FLIP-FLOPS on the cost of the inauguration.

WHERE HAMAS gets its money.

LET’S HAVE Inflation?

UPDATE: Reader Santiago Valenzuela emails:

A line in that article struck a chord within me.

“We are in the midst of a great experiment…”

That seems particularly apt. Our ‘experts’ don’t really know what they’re doing – they are simply doing something and seeing what happens. Isn’t it lovely when the wealth of a nation is one big lab for these people to test their theories on?

At least in a free market, whatever its drawbacks, I would not have the value of my savings played with, without my consent, by unaccountable men in position to wipe it out entirely.

Indeed.

A REPORT ON THE MARS SOCIETY’S simulated Mars base. “To help train future astronauts to sustain life on Mars, the Mars Society has created the Mars Desert Research Station. The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is one of four planned simulated Mars habitats (or Mars Analogue Research Station Programme) maintained by the Mars Society.”

LET THE WAR CRIMES PROSECUTIONS BEGIN: ‘Hamas torturing Fatah members in Gaza’.

AL QAEDA DEATHS FROM A bioweapon gone wrong? Happy to see them dead, of course, but this bears further attention.

FROM THE WASHINGTON, D.C. POLICE: A 15 page guide to owning and registering a firearm in the District of Columbia. (Via Say Uncle).

COME TOGETHER, RIGHT NOW, over me.

POLICE AND THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE: Randy Barnett weighs in. “I agree with Glenn that, when it comes to police misconduct, the exclusionary rule is better than nothing. And in my experience as a prosecutor in the late 70’s and early 80’s the exclusionary rule had a definitely salutary effect on police conduct. But I also agree with Jonah that it is fundamentally wrong to let free those against whom we have proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and also (as Glenn notes) that the exclusionary rule fails to protect those victims of police misconduct against whom no incriminating evidence was uncovered.” But read the whole thing for a suggestion that — unsurprisingly given Randy’s experience and expertise — is better than mine.

HOPE AND CHANGE: Politico: Much of Washington will resemble an occupied city, complete with closed streets, checkpoints, and a 40,000-plus security force. Occupied? Nah. If the Army were in charge, there’d be enough latrines.

AM I CRAZY TO WANT THESE? Probably, but they just seem cool.

ANDREW BREITBART MAKES a pledge for the New Year.

ABC NEWS: Obama’s Inauguration Has Been Financed Partially by Bailed-Out Wall Street Executives.

OPEN-SOURCE SENSING and Civil Nanotechnology.

THOUGHTS ON leaders as readers. “Is reading to pick out the parts that fit your pre-existing vision more impressive than reading to grasp the author’s vision?” Sounds like something a lawyer would do.

PROBLEMS FOR Greg Craig?

A SMALL CIVIL RIGHTS VICTORY: “A new federal policy allows concealed weapons permit owners to carry firearms into Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.”

AT GAY PATRIOT, What Obama can learn from Captain Sullenberger. “The real test of leadership is not one’s demeanor, but how one faces the unexpected. Chesley Sullenberger showed he was capable of meeting such a challenge. Let us hope, let us pray, that Barack Obama is built of similar stuff.”

Related thought: “See, we plan ahead, that way we don’t do anything right now. Earl explained it to me.”

Plus, Tunku Varadarajan explains things.

INAUGURATION FREE SPEECH: Superintendent warns against ‘inappropriate comments’.

VIRGINIA POSTREL: Giving Aviator Glamour A Black Face.

MEGAN MCARDLE ON capitalism, the Post Office, and memory. “These references to the post office are a bit of carryover from a worse era. But importantly, they’re a bit of carryover from a worse era in which government was bigger and had more power over the market. This is worth remembering in a discussion about expanding government’s brief–if we’re old enough to remember.” Those who aren’t, may have the chance to learn all over again . . . .

But does commenter “Jennifer” have the last name “Palmieri?” Sure sounds like it, and yet surely she has better things to worry about than blog posts.

FOR THE DAYS TO COME WHEN KIDS ASK “WHAT’S A NEWSPAPER?” The best newspaper movies.

THOUGHTS ON THE lack of panic on Flight 1549.

Plus, cheerleading saves lives.

PHOTOBLOGGING BY REQUEST: Reader Bob Allman writes about my Panasonic LX-3.

Nothing more to post regarding your LX3? User reports are always much more interesting, and in many cases more valuable, than professional reviews. And I know I’m not alone in wanting to read your comments.

Well, it pretty much rocks. The Nikon D300 is better for, you know, professional magazine assignments, or other things where top quality, interchangeable lenses, and other accessories matter. But, honestly, the LX-3 is sufficiently good that it’s moved the line where I decide to use the Nikon instead of a pocket camera. The lens is great, the color rendering is terrific, and it’s easy to use and produces excellent photos — even in low light.

A TRUE AMERICAN HERO: Happy Birthday to Lysander Spooner.