THOUGHT POLICE: “Parties were more fun when George W. Bush was president. You could debate, argue even, praise and condemn, throw darts and laurels and solve the world’s problems over a bottle of wine. No more. At least not in my circles. If you want to stop a conversation in its tracks, just question something President Barack Obama has said or done. It’s not open to debate — and I don’t think that’s healthy, for the country or the president. It’s especially unsettling for a free speech girl like me. The First Amendment is important — but lately, it feels like my right of self-expression is being squashed.”

Plus, L.A. Times: Funny thing about Obama … “Well, maybe not so funny. Comedians are treading carefully as they test the limits of political satire with a black president.”