Clyburn said numerous Members, particularly freshmen, are concerned that they could sign on to a massive package with nothing to show for their districts. . . . The Majority Whip said he doesn’t fault Obama for trying to eliminate earmarks from the bill. “I know the politics of all this. I just think they’re wrong about it,” he said, adding later, ‘I love earmarks.'”

So will Obama let them get away with this — making it plain that his no-earmark promise was bogus — or will he try to impose some discipline?

If he lets them get away with this, it’ll be fair to characterize the “stimulus” bill as a big porkfest and not much more. Pigs at the trough — with Barack Obama as Hog-Slopper-in-Chief. Not an auspicious beginning . . . .

MAKING INEXPENSIVE SOLAR CELLS MORE EFFICIENT, with nanotechnology.

PROFESSORS: As sexy as DJs and Personal Trainers!

IN THE MAIL: From Tony Blankley, American Grit: What It Will Take to Survive and Win in the 21st Century.

FROM MAURICE STUCKE, a call for new antitrust realism.

DAY 1 OF THE DETROIT AUTO SHOW: a wrapup.

FINDING A GUN LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL as violating the Second Amendment.

ARE PRINCE HARRY’S CRITICS BEING culturally insensitive?

SOCIALIST TIES? Close enough to be worth airbrushing, anyway. I wouldn’t think this was something that needed hiding, but apparently those who know more, do . . . .

POLITICO: NYT reporter warns of one-term Obama. You wanna at least wait until he’s sworn in before that kind of speculation? Oh, who am I kidding . . . ?