Today is January 31st. On this date in 1606, Guy Fawkes was executed. Fawkes, of course, was best known for being a mask. Today is also the 147th anniversary of the passing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States, by the House of Representatives. It was later ratified on December 6th of the same year. Today is also Phil Collins’ birthday, but as far as I know that didn’t abolish anything. He’s been waiting for this moment for all of his life. Oh Lawd.

Chris Matthews didn’t say Tea Partiers are violent, but he meant it at the time | Jim Treacher
“Listen as your pal and mine, Mary Katharine Ham, trips him up with some reality”

Oakland Mayor Says Occupy Protesters Using City As a “Playground” | Weasel Zippers
“Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said she has had it with a small, violent fringe element within the Occupy Oakland protests and claimed it is using the city as a ‘playground.’”

Obama to the nation: Onward civilian soldiers | George Will
“Progressive presidents use martial language as a way of encouraging Americans to confuse civilian politics with military exertions, thereby circumventing an impediment to progressive aspirations — the Constitution and the patience it demands.”

Video: Occupiers violently clash with NYPD last night | The Right Scoop
“I wish the Tea Party movement was as peaceful and respectful as the Occupy movement.”

Today’s Word of the Day comes from Wordsmith.org.
fagin (FAY-gin): noun One who trains others, especially children, in crime.