Today is February 22nd. It was on this date in 1980 that the immortal “Miracle On Ice” occurred. A scrappy young American team brought down the long-undefeated Soviet team, 4-3, in what is undoubtedly one of the most famous hockey upsets in history. The American team won the gold two days later, taking out Finland 4-2. Also on this date in 1923, the first chinchilla farm in the United States opened, which was arguably less worthy of being dubbed a miracle. Lastly, today is National Margarita Day. Nobody knows who invented the margarita, but one thing is certain, he had a wicked hangover the next day. Consider this an Open Thread.

Documents show Obama’s FCC used regulatory muscle to destroy LightSquared’s competition | Daily Caller
“President Barack Obama’s Federal Communications Commission demolished wireless broadband company LightSquared’s competition through a pattern of regulatory decisions apparently aimed at establishing an ‘open-access’ Internet in the United States.”

Big Labor’s Democratic Convention | Washington Free Beacon
“Local businessmen in the least-unionized state in the country are worried that organizers of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., are putting the Democratic Party’s alliance with organized labor ahead of local businesses—as well as state law.”

Nature Fakery | Defining Ideas
“These days ‘nature fakery’ lives on in school curricula and popular culture, from Earth Day celebrations to Disney cartoons like Pocahontas. Only now this myth is renamed “environmentalism” and disguised with a patina of scientific authority.”

Palin on Santorum: MSM makes me sick! | The Right Scoop
“The mainstream media, they make me sick! They’re hypocrites and we need to call them out on that!”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Merriam-Webster.
nictitate: verb To wink.

Today is February 22nd. It was on this date in 1980 that the immortal “Miracle On Ice” occurred. A scrappy young American team brought down the long-undefeated Soviet team, 4-3, in what is undoubtedly one of the most famous hockey upsets in history. The American team won the gold two days later, taking out Finland 4-2. Also on this date in 1923, the first chinchilla farm in the United States opened, which was arguably less worthy of being dubbed a miracle. Lastly, today is National Margarita Day. Nobody knows who invented the margarita, but one thing is certain, he had a wicked hangover the next day. Consider this an Open Thread.

Documents show Obama’s FCC used regulatory muscle to destroy LightSquared’s competition | Daily Caller
“President Barack Obama’s Federal Communications Commission demolished wireless broadband company LightSquared’s competition through a pattern of regulatory decisions apparently aimed at establishing an ‘open-access’ Internet in the United States.”

Big Labor’s Democratic Convention | Washington Free Beacon
“Local businessmen in the least-unionized state in the country are worried that organizers of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., are putting the Democratic Party’s alliance with organized labor ahead of local businesses—as well as state law.”

Nature Fakery | Defining Ideas
“These days ‘nature fakery’ lives on in school curricula and popular culture, from Earth Day celebrations to Disney cartoons like Pocahontas. Only now this myth is renamed “environmentalism” and disguised with a patina of scientific authority.”

Palin on Santorum: MSM makes me sick! | The Right Scoop
“The mainstream media, they make me sick! They’re hypocrites and we need to call them out on that!”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Merriam-Webster.
nictitate: verb To wink.

Today is February 21st. On this date in 1878, the first U.S. phone “book” was distributed in Connecticut. It consisted of only a single page. Over 100 years later, distribution of the phone book remains one of the widest examples of a company saying “here, you throw this away” in the world. Also, on this date in 1946, Hans Gruber (sometimes referred to as Snape) was born. Lastly, it’s Fat Tuesday, a holiday conceived to celebrate “your momma is so fat” jokes. So fat, when she got on the internet, it broke. There, I told one. Consider this an Open Thread.

One of Scott Walker’s Reforms Kicks in Today | Jim Geraghty
“It’s primary day in Wisconsin for local offices (school boards, city councils, judicial posts), and voters will have a surprising new requirement . . . proof that they are who they say they are”

Is Media Matters Obama’s Watergate? | American Spectator
“Let’s focus on one solitary, very bright thread in this series of stories about Media Matters, specifically the relationship between Media Matters and the Obama White House.”

David Brock explains it all | DC Trawler
“For over a week, everyone at Media Matters has refused to talk about any of TheDC’s stories about them. One request for comment after another has been ignored. Today, Media Matters founder David Brock finally broke his silence and set the record straight”

Patriotic children’s books emerging from Hollywood? | Human Events
“Covert’s latest project includes an eBook called Tex the T. Rex, a story about a dinosaur who is born on the Fourth of July and travels the country to understand why America is an exceptional nation.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Luciferous Logolepsy:
tachydidaxy: noun quick instruction or teaching

Today is February 21st. On this date in 1878, the first U.S. phone “book” was distributed in Connecticut. It consisted of only a single page. Over 100 years later, distribution of the phone book remains one of the widest examples of a company saying “here, you throw this away” in the world. Also, on this date in 1946, Hans Gruber (sometimes referred to as Snape) was born. Lastly, it’s Fat Tuesday, a holiday conceived to celebrate “your momma is so fat” jokes. So fat, when she got on the internet, it broke. There, I told one. Consider this an Open Thread.

One of Scott Walker’s Reforms Kicks in Today | Jim Geraghty
“It’s primary day in Wisconsin for local offices (school boards, city councils, judicial posts), and voters will have a surprising new requirement . . . proof that they are who they say they are”

Is Media Matters Obama’s Watergate? | American Spectator
“Let’s focus on one solitary, very bright thread in this series of stories about Media Matters, specifically the relationship between Media Matters and the Obama White House.”

David Brock explains it all | DC Trawler
“For over a week, everyone at Media Matters has refused to talk about any of TheDC’s stories about them. One request for comment after another has been ignored. Today, Media Matters founder David Brock finally broke his silence and set the record straight”

Patriotic children’s books emerging from Hollywood? | Human Events
“Covert’s latest project includes an eBook called Tex the T. Rex, a story about a dinosaur who is born on the Fourth of July and travels the country to understand why America is an exceptional nation.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Luciferous Logolepsy:
tachydidaxy: noun quick instruction or teaching

Today is February 17th. On this date in 1972, President Richard Nixon departed for his famous trip to China, as only he could. That historic visit resulted, of course, in the Shanghai Communiqué, a punk fusion band based out of San Francisco. Also, on this date in 1766, Thomas Malthus was born, and remained none too happy about that for some time. Also born on this date: Montgomery Ward (1843), Lou Diamond Phillips (1962), Larry The Cable Guy (1963) and Paris Hilton (1981). Clearly, February 17th has some explaining to do. Lastly, today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, in honor of which I’ll stop rambling on. You’re welcome. As always, consider this an Open Thread.

Greek Tragedies | Victor Davis Hanson
“What is strange to watch is the nature of the Greek furor: that the Germans are probably eventually willing to forgive hundreds of billions almost seems to enrage Greeks all the more — for their debtors’ unwillingness to go all the way by forgiving the entire huge sum.”

Who Killed The Jobs? | Powerline (h/t Kyle-MI)
“This chart tells you just about everything you need to know as you prepare to vote in 2012. Prepared by the Republican Study Committee, it depicts the percentage of Americans in the labor force from January 2005 (commonly known as the ‘good old days’ through January 2012.”

D.C. ‘Dirty Dozen’ Member Connie Mack- “It’s Check Mate with Hugo Chavez” | The Shark Tank
“Mack sides with Congressman Allen West in his assessment that Venezuela is becoming a nuclear threat due to its closer collaboration with Iran that strongly suggests the two countries are working on a secret missile installation that could launch missiles that could reach the United States.”

“Lifestyle Politics” | Wizbang
“You owe it to yourself to read ‘The Politics of the Accomodation,’ a lament by devout liberal Catholic Michael Sean Winters who has suddenly found his eyes opened to the truth about the Obama Administration and, in general, the social politics of the political Left.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes from Wordsmith.org.
Apollonian (ap-uh-LOH-nee-uhn): adjective Serene; harmonious; disciplined; well-balanced.

Today is February 17th. On this date in 1972, President Richard Nixon departed for his famous trip to China, as only he could. That historic visit resulted, of course, in the Shanghai Communiqué, a punk fusion band based out of San Francisco. Also, on this date in 1766, Thomas Malthus was born, and remained none too happy about that for some time. Also born on this date: Montgomery Ward (1843), Lou Diamond Phillips (1962), Larry The Cable Guy (1963) and Paris Hilton (1981). Clearly, February 17th has some explaining to do. Lastly, today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, in honor of which I’ll stop rambling on. You’re welcome. As always, consider this an Open Thread.

Greek Tragedies | Victor Davis Hanson
“What is strange to watch is the nature of the Greek furor: that the Germans are probably eventually willing to forgive hundreds of billions almost seems to enrage Greeks all the more — for their debtors’ unwillingness to go all the way by forgiving the entire huge sum.”

Who Killed The Jobs? | Powerline (h/t Kyle-MI)
“This chart tells you just about everything you need to know as you prepare to vote in 2012. Prepared by the Republican Study Committee, it depicts the percentage of Americans in the labor force from January 2005 (commonly known as the ‘good old days’ through January 2012.”

D.C. ‘Dirty Dozen’ Member Connie Mack- “It’s Check Mate with Hugo Chavez” | The Shark Tank
“Mack sides with Congressman Allen West in his assessment that Venezuela is becoming a nuclear threat due to its closer collaboration with Iran that strongly suggests the two countries are working on a secret missile installation that could launch missiles that could reach the United States.”

“Lifestyle Politics” | Wizbang
“You owe it to yourself to read ‘The Politics of the Accomodation,’ a lament by devout liberal Catholic Michael Sean Winters who has suddenly found his eyes opened to the truth about the Obama Administration and, in general, the social politics of the political Left.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes from Wordsmith.org.
Apollonian (ap-uh-LOH-nee-uhn): adjective Serene; harmonious; disciplined; well-balanced.

Today is February 15th. On this date in 1798, the first serious fist fight broke out in Congress, when Roger Griswold (CT-Federalist) and Matthew Lyon (VT- Republican) threw down. According to this article, Griswold “charged across the Senate floor and began striking Senator Lyon about the head with a heavy wooden cane. Lyon arose and retreated to a fire pit were he grabbed hot tongs to defend himself, but Griswold was able to disarm him. The two locked up and exchanged blows briefly until they were broken up.” This followed an earlier face-spitting incident, and upholds my long-standing hypothesis that you should never bring hot tongs to a cane fight. Also on this date in 1564, Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa, Italy. He is known for being the first person to have his picture taken pretending to hold up the Leaning Tower. You know, I think if Galilei were alive today, he’d take one look at this crazy mixed up world of ours and say “where am I???” But probably in Italian.

FLASHBACK: Occupy Rape Denialist Keith Olbermann in 2010 “I am Not a Rape Apologist” | Lee Stranahan
“In light of Current TV host Keith Olbermann’s firm and unconditional Tweet ‘No Occupy Rapes, No Cover-Up, No Apology, No Retraction,’ it’s worth remembering that @KeithOlbermann actually suspended his own Twitter account in 2010 over allegations made by many — including liberal reporter Tommy Christopher — that Olbermman and Countdown guest Michael Moore had treated rapes allegations with levity.”

Media Matters took $600K for gun control while carrying? | Ed Morrissey
“First, if he’s carrying in Washington DC, it’s probably not legal. And the reason it’s not legal is because of organizations like Media Matters for America, whose tax returns show a hefty amount of cash earmarked for gun-control activism”

Martin Bashir Outrageously Compares Rick Santorum to Mass Murderer Joseph Stalin | Newsbusters
“Ultra liberal Martin Bashir hit a new low on Tuesday, outrageously comparing Rick Santorum to mass-murdering dictator Joseph Stalin. In a fit of vitriol, the MSNBC anchor also connected the Republican to George Orwell’s Big Brother from 1984.”

Health Costs, Gov’t Regulations Curb Small Business Hiring | Gallup
Title of the link says it all. This echoes what the House Small Business Committee found a few weeks ago.

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Dictionary.com.
vilipend (vil-UH-pend): verb 1. To regard or treat as of little value or account. 2. To vilify; depreciate.

Today is February 15th. On this date in 1798, the first serious fist fight broke out in Congress, when Roger Griswold (CT-Federalist) and Matthew Lyon (VT- Republican) threw down. According to this article, Griswold “charged across the Senate floor and began striking Senator Lyon about the head with a heavy wooden cane. Lyon arose and retreated to a fire pit were he grabbed hot tongs to defend himself, but Griswold was able to disarm him. The two locked up and exchanged blows briefly until they were broken up.” This followed an earlier face-spitting incident, and upholds my long-standing hypothesis that you should never bring hot tongs to a cane fight. Also on this date in 1564, Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa, Italy. He is known for being the first person to have his picture taken pretending to hold up the Leaning Tower. You know, I think if Galilei were alive today, he’d take one look at this crazy mixed up world of ours and say “where am I???” But probably in Italian.

FLASHBACK: Occupy Rape Denialist Keith Olbermann in 2010 “I am Not a Rape Apologist” | Lee Stranahan
“In light of Current TV host Keith Olbermann’s firm and unconditional Tweet ‘No Occupy Rapes, No Cover-Up, No Apology, No Retraction,’ it’s worth remembering that @KeithOlbermann actually suspended his own Twitter account in 2010 over allegations made by many — including liberal reporter Tommy Christopher — that Olbermman and Countdown guest Michael Moore had treated rapes allegations with levity.”

Media Matters took $600K for gun control while carrying? | Ed Morrissey
“First, if he’s carrying in Washington DC, it’s probably not legal. And the reason it’s not legal is because of organizations like Media Matters for America, whose tax returns show a hefty amount of cash earmarked for gun-control activism”

Martin Bashir Outrageously Compares Rick Santorum to Mass Murderer Joseph Stalin | Newsbusters
“Ultra liberal Martin Bashir hit a new low on Tuesday, outrageously comparing Rick Santorum to mass-murdering dictator Joseph Stalin. In a fit of vitriol, the MSNBC anchor also connected the Republican to George Orwell’s Big Brother from 1984.”

Health Costs, Gov’t Regulations Curb Small Business Hiring | Gallup
Title of the link says it all. This echoes what the House Small Business Committee found a few weeks ago.

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Dictionary.com.
vilipend (vil-UH-pend): verb 1. To regard or treat as of little value or account. 2. To vilify; depreciate.

Today is February 14th. It’s Valentine’s Day, if you’re into that sort of thing. In 1929, in Chicago, 7 rivals of Al Capone were brutally executed in what came to be known as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. So yeah, enjoy your Vermont Teddy Bear now!! Also on this date in 1989, the first GPS satellite went into orbit. Then, as now, it made no difference in how difficult it is to navigate Washington, DC. Lastly, on this date in 1912, Arizona became the 48th state. Or as President Obama would put it, the 63rd. Consider this an Open Thread.

Obama’s Broken Deficit Promise | Jake Tapper
“The 2013 budget the president submitted today does not come close to meeting this promise of being reduced to $650 billion for fiscal year 2013.”

Great Scott | The Weekly Standard
“Throughout the 2012 election cycle Republicans have pined for a bold, conservative reformer—a leader courageous enough to make difficult choices and articulate enough to explain them to a skeptical public.”

Green jobs versus reality | Phil Kerpen
“Well, for starters, he supports the ongoing, unprecedented expansion of the EPA’s power over the American economy. Waxman, like President Obama, believes the 1970 Clean Air Act should be transformed into a backdoor global warming law by bureaucratic legerdemain.”

TSA Dallas: Woman Sent Through Scanner Three Times for the “Guys” | Verum Serum
“Who would have guessed that men would abuse the ability to see women naked. Yeah, that was a tough one to predict.”

CPAC: The Jersey Shore-ification Of Our Young People | Melissa Clouthier
“A successful woman can be tough and beautiful, modest and stylish, smart and sexy while still being chaste and having expectations of men.”

Today’s Word of the Day is via Wordsmith.org, in honor of Erick’s and Melissa’s posts.
Dionysian (dy-uh-NISH-uhn): adjective Uninhibited; undisciplined; spontaneous; wild; orgiastic.

Today is February 14th. It’s Valentine’s Day, if you’re into that sort of thing. In 1929, in Chicago, 7 rivals of Al Capone were brutally executed in what came to be known as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. So yeah, enjoy your Vermont Teddy Bear now!! Also on this date in 1989, the first GPS satellite went into orbit. Then, as now, it made no difference in how difficult it is to navigate Washington, DC. Lastly, on this date in 1912, Arizona became the 48th state. Or as President Obama would put it, the 63rd. Consider this an Open Thread.

Obama’s Broken Deficit Promise | Jake Tapper
“The 2013 budget the president submitted today does not come close to meeting this promise of being reduced to $650 billion for fiscal year 2013.”

Great Scott | The Weekly Standard
“Throughout the 2012 election cycle Republicans have pined for a bold, conservative reformer—a leader courageous enough to make difficult choices and articulate enough to explain them to a skeptical public.”

Green jobs versus reality | Phil Kerpen
“Well, for starters, he supports the ongoing, unprecedented expansion of the EPA’s power over the American economy. Waxman, like President Obama, believes the 1970 Clean Air Act should be transformed into a backdoor global warming law by bureaucratic legerdemain.”

TSA Dallas: Woman Sent Through Scanner Three Times for the “Guys” | Verum Serum
“Who would have guessed that men would abuse the ability to see women naked. Yeah, that was a tough one to predict.”

CPAC: The Jersey Shore-ification Of Our Young People | Melissa Clouthier
“A successful woman can be tough and beautiful, modest and stylish, smart and sexy while still being chaste and having expectations of men.”

Today’s Word of the Day is via Wordsmith.org, in honor of Erick’s and Melissa’s posts.
Dionysian (dy-uh-NISH-uhn): adjective Uninhibited; undisciplined; spontaneous; wild; orgiastic.