Donald Trump is Very Proud of Himself!

Make sure you listen to the whole thing.

More audio at MyNorthwest.com

And I liked this reply to Trump's "concern" about Obama's grades, from the remarks section of a pathetic Jake Tapper post:

I was president of my law school's law review. At most places, the president doesn't usually publish anything himself.

And all the carping about his grades? He graduated magna cum laude from HLS, where all the exams are read with the identity of the student removed. He got those marks on merit.

Just go ahead and say you think black people aren't capable of being head of the law review and he only got there because of affirmative action. It's what you really mean, right?

Update: I loved this, from Gail Collins,

Donald Trump immediately took credit. “Today I am very proud of myself,” he said. This is in contrast to normal days, when Trump is continually walking around in an existential funk, asking himself why he was ever born.

Beyond the Fringe

Via Paul Krugman, Beyond the Fringe:

Will Humor Work?

Tiresome Facts

I'll be walking to the mailbox today with a check for the IRS. It's the first time in a long time (like, maybe, forever) that I didn't get a refund. And I'm sure it's because Suellen didn't do the taxes this year. I bought TurboTax, but just didn't have the heart to sit down and work through everything. Next year should be different.

Anyway, I came across a fascinating collection of charts and graphs relating to taxes from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Here are two of them:





Take a look at the rest of the charts here.

Then decide if ending Medicare is really the only way out of our budget dilemma, or if maybe – just maybe – it's the not-so-hidden agenda of an Ayn Rand cultist.

Update: As I released the tax payment envelope and saw it flutter into the maw of the mailbox, I realized I had not put a stamp on it. Reason #79 Suellen always did the taxes.

Colbert

Jon Kyl is apparently the best that Arizona can do.

Framing the Debate

Tom Tomorrow casts his eye on Paul Ryan's budget.

This is especially spooky for me because 1) I know a little girl who calls her grandmother "Graham Cracker," and 2) I expect (and ask) that when things get too bad, I will be pointed out into the desert.

Read the cartoon, and you'll see what I mean. Make sure you click on it to get a readable version.

Running Second in GOP Polls

Don't miss the exchange between Gail Collins and Donald Trump on the momentous issue of whether Barack Obama was born in Kenya.

Gail's first column here.

Donald Trump's response here. Best line: "Her storytelling ability and word usage (coming from me, who has written many bestsellers), is not at a very high level."

Gail's rejoinder here.

Considering that Trump is now running second in GOP presidential polling, is it any wonder Republicans think Paul Ryan is a serious person?